OK, that was a really long title.

But that’s to make up for being so lax in blogging about Fringe so far this season, despite the fact that Walter Bishop is, bar none, my favorite character on television at the moment (that includes shows that are on hiatus right now).

Aussie John Noble plays Bishop impeccably, with just the right amount of insanity, incredible intelligence and love for his family and friends.

It was obvious from the beginning that Bishop was different. Look, the man’s been in a mental institution for quite some time and is completely estranged from his son. But as we saw him develop over the first season, culminating in the revelation that this universe’s Peter Bishop actually died in childhood – meaning the Peter we know and love is actually from an alternate universe, probably the one where Bell lives at the moment – we came to realize he wasn’t simply a mad scientist.

Sure, he’s pretty wacked out, but what person who’s taken as many hallucinogenics as Walter Bishop wouldn’t be a bit … off-kilter? And the extreme intelligence this man has is almost too much for his head to contain.

But perhaps the best part of Walter Bishop is his relationship with Astrid, his FBI assistant who has adapted to his eccentricities and become the perfect foil for his one-liners.

She understands how to get him back on track when he veers wildly off course; she is no longer grossed out by his desires for food at the most inopportune moments. I’ve grown to really like Astrid. And her hair is very attractive this season, too. It’s a good style for her.

But though I completely adore Walter Bishop beyond all reason, he’s only a small part of why I continue to watch Fringe.

The storyline this season appears to be leading us on a path toward a war between the two universes. I just wonder if it is indeed just the two universes? Are there more? And if not, why not?

OK, so to what we’ve seen so far this season:
• The typewriter that was never made in this universe that is a means of communication with the other universe. What’s with the mirror? How is the typewriter the means of communication?
• How are the alternate universe baddies shape shifters? I know they kind of explained it at some point, but I’m not ashamed to say I didn’t really understand. I know they’re not shape-shifters in the Star Trek sense, but they’re close enough.
• Speaking of shape shifters – is the Alternate Universe Charlie still alive and will we see him? I miss him already. He was a pretty cool character.
• Is there another Olivia? And why isn’t there another William Bell? Did the other Bell die?
• How was Nina Sharp in touch with Bell in the last episode? And if Nina Sharp knows Bell (as we already knew was the case), how is it that Walter never knew Nina? Did all that happen in the 17 years Walter was institutionalized?
• If this war is brewing, and they seem to need Olivia to fight it, why is Massive Dynamic stonewalling her and not providing her with all the info she needs?
• We know Olivia is “special” and Peter is from the other universe. But what about Broyles? Or Astrid, even? Why wouldn’t all the folks involved in the Fringe Unit be “special” in some way? Let’s not rule that out, folks.

By the way, have I mentioned how fabulous I think Blair Brown is in the role of Nina Sharp. I remember her from eons ago as Molly Dodd. Anyone? Nevermind. This is a much stronger role and she fills Sharp’s shoes well.