Breaking Bad

[Bubba Wheels]

Anybody else watching this? Not much of a TV Series guy, but this one hooked me like no other on network or cable (I don't get premium.) Is this the first show that looks like it could have been on HBO? Father from Malcolm in the Middle stars as ABQ High School chem teacher. If you've seen the series you know the rest.

[Bubba Wheels]

First two episodes available online: hxxp://www.amctv.com/originals/breakingbad/

[Butter]

I've watched the first 2 shows. I like it so far, and I'm not usually a 1 hr. drama guy.

[stevew]

Hmm, been meaning to watch it, sounds like a fascinating concept. Will have to program the DVR.

[bosshogg23]

I have watched the first two episodes as well and will watch the third tonight. Bryan Cranston is great in it.

Apparently the show was pitched to FX. They loved the shows idea and then passed on it because they didn't think they could sell it to advertisers because of the drugs. Ratings have been solid so I hope its picked up for a second season.

[gi]

Great story, writing, and acting. On my must see list.

[mauchow]

Officially on the list! Might download them to catch up to them, but I shouldn't since then I would be all caught up by the end of the night and will have to wait week to week. So I'll let them record when they show up again. Bummer. :)

[mauchow]

Everyone still watching this show? I'm still enjoying it very, very much.

[Bubba Wheels]

Great stuff. Good as anything seen on the Premium channels. Keep kids far away.

[Tasan]

Oh my, I finally got around to watching the first two episodes, and I nearly vomited when whats left of Emilio fell from the tub in the ceiling . I'm not sure I'm going to continue, but I love the dad from Malcolm in the Middle.

[Cringer]

First two episodes available online: hxxp://www.amctv.com/originals/breakingbad/

keep forgetting about this show, online episodes will help me a lot. thanks.

[gi]

Just watched yesterday's episode. Best one so far. With writing and acting so strong, I'm surprised one of the networks didn't pick this up. Even with the theme....oh well.

[mauchow]

Yeah, the last few seconds of the show would probably have been my reaction. Just scream and basically punch a few things. Man, his adrenaline was probably running so high. He was feeling good but like shit at the same time was my thought.

[Bad-example]

I watched the first two episodes and am hooked. They are airing reruns on sunday nights at midnight. Nice casting all around and an interesting story.

[gi]

I just setup my new dvr to capture the 2nd season. Excellent series.

[Bad-example]

For those late to the party, AMC is showing all seven episodes of season one this wednesday night at 8pm.

[Bad-example]

I missed the broadcast of the first show of season two but caught episode 2 Sunday night. Holy balls. Ding! Ding! Ding!

A shame this show isn't ever going to get the exposure it deserves.

[thesloppy]

I thought the last episode was some of the best TV I've seen in a long time. Great pace and tension from pretty much start to finish. I'm going to miss Tuco.

"Awwww! Are you mad-dogging 'em tio? You don't like them?" Ding!

[panerd]

I love this show also. I sort of see it as a Wire type show. Not that it is the same in any way but that the following will always be rather small but everyone who watches really loves it.

My only worry is now that there is dead Tuco, the kid's car is all shot up, and the teacher has gone missing for several days how anything is ever going to be back to normal. Not that is necessarily a bad thing but it seemed like once Vic from the Shield got in way over his head every episode was a little too much over the top.

[thesloppy]

Yes, I'm interested to see how they can resolve things from here as well. Up until now, Hank has been a fascinating character to me, because he's the stereotypical TV puffed-up cowboy cop, but as time's gone on we've seen more and more of bits and pieces that show how he's also remarkably effective and good at what he does, and we're getting very close to the point where Hank would have to put most, if not all, of the pieces he already has together that point towards Walt cooking meth.

[panerd]

Yes, I'm interested to see how they can resolve things from here as well. Up until now, Hank has been a fascinating character to me, because he's the stereotypical TV puffed-up cowboy cop, but as time's gone on we've seen more and more of bits and pieces that show how he's also remarkably effective and good at what he does, and we're getting very close to the point where Hank would have to put most, if not all, of the pieces he already has together that point towards Walt cooking meth.


I wasn't a big fan of Hank when he was showing off his gun at the birthday party and showing off on the ride-along in the first epiosode. But I reaqlly am starting to like his character and the writers are doing a better job of showing that while he thinks he is super macho he is also a good cop and knows his limitations. (Like when he gets everyone fired up about nailing Tuco and then leaves the room and says "we are never going to get this guy" or when he laughs about them stealing the barrel of chemicals)

[Bad-example]

Hank is going to figure it out and then will be trapped in a moral dilemma. It will be interesting to see what his reaction is when he confronts Walt.

I think this is a great show and can't wait to see where it goes. They make a point of telling viewers that the show is available On Demand, but my cable company (AT&T) doesn't have it. I think I will email AMC and see if I can maybe light a fire or at least get an explanation.

[Bad-example]

Tim Goodman from the Chronicle deconstructs each episode a day or two after it airs. Good stuff.

Tim Goodman. The Bastard Machine : "Breaking Bad" Spoiled Bastard. Ep. 2: "Grilled." (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/tgoodman/detail?blogid=24&entry_id=37059)

Spoilers galore, so don't click unless you have seen episode 2 (Ding!)

[gi]

Second season has not disappointed me, great writing and pacing as was already said.

[panerd]

I have a friend who is a cop so sometimes he will have poker or something that has a lot of cops at it. Hank is so spot on for their thinking they are cool attitude.

[jeff061]

Simply an awesome show. I've read AMC butchers it though. I've been buying it off iTunes, I can't imagine they broadcast the same version on AMC. There's probably a good 5-10 minutes each episode I don't see them getting away with on basic cable.

