The most brilliant thing you haven't seen...

My friends, let me just say that last night saw one of the most brilliant, compelling, heartbreakingly astonishing hours of televised science fiction...ever.

Last night, Fringe came back...

This was television like we never see. The writing here made you feel like it was Ray Bradbury or a vintage Twilight Zone, with the weight and resonance of truly classic science fiction. No spoilers here, save to say that if you haven't got hooked on this show yet, you should spoil yourself and start getting caught up now, because from what we saw last night, Fringe is going to be taking our breath away between now and the season finale in May. Thank Heavens this show has been renewed for a third season.

I'm still thinking about the silver dollar and the lake and the vial...about The Window -- such a gloriously simple, timeless conceit. About Walternate and Nina Sharp and The Observer. About the immeasurable power of the love for one's child. If you think that pop culture ground zero right now is the final season of Lost...think again. So many of the questions we've had dangled in front of us previously were answered with mastery and emotion last night. John Noble was unbelievable. This episode, simply titled Peter, was something rare and fine to be truly savored.

And those credits! Eric Stoltz would be truly proud!