Alternate realities have been explored in nearly all forms of media. From comic books to literature, from television to blockbuster theatrical films, people have tried to change the way reality is defined and perceived.

The new "Star Trek" film created an alternate universe in which Capt. Kirks father was killed and relationships evolved in a different manner. This novel use of the alternate universe allowed for a rebirth of this classic franchise for a new generation.

One popular variation of the alternate reality concept involves parallel universes that exist in a different dimension from our existing universe. Foxs science-fiction series Fringe uses this concept as a major story arc. At the end of the first season, FBI agent Olivia Dunham crossed over into this alternate reality, which featured a New York city in which the World Trade Center had not been destroyed.

Travel between the two dimensions is extraordinarily difficult, but possible. In fact, one of the other major characters, Peter Bishop, apparently has been brought over from the alternate world to replace his real world self who died during childhood. Of course Peter does not yet know he is actually from the alternate universe.

Fringe is not the first television series to deal with such subject matter. The classic series The Twilight Zone featured an episode in 1963 called The Parallel, which focused on a pilot who disappeared from radar. When he returned, he apparently came back to the wrong universe.

More intriguing was The Anti-Matter Man, an episode of Lost in Space, the famed science-fiction series. In this 1967 episode, Don Wes and John Robinson come face to face the evil versions of themselves who come from a different, twisted reality. The "Star Trek" episode Mirror, Mirror in 1967 similarly explored the alternate vision of its universe, complete with evil version of its characters.

Neil Gaimans novel and BBC miniseries "Neverwhere" explores the worlds of London Above and London Below. The protagonist, Richard Mayhew, leave the ordinary world only to discover an underground society that exists, but nobody seems to notice. The story serves as a metaphor for the culture of the homeless population in London. Richard embarks on a traditional heroic quest in this subterranean world.

Perhaps one of the most famous alternate universes was illustrated in a film that is not even thought of as science-fiction. Its a Wonderful Life (1946) is perhaps one of the most famous movies of all times and is a television staple during every Christmas season. The alternate reality portrayed here explores what life would be like if George Bailey had never been born.

Similarly, The Wizard of Oz another iconic film, depicts Dorothys exploration of the fantasy world of Oz. Though is not a parallel world in the literal sense, it does recast people from Dorothys real life in a fantastical manner.

Alternate histories have proven to be a popular subject for many authors. In his novel The Proteus Operation James P. Hogan uses time travel to depict an evil groups intentions to help Adolf Hitler win World War II. The king of this genre though is Harry Turtledove, who has explored, in his novels, the possibility of the South winning the Civil War, and Hitler being victorious in World War II. Turtledoves various series are very thorough, detailed and intricate. In his Crosstime Traffic series, he explores the travel between parallel dimensions.

Television has also been well represented in the alternate history department. The science-fiction series Sliders focused on alternate histories and parallel worlds in its five-year run. During the 1960s, The Twilight Zone visited this topic several times. In Back There the main character goes back in time, hoping to stop the assassination of President Lincoln. In No Time Like the Past a man repeatedly tries to change events of the past, including an failed attempt to assassinate Hitler. Both episodes focus on the futility of trying to change the past.

This list is certainly not complete, but it does illustrate the popularity of alternate realities. I believe people enjoy stories of this nature because it provides them with the possibility of escape from the pressure of the real world. Wouldnt it be great if people, unhappy in the reality in which they live, could simply create a new one?

Homework

The Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove
The Proteus Operation by James P. Hogan