Muffins for SCIENCE

Yes, children, it's science time. FOX has been running a series called Fringe that sprang from the mind of the one, the only J.J. Abrams. It revolves around a newly formed division of the FBI known as Fringe Division. They deal with occurrences that press the boundaries of science as we know it.

Things start to get hairy when agent Olivia Dunham (played by actress Anna Torv) encounters a biological agent that is like nothing she's ever seen. Agent Phillip Broyles (portrayed by Lance Reddick) approaches her and invites her to join the brand-spankin' new Fringe Division, which is designed to deal with situations just like this one: things that conventional science can't quite explain; things that fall under the heading of "fringe science". They run into Peter Bishop (Josh Jackson) and coerce him into bringing his one-time brilliant, now locked up in the loony bin father Walter Bishop (John Noble). Rounding out the team is agent Astrid Farnsworth (Jasika Nicole) who functions as Walter's right hand woman, doing everything from assisting him in autopsies to tracking down his favorite candies. Together, these five track down and solve events that defy all things that science has told us are fact.

Fringe, at its core, is a science fiction thriller, and a bloody good one at that. The atmosphere is constantly tense with anticipation. However, the writers know how to get a good laugh and not at the expense of the flow of each episode. Fringe manages to incorporate everything necessary to keep the viewers interested AND it crafts characters that have enough flaws to make them feel real and enough hurt and joy to make the viewer sympathize and even empathize with them.

Because this is most obviously the picture of mental health...

In true Abrams style, you spend a lot of time wondering how things will tie together, but fear not! Though it takes some time, things are explained one way or another. The story is fantastic, the writing is amazing, and the directing fits perfectly with the style of the series. Make sure you check out Fringe every Friday night at 9 PM, EST.