This series will appear every Monday following AMC's hit show Breaking Bad. I highly suggest watching the episode before reading this column as SPOILERS will abound.
Episode 2: Thirty-Eight Snub
We return for the second week of the intense saga of Walter White with every 'Mericans, gosh-dern right; illegal arms sales. Walt is in the market for a "self-defense" weapon in case any unsavory, meth distributors attempt to murder him. GOOD PLAN. I got a real Jules Winfield crossed with Scorcese's Taxi Driver vibe in this scene. The gun salesman's rhetoric coupled with the wavering assurance of Walt's defense needs really made for an interesting scene.
While Walt tries to make moves as best he can, Jesse has defaulted to his standby coping method, copious amounts of drugs. Jesse, Badger, and Skinny Pete all partake in some nose candy while discussing the merits of zombie abilities in pop culture (a sly WATCH THE WALKING DEAD IT HAS ZOMBIES plug). We see the difference in the partners as Jesse reverts back to his old ways, Walt pushes on to solve problems no matter what.
The slow whir of Marie's hospital bed cranking up is a testament to the grinding, exhaustive work it has become dealing with Hank on a daily basis. Up examining his minerals at 2 a.m. he comments that "there are four other bedrooms" implying she doesn't have to sleep next to him. The distance between them continues. I'm sorry, but I've been a loyal fan since the start, but did I miss something about Hank's mineral obsession? I don't get it. I'm sure there will be some correlation between the rocks errr...minerals he is studying and the BEAUTIFUL BLUE METH GEMS Walt makes on a daily basis. BTW, blue corundum is a sapphire.
Like Walt, Skyler pushes on into new territory as she tries to make the car wash deal a reality. Walt freaks out when she mentions it on the answering machine, so much so that he picks up the phone to scold her. Not only is she leaving recorded evidence of their plan, she also interrupted him packing his lunch AND GUN for work.
A short scene in the lab shows Walt concealing his sidearm as we hear the lab doors opening. Expecting Gus, we only get henchman Mike instructing the new guy (Vistor's replacement) to weigh the product again. Walt inquires to Mike where Gus is to which Mike replies, "You're never going to see him again." Mike obviously doesn't understand that this is a television show and writing out the main antagonist is a dumb idea, but I digress. Walt's plan is going to take a little more cunning than he thinks.
Jesse's three day party is interrupted by Andrea to discuss the events that happened at the end of season 3. With her little brother killed, the gangbangers suspected of killing him wind up dead, and a fat stack of scrilla (lots of money) show up in Andrea's mailbox. Jesse explains that it is to get her and her son out of that neighborhood, or she can spend it all on drugs and he wouldn't know. I like mature yet dead inside Jesse so much more than junkie Jesse.
The episode ends with everyone's coping mechanisms falling short of their goal. We start with Walt and his "genius" plan to basically drive to Gus's front door, put on a porkpie hat (HEISENBERG UP IN THIS BITCH), and shoot Gus. Midway through walking under a bright streetlight plain as day, he receives a call telling him to go home. I'm sorry Walt, this is the best you came up with? I can point out at least five things wrong with your murder plot. The first one is that it sucks on every level. Seriously, you didn't even park your car down the street or around a corner. YOU LEFT IT UNDER A STREETLIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS HOUSE. I know that it speaks to the desperation of his character and blah blah blah, but some plausibility people.
Skyler brings all her accounting superpowers to make an offer to the thickly eyebrowed owner of the car wash. He rejects her sensibly offer with outrageous numbers as he still harbors a grudge against Walt for quitting in such a vivacious manner. Her sister receives a large shipment of minerals for her husband to which he yells to check every box for damage. This is after a cold hearted scene of Hank brushing off his wife after such a jubilant display following a tough yet successful physical therapy session. Marie's positive attitude is falling short and pushing Hank even further away.
Despite his best efforts, Jesse's party has to end and he is back to being alone with his riches and having to deal with the situation at hand. The final scene of him cranking his expensive speakers and slinking in front of them make you really commiserate with his situation.
We finally end with Walt, once again scheming as best he can. Meeting with Mike at his regular bar, Walt tries to explain himself one more time. The Saul Goodman commercial playing on the television to start the scene is brilliantly hilarious. Walt opens up and explains what he has done to a unwilling listener, Mike. Walt seems to do a lot of this. Constantly trying to explain the situation to people who don't care. Mike tries to tell him this, "You gotta learn to accept yes as an answer." Walt does not falter and reaches out to Mike to aid him in offing Gus. Mike listens patiently, beats up Walt, and calmly leaves. To Mike it's about the job. Though a scene in the beginning points to the fact that he understands Walt's argument and maybe even agrees with him, the beating may be out of frustration.
I want to make mention that I thought Michelle McLaren did a beautiful job of visually capturing this episode. Especially one without any major plot points or reveals, we got some awesome visuals. The roomba POV camera at Jesse's party, Walter practicing his gun draws, and others were very well done. Kudos.
