FlashForward

On this week's episode of FlashForward, viewers bid farewell to Al and said hello Blue Hand associate Jeff Slingerland (Callum Keith Rennie).

The latter won't be the final new character introduced on the series, not by a long shot, says creator David S. Goyer. He told MTV:

"We're introducing quite a few new characters down the line. We have already written [the Somalian boy from episode three] as an adult. We're hoping to have a certain actor play him. We haven't nailed it down yet, but we're crossing our fingers."

Goyer also hinted that Michael K. Williams (Omar from The Wire) would take on that adult role, which would be incredible.

Then there's Miles Fogel a new addition to be played by Michael Ealy.

"He effectively becomes a series regular with [episode ten]," Goyer said of Fogel.

Goyer also confirmed that Slingerland would turn up a couple more times this season; and that episode nine will take Bryce to Japan (as hinted at last night).

"That's the subject of episode nine, which is almost entirely his episode," said Goyer. "We introduce another of our cast members in that one — her name is Keiko. She's from Japan, and I can't say too much more about who she is, but she's involved in Bryce's story."

Alright! Finally, some action took place on this week's episode of FlashForward.

We had been growing a bit frustrated over the pace of the show. Each hour would end on a mysterious, suspenseful note - but when you'd step back and think about what had actually happened, the answer was always: not much.

The conclusion of "The Gift" changed that, however. Follow our link for a full recap and see if you agree with our following review of the episode...

RIP, Al: We had been pushing for Janis to literally bite the bullet a couple weeks ago, excited by the question of how the death of a character that had seen themselves alive in six months would throw the show for an intriguing loop. Looks like she'll make it, but Al isn't coming back from that roof dive. How will the development impact everyone's set belief in the future? We can't wait to find out.

Really, Al? That said, did Al really need to kill himself in order to "change the game," as he put it? Maybe instead of entering the Blue Hand club, he could have suggested a movie to Mark and Demetri instead. Ignore a clue on Mark's board and that also "changes the game," doesn't it? Killing oneself seemed like an unnecessary, drastic way to not give in to the future.

Hello, Tracy: It was nice to see Aaron given more of a focus. His vision of his daughter alive was the most fascinating of anyone's on the show. As he told Mark in the premiere, unlike many other characters, Aaron wants his future to come true. The series has since ignored the opposing views of these friends in regard to their flash forwards. But now we have Al's death changing the game; yet Tracy's life possibly proving its validity. A nice contrast.

Goodbye, rest of the world: This is a problem we've had since the premiere. The show has done a poor job depicting the utter panic that would be ensuing around the globe. 20 million people died in the blackouts. 20 million!!!

The series is obsessed with its core characters and their immediate problems, which pale in comparison to the global catastrophe that just took place. The world should be in chaos and in mourning, making it difficult to care very much if Mark and Olivia stay together. As a side storyline that keeps us invested in these individuals? Sure. But their marital problems are focused on more than any other issue.

Did anyone watch the pilot episode of V? It masterfully introduced its main characters, while setting up a society in general that is clearly reeling from the developments surrounding it. We need more of that on FlashForward.

Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment. Let us know!

On last week's episode of FlashForward, viewers got to know Dominic Monaghan's Simon a bit better.

Turns out, he's a world-respected scientist; he's got some game with the ladies; oh, and he kills a man on April 29, 2010.

Lying in bed with a gorgeous conquest, Simon describes his vision of the future: he's in a parking garage, and his hands are around the throat of an unidentified man. When the man finally stops struggling and loses his life, Simon clearly smiles.

It was an eerie flash forward that raised many questions. Chief among them: who the heck was the victim?!?

Below, we've blown up a few screen caps from the episode and are asking readers for theories on who Simon killed and why. Give us your best guesses!

On the next episode of FlashForward, the FBI tries to take a few steps closer to one major clue from Mark's board.

Mark, Demetri and Al investigate the Blue Hand Club. Before they can see what this organization is all about, however, the must first pass a dangerous test.

See what we mean below:

Browse through our section of FlashForward spoilers for look ahead at this series.

Also, remember to visit TV Fanatic each week for a detailed recap and review of each episode.

This was our favorite episode of FlashForward since the series premiere.

We encourage readers to catch up on events from it, via our recap of "Scary Monsters and Super Creeps," and then check out our full review below. Here's a recap of what we liked so much about the installment:

Charlie, who?!? You often hear actors claim they wish to vary their roles, but few actually. Dominic Monaghan, however, said he was seeking a post-Lost role that was different from his character of Charlie on that ABC hit. It's safe to say he's found it.

