"Fringe" returns and we will learn the fate of Olivia Dunham on September 23rd

When "Fringe" debuted 2 years ago, the series focused on a string of mysterious events which led to the ultimate revelation that there was a parallel universe mimicking ours in nearly every detail. It was through a hole in the fabric separating the two alternate universes that nearly 30 years ago Walter Bishop (John Noble) stole a child and unleashed a sequence of events that has led up to the point where his counter-part is now prepared to unleash untold horror upon our world. Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) is that stolen child.

When Walter's son died, he only wanted to save the alternate Peter, but then could not bear to part with him and raised him as his own son. This past season not only revealed that Peter was not of this world, but when he returned to the alternate universe to meet his biological father, Walter and Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) followed fearing he had been kidnapped.

This quick foray into the alternate-verse did not go unnoticed and, as they were trying to cross back over into our world, while Peter was safely returned -- however, unbeknownst to them, Olivia was not. She had been replaced by her alternate-self and Olivia was imprisoned in the alternate verse, and that is where the 3rd season will pick right back up.

In addition, there are several power players involved such as Nina Sharp (Blair Brown) who runs Massive Dynamic, William Bell (Leonard Nimoy) who helped found Massive Dynamic and is Walter's former partner, and Agent Phillip Broyles (Lance Reddick) who is Olivia's boss at the FBI.

Then lurking in the background are the Observers who stand apart in time and are simply meant to observe significant events throughout time. But a few of them have crossed the line and stepped in to aid human-kind when touched by the particular plight of a human.

If you can follow all that, then you are not only a fan of the show, but you have a good idea how labyrinthine the storyline has gotten. "Fringe" is not for the casual sci-fi viewer. It requires patience and the ability to traverse a maze-like story such as this. But for those who have been watching, "Fringe" has become a show worthy of cult-like adoration. It has taken us down the rabbit-hole and delighted us with complex mysteries that invite us to tune-in and be a part of this extraordinary adventure.

Be sure to tune in for its third season premiere on September 23, 2010. "Fringe" airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. on Fox.

Related article: "The Fringe Season 3 Premiere Review"

Related article: "With Season 3, Fringe Becomes the Most Daring Show on Television"

Related article: "Fringe Season 2 Finale: That's not Olivia!"

Related article: "Spotlight on Blair Brown"