Breaking Bad Final Half Season

[Agent Richard07]

OK, that episode wasn't as exciting as last week, but interesting all the same.

It was talky, but quite gripping. They laid out all the good stuff that we've been waiting for.

Talking Bad was pretty good tonight. Anna Gunn was on and she talked about what was going through Skyler's mind in the diner as well as what makes Walt a sympathetic character. Basically, Skyler went to the diner thinking she would be arrested and as Hank was talking, she started calculating and decided she needed to keep quiet and get out, so she created a scene. And here I thought she really was frazzled. And as for what makes Walt someone to root for, she says that he represents the guy who's been kicked around by people and life and wants to rise up and empower themself. She confirmed something I've been saying all along. It was never about the cancer and saving his family. Not really.

There was also a bit where Danny Trejo talked about how cool it was to have his head walking across the desert on the back of a turtle.

I also had one concern while I was watching... The baby. Would they shoot a big yelling scene with a baby there? Turns out they didn't. According to Gunn, they used a rubber baby in some shots and I'm guessing that the crying was dubbed in later on. Don't know how they got the baby to do facial expressions though.

 

[JirinPanthosa]

It's interesting the way Skylar reacted when Hank confronted her. It looked like she was ready to talk until Hank mentioned Walter's cancer was back.

I love the way the episode ended. In general I can't believe Jesse would talk, but in this state, I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if he was ready to cop to everything himself but without giving anyone up, just so he can punish himself.

 

[InklingStar]

I really enjoyed this one. I think when the Final Eight are finished, they will flow together as one of the most intense 8-hour-long movies ever made. It is a chess game now between Walt and Hank, with their wives firmly choosing sides, and the massive wild card that is Lydia and Todd waiting in the wings.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Jesse and Hank. Let the games begin.

I think Jesse will talk. He won't evade blame for himself, but he'll incriminate Walter. He's pissed about Mike. He compromised himself to cook meth with Walter (though he was already cooking when Mr. White came back into his life). When your conscience bothers you like Jesse's does, having someone else to at least share the blame can stop your psyche from imploding completely. Yes, meth kills, but you don't see it directly. Jesse saw Gale's face when he shot him. In his present psychological state, he may well blame that on Walt. I wouldn't be a hands on murderer if it weren't for you, Walt.

 

[Gepard]

Another great episode. They're knocking them out of the park this season.

I came a cross a really great bit of speculation on Reddit:

I like this idea and want it to happen.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

It would be pretty crazy if the end of this show turns on Walt redeeming himself by avenging people he cares about and taking down a bunch of folks who are even worse.

I don't consider that redemptive but I suppose the writers and much of the audience would. There's really nothing Walt could do at this point that I would consider to outweigh the bad things he's done, short of selflessly sacrificing his life to save others. Even that probably isn't enough.

 

[Agent Richard07]

Some interesting articles...

'Breaking Bad' actor Dean Norris asked for his character Hank to be killed off before the final eight episodes

Vince Gilligan talks about 'Breaking Bad' and a Saul Goodman spin-off

 

[Chuck Finley]

It was talky, but quite gripping. They laid out all the good stuff that we've been waiting for.

Yeah, I agree. I kept saying to myself, "I like where they are going with this." I wasn't sure about Skyler. At first, she wasn't happy about Walt's drug empire, but now, I think she's on board. How can you see a huge pile of money and not be tempted to just go along with it? Everybody has their price. I'm glad she didn't just spill the beans with Hank. Of course this puts a rift between her and Marie. Hank is going ahead with the investigation, but I don't see this ending with an arrest. I also don't see Jesse talking. I see Saul swooping in and putting a stop to it. I think we're going to see Saul in every episode from now on. I'm starting to think that it's going to come down to Tod's Uncle vs. Walt. Hank is in the middle of it all and Jesse is the wild card. I agree though, this episode was needed in order to set the tone and set everything up. This show always does that though, as soon as things start slowing down, a shit storm comes and moves the story along.

 

[bigdaddy]

We are doomed as a species...

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dail...aking-bad-viewers-not-call-911-143738577.html

 

[Chuck Finley]

We are doomed as a species...

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dail...aking-bad-viewers-not-call-911-143738577.html

Nice.

 

[davejames]

Anna Gunn was on and she talked about what was going through Skyler's mind in the diner as well as what makes Walt a sympathetic character. Basically, Skyler went to the diner thinking she would be arrested and as Hank was talking, she started calculating and decided she needed to keep quiet and get out, so she created a scene. And here I thought she really was frazzled. And as for what makes Walt someone to root for, she says that he represents the guy who's been kicked around by people and life and wants to rise up and empower themself. She confirmed something I've been saying all along. It was never about the cancer and saving his family. Not really.

Yeah I have to admit I was kinda frustrated with her reaction at first, because Hank seemed to be offering her such a great lifeline. He was fully on her side and would have bought pretty much any version of events that she gave. If she said she played along only out of fear for her life and family, he would have believed it.

But now I realize she was probably right to keep quiet. Because if Hank gets taken off the case, or someone else higher up the chain decides that Skyler was too heavily involved, then she would have completely implicated herself by that point.

