After four episodes of ghostly visitations, disembodied voices and brief cameos in reflective surfaces, Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) is back from non-existence, which, ordinarily, would be cause for celebration.

Unfortunately for 'Fringe' fans, there's still the small issue of no one remembering who Peter is, which means that the tearful reunions might be a long time coming -- especially since there's no new episode this week.


Last month, AOL TV traveled to Vancouver to catch up with the cast of the Fox drama (Fridays at 9PM ET) and find out what's coming up for our intrepid Fringe divisions -- on this side and the other.

After the jump, Anna Torv, John Noble, Jasika Nicole, Seth Gabel and Lance Reddick weigh in on what Peter's return will mean for the team, how the addition of Lincoln will change the character dynamics and how the working relationship between the two universes will evolve. Warning: Spoilers ahead.

So you've heard the buzz, your interest is tickled and you're ready to take the plunge into a new show. But, you don't have time to catch up on multiple seasons?

Have no fear, AOL TV is here. We'll be spotlighting five episodes from some of the best scripted comedies and dramas on TV that you need to see before jumping into the new season this fall.

Up now? 'Fringe.'

Starring Anna Torv as FBI Agent Olivia Dunham, 'Fringe' is a sci-fi FBI drama set in the world of fringe science. But before you run screaming from the room, just know that it's much more than an 'X Files' rip-off.

Created by J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, 'Fringe' is about love, loss and redemption. It's smart, funny, challenging and moving.

'Fringe' moves to its new night and time this week, and from what the cast spilled, you'll really want to see how they're coming back ...

I caught up with Astrid and Broyles, a.k.a. stars Jasika Nicole and Lance Reddick, to hear all about the shocking Observer-filled ending to Friday's big return episode (Fri., Jan. 21, 9PM ET on Fox) and the "really beautiful" father-son storyline. And you won't want to miss guest star Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown!) hanging out with John Noble (Doc Bishop!), a pairing that can only be described as "a clash of awesomeness."

The stars also dish about what's next for Olivia/Fauxlivia and Peter, what the alternate universe has made them want for their characters and why the show could turn into 'Glee' -- in a fun way.

'Fringe' is one of those shows that's managed to change things for its characters dramatically, not once but several times. Season 1 ended with a cliffhanger many fans thought they'd never top ... then came the jaw-dropping season 2 finale.

I caught up with stars Lance Reddick and Jasika Nicole to hear all about what's planned for season 3, and they both agree that the premiere episode will be yet another game changer.

Check out the interview to hear what else they had to say about possibly meeting their alternate selves, the eventual battle between both universes and who'll realize first that -- spoiler alert! -- they've got the wrong Olivia.

(S02E20) "And together they made goodness and lived happily ever after. The end." - Ella's happier ending to the story

Let's just get this out of the way right now. Lily Pilblad (Ella) and John Noble (Walter) need a LOT more scenes together. In fact, if the unthinkable happens and 'Fringe' is yanked off the air, these two should have their own show together. She's so darn cute, and they act like they've been doing scenes together for years. My favorite was when she was holding the bucket for Jean the Cow, who was happily chomping away while Walter and Ella talked storylines. Way too sweet.

'Fringe: The Musical'? Gotta be a joke, right? Even star Jasika Nicole couldn't believe it when she got a script that had singing and dancing. Nicole and her fellow castmates had "joked about it a lot," she told TV Squad on the Vancouver set a few weeks ago. " I didn't think it was really going to happen!"

Oh, it's happening. Tonight's 'Fringe' installment, 'Brown Betty,' features the entire cast in musical performances. It's all part of "Fox Rocks," a week in which the network's shows incorporate music into their episodes. The spooky 'Fringe' might seem the least likely of all Fox's shows to turn into a musical -- but not when you think about how loony-tunes Walter Bishop (John Noble) can be.

Watch our video Q&A with stars Nicole, Lance Reddick and Blair Brown to get the scoop.

(S02E19) "I want you to get some rest, Dad." - Peter to Walter

This episode of 'Fringe' had everything -- a slimy embryo, a thrilling gunfight, nefarious shapeshifters, some alternate universe action, and yes, that heartbreaking drama we've been waiting for all season.

