Tag Archives: Fringe

Watch ‘Fringe’s John Noble let in a mysterious ‘Friend’ in new short film

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In February I told it it was coming and now the mysterious John Noble short film has surfaced in full. The man who played Walter Bishop for five years on Fringe steps into a new, not-so-different role in Friend, an eight minute short produced and written by Noble’s daughter Jess. “A labor of love,” Friend reunited Noble with many behind the scenes players from his FOX sci-fi series.

“The amazing thing about Friend was our entire production team was made up of Fringe crew. That’s what made it such a unique and personal project,” Noble shared with TV Guide. “Our director was Fringe director of photography David Geddes; our editor was Ari Margolis, who created Fringe‘s wonderful online trailers; and our original music was composed by Jeremy Little, who contributed that wonderful cover of “If I Only Had A Brain” heard in “The Firefly” episode from Season 3.” Additionally, “the cameramen, grips, lighting, sound, catering, script supervisor, makeup, hair, wardrobe, props — they all came from the Fringe family and brought this project to life. Jasika Nicole [who played Astrid Farnsworth] even designed and handmade the paper flowers used in the film. It was a family project in every sense.” The balloon seller at the end? That’s Noble’s wife Penny.

As a refresher, Friend follows “a lonely, grief stricken man of wealth [who] finds a new lease on life after an unusual ‘friend’ is mysteriously delivered to his door. A unique and unexpected relationship quickly forms, bringing hope and color to the man’s bleak existence. But will tragedy strike again?”

It doesn’t take long to discover the mystery behind the door, and in such a short period of time you will connect with Noble’s heartbroken protagonist through his emotional performance that’s sprinkled with some subtle humor. The actor describes it succinctly: It’s “sad, and funny, and special.” From the disorienting mental breaks to the piano-heavy score, Friend is a treat for Fringe fans who recognize Noble’s unparalleled capabilities when he’s placed in a mysterious setting and lost his way.

FRINGE: It’s time to say goodbye

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I’ve been dreading this moment but it’s time to face the music. The 18th of January marked the final Fringe Friday. Over the course of the past five years we laughed, we cried, and we believed in Olivia Dunham, Peter and Walter Bishop, Astrid Farnsworth, Phillip Broyles, Nina Sharp, September the Observer, and everybody else who came and went on this epic, far-out journey about what it means to be human. As expected the bald-headed baddies were destroyed (well, erased from time if you want to be precise) and our Fringe family went on to live their lives in peace. Even Walter who was forced to sacrifice himself and live in a distant future apart from his son and granddaughter–lord knows he’s having all kinds of fun with the scientists in Oslo, Norway talking them into accepting the “anomaly” Observer as an appropriate form of human evolution. What is humanity without the power of emotion beating inside it?

I’ll be short and sweet, just like the final season of the show. My thoughts on the series finale: It was all I hoped it would be. Intrinsically beautiful, exciting, emotional, poignant, satisfying. The series in general? One of a kind.

Over the years I shared my passion for Fringe in exactly 53 posts total including this one. From the intense teaser trailers to the unforgettable Comic Con panels to the nail-biting season renewals, Fringe has been an exhilarating roller coaster from shaky start to fantastic finish. From a mysterious plane crash to a portal aimed at the future, from The Pattern to The Plan, Fringe rose above its cult status and shined like a glimmer of hope.

After the break you can watch one last video featuring the main cast discussing the ramifications of the final episode. It’s time to say goodbye. Like family these characters will always remain in my heart. Continue reading FRINGE: It’s time to say goodbye →

‘Fringe’ fans: You can own September’s Notebook, out this March

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Fringe is but a memory today as its spectacular series finale aired last Friday. The show and its unforgettable characters will always live on in our hearts and reruns…and in September’s Notebook. From publisher Insight Editions and authors Tara Bennett and Paul Terry (the duo that penned the Lost Encyclopedia) comes an official TV tie-in book that’s filled with all kinds of Fringe lore. The 192-page hardback notebook briefly showed up on screen in episode 510 “The Boy Must Live” and it can be yours to keep come March.