And she can't be sure what evidence is even out there. There's a lot of stuff Walt hasn't told her, and a lot of stuff that could make her involvement look really, really bad.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Skyler was right to want a lawyer and not be willing to speak casually about it. "Right" as far as protecting herself goes, anyway. She is as much an accomplice as one could be at this point, no matter how coerced she may have felt at times. She could always have gone to the police, but she was unwilling to face the inevitable consequences of that, so she chose to stay.

 

[Obiwanshinobi]

I'm definitely going to use those coordinate numbers on the next Mega Millions lottery drawing!

 

[sidious618]

I feel bad for everyone on this show except for Walt at this point. Even Saul has my pity as he's clearly in over his head with Walt and terrified.

Hell, I even do pity Walt, a little.

 

[gblews]

Skyler was right to want a lawyer and not be willing to speak casually about it. "Right" as far as protecting herself goes, anyway. She is as much an accomplice as one could be at this point, no matter how coerced she may have felt at times. She could always have gone to the police, but she was unwilling to face the inevitable consequences of that, so she chose to stay.

And Hank also wanted to record what she said. Skylar is nothing if not whip smart. Just the fact that Hank put that recorder out there lets us know just how sure he is (or was) that Skylar was coerced into staying quiet. I agree with those who say that she could EASILY walk by simply rolling over on Walt. But lets all keep in mind that they are married and she doesn't have to testify against Walt.

Right now it seems Skylar is guilty of only money laundering, maybe conspiracy, and possibly tax evasion. Anyone see anything else?

The fact that Skylar has sided with Walt leaves Jesse as Walt's only "loose end". I'm a little surprised that Saul didn't suggest a little Belizean holiday for him too. That may come soon enough.

Hank finally came clean with what's at stake for him in this and admitted what has been argued around here for a while, that is; that "Hisenberg" being his brother in law all along is going to kill Hank's professional reputation. Also, that there really is not much chance of the Feds thinking he was involved in the the meth business, but he could be seen as "covering" for Walt if he keeps quiet and someone else busts Walt. Hank is sitting snugly between the devil and the deep blue sea.

But just as I was saying, "yeah right, what are the chances the Feds will catch Walt because they haven't even gotten close so far", Hank's subordinate tells him that they are holding Jesse.

This show kicks SO much ass.

Oh, and "Lidia" has some nice legs.

 

[137th Gebirg]

I'm definitely going to use those coordinate numbers on the next Mega Millions lottery drawing!

So has anyone actually gone out to these coordinates and dug anything up yet?

Edit: According to this article on "Breaking Bad Easter Eggs", the numbers refer to the location of ABQ Studios, the Albuquerque lot where they shoot things like "Breaking Bad" and "Marvel's The Avengers."

 

[Gepard]

It's also a location that's only about a half-mile away from a DEA office, according to Google Maps.

 

[Mojochi]

I wouldn't be surprised if he was ready to cop to everything himself but without giving anyone up, just so he can punish himself.

You may be onto something there. I was even thinking a step further, that his money chucking catharsis was his way of purposely giving himself up, because he's so disgusted in himself, and he expects that if he ends up in jail... He'll get the Heisenberg treatment like Mike's guys. Suicide by Heisenberg is what I feel like he was thinking, & a complete emotional meltdown is what he's feeling

However, I don't think it will come to that. If anyone is worthy of outliving this, it's Jesse in my opinion, & if he doesn't, it'll be because he doesn't want to, & in that case, woe is be the fate of Walt, because if Jesse doesn't think he's worthy of his wretched life. How must he feel about Walt? & what might he be prepared to do about that?

At this point, I could see Jesse having Walt in the same car with him, & driving it straight off a damned cliff, to kill them both, or some similar act

 

[gblews]

I wouldn't be surprised if he was ready to cop to everything himself but without giving anyone up, just so he can punish himself.

However, I don't think it will come to that. If anyone is worthy of outliving this, it's Jesse in my opinion, & if he doesn't, it'll be because he doesn't want to, & in that case, woe is be the fate of Walt, because if Jesse doesn't think he's worthy of his wretched life. How must he feel about Walt? & what might he be prepared to do about that?

Some may want Jesse to live through this but it's questionable as to his being "worthy". Jesse is a cold blooded murderer, accessory to a child murder, and participant in one of the bigest illegal drug rings ever.

The way this season has gone so far, I look for Jesse to be hit with some kind of conflict. One that may prevent him from siimply turning himself in (even though he won't rat out his co-conspirators). Hank, has his DEA conflict, Skylar and Walt have the, "I (Skylar) could roll over on Walt, but then I wouldn't get to keep the money". I have a feeling it's somehow going to end up not being so easy for Jesse either.

 

[davejames]

I have to admit, as justified as it may be given recent events, I kinda wish Jesse would snap out of his depressive, drug-induced funk already. Before the end of the series, it would be nice to see at least a hint of the old, fun loving "yo, bitch" Jesse again.

Even if he's only acting like his old self as part of a sting operation to catch Walt in the act, it would at least be something.