Ultra Double Recap: Breaking Down Breaking Bad

So it turns out that real life is time consuming and leaving me little time for teh internets.  Going to try to get every ep for the rest of the season up on Mondays. Today we are just going to hit on a couple of main points from the last two episodes.

Episodes 8 and 9

 All right Breaking Baddinites, lets do some catch up work on the stirring saga of everyone's favorite meth dealer.  Let's start with episode 8 "Hermanos."  I loved this one.  It might be my favorite of the season up to date.  We start with Walt at a chemo/cancer/remission check in (oh right, he has cancer), where he gives a great little explanation about life to a follow cancer patient.  "Never give up control," Walt tells him.  IT APPLIES TO DRUGS TRADE TOO. Walt's antihero-ness has really been on display this season as he struggles to stay in control of his own life and his families destiny.  But what I really dug about this ep was that we are getting more and more into everyone else that makes the Breaking Bad universe so awesome.  

 Ep 8 dives into the mythos and the mysterious history of Gus.  Oh Gawd, I love Gus.  Hank hauls Gus in for questioning, thinking he is really going to nail him to the wall, but Gus is well practiced for this and gives Hank nothing.  He has every angle covered regarding why he was at Gale's apartment.  The only thing Hank gets is a slight pause when he brings up Gus' Chilean past.  The finger tapping calmness exercise Gus does after the interrogation is such pure Fring.  As Hank continues his investigation by his lonesome (and with Walt), the specter of this becoming a multidimensional dance for king of the southwest is well underway.

The end scene really struck a cord with the audience that has been wanting more of who Gus is throughout the show.  We flash back to Gus and the cartel's first meeting in Mexico.  Gus and his chemist partner Max have been using Gus' chicken restaurant to give samples of high quality meth to Don Eliado's top guys to manipulate a meeting.  What Gus and Max see as ingenuity, Don Eliado sees as a disrespect.  Hector, who we know as the wheelchair bound Tio, shoots Max in the head and makes Gus watch. BUT THEN, we get the key piece of information.  Don Eliado tells Gus that the only reason he is alive is because he knows who he is.  This must be a reference to Gus' shadowy Chilean past. 

Gus then explains to Tio about how it was him who caused nephews' deaths and covered it up with the killing of Juan Bolsa.  He asks Tio if today is the day he gets blood for blood SANGRA POR SANGRA for Max's death.  "Maybe next time," says Gus.

Fav Line: Don Eliado on Gus' restaurant "Your chicken it is so...zesty!"

Plowing on to episode 9 entitled "Bug," we get what we all knew was a long time coming.  There are three major subplots that are all going to play a big role in what happens in the series in the subsequent episodes and seasons.  

In the first, Gus is giving in to the cartel as he says yes to the deal that they proposed him.  Still no word on what the deal is, but you can bet it involves blue meth and territory.  This comes to happen after Gus, as Jesse puts it "goes Terminator" walking right into the snipers line of fire.  But both the sniper and Gus get it, they won't kill him they will just make it hard for him to do business.  Mike attributes them not killing Gus because the cartel needs him, but I'll bet its more of the Chilean past.  (if anyone wants to venture a guess as to Gus' past, post it in the comments!) But with this deal in place, the course of the series just took a turn.

Ted, Skyler's old boss and ADULTERER, returns with an audit by the criminal division of the IRS.  Skyler realizes that with her name certifying the books, she will be audited and the car wash/money laundering operation will be found out in a jif.  She shows up at the audit meeting with CLEAVAGE GALORE and a dumb blonde routine. "Quicken is the best! Like having a calculator on your computer!"  Somehow, the agent falls for this routine and Skyler buys Ted some time to pay his back taxes and fees, otherwise "that little fiction will unravel" and her ass will be on the line.  Ted has no money though, as he tells Skyler there is a lien on his house and then drives away in a piece of crap instead of his BMW.  Skyler then opens the crawlspace where the unlaundered money is kept.  Using that to bail out Ted is super risky, and Walt won't like it one bit.