[Bad-example]

I love the pacing of this show. Another very good episode last night. About the only flaw IMO is the wife, Skyler. I have grown to greatly dislike the actress. I just don't think she fits the role. But I can look past something minor like that.

Bryan Cranston is just awesome.

[thesloppy]

I don't think I like Skyler the character much at all, even though I certainly understand her exasperation. Although we've been given plenty of reason to see why she should be so frazzled, they've never given us any reason to really like Skyler (or her sister for that matter), and she kind of pales next to the rest of the characters, who are doing and acting in far worse ways, but somehow come off more sympathetic.

Jesse is the exact opposite. I give that actor all the props in the world, because Jesse is just a humongous piece of trash, who fucks up in absolutely every situation, has absolutely nobody's respect, is completely oblivious to all of his own flaws, and yet remains completely sympathetic. Even when he's blue.

"What the hell, yo? I thought this was a wake up call?"

[gi]

Just caught up on the last two episodes last night, yeah, they should give more to Skylar the character. We are seeing her own personal fall, but it would be nice to get some background. Still one of the best shows on right now.

[Bad-example]

If you are a fan of this show or just interested, AMC » Story Matters Here (www.amctv.com) has a bunch of cool stuff worth checking out. Rocking new Breaking Bad wallpaper, the cool 'chemistry" one.

Great casting on Saul the lawyer, and nice to see John DeLancie (Q) getting a little work. Really excited to see how the season ends. Hoping they show a marathon soon, as I have gotten several people interested in the show and they need to catch up.

[Bad-example]

Forgot to mention this show has been renewed for season 3.

:funkychickendance:

[gi]

Awesome news about the renewal. Just caught up and while I figured that would happen, they did it very well. Looking forward to seeing what happens with the plot next week.

[Bad-example]

Eight more days until season three! They are dribbling reruns at us in the middle of the night this week and next weekend.

So excited to see what they do with Walt's character this season.

[gi]

E Online had a video of Season 2 bloopers that will included on the upcoming DVD. Looking forward to some of the best writing and acting in television.

[timmynausea]

March Madness + new season of Breaking Bad = good times.

[Bad-example]

There wasn't much discussed here about the ending to season two, which I find surprising considering how amazing it was.

The finale, starting with that accident scene they had been teasing us with all season long, was just superb writing. I loved that final shot, pulling away to show all the places the plane wreckage had fallen. All those plumes of smoke were ultimately on Walt's head, as are all the unseen tragedies and misery his product has caused. Just a brilliant ending to a real gem of a season.

[Schmidty]

I love this show. Looking forward to season 3.

[gi]

Ending was fantastic, great foreshadowing.

[Bad-example]

Seriously, when the going gets tough, you don't want a criminal lawyer, alright? You want a 'criminal' lawyer. You know what I'm saying?

[Butter]

I just finished watching the whole Season 2 off my DVR... what a great season. If they can keep it up, I will be properly amazed. Enjoying watching the wheels starting to come off for Walt and seeing how they play that out this year.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

So, couldn't remember due to the break between seasons, but why are the toe-skull brothers after Walt? Just because his good stuff flooding their market?

[Bad-example]

So, couldn't remember due to the break between seasons, but why are the toe-skull brothers after Walt? Just because his good stuff flooding their market?

Yeah, the cartel wants his head for that and the whole Tuco business.

Damn that was a cool opening scene. This is one of those rare shows I truly feel privileged to watch.

[jeff061]

Yeah, everyone I turn onto it loves it without exception. Even my mother, who I've never seen admit to enjoying anything since Murder She Wrote.

[Bad-example]

Tim Goodman. The Bastard Machine : "Breaking Bad" Spoiled Bastard. Ep. 1: "No Mas." (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/tgoodman/detail?entry_id=59646)

[mckerney]

Seriously, when the going gets tough, you don't want a criminal lawyer, alright? You want a 'criminal' lawyer. You know what I'm saying?

Just saw the scene where Saul negotiates the purchase of the house, man I'm glad they got Bob Odenkirk on the cast.

[Tasan]

This season has been amazing. Does anyone know if its planning on continuing past this season, or are they going to wrap things up this go 'round?

[stevew]

Man, that episode was fucking insane. This has gotta be one of the best TV shows that I've ever seen. If you aren't watching it, you're really missing out.

[stevew]

Although, dunno if anyone else caught it. But motherfuck AMC for showing highlights for next weeks show(including a certain character in a certain place) super spoiler-riffic in the middle of the goddamn episode during a commercial break. I know that many people will skip, etc, but it was just super bush league.

[Bad-example]

Saul = awesome

"Trust me, there is no honor among thieves. (grins) Except between us."

That last ten minutes were crazy. The writing is tight on this show.

[Tasan]

I had my doubts about this season going into it. The whole plane crash at the end of last season was a bit over the top, but I'm absolutely loving this season. This last episode had me yelling at the TV, in a good way.

[Bad-example]

Tim Goodman. The Bastard Machine : "Breaking Bad" Spoiled Bastard. Ep. 7: "One Minute." (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/tgoodman/detail?entry_id=62703)

Tim talks about the colors in this week's show.

[Bad-example]

Any theories on the 'suicide attempt'?

Do you think Walt felt somewhat insulted by Gustav's offer of 15M/year?

What about Skyler's long, convoluted story about the money and it's origin? It pretty clearly showed she has been thinking of how to explain the money for a while.

The leader of that drug support group is going to figure out Jessie's game in a hurry, eh?

[Bad-example]

delayed double dola

Is Walt losing his mind?

