Happy Birthday Anna Torv!

Everyone's favorite Australian actress, Anna Torv, celebrates her birthday today.

Congratulations to Anna on her career, her stellar performances as Olivia Dunham, and her recent marriage to co-star Mark Valley.

Fringebusters 116: Unleashed

For each episode of Fringe, Popular Mechanics asks experts to analyzes the science of Fringe, and separate the science fact from the science fiction.

For "Unleashed," PM brings in Malcolm Low, a senior scientist and Head of the Transgenic Animal Core at Oregon Health & Science University, and Larry Young, a professor at Emory University's Yerkes National Primate Center, to answer the question: Is Fringe's Genetic Monster Possible?

One of the most interesting quotes from the piece comes from Low:

"The idea of this chimeric creature, to me, could be believable in the sense that, over the eons, natural processes have changed creatures on gene at a time, and we've seen all kinds of things come and go," he says. "But to engineer that in one step would involve so many changes all at once. Nobody has a way to do that."

Not yet...

Walter's Lab Notes: Fringe 116 Unleashed

Walter's Lab Notes from the Unleashed include Walter's previous notes from a project called "Radical Transgenics", a cup of the highly toxic poison (or maybe the antidote?), and another grainy photo, which appears to be part of a larger puzzle.

In Walter's notes, he argues with himself, in a similar nature to the notes from The Equation.

Fringe Promo Photos 116: Unleashed

Here are the promotional photos from Fringe episode 116 Unleashed.
(Hover over each of the photos for a full description.)

Fringe Episode Review: Unleashed

Between Inner Child and Unleashed, the writers have really figured out how to make a standalone ep work. Last week's was moody and subtle. This week: full-throttled, terror-filled fun. Fringe has introduced us to supersized virus cells, porcupine men, and heart-choking parasites, but Unleashed was our first real creature-feature. I can't wait to see the accompanying concept art! And in addition to some tangible horror and suspense, there was a wellspring of great character moments as well.

"Monsters aren't real."

Unless you live in Boston, the new nexus of All Things Weird. Last week's griffin tattoo hinted at Unleashed's villain: a real-life manticore. Taking a closer look at the image above, you can really see a cornucopia of species. The bat-like head, the reptilian scales, the lionesque paws, the octopus tail with its rattlesnake terminus.

Kudos to director Brad Anderson for keeping the "Walticore" hidden until the episode's climax, a la Cloverfield. There were a few times earlier where the effects didn't quite create a tangible presence for me, not even a hidden one (in the woods, etc.), and I wanted a more distinctive sound effect, but the final reveal blew me away. Best visual effects I've ever seen on television.

"Are you trying to tell me I'm pregnant?"

I was ecstatic to see Charlie's character further developed in this episode. The scenes between Kirk Acevedo and his real-life wife, Kiersten Warren, were touching and authentic, thanks to some excellent performances and brilliant casting. Charlie's more than just a great voice - Kirk's a luminous actor, and I'm glad the writers gave him a real chance to shine. Now, let's do the same for Peter, Broyles, and Astrid!

"You were brave today."

Peter and Walter's relationship also took center stage tonight, taking one step back as they argued over Walter's culpability, and then two steps forward when Peter recognizes Walter's re-emerging humanity. Walter's selfless heroism in the sewer, combined with Peter's unchecked fear for his father, was a wonderfully moving moment. Even more incredible that the writers managed to squeeze it into such a fun, outlandish storyline about a genetically-engineered monster.

What did you think? Unleashed is now my favorite "standalone" episode of Season 1.

Stray Thoughts

• Best Line of the Night: "I need to tinkle. Could either of you direct me to the facilities?" (Could be my favorite of the season).
• Runner-up: "Apparently you're looking for a lion-snake named Harriet."
• 2nd Runner-up: "I haven't felt any rhinos lately."
• While Charlie was infected, I kept thinking, all the man needs is a BOX of TISSUES.
• Is the cadaver-splitting larvae hatching the grossest Fringe moment yet? I put it right up there with Bound's slug vomiting and the Pilot's Captain Yawny-Face.
• Giacchino's score was particularly riveting tonight.
• John Noble was at his most delectable, too. Give the man an Emmy!
• Anyone think there's more to Walter's "thinking out loud" in this ep? Like, maybe he's speaking with someone through the Ghost Network? Belly himself?
• According to J.R. Orci, one of Unleashed's writers, the Monster is named Rufus II.