DING DING DING! IN THE RED CORNER WE HAVE A FORMER TEACHER THAT CURRENTLY HAS CANCER AND A PENCHANT FOR COOKING, PLEASE WELCOME WALTER "THE COOOOOOOOOK" WHITE!  IN THE BLUE CORNER, THIS MAN IS A HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT A FORMER METH ADDICT WHO HAS KILLED A MAN, JESSE "PINKY" PINKERMANNNNNN!"

So as Jesse explains the situation about him having to go to Mexico to teach the formula, he reaches out for Walter's help.  Walt only hears what he wants and notes that his failure to kill Gus has made them both dead men.  Jesse flips out when Walt tells him he put a bug on his car "after all he has done for him." And Jesse is right, Walt is so short sighted right now he can't see the decisions other people are making.  The two ensue in a brawl that culminates in Walt walking out broken and bleeding.  Bridge burned. Walt is in as deep as possible.  Ep over.

Fav Line: Jesse "Can you walk? Then get the f*ck out of here and never come back."

Next Week's Title: Salud

Stonecutter out.

Next Day Recap: Breaking Down Breaking Bad

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 7: Problem Dog

Ladies and gentleman, please strap yourself down to the couch because Breaking Bad season 4 just entered drama beastmode. This week's episode, as predicted by yours truly, was superb. The plot lines have thicken, the stakes are high, and various other sayings.

We start off where the last episode ended, with Walt having to return the Challenger to the dealer. Except, that just wouldn't be good enough for Wal. Instead, he goes all rebel teenager doing doughnuts at top speed in an empty lot (soundtrack moment: The Pretenders, "Boots of Chinese Plastic"). With the car hopping a curb, Walt takes the sale papers, shoves them in the gas tank, and blows it to high heaven. But, not before calling a cab first, "I think he will see me," he tells the dispatcher. The drama nerd appreciated the raw emotion and stunning visuals of the scene, but the ULTRA MALE in me screamed NOOOOO, as that sweet ride blew up.

Jesse sure is cleaning up his act. He is finally painting his walls after his non stop party, and is four days sober. Walt makes his sales pitch to Jesse that Gus can't be trusted after all the death and destruction he is to blame for. Jesse takes notice, and almost just to shut Walt up tells him that he will kill Gus. Back at the lab, Walt cooks up some ricin poison in secret for Jesse to take out Gus. Jesse empties a cigarette and hides the poison capsule in the middle, covering the top with more tobacco. He is not as stupid as he looks, and this continues the trend of Jesse's creativity being a real asset to crime.

Hank and Walt Jr are at everyone's favorite neighborhood eatery/cover operation, Los Pollos. Gus glad hands with the boys, saying that they should have let him know to ensure free food, and offers Walt Jr. a part time job. Hank plays the role of grateful customer so well, but really he nabs the cup Gus refilled for him to scope it for prints. HANK IS ON THE TRIAL.

There has been so much awesome in this episode and now we get Mike and Jesse running the security for the cartel meeting. As I watched this, I couldn't believe that I had forgotten the cartel angle. Jesse's rules for the meeting, "eyes open and mouth shut." The cartel sends one guy to meet with Gus. There is no deal, no negotiation, just yes or no. Presumably, either Gus stops and lets the cartel take over or WAR. Mike mentions to Jesse later that he needs to learn to shoot because things "might get a little hairy" so it looks like war. Look at Gus now. At one time, we viewed him as the ultimate power in our little story and in one episode he is now the target in a three sided attack on him.

Jesse goes back to Narcotics Anonymous meeting to commiserate and talk. Aaron Paul also locked up next year's "Best Supporting Actor" Emmy with this scene. His vivid, emotional illusory story of having to kill a problem dog, a dog who didn't do anything, didn't bite anyone, but whose existence was a problem, was so stomach churningly intense that you can just feel his aching need to be judged. His soul is really being ripped in different directions by Walt, Mike, and what Jesse wants out of his future.