[gi]

Just watched last weeks episode and it appeared that Walt's guilt for not saving Jesse's girl, was causing him to not want to live. Amongst everything else too. :)

[stevew]

Odenkirk is absolute money on this show. Hilarious. Especially when Skylar was pressing him on the Laser Tag and he really had no reason not to agree with her, but he wanted to shut her up.

[jeff061]

Yeah this last episode was a great one.

I'm not so sure about the pacing this season. It feels like it's written for a 24 episode arch, but now they need to both create and wrap things up in the last 3 episodes(including last night's).

[stevew]

Holy shit.

[Schmidty]

I just watched it. Yeah, holy shit.

[Bad-example]

Once again, this show delivers.


...everyone knows it's Windy!

[mckerney]

Holy shit.

[stevew]

The only thing that kind of rubbed me the wrong way was the sit down between Gus and the street level dealers. Someone highly cautious like Gus didn't to me seem like the type who would fraternize with people who could easily get pinched.

[Bigsmooth]

Yeah it's kind of hard to believe the amount of love Walt has for Jesse. Unless he strictly ran those guys down out of anger that they had that kid killed. Are we to assume that the 2 dealers killed the kid?

Great show.

[Butter]

I just watched it. Yeah, holy shit.

+1 zillion

[Butter]

Yeah it's kind of hard to believe the amount of love Walt has for Jesse. Unless he strictly ran those guys down out of anger that they had that kid killed. Are we to assume that the 2 dealers killed the kid?

Great show.

Well, I agree that it is hard to figure why Walt feels so responsible...

but that was part of the brilliance of having Walt witness Jesse's girlfriend die last season. NOW he definitely feels responsible for Jesse's actions way more than he did before.

I also have to mention how glad I am that they didn't have Walt blurt out how he was there when that happened on the episode a couple of weeks ago when Jesse tried to drug him to sleep. I thought that was where it was going, and was glad it never got there.

[Bigsmooth]

Well, I agree that it is hard to figure why Walt feels so responsible...

but that was part of the brilliance of having Walt witness Jesse's girlfriend die last season. NOW he definitely feels responsible for Jesse's actions way more than he did before.

I also have to mention how glad I am that they didn't have Walt blurt out how he was there when that happened on the episode a couple of weeks ago when Jesse tried to drug him to sleep. I thought that was where it was going, and was glad it never got there.

Agree completely with your spoiler about Walt blurting that out.

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Any thoughts on the finale? I watched all three seasons in about 3 weeks at the recommendation of my sister. Great show, great storyline, great cast.

[ISiddiqui]

Saw it recently (thanks DVR) and thought it was magnificent. The last two episodes were incredible actually. Gus is a great, great character.

[Butter]

I think it sets up an amazing season 4. I honestly didn't see that ending coming at all, but it was brilliantly conceived and executed. It's really just amazing how much groundwork is laid all season long for some of these plot points to come to fruition. Incredibly rewarding for the viewer, unlike some shows that have 3-5 "storyline" episodes, and the rest of the season consists of amusing but ultimately meaningless filler as far as character advancement goes.

Walt put Jesse completely on the spot... now it will be interesting to see the Walt and Jesse relationship either strengthen, or finally die completely away. It's always been a difficult to figure co-dependency, but this just deepens that complexity.

[ISiddiqui]

Well, Walt kinda had to. And after all, Walt did save Jesse's life to put Walt in that situation.

[Radii]

I watched all three seasons over a 2 week period, this is perhaps my second favorite show ever behind The Wire right now.

Breaking Bad Insider Podcast - Download free podcast episodes by Kelley Dixon, Vince Gilligan on iTunes. (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/breaking-bad-insider-podcast/id311058181)

There's a podcast hosted by one of the editors of the show that discusses every episode. Vince Gilligan is on all of them and then random other guests. They go on insane tangents and often end up discussing things that have nothing to do with the specific episode, but its usually something that I find fascinating.

The last couple episodes were incredible, and the end of the last episode was incredibly sad to me. Jesse had never actually killed anyone before. He almost did a couple times, he's done some awful things, but the end of the season seems like a massive game changer for him. I love how Jesse has been developed as a character and want to see him live at the end more than anything else on the show, but every time he finds anything good it ends up self destructing, I have a bad feeling that pattern continues forever for him.

I can't wait to see where season 4 goes. Surely Gus isn't going to allow himself to be held hostage by Walt's cooking skills for long. Is Season 4 the season that Hank finally finds out? I think I remember reading/hearing somewhere that Vince Gilligan/Writers feel like they have a 5 season life to this story... not with the same certainty that David Simon does but just a general feel for how far they can take this story realistically. If that's true and we get 5 seasons of brilliance here, I would guess that next season somehow builds up to Hank finding out and Season 5 will be a Shield-like awesome path of destruction/collapse for Walt.

I assume Jesse will at first be very angry at Walt (I KILLED SOMEONE FOR YOU....... BITCH), but that they will both end up being hunted by Gus and will stick together very closely. I give it two episodes of Gus allowing Walt to cook and hold him hostage before that explodes permanently.

[Butter]

Someone needs to slap the spoiler tag on the title now! But seriously, it's ok.

Is there any doubt that Jesse kills the guy? It seems like the scene was shot that way for a reason. But it could be just a POV type thing. I don't know, I just don't want the cop-out of Jesse deciding to take it on the run again instead of manning up and paying Walt back.

[thesloppy]

Someone needs to slap the spoiler tag on the title now! But seriously, it's ok.

Is there any doubt that Jesse kills the guy? It seems like the scene was shot that way for a reason. But it could be just a POV type thing. I don't know, I just don't want the cop-out of Jesse deciding to take it on the run again instead of manning up and paying Walt back.

