Fringe Preview 209: Snakehead

Here is the preview for the next Fringe episode - "Snakehead" - which airs in two weeks, on December 3rd on FOX.

Head over to the FringeTelevision YouTube channel to watch it in full HD.

Screenshots of the video are available at FringeFiles.com

Episode Review: August

After three standalone episodes, Fox promised a return to Fringe's core mythology this week with a much-hyped Observer-centric storyline. The episode itself was certainly thin on the "answers" and "revelations" promised by promos and press releases, but August proved to be one of the show's best outings ever, regardless.

Pinkner and Wyman gave our new Observer a great defining moment in this ep's teaser, when we see his reaction to the war veteran's gift. The emotion in his eyes was a stark contrast to what we're used to seeing from our old pal, September. And while we all knew from the promos that he was helping Christine Hollis instead of kidnapping her, it was still a great twist that August's motives were so personal. Which raises a few questions.

First, why are the Observers immune to emotion? September seemed concerned when August uttered the word "feeling". And further, what happened to August that transformed him into something more human? We know he witnessed Christine's parents' death, and that her noble suffering inspired compassion in August's cold Observer heart, but surely every Observer has witnessed a host of traumatic events without shedding a tear.

And while the narrative was certainly compelling--and while August and Christine certainly stole the show from our series regulars--we're really left with more questions than answers at the end of the night. The Massive Dynamic geek's Observer-talk was well-delivered, but didn't we already know that there was more than one Observer, that they show up for important events in history, and that their appearances have been increasing exponentially in recent months? The episode's reveals seemed more designed to fill in new viewers than anything else. Those of us following the show from Season 1 are still left wondering: why are they here? What are they looking for? Where do they fit in relation to Fringe's other mythological entities, like the shapeshifting hybrids, the alternate reality, the Last Great Storm, and William Bell?

I guess we'll have to wait a few more weeks for clues to those mysteries, since Snakehead looks like another standalone. At least the monster of the week looks like a Ceti eel!

Other Thoughts

-Would the Observers really need to speak out loud to each other?

-August's bullet-grab = awesome.
-Could the casting department have picked someone more threatening to play the Observer's hitman? Even Walter could outrun that guy. He reminded me of a segway cop.

-I loved that Christine Hollis was an MFA student like myself. The actress also did a great job conveying simultaneous fear and gratitude.

-How ridiculous was that Ford Taurus product placement?!

-Is the He-Saved-Us-From-Drowning story just Walter's cover for September's help in stealing Peter from the Alternate Reality?

Fringe Episode 208: August

When a peculiar abduction occurs in Boston, the Fringe team uncovers details of the mysterious man known as The Observer. While the bizarre case takes center stage, Walter, Peter and Astrid hit the lab to analyze unusual evidence and deal with Walter's insatiable appetite for a milkshake.

Discuss the episode here in the comments.

How would you rate "August"?

Tonight On Fringe: August

Happy Fringeday! It's time for 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!)

To discuss this or any other Fringe episode, head over to the Fringe Episodes section!

How would you rate "August"?

10 Things You Need To Know About Fringe

If you're new to the world of Fringe, this video will tell you what you need to know:

1. The pattern is a series of disturbing unexplained events happening around the world which is being investigated by the fringe division of the FBI.
2. The main fringe division consists of Phillip Broyles, Olivia Dunham, Peter Bishop, Dr. Walter Bishop and Astrid Farnsworth.
3. Walter spent seventeen years in a mental institution.
4. Walter's former lab partner, William Bell, founded Massive Dynamic: a multi-billion dollar global corporation and the military's largest contractor. Nina Sharp is the chief operating officer of massive dynamic.
5. The Observer is a mysterious figure who has been seen at events connected to the pattern throughout history.
6. The Observer saved Walter and Peter's life years ago when they were in a car accident.
7. Walter and William Bell have in the past opened a hole into an alternate universe, which may have inadvertently started the pattern.
8. Peter died when he was seven. He doesn't know this and Walter holds a secret as to whom Peter really is.
9. As a child, Olivia was tested on by Walter & Bell with a drug called Cortexiphan. Since then she has had special abilities that allow her to see into the other side.
10. Olivia was pulled into the alternate universe by William Bell, who is apparently stuck there. He warned that a war is coming between the two realities.