Fringe: September’s Notebook — The Bishop Paradox charts all five seasons of the show and is described as “an essential, and fully sanctioned, part of Fringe‘s mythology.” Words are disseminated from the perspective of our favorite Observer known as September and then Donald and the book includes “lush in-world storytelling and thousands of never-before-seen images that provide new insight into the series.” In other words, this is a true must-have for fans of the series because it actually expands on what we’ve seen happen over the course of the show. If you still have lingering questions after watching the finale, perhaps this book will shed light on your ongoing theories.

Moreover, the book is “overflowing with September’s handwritten observations, covert photographs, personal sketches and musings, as well as extensive FBI case files and hyper-detailed Massive Dynamic intel. Fans will even be able to interact with September’s movable notes, salvaged elements, and highly classified tangible elements.”

September’s Notebook, which also includes a forward by Fringe showrunners J.H. Wyman and Jeff Pinkner, is up for preorder today and goes on sale in March for $50 at Insight Editions. Explore pages from the book at that link, too. Also, the book’s official site features some really great Fringe wallpapers for desktops and smartphones. [Update: Amazon‘s got it for $31.50.]

The perfect gift for the cult Fringe fan.

The ‘FRINGE’ finale airs this Friday, get the tissues ready (EPIC trailer inside)

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In three days the final episode of Fringe will come and go. What better way to anticipate and celebrate the final installment of the FOX cult sci-fi series than with a brand new promotional poster and one last epic trailer. Similar in design to the one that came before it, this poster features an Observer with a bad nose bleed but that’s the least of his worries. With Walter and Donald’s plan set in motion, it’s only a matter of time before the baldies go down. Last week anomaly Michael gave himself up to the Observers to ensure the safety of Olivia, Peter, and Walter, so now we’re stuck asking ourselves how will the plan proceed without its most important piece? After the break you’ll discover the final Fringe trailer that sheds some light on what we can expect this Friday. The most intriguing bit? Cortexiphan is back and Olivia is going to harness it to travel back to the other side! The incomparable John Noble narrates.

Exec producer J.J. Abrams describes “An Enemy of Fate,” episode number 100, written and directed by showrunner Joel Wyman, as “highly unexpected, incredibly emotional and a fitting conclusion to the series.” He added, “I mean, the script is unbelievable. [The episode is] beautifully done by Joel and the writers. “If it’s not satisfying, I don’t know what satisfying is.”

John Noble, who plays fan favorite Walter Bishop (and who better not bite the dust), also shared his admiration for the last hurrah. “I can honestly say that it was everything I had hoped it could possibly be,” he told TVLine. “It tied up our character lines, it tied up the great story arc… I was extremely elated. It’s certainly going [out] with a bang. I hope history will judge it as one of the great finales of all time. I really believe they will.” On his character’s fate he continued, “If you had asked me in Season 1 where I thought Walter should finish up, it would have been exactly where he does. That’s the remarkable thing — it’s the perfect arc for Walter.”

Fringe airs two back-to-back episodes (“Liberty” and then “An Enemy of Fate”) this Friday, January 18 starting at 8PM. Continue reading The ‘FRINGE’ finale airs this Friday, get the tissues ready (EPIC trailer inside) →

On the scene: Celebrating ‘Fringe’ at the Paley Center for Media (pictures inside)

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On Wednesday night I attended Fringe Benefits, a special screening, panel, reception, and gallery exhibit hosted by the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles. The event celebrated the cult sci-fi series Fringe which airs its third-to-last episode tonight (the final two episodes air back-to-back next Friday). As a fan of the show from the day the pilot aired in 2008, this was a very special occasion for me to attend. What better way to celebrate five phenomenal seasons of such a memorable, mind-bending show than with an intimate group of similarly passionate fans. Entertainment Weekly senior writer Jeff Jensen was on hand to introduce the screening of episode 511 “The Boy Must Live” and afterwards he moderated a Q&A panel that included star Lance Reddick (Phillip Broyles) and showrunner Joel “J.H.” Wyman.

