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 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"