Monaghan's Simon is a mysterious, devious character that enjoyed his most screen time yet this season. We have no idea what he's up to, but we're intrigued.

More than mere talk: One complaint we've had about the show is how the characters talk... a lot. They're constantly reciting their visions and wondering if the future will come true or not. But that chit-chat turned into actual tension between Mark and Olivia this week, as secrets were exposted and the couple ended the episode on bad terms. Will this catapult Olivia into the arms of Lloyd? We'll see.

Kangaroo sighting! Why is there a kangaroo hopping around? Is it the same creature Mark saw on the series premiere? Are there other animals roaming the streets of Los Angeles? Fun questions to ponder.

We still wish Janis had actually died. This development would have thrown the show for a loop and it would have been interesting to see how the FBI investigation proceeds, considering there would be proof that not all visions come true.

What did you like or dislike about the episode? Any theories on Simon and Lloyd's connection?

One major problem we've had so far on FlashForward is the one-dimensional characters on the show.

Joseph Fiennes' Mark Benford is incredibly stuff; Courtney B. Vance's Stan Wedeck is over-the-top and not believable as a boss.

But we've loved Sonya Walger's portrayal of Olivia Benford from the beginning, as the talented actress actually makes us feel Olivia's pain as she struggles with the possibility that she'll have an affair with Lloyd Simcoe.

In an interview with Zap2It this week, Walger gets us excited for tonight's episode, which delves deeply into her vision and storyline. She says:

"It's a big episode. It's one where an awful lot of what she's been battling against really comes to a head."

Other excerpts from the article:

On playing a character that has seen her future: I feel like there's an enormous amount of fierce determination not to let the flash-forwards happen. I actually think Olivia's not that confused - I think she's just stubborn. She's not even countenancing the alternative. I think in episode four, she had to really face losing [a patient's] life or giving up her -- what would be the word? - her loyalty to Mark and everything ... she chose his life, but that was only when the odds became that extreme.

On a confrontation with Mark: I think Olivia is justifiably outraged that she's being punished for a crime she hasn't committed, and all the time, Mark has had this information about his flash-forward that he hasn't shared with her. I think the inequity of that is justifiably really irritating to her.

Every week, our staff recaps and reviews the latest FlashForward episode. Come back tomorrow morning and see what we have to say on "Scary Monsters and Super Creeps."

When we last left FlashForward, it appeared as though Janis had taken her last breath.

But - spoiler alert! - the clip below makes it evident this isn't the case: it's unclear if Janis lives or dies, but she's at least fighting for her life when tomorrow night's episode kicks off.

Take a close listen at what Demetri first says in the clip below, courtesy of "Scary Monsters and Super Creeps."

No offense to the character or the actress that plays her, but Janias absolutely has to die in order to create intrigue on the show.

Right now, everyone is operating under the unproven assumption that their visions will come true. But if Janis passes away, and therefore is clearly not pregnant on April 29, 2010, this will create a the sort of ongoing dilemma the series sorely needs.

Now that it's been picked up for a full season, expect FlashForward to announce a few casting notes for early 2010 and beyond.

First case in point: Paula Newsome will come aboard the show early next year. The actress - who has guest-starred on Bones, NCIS and played a prominent role on the short-lived Women's Murder Club - will play a doctor on the drama.

No word yet on how this character wil tie in to the rest of the story, but Olivia does work at a hospital, so anything is possible.

Welcome to FlashForward, Dominic Monaghan.

While the former Lost star made a brief - albeit intriguing and mysterious - debut on the ABC drama two weeks ago, his characer of Simon is finally featured prominently on this Thursday's episode.

Check out the official ABC promo for "Scary Monsters and Super Creeps" below:

As usual, visit TV Fanatic soon after the episode airs for a complete recap and review.

In the meantime, click on the photos below for an early look at scenes from the hour, which also focuses on the fallout from Janis' shooting...

FlashForward traveled to D.C. this week, taking an assortment of developments and questions with it.

While the episode focused mainly on Mark's hazy vision and Stan's shady relationship with various players in the nation's capital, it still managed to create new mysteries all around.

A few hours, and a good night's sleep, behind us since "Gimme Some Truth" aired, these are the questions foremost on our minds:

• Will the President be dead by the time April 29, 2010 rolls around?
• Who sent that text message to Olivia?
• Is Janis really a goner?
• Why doesn't Demetri go hide out in a cabin, with a gun aimed at the door on March 15, for the next few months?
• Is Aaron supposed to have an accent or not?!?
• Will Olivia confront Mark about his drinking?

Have any answers, or theories, regarding these issues? We'd love to hear them!

You can also take a quick look at next week's episode, "Scary Monsters and Super Creeps," right now!