“The Boy Must Live” airs tonight at 9PM on FOX, so I certainly won’t spoil anything for you. I will say, however, that this episode is one of the most revelatory in the show’s history as it answers many Observer-related questions. Walter (played by the talented John Noble) volunteers to take a plunge into the famous water tank to relive the memories transfered to him by the child Observer in an attempt to locate September (played by a touching Michael Cerveris). In many ways the episode is humorous; dialogue from Walter and Olivia forced the audience (and myself included) to erupt in laughter more than once during the screening. And at the same time the installment is incredibly touching; Walter and Peter share a tear-inducing moment early on in the episode. Questions are answers, emotional connections are made, and the ball is officially rolling toward next week’s big finale.

After the screening Jensen moderated a candid Q&A session with Reddick and Wyman. Below I share with you my attempt at scrupulous note-taking that took place during the entertaining back-and-forth. Continue reading On the scene: Celebrating ‘Fringe’ at the Paley Center for Media (pictures inside) →

Fans vote for their favorite ‘Fringe’ events, grab inspired posters to benefit charity

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Do you want to own a piece of Fringe lore before the series comes to its epic conclusion? FOX, Gallery 1988, the Paley Center for Media, and The Mission Continues are teaming up to make that possible. The “Fringe Benefits Project” lets fans of the show vote for their favorite Fringe events and the top five moments will be reimagined by local artists and designers as pieces of art in the form of hand numbered limited edition poster prints. Once the five scenes have been selected, they will be showcased at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles. The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills will also have the artwork on hand beginning January 9. Buy up the fan-made posters and all proceeds will be donated to The Mission Continues, a charity that encourages and aids volunteerism by disabled and wounded veterans.

To vote from 31 of the most memorable Fringe episodes, head over to the Fringe Benefits website. The first poster (pasted above) is already highlighted and it celebrates the complete awesomeness that was the season 2 episode “White Tulip.” The limited copy is yours for $30. Fringedom, have at it.

[Via EW]

‘FRINGE’ poster teases “the final battle” when four episodes remain

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There are only four episodes of Fringe left. What better way to ring ’em in than with a shiny poster? The elegantly harrowing image puts the season’s big bad baldie Captain Widmark front and center; his eyes remain transfixed but divert the gaze of the viewer. His stoic nature is intact, but he’s beaten up with black-and-blue patches and red blood seeps from his nose and mouth. The fedora donning mind-wiper has a bleak future because we have to believe that Olivia and the Bishops will in fact save the world by ridding it of The Observers. The final battle is imminent.

Fringe airs one more episode this Friday, December 21 titled “Anomaly XB-6783746” before going on its final hiatus as we gun for the new year. It returns January 11 and the week after that the final two episodes will air back-to-back culminating in the series finale “An Enemy of Fate.”

[Image via TVLine]

‘Fringe’ showrunner reveals title of final episode, promises it to be emotionally thrilling

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Fringe celebrated 100 episodes at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver by gathering together the cast and crew of the cult sci-fi series. TVLine was on the scene and spoke with showrunner J.H. Wyman about what fans can expect from the final episode.

First thing’s first: Wyman has revealed the title of said episode and it is “An Enemy of Fate.”

Now what can that mean? Though Wyman doesn’t divulge much, he does promise that the final hour of the show–the series’ 100th episode–is going to be the most exhilarating installment yet. “It’s definitely the biggest season finale we’ve ever had,” Wyman teased. “It’s the most expensive…It’s massive, really big. I wanted to go out like, ‘Wow, how did they do that?’”

