Fringe has passed the sophomore test. News broke Friday that J.J. Abrams series has extricated itself from the bubble and is floating free into a third season – this following rampant speculation that Fringe was on the verge of cancellation.

News of renewal or cancellation hadn’t been expected until after the series wrapped up its second season, so the early renewal is not only an unexpected surprise for Fringe fans but also a tremendous vote of confidence from FOX.

So let’s check out how Fringe saved sci-fi television