The creator of the show so much as said "Jesse shot him" and the shot was just supposed to be a nice dolly shot, not supposed to imply any mystery to the gun's trajectory.

[Radii]

The creator of the show so much as said "Jesse shot him" and the shot was just supposed to be a nice dolly shot, not supposed to imply any mystery to the gun's trajectory.

yea, this.

I can spoiler my post if ppl want, when I watch TV shows much later than their original airdate I am very careful about reading the threads on the show(I've done this on FOFC catching up late on the wire/shield/breaking bad now w/o ever being spoiler'd) ;) I figured weeks after the season finale would be safe.

[Bad-example]

Gus Triandos...I mean BRYAN CRANSTON...is hosting SNL this week.

[Bad-example]

bump

[Radii]

The best TV Series currently running returns in about a month. The first trailer with new footage was released today.

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[Butter]

It's about freaking time.

[stevew]

I've been stoked for a long time about the new season. But the other day when I read something about Los Pollos Hermanos and it alluded to the fact that we've only met one of the brothers, it took it to a new level.

[gi]

been waiting a long time for this...

[mckerney]

Only a few more weeks.

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/arTnX8tF2_s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Bigsmooth]

Going to a cool little cinema that serves beer and food to watch the final episode of last season and the premiere of the new season on the 17th. Good times.

[jeff061]

Going to a cool little cinema that serves beer and food to watch the final episode of last season and the premiere of the new season on the 17th. Good times.

That's awesome.

I forgot how great this show was until I realized that TV has been comparatively shitty since it was last on. It has thrown the bell curve.

[mckerney]

<iframe width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/I0Mqb-5BYpg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Radii]

According to twitter, Breaking Bad Showrunner Vince Gilligan is wearing this. I would pay lots for my own I do believe:

http://a.yfrog.com/img615/7444/hbhvg.jpg

[panerd]

According to twitter, Breaking Bad Showrunner Vince Gilligan is wearing this. I would pay lots for my own I do believe:

http://a.yfrog.com/img615/7444/hbhvg.jpg

Couldn't find that one but there are quite a few breaking bad t-shirts under all the general internet tshirt companies. I think this is my favorite...

http://7.media.bustedtees.cvcdn.com/1/6/bustedtees.ba9b1ed1b5eb122f0d9cb196ce58e847.jpg

[Bad-example]

Tonight they are showing the last three episodes from season three.

Next week they will be showing season one starting Tuesday night.

[stevew]

I'm pretty convinced that they will think Gale was Heisenberg, although maybe that is just too obvious.

[LloydLungs]

Last summer, I absolutely FLEW through the first three seasons of this show. I went from that to nothing cold turkey for a solid year. Especially given the circumstances under which season three ended, it's fair to say I am greatly looking forward to Sunday night.

Now that I'm caught up, this is going to be a very difficult show to watch in one hour doses once a week.

[Radii]

Last summer, I absolutely FLEW through the first three seasons of this show. I went from that to nothing cold turkey for a solid year. Especially given the circumstances under which season three ended, it's fair to say I am greatly looking forward to Sunday night.

Now that I'm caught up, this is going to be a very difficult show to watch in one hour doses once a week.

I'm basically in the same boat, I think I got caught up on the show a week or so after the season 3 finale. I've spent like 30 minutes every day this week minimum watching my favorite clips of the show on youtube, every time I see an update from the Breaking Bad facebook page or interview with a cast member I get ridiculously excited.

[Radii]

LESS THAN FOUR HOURS.

Its really kinda ridiculous how excited I am for this. Thank god the British Open and Womens World Cup got me through most of the day.

[LloydLungs]

6353 Juan Tabo, Apartment 6.

YEAH.

[stevew]

Gus.

[Radii]

Gus.

+10000000000000000000

[Radii]

OH. MY. GOD.

Lived up to the hype I'd given it inside my head, completely and totally. Random thoughts:

1) Love the opening with Gale. The pure scientist pointing out that he can't do what this other guy can do, setting off the whole thing.

2) Obviously, GUS OMG GUS. That scene was just so beautiful. Walt bargaining for his life, Gus not saying a word, the tension building (even though I already guessed who was gonna die, I assume most did), Victor explaining how easy it is to follow a recipe, the actual death, the visual of the box cutter falling to the ground, and the blood pooling around walt's feet... just so perfectly done.

3) The body cleanup... Mike "I've never done this before, are you sure it's gonna work?" Jesse: "oh yeah, trust us" ... with all the tension everywhere else that was a huge laugh out loud moment. We've come a hell of a long way from bodies falling through bathtubs and ceilings, eh?

4) Jesse in the diner with Walt later, finding the perfect line/point as always, "He didn't kill us, but he's going to make us wish he did" I think I have that right at least.

5) The absurd Kenny Rogers shirt with the tag on it and the ridiculous white pants Walt is wearing when he comes home and talks to Skyler, great details.

6) I didn't notice it myself but a friend pointed it out, the last shot of the episode before the credits in Gale's apartment is of a notebook labeled "lab notes". That should be interesting reading for the cops.


Just an amazing start to the season.

[stevew]

yeah, the lab notes is probably going to detail what he thinks about the chemical makeup of the blue meth(shows the book early in the episode along with the box cutter). I suspect, like i said earlier, that there's going to be a lot of evidence which seems to implicate that Gale is Heisenberg.

[Radii]

I suspect, like i said earlier, that there's going to be a lot of evidence which seems to implicate that Gale is Heisenberg.

I like that theory!