And like all the best Fringe episodes, the series ender will an emotionally thrilling one. “I wanted to make sure I handled [the action element] and the emotions with equal import,” he said.

Fringe returns from a three-week hiatus this week. Episode 8 of 13, “The Human Kind,” airs Friday night at 9PM on FOX. From this point forward the show will air uninterrupted culminating in the two-hour series finale on January 18, 2013. Check out some pictures from the 100 Episodes celebration in the gallery below.

Note: The image above is not a spoiler from the current season; it is merely a screen-cap from last year’s Comic Con gag.

[Images via BuddyTV]

‘FRINGE’ video: Joshua Jackson discusses Peter’s impending transformation

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Fringe spoilers follow; if you haven’t watched the episode “An Origin Story” do not read ahead.

At the end of the episode “An Origin Story,” Fringe took Peter Bishop’s character in a bold new direction. After interrogating a captured Observer, Peter discovered and removed a chip from the back of the baldie’s noggin. “You are nothing but tech,” Peter lashed out to the Observer. “I would be ten times what you are if I had that tech in my head.” In a fit of rage following the recent death of his daughter Etta at the hands of the Observers, Peter lodged the tech into the back of his head and thus began his journey of revenge. He must’ve forgotten what Anil told him an episode prior: “A person who embarks on a path of revenge should first dig two graves.”

So what can we expect from this transformed Peter? In an interview clip embedded above, Jackson shares that “once [Peter] has the tech in his head he’s kinda drunk on his own power all of a sudden” and that “Peter as we know him is very rapidly slipping away.”

And if you watched last night’s episode “Through the Looking Glass and What Peter Found There” we got a glimpse of Peter’s new abilities, though the tech doesn’t seem to be fully affecting his capacity to show emotion…yet. Just as Olivia starts to reach out to Peter, he pushes himself further away by injected the Observer tech into his head. Olivia’s portrayer Anna Torv discusses this topic in the clip.

Minor spoiler from “Through the Looking Glass…” follows. Jackson makes an interesting point in the clip at the end when he mentions that Peter and his father Walter are experiencing “parallel lives.” Jackson is undergoing a transformation thanks to the Observer tech, and Walter is similarly changing ever since Etta and Simon installed the missing parts of Walter’s brain in the pivotal “future episode” 419 last season. Walter made an emotional realization at the end of last night’s episode: “I’m not safe. It’s my mind. Ever since the pieces of my brain were reimplanted, it’s been changing me back into the man I was before. Bit by bit. I’m losing myself, Peter. I’m losing the man that you helped me become.” He’s afraid that he is transforming back into the “arrogant” man he used to be during the days he experimented with William Bell. It will be interesting to watch these parallel character transformations unfold as we enter the final stretch of episodes. Peter promises that he will not let Walter lose himself, but can he keep his word if he’s losing himself to the Observer tech?

Fringe airs Friday nights at 9PM on FOX.

‘FRINGE’ end date: Friday, January 18, 2013

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FOX outed a press release today confirming the day its sci-fi saga Fringe will come to an end. The fifth and final season will conclude on Friday, January 18, 2013. On that day the network will air the final two episodes back-to-back, effectively scheduling a two-hour block from 8PM-10PM dedicated to wrapping up the story and saying goodbye to the Fringe team. This date celebrates another major milestone for the series–here it will reach its 100th episode. The PR is jam-packed with statements from co-creator J.J. Abrams, executive producer and showrunner J.H. Wyman, and FOX Chairman of Entertainment Kevin Reilly.

Abrams: “It has been an absolute honor to have been a part of the weird and wonderful world of FRINGE. I will always owe the cast and crew for pouring their hearts and souls into every dimension of this series. Creating the show with Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman was a joy, but watching it evolve over the years into such an imaginative, insane and heartbreaking ride is nothing less than a thrill. I am grateful to our blessed fans, and to Kevin Reilly and Peter Rice and everyone at the glorious Fox network for allowing FRINGE to reach its bittersweet conclusion.”