In the final season this week, Hank is back at the DEA's office laying out the detailed web of Gale's death and drugs that he has crafted. He connects the napkin to Gus's Los Pollos, the part number written on the napkin to a HVAC system that would only be used in a state of the art system, the buyer of the HVAC system to the company that owns Los Pollos. All circumstantial at best, but then, wait for it, connects the fact that Gus's fingerprints were in Gale's apartment. DUN DUN DUN.

Fav Scene: Jesse's problem dog speech at NA

Fav Line: Hank stock answer to people telling him how he looks "Chalk it up to clean living and vitamin pills."

Next Weeks Title: Hermanos

Stonecutter out.

Next Day Recap: Breaking Down Breaking Bad

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 6: Cornered

Apologies for missing last weeks recap, I had some IRL stuff to attend to. So let's briefly recap the two important story lines from episode 5. We last left Jesse cruising with Henchman Mike to the desert on what we assume is the end of Jesse Pinkman. Instead Jesse spends the day making "dead drops" with Mike and just tagging along. Then, ALL OF SUDDEN, there is an attempted robbery (that is set up by Gus to make Jesse feel like a hero) and Jesse has a sense of self worth.

Walt's cozy little world in which he has no control over anything is eating at him. He wants his just due from someone, anyone, for being the meth kingpin of the southwest. With the car wash bought, Hank chalking up Gale as Heisenberg, and his life in order, Walt decides to get all liquored up and OMFG, WALT WHAT ARE YOU SAYING??!!! Walt makes a drunken proclamation that Gale is probably not "the guy" as Walt believes his lab work to be little more than "rote copying" and that the guy is probably still out there. Hank dives back into the case noting that it is interesting for Gale, a vegan, to have a flier for Los Pollos Hermanas in his house. WALT WHAT HAVE YOU DONE??!!11?!!

On to episode 6...

Awesome cold opening again. Once again we see the cartel attacking a Los Pollos truck (BTW, I want to eat at Los Pollos Hermanos so effing bad). Outsmarting the traveling muscle this time by attaching the exhaust to the refrigeration and waiting for them to die in the back. Now they just have to sit back, eat the recently-shot-in-the-face driver's lunch, and pick out the glow in the dark marked meth bucket.

Walt wakes up hungover after his reveal to Hank the previous night. Asking Skyler, "What did I even say?" Skyler does not look amused. A note about the drunken revelation, some may claim it was a cop out move, but it really felt like a real move anyone of us would have when their world starts crumbling and you lose a sense of control. It seemed a little random as we have never seen Walt indulge to this level before, but I know all my problems can be solved by getting absolutely hamhocked, so why can't Walt's?

Skyler listens to Walt's heartfelt love goodbye that she misinterpreted in the previous episode. Coupled with Walt's drunken boasting, she pieces together what is really going on in their new life. She deduces correctly the goings on and murderous atmosphere that Walt is in, and pleads that the last gasp must be to turn himself in. Walt spouts off with an AWESOME speech where he tells her that he is the one people fear and the whole organization ceases to exist without him. Skyler gets the fuck out of there, flipping a coin at the four corners to decide where to flee to. Walt also gets the keys to the car wash from smarmy ex-owner Bogdan. As a final "fuck you," Walt insists on keeping the first dollar Bogdan ever made and uses it to purchase a refreshing Coke.

Walt Jr. starts asking questions about where Skyler is and how she has no right to be mad at Walt because he "has a disease." Walt insists that everything he does is because of the choices he has made and not his "gambling disease." Speaking of poor decisions, Walt buys his sons love by purchasing him an awesome Dodge Challenger MUSCLE CAR OF AUTOMOBILE ERECTIONS. A out of work school teacher that just bought a car wash and has a "gambling problem" buys his son a new car. Yup, everything is normal over here, IRS.

