Fringe is coming back after an eight-week hiatus, and it is about time!  The show, which explores "fringe" science like alternate universes and mutant human/monster hybrids, masterfully blends sci-fi and horror in a way that hasn't been seen on small screens in a decade.  As is the J.J. Abrams style, Fringe revolves around epic cliffhangers and jaw-dropping plot twists.  John Noble plays Dr. Walter Bishop, a mad scientist whose bizarre experiments led to his mental breakdown and a strained relationship with his son, Peter (played by Josh Jackson).  Rounding out the trio is Agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), who heads up the FBI division investigating "weird" occurrences, dubbed Fringe Events.  Unlike The X-Files, Fringe Division is not the agency's "dirty little secret."  The Bishop boys have been brought in because most of these "events" were brought on by Walter's experiments. 

The April 1st episode, "Peter," focuses on Peter - that's kind of a "duh" conclusion.  Peter originally died as a child.  Distraught, Walter tore through the space-time continuum and stole Peter from an alternate universe.  The remaining eight episodes of the season explore this event, Peter finding out the truth, and the aftermath. 

"There is a fabulous episode coming up called ‘Coming Home,'" John Noble explains of the episode where Peter finally learns the truth about his "re-birth."  "It's really fabulous and it dictates what happens over the last few episodes."  The tension is enormous.  "It's strangulating," John admits.  "Olivia knows the truth about Peter, and she is pushing Walter to tell him.  When Peter does find out, we literally tumble into these extraordinary last two or three episodes.  Particularly the finale, which is the great promised confrontation."

The Bishops have struggled to repair their relationship since the first episode of Fringe.  Will this be the final nail in the coffin?  "When Peter finds out [he was ripped from another universe], he is extremely wounded, outraged, bewildered, humiliated.  He had finally allowed himself to trust other people - Olivia and his father.  I think that Walter and Peter will be able to rekindle their relationship.  It will be different, but I think there is sufficient richness in their current relationship to get them through this hurdle.  The relationship with Olivia will survive.  Peter loves her, but it isn't a romantic love - it is far deeper.  The three of them are locked together in interdependency that will survive this terrific challenge.  When I first told my own son about Peter's history," John continues, "he looked at me and said, ‘Dad, there is going to be one very angry father on the other side.'"

Walter Bishop is one of the kookiest characters on television, at once brilliant and bonkers.  But Fringe itself is a pretty straight-forward, straight-faced thriller.  So when news broke that Fringe would be doing a musical episode, many feared that the show had drank the Glee Kool-Aid.  How could a seriously creepy show pull off something so wacky?  "It is Walter's mind trip," John explains.  "He is grappling with the fact that Peter is gone at that point.  Peter is away, completely alone, and Walter's brain is just tripping out with worry."  Given Walter's penchant for hallucinogens, this is not so far fetched.  In fact, it makes a lot of sense.

The eternal question is, "What's coming up next?  What can we expect in season three?"

 "When I asked J.J. about a season three bible, he pointed to his head and said, ‘It's all up here, John.'  I do know that there will be substantial time spent in the other universe.  When you see the [season two] finale, you will see why we have to do that.  We have this other universe for at least the first third of the season.  But that's all I can tell you at this stage."  Tease.