[LloydLungs]

At this point I would be terrified about just meeting Giancarlo Esposito the actor. Christ.

[Butter]

Yeah, it was a good start. No disappointments from me at all. Seems like Jesse has come to terms with what his life is going to be like now, as Walt had in the last few episodes of last season.

[Bad-example]

At this point I would be terrified about just meeting Giancarlo Esposito the actor. Christ.

No shit. He has underplayed that role to perfection.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Trailed only Walking Dead in terms of season premieres on the network in key adult demos. I believe the technical term for last night's ratings would be "shit hot".

‘Breaking Bad’ Breaks Ratings Records in Season Four Premiere - Ratings | TVbytheNumbers (http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/07/18/breaking-bad-breaks-ratings-)
records-in-season-four-premiere/98234/

[jeff061]

Into the fourth season and it's still the best show on TV. Game of Thrones is the only thing close, in my opinion. Probably the last series that's hit my sweet spot like this is X-Files(which I still watch over and over again).

And of course Vince Gilligan created Breaking Bad and was a producer and writer of several X-Files episodes.

[Radii]

Spoilers: Breaking Bad Creator Vince Gilligan on Last Night's Season Premiere - Hollywood Prospectus Blog (http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollywood-prospectus/post/_/id/30856/breaking-bad-creator-vince-gilligan-on-last-nights-season-premiere)

EDIT: Spoilers from the premiere, no spoilers from anything that hasn't aired yet.

[jeff061]

At first viewing, slashing Victor’s throat seems strictly like Gus making a brutal point to Jesse and Walt, but Victor wasn’t totally undeserving of punishment.
The audience has every bit as valid an opinion as I do, but for what it's worth, I think what happened was that Victor made two mistakes: He let himself get seen at the house, and we can tell from the early going that that seems to worry Mike. The other thing is, it's a bit of an affront to Gus that Victor added insult to injury by thinking he could cook Walt's formula. This is a guy, we learned from the teaser, who wants the best. He doesn't want just some well-intentioned schmo who's not a chemist cooking the formula.

Came to the same conclusion on both points, I'm sure you guys did as well. Still, it's great they don't explain it. There's so many moments in this show when a character takes drastic action. They force you to think about it, identify with and understand the characters and their motives. Even the evil ones. They don't pander to you and spell out every little thing. Love it. I imagine it is easier said than done when you are actually writing it, getting a feel for whether the audience will pick up on it or not.

I remember early on when the wheelchair guy wouldn't turn Walt into the cops. They didn't really explain it until much later when they confirmed what I had thought. He's not going to help the cops, it goes against every fiber of his existence, even if it means helping Walt.

[LloydLungs]

Gus Fring begins interviewing potential new cooks.

Giancarlo Esposito - Muppet Wiki (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Giancarlo_Esposito)

[Bad-example]

Tim Goodman before the season 4 premiere: 'Breaking Bad': Dark Side of the Dream - The Hollywood Reporter (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/breaking-bad-dark-side-dream-210786)

And chock-full-of-spoilers after: Spoiled Bastard: 'Breaking Bad' Season 4 Premiere: 'Box Cutter' - Hollywood Reporter (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bastard-machine/spoiled-bastard-breaking-bad-ep-212496)

[Radii]

Breaking Bad Insider Podcast (http://podcasts.sonypictures.com/tv_VAM/breaking_bad/breaking_bad_insider_podcast_new.xml)

One of the show's editors and Vince Gilligan are on the podcast every week. Bryan Cranston is in this one as well. Scroll to the bottom, ep 401.

[Radii]

They had to slow down after the last 3 episodes and start to show how Walt and Jesse and Gus and Mike were going to react to everything.

Random comments:

-- lol roombacam

-- lol gaming chat... nazi zombies don't just want the protein, they hate America man.

-- lots of speculation after the first episode that Jesse was going to be hardened after committing a murder and would behave very differently. Perhaps that ends up being true but now we've got another avenue opening up with him spiraling back into drug use to mask his pain. The shot with him sitting in front of the speaker at the end of the episode was brilliant, and really sad.

-- Oh my dear god the Better Call Saul post plane crash commercial was freaking amazing.

-- The conversation between Walt and Mike was spectacular. The balls (and stupidity) by Walt to just straight up approach Mike about killing Gus... unbelievable.

-- Heisenberg hat!!!

[stevew]

Tony Todd plays the other hermano I think. He's seen briefly in a trailer for next week.

[Radii]

I thought the call was from gus, didn't think much of it:


UPDATE: There's been so much debate in the comments about who called Walt - Gus or Mike - that I went and asked Vince Gilligan. I don't view his answer as any kind of spoiler (as it's info from an episode that's already aired), but in case you do, don't read the next short paragraph:

So as it turns out, it wasn't Mike. And it wasn't Gus. It was, instead, the new third man in the operation, Tyrus (played by Ray Campbell), whom we saw earlier weighing the batch. And that explains why no one could agree on whether it was Esposito's voice or Banks's voice, I suppose.

[Butter]

I will be very interested to see how the Walt/Gus dynamic plays out at this point, since Walt was stupid enough to lay his intentions out in the open to Mike. I just don't see how Gus can continue on with Walt... but I know they will make me a believer by the end of the season.

[Radii]

The whole blackjack story scene w/ skyler and walt seemed really drawn out, after that though, incredible stuff.

[gi]

I thought it was a nice window into each of their characters and how much they haven't changed given all that has happened to them. And the rest was great stuff. I almost wanted the beginning scene to end with, "I'm getting to old for this sh*t" :) and nice setup to showcase the cartel payback??