Jesse shows up to work at the lab, oop nope, he's going out with Mike again. But not before him and Walt have a little face to face time regarding Jesse's new status within the crew. Walt really gives it to Jesse, basically telling him that he is nothing and that this must be ALL ABOUT ME. Walt figures out, accurately I might add, that Gus is driving a wedge between him and Jesse. After the way that Walt sums up the situation I would be ready to tell him to piss off as well. This isn't a you help me, I help you relationship anymore. Right now, its more about the horrible things they have done for each other, and there zest for staying alive. It's already clear that Jesse is trying to get as far away from what he has done to help Walt (killing Gale) with his drug use and constant partying. Looks like Gus' plan is working pretty well.

With Jesse out of the lab and Walt stuck with all the cleaning, he does the sensibly thing and bribes three Honduran women from the laundry to help out. They of course, are promptly fired and deported by Gus, because he is a ruthless crime boss. What did you expect Walt? Even after he tells Tyrus that, "You tell Gus to blame me, not them." Tyrus simply replies, "he does."

Well what do you know, Jesse is halfway competent at being muscle. He coaxes out the methheads in possession of the stash the cartel stole and saves the day. Mike even lets out a wry smile at Jesse's clever antics. Later, Mike presumably sings his praises to Gus, though we do not get to hear the conversation. Gus and Jesse's brief conversation outside the diner lend us to think that what started out as an experiment may have actual merit if Jesse's talent shines through. You don't get an audience with the boss if he doesn't like the job you did. Mike and Gus discuss the message left by the cartel that says "ready to talk?" Mike would like to "get 10-15 operators and hit them where it hurts." Why? Because he is the BEE'S KNEES OF CHARACTERS. Gus instead opts for a meeting to be setup. Lame.

In the final scene, Skyler and Holly return to the house to find Junior's new whip. As he goes for a ride, Skyler insists that it must be returned and that she will get blamed for it. It ends with her right on the money assessment that "someone has to protect this family from the man who protects this family."

Fav Scene: Walter's speech to Skyler about how "in control" he is

Fav Line: from above Walt "I AM the one who knocks."

Next Week's Title: Problem Dog (based on the preview and where we are in the season, I think this one is going to be a doozy)

Laters.

Next Day Recap: Breaking Down Breaking Bad

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 4: Bullet Points

What a great cold opening this week. Henchman Mike is really becoming my favorite ancillary character in the show (Sorry, Saul!). As the cartel pours bullets into the Los Pollos Hermanos truck, Mike sits in the cold, biding his time before taking them out. He doesn't even flinch when he loses part of his ear. What a professional, which really appears to be the theme this week.

Walter and Skyler are prepping for the BIG REVEAL to the family about Walt's "gambling winnings" and the car wash purchase. Just an excruciating scene to watch, as Skyler hammers Walt over the head with this complex story. For being so meticulous in the lab, it almost seems like Walt couldn't care less about the convincing cover. Though I suppose it irks him more that it is out of his control and he comes off looking like a totally d-bag in this story. I love how thorough Skyler is by making him prove his blackjack system. Especially with them playing the recovery angle. As if Hank was going to bust out a five deck shoot and grill Walt about the count in different situations.

The instant change on Walt and Skyler's faces as they arrive for dinner show how deep they've thought out this cover story. Like a light switch, they flip on the bright smiles to convince their family of the good, yet strange time, they are going through. Hank actually seems happy to have company. Yet he doesn't miss an opportunity to take a dig at Marie ("She could burn water.") even in a light-hearted atmosphere. Oh boy, MORE ROCK COLLECTING STUFF. I love the disheartened look on Hank's face as Walt goes in-depth about the oxidation of Manganese. Hank makes Walt pop in a DVD from a case, and poof! in one swoop Gale is recapturing our hearts with a rendition of Major Tom that sounds like an angel.