FAV SCENE: Walt and Mike conversing in the bar
FAV LINE: Badger after partying for three days straight "I think I have a cat...and I think, I'm supposed to like, feed it."
NEXT WEEK'S TITLE: "Open House"
While Walt tries to make moves as best he can, Jesse has defaulted to his standby coping method, copious amounts of drugs. Jesse, Badger, and Skinny Pete all partake in some nose candy while discussing the merits of zombie abilities in pop culture (a sly WATCH THE WALKING DEAD IT HAS ZOMBIES plug). We see the difference in the partners as Jesse reverts back to his old ways, Walt pushes on to solve problems no matter what.
The slow whir of Marie's hospital bed cranking up is a testament to the grinding, exhaustive work it has become dealing with Hank on a daily basis. Up examining his minerals at 2 a.m. he comments that "there are four other bedrooms" implying she doesn't have to sleep next to him. The distance between them continues. I'm sorry, but I've been a loyal fan since the start, but did I miss something about Hank's mineral obsession? I don't get it. I'm sure there will be some correlation between the rocks errr...minerals he is studying and the BEAUTIFUL BLUE METH GEMS Walt makes on a daily basis. BTW, blue corundum is a sapphire.
Like Walt, Skyler pushes on into new territory as she tries to make the car wash deal a reality. Walt freaks out when she mentions it on the answering machine, so much so that he picks up the phone to scold her. Not only is she leaving recorded evidence of their plan, she also interrupted him packing his lunch AND GUN for work.
A short scene in the lab shows Walt concealing his sidearm as we hear the lab doors opening. Expecting Gus, we only get henchman Mike instructing the new guy (Vistor's replacement) to weigh the product again. Walt inquires to Mike where Gus is to which Mike replies, "You're never going to see him again." Mike obviously doesn't understand that this is a television show and writing out the main antagonist is a dumb idea, but I digress. Walt's plan is going to take a little more cunning than he thinks.
Jesse's three day party is interrupted by Andrea to discuss the events that happened at the end of season 3. With her little brother killed, the gangbangers suspected of killing him wind up dead, and a fat stack of scrilla (lots of money) show up in Andrea's mailbox. Jesse explains that it is to get her and her son out of that neighborhood, or she can spend it all on drugs and he wouldn't know. I like mature yet dead inside Jesse so much more than junkie Jesse.
The episode ends with everyone's coping mechanisms falling short of their goal. We start with Walt and his "genius" plan to basically drive to Gus's front door, put on a porkpie hat (HEISENBERG UP IN THIS BITCH), and shoot Gus. Midway through walking under a bright streetlight plain as day, he receives a call telling him to go home. I'm sorry Walt, this is the best you came up with? I can point out at least five things wrong with your murder plot. The first one is that it sucks on every level. Seriously, you didn't even park your car down the street or around a corner. YOU LEFT IT UNDER A STREETLIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS HOUSE. I know that it speaks to the desperation of his character and blah blah blah, but some plausibility people.
Skyler brings all her accounting superpowers to make an offer to the thickly eyebrowed owner of the car wash. He rejects her sensibly offer with outrageous numbers as he still harbors a grudge against Walt for quitting in such a vivacious manner. Her sister receives a large shipment of minerals for her husband to which he yells to check every box for damage. This is after a cold hearted scene of Hank brushing off his wife after such a jubilant display following a tough yet successful physical therapy session. Marie's positive attitude is falling short and pushing Hank even further away.
Despite his best efforts, Jesse's party has to end and he is back to being alone with his riches and having to deal with the situation at hand. The final scene of him cranking his expensive speakers and slinking in front of them make you really commiserate with his situation.
We finally end with Walt, once again scheming as best he can. Meeting with Mike at his regular bar, Walt tries to explain himself one more time. The Saul Goodman commercial playing on the television to start the scene is brilliantly hilarious. Walt opens up and explains what he has done to a unwilling listener, Mike. Walt seems to do a lot of this. Constantly trying to explain the situation to people who don't care. Mike tries to tell him this, "You gotta learn to accept yes as an answer." Walt does not falter and reaches out to Mike to aid him in offing Gus. Mike listens patiently, beats up Walt, and calmly leaves. To Mike it's about the job. Though a scene in the beginning points to the fact that he understands Walt's argument and maybe even agrees with him, the beating may be out of frustration.
I want to make mention that I thought Michelle McLaren did a beautiful job of visually capturing this episode. Especially one without any major plot points or reveals, we got some awesome visuals. The roomba POV camera at Jesse's party, Walter practicing his gun draws, and others were very well done. Kudos.
FAV SCENE: Walt and Mike conversing in the bar
FAV LINE: Badger after partying for three days straight "I think I have a cat...and I think, I'm supposed to like, feed it."
NEXT WEEK'S TITLE: "Open House"
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