Few titles could be more apropos than Fringe when it comes to describing how I first felt about a series. I was on the edge of liking it; I was on the edge of hating it. In short, I was on the fringe. But now, after three episodes, I'm on the fringe no more. I'm just hooked. I simply have to know whether Blair Brown and her creepy robotic arm are good or bad.

As one of the most hyped shows of the new season, the new J.J. Abrams series premiered with a 90-minute pilot that set up its X-Files-meets-Dr. Frankenstein sprinkled with the Bourne franchise (minus the amnesia thing) premise. Each week, FBI agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv, who could be Cate Blanchett's younger sister); the formerly mad scientist, Dr. Walter Bishop (John Nobel); and his genius grifter son Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) track down a series of what can only be described as attacks of weird science that are part of a global conspiracy of weird science called The Pattern.

Are you still with me? Do you need a sip of water? Shall we proceed?

The Pattern is the show's biggest selling point. As much as I like seeing Anna in her FBI pantsuits each week, it's the conspiracy that gets former X-Philes like myself really excited. Who is behind all these bizarre acts? Why are they doing it? And how does Massive Dynamic and Blair's robotic arm fit into everything? These are the kind of questions that can propel a series for seasons. … continue reading

Life after Dawson's Creek has proven difficult for Dawson himself. It seems James Van Der Beek hasn't done much in the way of film or regular TV to follow-up his leading role in the hit WB series. However, his former cast mates have all moved on, and this fall, they are appearing on both the small and big screens.

Katie Holmes, "Joey"

Holmes infamously married Tom Cruise and birthed baby Suri to much fanfare, but as far as her professional life goes, this month she's trying her hand at Broadway as part of the cast of All My Sons. The show doesn't open until Sept. 18, but with the company she's keeping (her co-stars are John Lithgow, Patrick Wilson and Dianne Weist), it seems like a good career move for Dawson's former BFF/lover.

Joshua Jackson, "Pacey"

The default bad boy of the Creek, Jackson plays a good guy on the new J.J. Abrams series, Fringe. But one thing his character has in common with his former role? Sarcastic humor and wit. The best of both teen drama and science-fiction worlds! … continue reading