Wyman: “Above all else, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to personally thank everyone involved with FRINGE. From the most amazing fans, to our incredible cast, writers and crew, and our wonderful partners at FOX and Warner Bros. – we would not be here without you. It simply cannot be overstated how grateful I am for the ongoing and unconditional support we have received over the past five seasons. It has been both mind-blowing and humbling. I’ve always been a fan of science fiction, and to be able to tell this story about a family – a family that, through everything, fought together for survival – has been a highlight of my career. As we approach the final chapter, I can hardly believe it, and I’m just truly thankful for this unparalleled experience.”

Reilly: “FRINGE has truly imagined the impossibilities over its five seasons and will go down in the books as one of FOX’s most riveting and creatively brilliant series. It has been a blast to work with J.J., Joel and their masterful creative teams, as well as with Anna, Josh and John and the rest of the most talented cast and crew in the business.”

The PR, which can be read entirely at the source link, also does a great job at prepping tonight’s all-new episode:

In the aftermath of the devastating loss of Peter and Olivia’s daughter, Etta, the intensity escalates as the combat continues and Peter makes a pivotal and game-changing move in the all-new “An Origin Story” episode airing tonight [at 9PM] on FOX.

There are seven episodes left as we climb toward the climatic two-hour series finale event that takes place early next year. The beginning of the end is sight. RESIST!

[Via Facebook]

‘FRINGE’ trailer: Things are about to get…explosive

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Fringe is not on the schedule tonight, but you can try to fill that void by watching this trailer poignantly peeking at what’s to come in the relentless battle against the baldies. Things are about to get, in a word, explosive. Screen the wonderfully scored one minute trailer now.

Fringe returns next Friday on October 26 at 9PM on FOX. The 13-episode saga continues in episode 4 titled “The Bullet That Saved the World.”

TV reminder: ‘FRINGE’ the final season premieres tonight (9/28) at 9PM on FOX

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It’s the beginning of the end. Tonight is the season five premiere of Fringe, the first of thirteen episodes that will encapsulate five years of freaky science, discovering the impossible, and most importantly, getting to know a group of characters that have grown immensely since we were first introduced to Walter Bishop, his son Peter, and Agent Olivia Dunham.

And if showrunner J.H. Wyman has anything to say about it, this is going to be an emotional roller coaster ramping up to a hopeful conclusion. In a recent interview with TVLine, Wyman shed light on what long time viewers can expect. “One thing I was adamant about was getting inside the emotion of the characters that everybody has grown to know over four years, and really pay that off in a big way. [This season] is about questions, about emotion, about family… I want to put the viewer down on ground level with our characters, so they can go through this final experience with them.” Wyman goes on to describe how he hopes to feel after the series finale has come and gone. “I want to get into my car the next day, drive off and feel like, ‘Hmm, I can imagine where these characters are today. I can imagine what they’re doing.’ That was really important, because I can’t accept closure that doesn’t have some form of hope. That’s just who I am.”

So what do we know, plot-wise, as we near tonight’s premiere? Season five will take place mostly in the year 2036, a time when the Observers have taken over the planet. As we learned in last season’s pivotal future episode “Letters of Transit,” Olivia and Peter’s daughter Henrietta un-ambers Water, Peter, and Astrid to come together and start a resistance to take down the bald-headed dictators. Where’s Olivia? What happened between the time Peter and Olivia were happily married with little Etta and the amber situation. What is up with the Observers? These questions will be answered, assures Wyman, and more. “All the stuff that’s really, truly important, the emotional things, will be addressed.”

The season premiere, “Transilience Thought Unifier Model-11”, the first in a “13-hour feature film saga” boasts Wyman, airs tonight at 9PM on FOX. As you shake in anticipation, check out the radical key art plastered above and in the galleries below you’ll find character stills and pics from the episode.

They are coming. Let’s fight for the future, shall we?

[Images via IGN]