[thesloppy]

I like this show, but it has a central problem that seems to afflict every show in the "I've got a secret" genre, being that they keep devolving the characters, making them less endearing/interesting, in the interest of stretching out the plot or the drama.

Hank and Jesse used to be my favorite characters on the show, but they've both been near suicidal husks of crap this season. Last season was just as much about Walt & Skyler's depressing marital bullshit as it was anything else. Though Gus and Mike have become some of the most interesting characters on the show, when I look back on the Crazy 8 and Tuco plots, this stuff is plodding along, and lots of the interesting characters have turned to mush. Again, I do like this show...but it's not the show I started watching. It's gone from kind of a unique, black comedy actioner, to a somewhat standard drama with occasional black and/or comic moments, and it seems it is pretty firmly settled in the latter. I wanted an old nerd trying to play Scarface (poorly), and that's what we got for a season...then things went Desperate Housewives.

[Bad-example]

Wow. Just wow.

:eek:

[stevew]

I don't feel as if they would kill off Aaron Paul's character so I find it hard to feel tension. I feel as if the last two episodes are fairly drawn out. It is time to segue into another storyline soon.

[Radii]

I like this show, but it has a central problem that seems to afflict every show in the "I've got a secret" genre, being that they keep devolving the characters, making them less endearing/interesting, in the interest of stretching out the plot or the drama.

I think the entire point of the show is to take these characters and destroy them. Walt is on the fast track to pure evil, and everything he touches spirals out of control and turns to shit. That's basically the entire purpose of the entire thing. I dunno if there are going to be any good guys left by the time they're done!

So the idea that characters are less endearing now, sure, that's fine. But the idea that there is some kind of hack job being done here to "stretch out" the plot makes me wonder if you've ever seen any other TV ever?! The job they do here moving the characters along, having them react to things that happen to them, to not be one dimensional, to have everything they say or do fit with everything else they say or do... this show does it better than anything since the Wire and anything else ever before that IMO.


Hank and Jesse used to be my favorite characters on the show, but they've both been near suicidal husks of crap this season.

I think we're starting to see Hank come around a little on that now, and I hope something makes Jesse turn around. But, the crap they've become makes perfect since given who those characters are. Jesse wasn't just going to go on like nothing happened after killing someone, and Hank was the most macho self-sufficient guy in the world and now he has to be waited on hand and foot. I'd be pissed if they didn't change.



Last season was just as much about Walt & Skyler's depressing marital bullshit as it was anything else. Though Gus and Mike have become some of the most interesting characters on the show, when I look back on the Crazy 8 and Tuco plots, this stuff is plodding along, and lots of the interesting characters have turned to mush. Again, I do like this show...but it's not the show I started watching. It's gone from kind of a unique, black comedy actioner, to a somewhat standard drama with occasional black and/or comic moments, and it seems it is pretty firmly settled in the latter. I wanted an old nerd trying to play Scarface (poorly), and that's what we got for a season...then things went Desperate Housewives.

Obviously people like what they like, so yeah, hard to criticize any of that. To me, the writing and acting and visuals in this show are better than anything I've ever seen, and I trust them completely to give me something completely compelling every week. To me, the fact that there aren't Tuco plots every week is what makes the show good. Walt's evolved, maybe not for the better, but he's evolved a hell of a lot from the guy who would go through all the shit he went through with Tuco. He knows better now(despite still being incredibly naive and standing no chance against guys like Mike and Gus), and if they tried to tell me otherwise the show would lose all credibility.

[Radii]

I don't feel as if they would kill off Aaron Paul's character so I find it hard to feel tension.

Agree there.



I feel as if the last two episodes are fairly drawn out.

Skyler has been my least favorite character from minute one I think. I did like the stuff with her and the car wash, I started to come around on her a little, but the opening to this last episode was too much for me. Too much anal retentive annoying bitch skyler. Reminds me of seeing Janice on my TV during any Sopranos episode.

[stevew]

Rita on Dexter as well

[thesloppy]

So the idea that characters are less endearing now, sure, that's fine. But the idea that there is some kind of hack job being done here to "stretch out" the plot makes me wonder if you've ever seen any other TV ever?! The job they do here moving the characters along, having them react to things that happen to them, to not be one dimensional, to have everything they say or do fit with everything else they say or do... this show does it better than anything since the Wire and anything else ever before that IMO.

It reminds me to some degree of the character arcs on recent shows like: Weeds, Dexter, Rescue Me, Six Feet Under, and those are just shows I'm familiar with. Part 1 is I've got a secret, and part 2 is everything falls apart domestically, and Part 3 is some sort of redemption. I absolutely don't think it's a hatchet job, and it's definitely well made in all respects, but it doesn't feel as fresh to me as it does to you (or bazillions of others). My essential complaint again, really breaks down to the characters themselves: Walter, Jesse, and Hank are all completely different characters than they were when this show began, and personally I like all three of them less, to varying degrees. I don't think it's necessary that a show makes all of it's characters less likable in order to make 'good TV'....though lots of acclaimed TV folks obviously disagree with me.

That said, I should stress again that I do like the show, and I certainly don't wanna try and convince you or anybody that you should like it any less.

Also: Fuck Skyler. I was gonna end my other screed, and I probably shoulda, since we can seemingly all agree on how much that character blows. Marie is not so awesome either. The womens on this show are shrews.

[Radii]

I don't think it's necessary that a show makes all of it's characters less likable in order to make 'good TV'....though lots of acclaimed TV folks obviously disagree with me.

Oh I definitely don't think its necessary in general. But a lot of times because of what the characters in this show are doing it does seem kinda necessary. They didn't have to make Hank unlikable for awhile, but it fits what he's going through, I assume he's out of that funk now though with the events of the last episode.