Adam Morgan is a writer for the page and screen in Chicago, and blogs daily at Mount Helicon.

Fringe Episode 116: What You Missed Because of American Idol

If you Tivo'd Fringe tonight, you might have found that the last three minutes or so were cut off due the American Idol running long (again!). If you didn't learn your lesson from last week and that happened to you, don't worry - FringeTelevision has got your back! Here are the final scenes from Fringe episode "Unleashed".

Fringe Episode 116: Unleashed

As animal rights activists ransack a laboratory, they get more than they bargained for when one of the caged "animals" unleashes a ferocious appetite. Leaving grotesquely mutilated dead bodies in its wake, the scientific engineered beast...
Leonard Nimoy to play William Bell = ?

LIVE Fringe Chat Tonight for Unleashed

Tonight we will be hosting another LIVE Fringe chat from 9:00 PM to 12:00 PM ET, if you want to talk with other Fringe fans during or after the show. We'll try to get there a little early if anyone has questions they want answered.

To join the chat, visit the Fringe chat room, enter your name or a nickname, and join the fun! (please don't use the default mib_xxxxx nickname!)

I will be there (as FringeTelevision) along with Adam Morgan. Last week Fringe executive producer J.R. Orci stopped by... who knows who else might join us tonight!

Fringe Scenemaker 115: Inner Child

Scenemaker is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Fringe. This episode shows the making of the cemetery fight scene, from the Fringe episode Inner Child.

You can watch previous episode's scenemaker videos here.

Fringe Episode Preview: Unleashed

As last week's previews indicated, tonight's Fringe is a classic monster freak-fest, in the vein of Jaws, Alien, or The Relic. You're in for a real treat. Here are a few teases to get you on the edge of your seat (as if you need any help from me):

• Get ready for the creepiest cold open to date.
• Walter and Peter's budding relationship will face a new obstacle.
• Olivia's got an admirer.
• One character is pregnant. But it's not what you think.
  

Tune in tonight at 9/8c on Fox for episode 1.16 Unleashed, and stop by the chatroom if you can! Dennis and I will be there tonight, hopefully for the entire U.S. runtime from coast to coast. Last week's chat was a huge success, and writer/producer JR Orci even stopped by to chat.

Fringe To Canada, No Wrap Party For Crew?

It turns out Warner Bros wasn't bluffing when they announced that Fringe would be moving to Canada. While the mantra until now has been "It ain't over till it's over," unfortunately, it's over. The temporarily renewed NY tax credits were too little, too late for Fringe. Fringe is set to "wrap" (i.e. finish shooting) in the next week or so, and then they'll pack up the sets and head north.

The biggest loss will be the amazing Fringe crew, which can't or won't be allowed to make the move to Canada. From all accounts, the Fringe crew has been "one of a kind from top to bottom".

Now to literally add insult to injury, there is word that there will be no wrap party or thank you gifts for the soon-to-be unemployed crew members.

Normally when a show finishes shooting a season, it thanks everyone for their year of service by throwing a party and giving out nice gifts. However, some studio whistle blowers have come forward to reveal that there are no plans to make good on this time-honored tradition. One source said:

It's unheard of that these people don't get a wrap gift or wrap party after a year [of working on the show]... I feel for those guys and gals.

Not only will most of the crew not have a job on the show next season, they wont even be properly thanked for their hard work.

FringeTelevision would like to thank everyone whose work goes in to creating this incredible show. Please leave a comment here to show the crew how much the fans have appreciated all their hard work!

The Child's Transmission: Reversed

In this week's ep, Inner Child, Walter straps his neuro-transmitter onto the Child, and picks up an odd, unintelligable voice. Lots of fans are speculating that the Child thinks/speaks backwards, since he writes upside-down...

I've recorded the transmission and reversed the audio, which you can find in the Fringe Easter Eggs section.

Discover Magazine has an interesting look at the real technology behind Walter's device.

Discover's premise - that we're years away from this kind of technology - is a bit off and kind of misses the point. Scientists have already discovered how to read images from your thoughts. Besides, the concept of Fringe is that Walter Bishop and Massive Dynamics are far ahead of the current science curve.