The gambling story goes over incredibly well with the family, including Walt Jr. proclaiming that its "awesome." Walt excuses himself to get a look at the Gale file Hank has been consulting on. He and Hank have a heartfelt moment in the hallway where they tell each other if they ever need a confidant, that they will be there for one another. While Hank is genuine in his offer, Walt really just wants a prolonged look as well as information on the investigation.

The two look over the case as Walt starts nervously poking at Hank to find out what he knows. Hank, believing Gale is Heisenberg, wishes he could have been "Popeye Doyle waving the Frog One." To which Walt points out that this didn't happen in the first French Connection. WHICH IS ONE OF THE BEST FILMS EVER. Then we get to see the old Hank pop back up as he grills Walt about the curious W.W. dedication Gale included in his lab notes. Walt cleverly plays it off as it being in reference to Walt Whitman citing a previous page. SMOOTH. Walt learns that there were prints taken from the scene and that the cops has a few leads.

Walt scurries up to Jesse's hovel looking for him. Walt actually seems generally excited to be making move and taking action rather than sitting back collecting criminal life lessons, something he laments to Saul later. The look in Jesse's eyes as Walt asks him to relive Gale's murder really tells the whole story. It's surprising that Walt is too thick skinned to notice the damning effect its had on him.

Walt goes to Saul's to lay his frustrations out on his lovable sleazebag lawyer. Walt complains that he is the only one acting professionally, which is really far from the truth. Jesse is the exception as he has fallen off the deep end. Gus has never been anything but the consummate professional. Henchman Mike is the same way, even after his ear gets blown off from men shooting at him in the back of a refrigerated truck. His face never changes from "this is my job." What a total badass. Walt doesn't understand that murder is the only surefire way ensure the competition will lose. Walt can't separate the business and crime. Saul offers him some solace in that he knows a guy that can make him disappear if it gets too hot. He notes that this is an "endgame," which is the coolest expression to come out of chess.

Walt notes that the camera is not following him, but rather Jesse's every move. And wow, Jesse does not care about anything anymore. First, one of the junkies staying at his house steals $78,000 from him, then he comes home and gives out meth HE'S SKIMMING FROM THE LAB. He finds his money missing, doesn't even flinch, and begins playing video games with a HAWT junkie rather than having the sex.

The next morning Mike and the new henchman, whose name is Ray apparently, have cleared the house of the scumbags and caught the thief. Jesse says thanks, but doesn't seem the slightest bit concerned with what happens to him, the thief, or anything. Mike and Gus meet to discuss Jesse's increasing liability. We then follow Walt working alone in the lab, to calling and recalling Jesse, only to show up at his house and find he is missing. Walt returns to the lab and sternly asks the camera, "Where is he?" The episode ends with Mike and Jesse taking a long drive into the desert.

This was really a fantastic episode, everything from the intense brutality of the boring details of Skyler's cover plan to Jesse's complete nihilistic approach to life was a joy to watch. The first third of this season is shaping up some interesting story lines. Will they kill off Jesse? No way has Mike gone soft, so the trip to the desert has only one purpose. Walt will have to come up with something to get him out of this. The endgame Saul mentions will come up again I bet, but right now Walt still believes he has moves to make and he thinks he can still come out "winning", if that makes sense.

Fav Scene: The cold open of Henchman Mike

Fav Line: Mike "Wanna ask where we are going?" Jesse "Nope."

Next Week's Title: "Shotgun"

Next Day Recap: Breaking Down Breaking Bad

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"

Next Day Recap: Breaking Down Breaking Bad

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"

Next Day Recap: Breaking Down Breaking Bad

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 1: Box Cutter

Oh glorious day! Oh magical night! As all Breaking Baddamaniacs come off the high that was the awesome return of AMC's most fabulous drama (TAKE THAT DRAPER), let's look at what happened during last night's return to the saga of Walter White and company.

