has always been more than the sum of its parts--but its parts, too, are worth a closer look. The show combines a surfeit of mad science, some old-school sci-fi flair, and a dash of strawberry-milkshake whimsy to create the challenging, fascinating Pattern that keeps us coming back season after season and universe after universe. Now, in , cutting-edge scientists, science writers, and science fiction authors and historians provide a smart, savvy, and accessible look at the world(s) of . MIT physics professor illuminates the real-life possibilities of parallel universes , founding editor of 's Science Not Fiction blog and a Senior Editor with , unravels 's use of time travel Award-winning science fiction historian walks us through the show's literary and television ancestors, from the 1800s on Television Without Pity staff writer looks at the role of the scientist, and scientific redemption, through the ever-shifting role of Massive Dynamic , bestselling author of , explores the mysterious way that memory works, from why Walter forgets to how Olivia remembers And more, from lab cow Gene's scientific resume to why the Observers should be wearing white lab coats