Thu Oct 2, 2008 — by Josh Wigler

'Fringe' Gets Full Season Order

More Episodes to Investigate the Pattern

Hot off the heels of yesterday's report that Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is endangered, word has come in that Fringe is thriving.

According to Variety, Fox has ordered a full season's worth of episodes for their newest science fiction serial. That's hardly a surprise, considering Fringe helped put Fox on top in the ratings on Tuesday night with a strong 9.91 million viewers. Of all new shows this season, Fringe has ranked No. 1 among all adults in the 18 - 49 age range. That ranking is in no small thanks due to House, the show's lead-in. On Tuesday, Fringe retained 78% of House's audience in adults 18-49. Looks like Grumpy McGrump House (that's his name, right?) is good for something.

Fox's full season order means that nine more episodes will be produced for Fringe's freshman season, totaling the usuaal 22 episodes for a full season. There's no guarantee that these episodes will be made, however, if the Screen Actor's Guild approves an impending strike order. In that case, viewers will have a lot more to worry about than Fringe. Fingers crossed that those cooky Bishops can rig something up to stop the SAG!

This is the second freshman series to get a full season order, following on the heels of 90210. CBS' well-regarded The Mentalist is expected to get its "back nine" order shortly.  Of the sophomore shows, Chuck is the only one with a full season order to date.

Fringe focuses on Olivia Dunham, an FBI Agent investigating mysterious happenings known as The Pattern. She's assisted by Walter Bishop, an questionably sane but brilliant scientist, and his son Peter, an equally brilliant but arrogant mind. To catch up on the show, check out our weekly reviews by clicking here! (Yes, we know it's a shameless plug-in, but just do it. It feels so right, and you know you want to.)

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