The opening scene flashes us back to the lovable, upbeat Gale as he sets up Gustavo Fring's meth lab that was the backdrop for much of season 3. Very different opening to the previous seasons, where we get a cryptic scene (i.e. the plane crash of season 2, the gangsters crawling in season 3) that plays out during the season. I like the change up. Gale and Gus discuss the quality of Walter's meth (99% pure) to Gale's (96% pure). Gale's downfall was his own fault as he was adamant that they should cook the superior meth. My own worst enemy. I'll miss Gale, what a great tertiary character.

We cut back to the scene at the end of season 3, with Jesse murdering Gale in his apartment. Victor the henchman comes and checks out the scene, finds Jesse in the parking lot, and drags him back to the lab. I think Jesse knew that inevitably he was going to have to go back and face the facts.

Skyler opens her door to find Marie dropping off the latest bill for Hank, and notices that Walter must have spent the night as his car is in the driveway. Anna Gunn (Skyler) had plastic surgery in the time off from the show. Her face is a little weird now, not KILL IT WITH FIRE weird, but just...off. Anyway, she moves the car so Walt Jr. doesn't ask questions when he wakes up.

Saul gets a call from Skyler who wants to know where Walt is. Oh lovable Saul, so hilarious. I am a huge Bob Odenkirk fan (shout out to those that remember Mr. Show) and his comic relief as sleazy Saul Goodman bring a nice levity to the intense drama. He is sweeping his office for bugs and freaks out when Skyler mentions meth lab on the phone.

Back at the lab, Gus shows up on scene. The first thought in my head is that WE ARE ABOUT TO GET MAD REAL UP IN HERE. Gus slowly walks in, straight past Walter and Jesse, and starts...stripping? Oh, he's putting on a lab suit. Glasses off, walking back to Walter who is babbling trying to plead his case to Gus, Gus reaches in a drawer and grabs a box cutter. THIS IS INTENSE. Gus circles Walter and Jesse and winds up standing with Victor and Mike. Suddenly, Gus grabs Victor and slits his throat holding him up as the blood splatters all over Walter and Jesse. Walter is horrified. Jesse is stoic, he gets it. Gus reverses the processes, taking off the lab suit and putting his normal clothes back on. He still has said nothing. My face looks like Munch's The Scream. At the top of the stairs Gus tells them to get back to work and leaves. So why kill Victor, who had claimed to be able to replicate Walter's recipe? I think it was a combination of failing to protect Gale as well as being seen at the crime scene.

Bed ridden Hank is really being a big meanie! His ultra positive wife Marie, who is slowly being worn down mentally by caring for Hank, comes in with a big smile and asking about his physical therapy. Hank has been slowing making progress in physical therapy and has taken up bidding and buying minerals on teh internetz. At the end of season 3, I thought this storyline was going to suck but I could see it talking some interesting turns.

Jesse and Walt are at a diner getting breakfast after their cook. They have changed out of their blood soaked clothes (the Kenny Loggins shirts are a nice touch). Walt is still frazzled from the day's events, but Jesse is fine. He orders a big breakfast of DELICIOUS PANCAKES and stuffs his face as Walt looks on. He gets it. He knows the agreement they have with Gus now. "We're all on the same page: the one that says, if I can't kill you, you're sure as s**t going to wish you were dead." I hope his character takes a little more of a mature turn as it did in this episode, sometimes he is so annoying.

Walt returns home looking for his car and Skyler tells him where and why she moved it. Noticeably freaked out and curious to Walter's whereabouts the entire episode, she seems relieved he is alive and doesn't ask any questions. I am very interested in her role this season as Walt's home life and drug life start melding more and more.

The episode ends with cops investigating Gale's murder and we see a folder on his coffee table labeled "Lab Notes." SWEET MOTHER OF GOD GALE, WHY DID YOU BRING THAT HOME??!!!!

Fav Scene: Gus and his silent treatment murder in the lab.

Fav Line: Marie "you're buying a new rock?" Hank "I'm bidding on a new mineral."

**tied for fav line is the fact that Jesse did not say "yo" or "bitch" once in the ep**

Next Week's Title: "38 Snub"