Jesse is such a messed up kid, I really hate seeing his character like this, but I think its beautiful to see his evolution at the same time. He is by far my favorite character on the show, so flawed but likable. He's doomed, completely, and it sucks. They can't kill him off now presumably, something will turn around again, and we'll cheer for him and then he'll dig a deeper hole. Or more accurately, Walt will dig the hole and Jessie will dive in headfirst. The fact that Aaron Paul is freaking amazing doesn't hurt.

[thesloppy]

The acting is top drawer, for sure.

[stevew]

The karaoke Gail bits were fucking priceless. And anytime Odenkirk gets more than a few lines he is like roided up Barry Bonds. He crushes everything.

[Bad-example]

The arc of the main character has repeatedly been described by Gilligan as 'turning Mister Chips into Scarface'. We've never seen anything like this on tv before. When Walt 'broke bad' he set off a chain of events that has been changing everyone around him. Jessie and Skyler are now 'bad', and I suspect it is just a matter of time before Hank turns into the new Mike.

I have disliked Skyler since the first season, but I think that is more about the actress and her raw, meaty slab of a face than about how her character is written.

I never have a problem with the slower bits. I have complete faith in the writers that they will justify everything.

I agree with the comment above that places this show and The Wire as the two best shows of all time. I would say that The Wire had more scope and was fantastic social commentary. Breaking Bad is more of a cautionary tale told with superior artistry and technique.

[ISiddiqui]

Just got caught up and... Wow. Just wow. This show is just indescribably good at creating and maintaining tension and Episode 4 is no different.

[jeff061]

This really is an incredible season. After the time off, all the hype and going into the fourth season I didn't think they could keep matching up. But I think my lofty expectation have been easily surpassed.

Last episode had everything. Awesome bullet points meeting, Mario Cart, Jesse(awesome this season IMHO) and Mike, Gale and a well done blood pumping climax.

I don't know how long they can keep this up.

[Raiders Army]

I think I read somewhere that they were going to end this series next season.

[gi]

From wikipedia:

Series creator Vince Gilligan has indicated that he intends to conclude Breaking Bad with the fifth season.<sup id="cite_ref-nytimes_10-0" class="reference">[11] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaking_Bad#cite_note-nytimes-10)</sup> Negotiations have begun over a deal regarding the fifth and possible final season between the network AMC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_%28TV_channel%29) and Sony Pictures Television (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Pictures_Television), the production company of the series. AMC proposed a shortened fifth season (six to eight episodes, instead of 13) to cut costs, but the producers declined. Sony has since approached other cable networks about possibly picking up the show if a deal can not be made. Even though Gilligan plans on the fifth to be the final season, the network is looking to keep it around longer if possible, given the increase in ratings with the fourth season

[Radii]

oh my god that ending. I'm so fucking happy right now.


Walt's drunken comments at the table about gale's notebook and about how it looks like he's just copying from the real genius... I just started laughing my ass off, so beautiful, so perfectly played by Cranston, just pure perfection.

[Radii]

So no one thought they were going to kill Jesse, right? I think that may be one of the most brilliant things about this last episode... how can we make it interesting to basically "abduct" Jesse when everyone knows we're not killing him. They pulled it off so well.

Question for everyone: What did you think when they got to the first stop and Mike got a shovel out of the trunk?


I had been going for some rehab angle and remembered that Mike was the "cleaner" that took care of Jane when she died. So for a brief moment I thought he was digging up Jane's body in an effort to scare Jesse straight.

A friend of mine thought that Mike was about to reveal a second meth lab to show exactly how expendable Jesse was. What did everyone else think?

[Bad-example]

Television Reviews, TV Shows, TV Reviews, Â*and TV Series Recaps – The Bastard Machine (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/bastard-machine)

That link has Tim Goodman's Spoiled Bastard deconstructions for the last three episodes.

The amazing camera work just keeps coming.

[jeff061]

Music has been stellar this season as well. The passion involved in this show oozes from pretty much every artistic decision.

I think the 1st season was pure lightning in a bottle genius, 2 and 3 they were just trying to stretch that success out. With 4 they seem to have said fuck it all, we're going to reset and make it good on it's own.

It feels fresh for the first time since season 1. Which is awesome. My greatest concern coming into this year was it being stale.

[Radii]

<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/31Voz1H40zI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

One of the best moments of the series for Cranston IMO. From a review: ""I am the one who knocks!" instantly enters the panthon of bad-ass declarative statements, up there with the likes of "I'll be back," "My name is my name!" and "Say hello to my little friend!"


This episode was just scene after scene of pure standout brilliance. Walt and Skyler there, Walt and Walt Jr "Well if you're gonna buy me off... buy me off", Mike and Jesse over and over and over. Walt immediately figures out what Gus is doing with Jesse, but the "It's all about me!" line makes him look like the most arrogant asshole in the world and succeeds only in driving that wedge in a little bit more just like Gus wants.

Roomba Cam > Shovel Cam, but Shovel Cam was still pretty damn good.

[jeff061]

The last scene between Walt and Skyler was fantastic. "Someone needs to protect this family from the man that protects this family".

And I never get tired of Mike.

[Radii]

holy shit holy shit holy shit!! :D


Aside from the obvious holy shit ending...

Aaron Paul locks up supporting actor emmy when he submits this episode, right? The opening was one of the better openings they've done and the meeting talking about "killing a dog" was just stunningly good.

IMO this is two straight episodes where every single scene was gripping, brilliant perfection.

[stevew]

Everyone else is fighting for an Emmy nomination this year.

