Gee whiz, is John Noble Fringe’s version of Alexander Skarsgard from True Blood? Noble got a huge reception from the crowd in Ballroom 20 at Comic-Con Saturday, but wouldn’t start the panel without immediately returning the favor. “You guys are the best fans that any company can ever have,” Noble told the crowd. “Seriously, without your efforts, your rabid support, we wouldn’t be here right now. You are the best fans that ever existed.”
The entire cast showed up for the panel, including Blair Brown (Nina) and Lance Reddick (Broyles). But where was Josh Jackson? Since Peter appeared to eradicate himself from existence last season (for more about the mind-bending finale, click here), the producers made the joke that it was time to find a new one. They screened an all-star reel of “auditions” for the crowd, which included readings from Zachary Quinto, Rebecca Mader, Damon Lindelof, Michael Emerson, Greg Grunberg, Danny Pudi, Jorge Garcia and Jeff Probst. Here’s the clip after the jump:
Obviously, no one came close so Jackson took the stage and enjoyed a grand reception, as well. Now, how’s he going to come back to the show exactly? We’ll get to that in the highlights/teasers from the panel:
- So if Peter doesn’t exist, how in the heck can he father a child? “The question is, is there a child?” responds Anna Torv (Olivia). Good one!
- Will Olivia learn to control her powers this season? “I’m not sure we’ve seen all of her powers yet,” said Exec Producer Jeff Pinkner. “What’s going to happen is really hard to answer because we think it would spoil letting the show unfold.”
- Don’t cry for Jackson; he’s not bumming that he didn’t have an alternative persona. “I’ve seen the fun everyone else had playing their alternates. It did give me a lot more free time,” Jackson said. “I don’t think Peter will ever have an alternate, but however he gets folded back into this season, it will be a very different version than what we’ve seen before. He’s in a different place now.”
- Like those flashbacks? Good. You’ll get more. “What been great about flashback episodes is that its deepened the emotions of these characters,” said P inkner. “We’ve loved them as well and its our intent to keep doing that.” Adds Executive Producer J.H. Wyman, “We’ll always go back and forward if it suits the story and the things we are trying to get across.”
The producers and cast then turned the table and asked the crowd some trivia questions. (The answers way below)
- What is the kind of sandwich that Walter made for Astrid when she was trying to break the code in season three?
- What color was the suit that Walter wore for his wedding?
- Christopher Lloyd’s character belonged to a band. What was the instrument featured on his album cover?
Answers: Cucumber, avocado, cheese and tortilla chips; purple; drums.
I think its good that Peter will be in a different place now, at least he won’t be Olivia’s love slave anymore and it would be awesome if Peter is an observer (Josh got that side glance thing down).
Peter is more than Olivia’s boyfriend and hopefully next year, they don’t spend ANYTIME on her stupid love life since shippers are utterly annoying and I’m sure the writers would try and make Lincoln Olivia’s boyfriend and RUIN HIS CHARACTER.
omg, wow, now that will be interesting.Oh boy oh boy I can’t any longer to see how all of this will ubfold.
*unfold*
I thought you were going to quit watching Fringe?
LOL, I knew it was her when she used the words, “ruin his character.”
And I thought you or whoever you are would leave me the hell alone.
Are you jealous that Anna Torv is prettier than you?
Nope, but I wanna bang her.
Good call. My first reaction to watching this was maybe the “joke” at the end with Jackson was really a hint/spoiler.
Hey prbabe! Changed you name, eh? Still an idiot, though. I guess you can’t change that.
GleeBee, as Dave so eloquently put it below, you can change your name over and over again, but you will never stop being an instantly recognizable loser.
I want that clip on the season three DVD.
Whoa Joshua Jackson was creepily on the dot as an Observer at the end.
I think if Joshua hadn’t shown up at the panel, Comic-Con would have had a fan riot on its hands.
Not too convinced that the showrunners know where they’re going on this, but as long as there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, I’ll play along.
I really wouldn’t mind Zachary Quinto replacing him but I think we might see Peter again near the end possibly.
Awesome show
Who is the actor that keeps talking about dawson’s creek? It’s really bugging me that I can’t think of his name.
It’s Ben Schwartz, a UCB comedian who plays Jean-Ralphio on Parks and Recreation.
He was also from the short-lived TV show Undercovers last fall (which was also a JJ Abrams creation).
Best show on tv…it’s like Lost, but with answers.
LOL
Those “auditions” were HAlarious!!
LOL
Danny Pudi was actually good LOL
That was so great!!!
I would’ve cast for the role of Peter Bishop. I’m just sayin’.
2:28-2:39 hilarious lol. I had no idea it would be this hard to wait for season 4 dang.
To funny…and JJ at the end was creepy. To bad he didn’t do pacey con this year. Can’t wait for fringe!
Very funny, especially Rebecca Mader. If any show could pull that off, it would be Fringe.
I love Rebecca Mader. I wouldn’t mind seeing her on Fringe.
If Anna Torv could channel Belly, why can’t Rebecca Mader channel Peter?