(S02E18) "Until I took my son from the other side, I had never believed in God. But it occurred to me that my actions had betrayed Him, and that everything that happened to me since then was God punishing me. So now I'm looking for a sign of forgiveness, a specific one, a white tulip ... If God can forgive me for my acts, maybe it's in the realm of possibility that my son will be able to forgive me." - Walter Bishop to Alistair Peck

First of all, how cool was it to see John Noble and Peter Weller hobnobbing on screen together? Just two old scientists exchanging time travel theories and comparing notes on saving/stealing loved ones.

It was the perfect vehicle to build on Walter's struggle about whether to tell Peter or not. In a sense, he'd already been through what Alistair was contemplating. Yes, Walter had crossed to another universe while Alistair was trying to jump back in time, but the result was the same -- be with the person you'd lost. Anyone who's lost a loved one can relate. There's nothing you wouldn't do to be with that person again, even if it means jeopardizing others in the process.

(S02E17) "I have to tell him. I've gotta tell Peter the truth." - Olivia to Walter

I wish I could figure out how Sam, the bowling alley guy, fits into everything. I don't trust Nina Sharp one bit and neither does Olivia, so why should she think that Nina's suggestion to talk to Sam is a good thing? He could be totally nefarious (even though I don't get that vibe from him).

His midnight game of Clue did give us the great title for this episode, though, so there's that (along with the fact that we got to see Finn Garrity from 'Damages' again). But even so, he's not being very helpful at this point. Is he from the other universe? "I'm older than I look," he told Olivia. "I barely remember my childhood. I'm also taller than I appear."

Geeks, meet Gleeks.

To kick of the May sweeps, Fox is planning a week of 'Glee'-inspired musical programming, including a musical episode of sci-fi fan fave 'Fringe.' In the April 29 episode, entitled 'Overture,' the show's paranormal investigators will find themselves suddenly breaking out into song and dance numbers.

Turns out a lot of the 'Fringe' cast have music backgrounds, so they were psyched to show off their crooning and hoofing skills as part of the typical weirdness of the show. How do these musical interludes come about? Read on for spoilers.

(S02E15) "We're standing in two buildings, one of which comes from the alternate universe." - Walter

Well, we asked for it, and we got it. A few big reveals -- or not -- about the alternate universe and Olivia's part in it. Big episode of 'Fringe' tonight, with lots of things coming together. This is the winter finale, and the next episode airs April 1, 2010.

(S02E10) "I don't do Valium nearly enough. I'll have 50 milligrams please." - Walter

More Walterisms like the one above, as well as a few reveals and a nice cliff-hanger into the second part of this season, which picks up January 14. So far, every episode in this season of Fringe has psyched me up for what's to come, whether it's a seemingly stand-alone ep or something that carries us forward into the alternative universe. Things don't sound too good over there. In fact, it sounds a little apocalyptic. Now I'm curious to take a look myself.

(S02E09) "Aren't they magnificent?" - Walter, looking at hookworms

Another creature feature! We're sort of in a "pattern," if you will, with Fringe alternating creature episodes with alternate universe episodes. It's ok, though. I probably wouldn't want all alternate universe episodes. Would you?

Wow, though. Those creatures were seriously freaky. That opening scene, among others, just made me cringe. I'm just now getting my appetite back. But this episode was more about Walter and Peter than the creatures.

(S02E08) "Who are these people?" -- Peter

Awww ... we have met The Observer, and he is shy and caring. Or a cold-hearted killer, take your pick.

At long last, it was good to learn a little more about these mysterious creatures, although there are still lots of questions about them. We know there are many of them, that they observe people throughout the course of their life, and that they're not supposed to interfere. Oh, and they like hot sauce, but we already knew that.

So even with all of the scary stuff she sees in her line of work, Olivia is scared of roller coasters. I guess it's one thing to peer down a dark corridor with a gun in your hand, and yet another to be at the mercy of the roller coaster builders. At least she and Ella got their day at the theme park. If only we knew what that Observer meant when he said ...

And so Jane After Dark has come to the end of The Wire. I need to watch it again to catch more than the one-eighth I caught the first time around. But after watching all five seasons, spanned over most of this year, the thing that keeps popping into my head is that the bureaucratic end of things is really no better than the drug dealer end of things.

In some ways, the drug dealers have more ethics than the suits. At least when a druggie does something that wrongs others in the system, there's no messing around. They're shot. They know they have it coming, and they step up and take it, just like Snoop did, asking if her hair looked ok before being gunned down. Just like Proposition Joe did when he closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable bullet to the head.