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 3: Open House
Some people lament the sluggish pace of the the early episodes of Breaking Bad, but I love it. The show has no break from the tension with contrived plot points and overused mechanics that other shows would throw in (i.e. a car chase, action sequence, or something every...single...week). Instead, we drill into the characters and their psyches so hard that the tension stacks to incredible heights. This is why this is the best show on television.
Episode three opens in the lab as Walter reminisces about Gale's coffee before remembering that he was the cause of his death. His face is difficult to read, and you can't tell what he is thinking t the moment. He then peers up to see the newly installed security camera in the lab. Why wasn't this there the whole time? If we know nothing else about Gus, it's that he is a shrewd and calculating businessman. Walter gives it the ole middle finger as he realizes that he is not in control. A theme throughout this ep.
Skyler shows up at Walter's condo to discuss business, and Walter is reluctant to show her his black eye courtesy of henchman Mike. Skyler is frantic about the danger Walt might be in and even mentions turning himself in. SWEET PLAN. Listen to the phrasing Walter uses to describe how he got his black eye. It sounds like typical office politics instead of the life and death situation that the drug trafficking life is. Walt also tries to make it sound like he is in control of the situation ("I didn't retaliate because he is a much older man."). Yeah, also because Mike would, and has, wreck you. Walt is losing his grip.
Oh great, Marie and Hank story line. This better start going somewhere, as I am already having trouble defending it after two episodes. Marie is at an open house enjoying a glass of wine. ENTER THE GREATEST REALTOR EVER. Seriously, did you get a look at this guy? If I used any of the two following words to describe him; wealthy, southern, businessman, fried chicken, you could paint a pretty clear picture of him. Marie starts spinning an elaborate tale of a fake life before returning home with groceries to an unwelcoming Hank ("I said cheetos, not fritos"). She takes to go back to the store, but not before we see a little porcelain figurine. THE SAME FIGURINE FROM THE OPEN HOUSE. Uh oh, someone's acting out and needs attention!
Jesse's quest to never be alone again forces him to open up for just a moment to Walt and ask him to go do something. Walt declines the invite to go go-karting, and asks Jesse if he has anything he wants to talk about. Jesse retorts with the same question regarding Walt's black eye. The father/son , protege/mentor relationship has come to a screeching halt as secrets and the reliance on one another slowly degrades.
Unlike Jesse and Marie, Walt has a partner willing to help and share the burden. Walt and Skyler meet with Saul Goodman to discuss how to purchase the car wash. Saul is insistent that they move on to other opportunities, but Skyler will only go for that car wash. There is now a personal vendetta against Bogdan after his outrageous offers last week. For someone as business savvy as Skyler, she should really no better than to take things personally. She is also unwilling to get her hands dirty after Saul suggests some unscrupulous tactics to take control of the situation. She looks to Walt for confirmation that this is not how they play the game, to which he reluctantly agrees. He obviously is keeping the details to himself since he has already committed NUMEROUS MURDERS.
The back stories that Marie gives her fake personas are pretty awesome, my favorite being the astronaut/hand model power couple. Marie steals again, but this time the watchful eye of Stephanie the realtor notices something awry. Marie is not a good thief. She spends the first minute talking about the spoons and making herself a spectacle just to steal a spoon she was ranting about. Anonymity is key to theft people. But I get it. Kleptomania isn't about the stuff, its about the thrill and all she wants is the attention she isn't getting from Hank. She gets caught and bailed out by one of Hank's buddies, but not before breaking down crying in the police station.
Jesse is the saddest go-karter ever, riding endless laps of misery before returning to home. And his home? Not too homely feeling. What started out as a drug fueled, weekend house party has degraded into a junkie hangout. Oof, not the comfort of friends or family that Jesse needs, but he rolls with it because at least he is not alone.
Skyler scores a big one for homework enthusiasts as Saul's actor (aptly portrayed by comedian Bill Burr) is able to convince Bogdan of the environmental consequences thanks to Skyler's dogged legwork. Walt is almost smarmy as Skyler's plan is seemingly failing without a call from Bogdan. When he finally does call and Skyler refuses, Walt flips a lid. Skyler is very calculating in the details noting that if they don't try and get the best deal it will look suspicious. Walt half heartedly agrees, though it seems that he is so short sighted he wants to grasp at any victory that comes his way. They have been few and far between lately. Details come up again as Walt is chastised for buying a 320 dollar bottle of champagne. Skyler reminds him that on paper, he is an unemployed school teacher struggling to make ends meet. "The devil is in the details," Skyler notes. Walt, who is losing control of the world around him, tries to save face by assuring that he paid cash and no one saw him.
The episode ends with Hank being offered Gale's lab notes from his cop buddy that helped Marie get off the hook. We really see how Hank is purposely pushing Marie away at every turn. He says he is not hungry, but when she leaves the rice pudding, he eats it. We get a little information about his mineral collection and the relief he gets from cataloging them. I don't quite get why, but I'm not that smart. We see Hank's boredom reflected in his television choices. He starts with GLORIOUS pornography, before descending down to professional bowling and city council meetings. He finally ends up using his claw grabber thingy to pick up the Gale file and start reading.
Fav Scene: Jesse's go-kart of loneliness
Fav Line: Saul regarding Skyler's approach to the car wash problem "All we have to do is think of a non-violent, unsuspicious way to buy the car wash that protects the innocent and doesn’t cost us $20 million."
