What does Fox say?
“Our unlikely trio's strange partnership begins as they investigate the mysterious death of a woman who conceives, carries to full-term and births a baby in the span of hours, and her baby who ages 80 years in a matter of minutes. As the bizarre and seemingly unexplainable occurrences are explored, quirky Dr. Bishop runs extensive testing in the lab; his reluctant son Peter endures his new role as his father's keeper; and Olivia turns to Massive Dynamic Chief Operating Officer Nina Sharp for assistance.”

What manner of assistance does the creepy cyborg Nina Sharp offer?
Massive Dynamic has a device crucial to solving this week’s central mystery. It’s bigger than a breadbox.

Say, isn’t that Mark Valley in the Fox publicity cast photo up there? Do we get to see Nina Sharp reanimate him this week?
Valley is the only individual in that photo who doesn’t get any lines this week – though he may be in the episode. His name remains in the opening credits.

I think somebody said the first few regular episodes are better than the pilot. Can Hercules offer confirmation?
Unsurprisingly, tonight’s second episode nowhere near as good as the pilot, though it still gets a recommend because it’s got a corker of a final act.

What transpires in this final act?
Just as Olivia learned last week that there may be hidden reasons for her recruitment by Broyles, there is a giant hint this week suggesting there’s a lot more to Peter than previously disclosed.

What else is Fox not telling us?
Olivia’s final encounter with Nina Sharp (another component of that final act) yields more than just the patented device she needs.

What’s good?
Young, gorgeous Betty Gilpin (“Ghost Town”) cavorts in underwear very similar to that worn by Anna Torv last week. Peter has several colorful names for the male corpse he’s investigating. There are limited commercial interruptions and a creepy closing shot. Also? One of the strengths and weaknesses of “The X-Files” was one could pretty much watch the episodes in any order. I’m thinking this may not be the case with “Fringe.”

What’s not so good?
As serial-killer stories go, tonight’s is significantly less suspenseful than “Silence of the Lambs” or “Zodiac.” The most interesting scenes by far in are all packed into the final few minutes.

9 p.m. Tuesday. Fox.

HD Bond!!

Cheers At $16.99/Season

Trek Season Sets Under $40!!

CBS DVD Sale!!