Fringe - "The Plateau"

Walternate (John Noble) over sees Olivia's progress at the Fringe Division headquarters 'over there'.

Photo Credit: FOX

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Fringe'
Season 3 - Episode 3
"The Plateau"

If there are any new viewers have started watching 'Fringe' starting with this season, then they're are probably wondering what the hell is going on. The confusion would be understandable if a newcomer didn't know anything about the two parallel worlds and the fact that most of the cast has a double on the other side. To make matters even more complicated, the two Olivias have been switched, with our Olivia now thinking she's actually Faux-livia. So, yeah, not very new viewer friendly.

Stargate Universe - "Aftermath"

Dr. Franklin (Mark Burgess) reappears to offer Dr. Rush some advice.

Photo Credit: Syfy

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Stargate Universe'
Season 2 - Episode 2
"Aftermath"

When is Dr. Rush finally going to learn that keeping secrets is going to continue to make things worse for him and for those aboard Destiny. Even when one of his poor decisions results in the death of recurring character, he finds a way to rationalize his choice. He's holding on to as much information about the operation of Destiny as long as possible. This way he has some form of power over Col. Young. Rush even was able to unlock and power up the ship's bridge. But at what cost? Luckily, Destiny isn't going to make it easy for him.

Caprica - "Unvanquished"

Zoe Greystone (Alessandra Torresani) takes on some A Clockwork Orange rejects in the VR world.

Photo Credit: Syfy

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Caprica'
Season 1 - Episode 10
"Unvanquished"

The programmers at Syfy found it in their hearts to air the last half of the first season of 'Caprica' in the fall rather than having us wait until January. I've never understood Syfy's programming strategy. They've always broken up their shows' seasons in halves with a very long hiatus that can last up to half a year (see the final season of 'Battlestar Galactica'). It just seems like a momentum killer and a perfect accuse for view attrition.

Rubicon - "A Good Day's Work"

Truxton Spangler (Michael Cristofer) enjoys a glass of "the good stuff".

Photo Credit: AMC

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Rubicon'
Season 1 - Episode 11
"A Good Day's Work"

The presence of Andy in Will's life has provided a voice for the idea that intelligence work is glamorous and action packed. What we've learned watching 'Rubicon' is that it can be slow and tedious, and in Will's case, the action is brutal and vicious. So, it's no surprise that when Andy makes a badly timed appearance at Will's apartment just hours after he had just killed a man in self-defense (and whose body was chopped up and removed), it makes sense that he doesn't want her around anymore.

Mad Men - "Chinese Wall"

Stan Rizzo (Jay R. Ferguson) and Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) get ready to make a presentation.

Photo Credit: AMC

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Mad Men'
Season 4 - Episode 11
"Chinese Wall"

The future of SCDP is looking very uncertain at the moment. Roger's big secret about Lucky Strike came out via the grapevine and now the entire company has to scramble to find replacement accounts, while trying to reduce the fears of their other clients so they don't jump ship as well. Of course, this is also the perfect time for Baby Campbell to make her debut.

Cultural Wormhole Presents: X-Nation Episode 4

Join Antony, Elizabeth, and Paul as they catch up on the latest X-Men news in the X-Buzz, take a look at the X-Books for September 2010 in the Month of X, and visit the stories from years ago in Days of X-Men Past.

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Download: X-Nation Episode 4

Month of X - September 2010: Wolverine: Road to Hell #1, Wolverine #1, Daken: Dark Wolverine #1, X-23 #1, X-Men #3, X-Men: Curse of the Mutants – Smoke & Blood #1, X-Men: Curse of the Mutants – X-Men vs. Vampires #1, Astonishing X-Men: Xenogenesis #3, X-Force: Sex & Violence #3, New Mutants Forever #2, X-Men Forever 2 #7, X-Men Forever 2 #8, X-Factor #209, New Mutants #17, Uncanny X-Men #528, X-Men: Legacy #240

Days of X-Men Past: New X-Men 2001 Annual, Uncanny X-Men #397, X-Treme X-Men #4

Fringe - "The Box"

Faux-livia (Anna Torv) lets Newton (Sebastian Roche) know who's the boss in this trans-dimensional operation.

Photo Credit: FOX

Review by Paul Steven Brown

'Fringe'
Season 3 - Episode 2
"The Box"

While 'Fringe' can provide entertaining "Monster of the Week" episodes, it really clicks when the writers focus on characters and the show's mythology. Two episodes out of the gate and season three has been doing just that, and rather well, too. Last week's premiere was all about Olivia, who was alone and trapped in the other universe. This week we catch up with the rest of the cast, Peter, Walter, Broyles, Astrid, and even Nina Sharpe. Unbeknown to them, the Olivia (FOX refers to her as Bolivia, but I like Faux-livia) in their midst is actually the one from the other side.