Next Week's Title: "Bullet Points"
Episode three opens in the lab as Walter reminisces about Gale's coffee before remembering that he was the cause of his death. His face is difficult to read, and you can't tell what he is thinking t the moment. He then peers up to see the newly installed security camera in the lab. Why wasn't this there the whole time? If we know nothing else about Gus, it's that he is a shrewd and calculating businessman. Walter gives it the ole middle finger as he realizes that he is not in control. A theme throughout this ep.
Skyler shows up at Walter's condo to discuss business, and Walter is reluctant to show her his black eye courtesy of henchman Mike. Skyler is frantic about the danger Walt might be in and even mentions turning himself in. SWEET PLAN. Listen to the phrasing Walter uses to describe how he got his black eye. It sounds like typical office politics instead of the life and death situation that the drug trafficking life is. Walt also tries to make it sound like he is in control of the situation ("I didn't retaliate because he is a much older man."). Yeah, also because Mike would, and has, wreck you. Walt is losing his grip.
Oh great, Marie and Hank story line. This better start going somewhere, as I am already having trouble defending it after two episodes. Marie is at an open house enjoying a glass of wine. ENTER THE GREATEST REALTOR EVER. Seriously, did you get a look at this guy? If I used any of the two following words to describe him; wealthy, southern, businessman, fried chicken, you could paint a pretty clear picture of him. Marie starts spinning an elaborate tale of a fake life before returning home with groceries to an unwelcoming Hank ("I said cheetos, not fritos"). She takes to go back to the store, but not before we see a little porcelain figurine. THE SAME FIGURINE FROM THE OPEN HOUSE. Uh oh, someone's acting out and needs attention!
Jesse's quest to never be alone again forces him to open up for just a moment to Walt and ask him to go do something. Walt declines the invite to go go-karting, and asks Jesse if he has anything he wants to talk about. Jesse retorts with the same question regarding Walt's black eye. The father/son , protege/mentor relationship has come to a screeching halt as secrets and the reliance on one another slowly degrades.
Unlike Jesse and Marie, Walt has a partner willing to help and share the burden. Walt and Skyler meet with Saul Goodman to discuss how to purchase the car wash. Saul is insistent that they move on to other opportunities, but Skyler will only go for that car wash. There is now a personal vendetta against Bogdan after his outrageous offers last week. For someone as business savvy as Skyler, she should really no better than to take things personally. She is also unwilling to get her hands dirty after Saul suggests some unscrupulous tactics to take control of the situation. She looks to Walt for confirmation that this is not how they play the game, to which he reluctantly agrees. He obviously is keeping the details to himself since he has already committed NUMEROUS MURDERS.
The back stories that Marie gives her fake personas are pretty awesome, my favorite being the astronaut/hand model power couple. Marie steals again, but this time the watchful eye of Stephanie the realtor notices something awry. Marie is not a good thief. She spends the first minute talking about the spoons and making herself a spectacle just to steal a spoon she was ranting about. Anonymity is key to theft people. But I get it. Kleptomania isn't about the stuff, its about the thrill and all she wants is the attention she isn't getting from Hank. She gets caught and bailed out by one of Hank's buddies, but not before breaking down crying in the police station.
Jesse is the saddest go-karter ever, riding endless laps of misery before returning to home. And his home? Not too homely feeling. What started out as a drug fueled, weekend house party has degraded into a junkie hangout. Oof, not the comfort of friends or family that Jesse needs, but he rolls with it because at least he is not alone.
Skyler scores a big one for homework enthusiasts as Saul's actor (aptly portrayed by comedian Bill Burr) is able to convince Bogdan of the environmental consequences thanks to Skyler's dogged legwork. Walt is almost smarmy as Skyler's plan is seemingly failing without a call from Bogdan. When he finally does call and Skyler refuses, Walt flips a lid. Skyler is very calculating in the details noting that if they don't try and get the best deal it will look suspicious. Walt half heartedly agrees, though it seems that he is so short sighted he wants to grasp at any victory that comes his way. They have been few and far between lately. Details come up again as Walt is chastised for buying a 320 dollar bottle of champagne. Skyler reminds him that on paper, he is an unemployed school teacher struggling to make ends meet. "The devil is in the details," Skyler notes. Walt, who is losing control of the world around him, tries to save face by assuring that he paid cash and no one saw him.
The episode ends with Hank being offered Gale's lab notes from his cop buddy that helped Marie get off the hook. We really see how Hank is purposely pushing Marie away at every turn. He says he is not hungry, but when she leaves the rice pudding, he eats it. We get a little information about his mineral collection and the relief he gets from cataloging them. I don't quite get why, but I'm not that smart. We see Hank's boredom reflected in his television choices. He starts with GLORIOUS pornography, before descending down to professional bowling and city council meetings. He finally ends up using his claw grabber thingy to pick up the Gale file and start reading.
Fav Scene: Jesse's go-kart of loneliness
Fav Line: Saul regarding Skyler's approach to the car wash problem "All we have to do is think of a non-violent, unsuspicious way to buy the car wash that protects the innocent and doesn’t cost us $20 million."
Next Week's Title: "Bullet Points"
No comments:
Post a Comment