Originally Walter made it quite clear that he didn't like Phillip.Referring to him as"that dumb kid of Carol's".However I recall a later episode where Maude insulted Walter infront of Phillip,(by this time actor Kraig Metzinger had replaced Brian Morrison in the Phillip role),and Phillip stood up for Walter.Saying something like"DON'T YOU SAY THAT ABOUT MY GRANDPA".So it would seem that inspite of Walter's obvious dislike to Phillip in the beginning,that eventually changed when Phillip grew to love Walter.

I think it was just a matter of Walter getting used to Philip and the idea of having a kid living under the same roof. I'm sure that he was hoping that Carol, at some point, would find a new home for her and Philip so that Walter could have Maude all to himself.

I realize this is an old thread but date seems irrelevant, in this case.

I found it refreshing to hear him express a less than favorable opinion of the "dumb kid." Not everyone likes kids, but you'd never hear anything so honest, now. I like that he felt comfortable enough to say so, rather than pretending to Maude that Philip was the brightest, cutest... etc.

But yes, clearly they cared about each other later, and that's good. (Even if scenes with Philip did feel forced...to me, as a viewer, I mean. Philip's presence usually seemed unnecessary.)