These kinds of perceptions reportedly were not limited to the here and now, but could reach out into the past and future.

Another aspect of "Flash Forward" that has a basis in theories from psychology and physics is the idea that a common field or common consciousness, at some level, connects us all.

REAL MYSTERIES

There seems to be very rich material for this new series, based on real developments in scientific discovery.

In addition, there appears to be widespread recognition among the public, both nationally and internationally, that things like premonitions, the human sixth sense, anomalous cognition and ESP are actually real phenomena, although we don't quite understand them completely

This would seem to help provide a solid audience for "Flash Forward," if the writers and actors can convey these concepts in ways that take viewers into a real investigation, like the one FBI agent Fiennes and his fellow actors portray.

When the first episode airs this fall, viewers will have a chance to explore and ponder these kinds of unusual aspects of human consciousness, time and the nature of reality.

In published reports, ABC's Suzanne Patmore-Gibbs, executive vice-president of drama development, described the pilot episode this way: "Our FBI agent, played by Joseph Fiennes, appears to be in an FBI chase. You think he has a car crash. He has a flash of all sorts of things and he wakes up on the freeway and subsequently discovers that everybody else in the world has had a blackout that lasted the same amount of time. This resulted in a lot of devastation across the world."

"Everybody talks about their flash and they realize they were all dreaming of the same day - which is a day in the future. You can identify with the different people and have that sense of global import - we're all in it together ..."

Yep, we probably are in it together. But what are we in? What is the true nature of human consciousness, time and the realities around us and within us? These remain evolving and emerging mysteries.

Other "Flash Forward" cast members include Sonya Walger, John Cho, Jack Davenport, Brian O'Byrne, Courtney B. Vance, Christine Woods, Zachary Knighton and Peyton List.

The show's executive producers and writers are David Goyer and Brannon Braga.

ABC Studios has ordered 13 episodes. The series was developed at HBO, but after vigorous bidding with a competitor, ABC obtained the show.

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