 For a more in-depth answers, check out our Season1 recap.

Anything you think is missing from the list?

Observer Sightings in New York

Here are some photos from today's Observer appearances in New York City. We've put them all into an album at FringeFiles.com, and we'll be adding more as they come streaming in, be sure to check back later as well.

If you have any photos or video, please send us an email. Thanks!

Observer on SYTYCD and Today Show

The Observer was spotted in the audience of So You Think You Can Dance last night, and in the crowd of the Today show this morning.

Observer Sighting Videos

Fox has released four Observer sighting videos to promote "Observer Week" on Fringe:

Observer Sightings in Los Angeles

We have added a bunch of photos from today's Observer sighting in Los Angeles into an album at FringeFiles.com. We'll be add more as they come streaming in, be sure to check back later as well.

If you have any photos or video, please send us an email. Thanks!

Observer Locations for NYC, Boston, and Chicaco

The Observer sightings have already taken place in LA and Atlanta. Next stop Boston, Chicago, and New York. Here is the schedule for tomorrow's live appearances:

CHICAGO

9:00am - 11:30am: Michigan Ave/Wacker Drive/State Street
11:50am - 2:00pm: Michigan Ave & Randolph/Madison


NEW YORK

7:00am - 8:15am: Rockefeller Plaza


8:30am - 10:00am: Grand Central Station
10:15am - 11:00am: Times Square
11:40am - 12:30pm: Herald Square
12:45am - 2:00pm: Union Square

BOSTON

7:00am - 10:00am: South Station T-Station (the Grand Central of Boston)
11:40am - 2:00pm: Copley Square, Hereford, Prudential Center
If you are able to go to any of these events, please take pictures and/or video and send us an email so we can share them with everyone else. Thanks!

Locations Announced For Observer Appearance in Los Angeles

The Observer will be appearing in Los Angeles at the following locations today:

7:15am - 8:00am ... Wilshire & Santa Monica
8:15am - 9:00am ... The Beverly Center
9:30am - 10:30am ... 3rd Street Promenade
11:30am - 12:30pm ... Hollywood and Highland
1:00pm - 2:00pm ... The Grove

Here is a map of the locations (click for directions):

The Observer will likely be handing out Fringe Tabasco sauce (as seen above). If you are able to go to any of these events, please take pictures and/or video and send them to us so we can share it with everyone else. Thanks!

Fringe Ratings: What Me Worry?

There has been a lot of FUD spread around lately concerning Fringe's ratings. Situated in one of the most competitive time slots this fall, ratings have been predictably low. However, Fringe has two things going for it that may allay some fears.

First, in the same time slot, Fringe has improved ratings over what was in the same spot last year. Secondly, with all the cost cutting measures employed by WB in moving the show to Canada and cast and crew redundancy, it is in a much better place to survive lower numbers.

Entertainment Weekly spoke with JJ Abrams, who says the show is not in any immediate danger, and that FOX remains committed to the show.

“The mood on set and in the writer’s room is as good as the ratings are bad, which is to say, wonderful,” Abrams tells me. “Luckily, Fox has been insanely supportive, for which we are deeply grateful.”

Abrams is encouraged by the show’s “strong” DVR numbers as well as the glowing reviews from critics. “But given that we’re on one of the hardest [nights] on television, we’re just focusing on making the best show we possibly can,” he says. “What else can we do?”

Like most things in life, nothing is safe forever, so the LA Times has a list of five things that could help Fringe - more answers, more character development (e.g. Astrid, Bell, Nina), more bad guys, less loose ends, and maybe the most important of all - move the show to a different day.

Fox is a little ham-stringed by not having a 10:00pm primetime slot, so the options for moving the show are limited. Of course it could move back to "reality" Tuesdays, but then there's the American Idol problem in January.

What do you think? Are you worried about Fringe? What would do to improve the ratings?