[LloydLungs]

Hank. Is. The. Freaking. Man.

It's amazing how this show makes an incredible scene out of a guy sitting at a table talking to other guys for 10 solid minutes.

And so much quiet tension before that. This season just got incredible.

[Bad-example]

Ok, been thinking about Mike.

They have shown a couple scenes with Mike and his daughter, and referenced her a couple other times. Just spit balling here:

1- Mike is absolutely loyal to Gus because he fears what might happen to his little angel.

2- And/or, Walt will turn Mike by kidnapping/threatening the little girl.

Do you guys think Hank will eventually break bad? I'm seeing him as Walt's version of Mike down the road. I mean, once he discovers that all his medical bills were paid with drug money, he won't have much choice...will he?

Also, how dumb is Skyler that she is a bookkeeper yet never thought to ask how much money she would have to launder?

eyebrows of doom ftw.

[jeff061]

Hank. Is. The. Freaking. Man.

It's amazing how this show makes an incredible scene out of a guy sitting at a table talking to other guys for 10 solid minutes.

And so much quiet tension before that. This season just got incredible.

Totally agree, that scene was played out perfectly.

[jeff061]

Ok, been thinking about Mike.

They have shown a couple scenes with Mike and his daughter, and referenced her a couple other times. Just spit balling here:

1- Mike is absolutely loyal to Gus because he fears what might happen to his little angel.

2- And/or, Walt will turn Mike by kidnapping/threatening the little girl.

Do you guys think Hank will eventually break bad? I'm seeing him as Walt's version of Mike down the road. I mean, once he discovers that all his medical bills were paid with drug money, he won't have much choice...will he?

Also, how dumb is Skyler that she is a bookkeeper yet never thought to ask how much money she would have to launder?

eyebrows of doom ftw.

The idea of Hank breaking bad is interesting, fits with the theme of Walt corrupting everyone around him. It would be tough to pull off, but if any group of writers could it would be these. But it would be a far larger change than any other character on the show has experienced, IMHO.

[Radii]

The idea of Hank breaking bad is interesting, fits with the theme of Walt corrupting everyone around him. It would be tough to pull off, but if any group of writers could it would be these. But it would be a far larger change than any other character on the show has experienced, IMHO.


Before last week I would have thought this was very very unlikely. I mean, in general the idea is plausible right? Walt is paying for Hank's rehab and there's a reasonable path they could take to have Hank find out and lead the investigation a different direction. But it just doesn't seem like Hank. Hank's going to get his man and it doesn't matter who it is.

After last week though, I think I could see it a little easier. Not because something is different about Hank, but just the simple fact that they jumped SO quickly tying Gus to Gale with the fingerprints. It seems like there's going to have to be something really major that slows down the investigation knowing how many episodes are left. It doesn't have to be Hank breaking bad, but its one of the options. The suggestion about Gus perhaps being in the DEA supervisor's pocket would be another way, a big focus on a war with the cartel slowing the timeline down a lot, so in terms of the story the investigation goes pretty quickly but in terms of the final season it takes a lot of show hours to get there b/c of a drug war.

I'm sure there's a lot of other options, but so much progress... and just a couple weeks ago we had Walt inside Los Pollos Hermanos giving his name and angrily asking for Gus and storming into the back of the store. It just doesn't seem like it would take long for Hank to piece everything together.

[Butter]

This season is just as unbelievable as I thought it was going to be.

[GoSeahawks]

This season is just as unbelievable as I thought it was going to be.

In a good or bad way?

[stevew]

I'm waiting for some badass Hank vs Gus scene where Gus defiantly asks him something to the effect of "how do you think your rehab is being funded?".

[Radii]

oh god this show makes me so happy

[Radii]

God damn, so good!

I love the focus on Gus, he's clearly got an incredible backstory and it looks like we're going to be learning a lot about it over time. The interrogation at the beginning, the flashback at the end, and Tuco's uncle with the bell making another appearance... love it all. The visuals surrounding the pool in the flashback were great.

And I guess the actual progression with Gus was too obvious, going back to my post yesterday.. Gus is ahead of everyone, has a great story for how he ended up in Gale's apartment, and Hank has to go outside the DEA to figure out the rest b/c everyone believes him.

The whole thing with Hank and Walt and Mike pulling up next to them at the restaurant... Walt trying to have a conversation later with the video camera... I was cracking up the entire time, that was so awesome.

[stevew]

I'm assuming there will be some sort if tie in with the Chilean "Caravan of Death"

JURIST - Paper Chase: Chile high court allows Pinochet 'Caravan of Death' case to proceed (http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/07/chile-high-court-allows-pinochet.php)

[Bad-example]

Consistently amazing.

Young Gus...wow. I wonder if Giancarlo Esposito gets an Emmy nomination because he certainly deserves one.

[LloydLungs]

Young Gus...wow. I wonder if Giancarlo Esposito gets an Emmy nomination because he certainly deserves one.

Also maybe throw an Emmy at the makeup team. He genuinely looked 20 years younger. Great job by them.

If I had less faith in the writers I would start to wonder whether the show might be veering off track a little. It almost feels like Walt has been reduced to a role player in the Gus/cartel/meth lab investigation drama -- as interesting as all that is. But I have full faith that this is all leading back to the main story, just giving us the backstory necessary to fully appreciate the big picture.

[Butter]

In a good or bad way?

In the best possible way.

[stevew]

Also maybe throw an Emmy at the makeup team. He genuinely looked 20 years younger. Great job by them.

If I had less faith in the writers I would start to wonder whether the show might be veering off track a little. It almost feels like Walt has been reduced to a role player in the Gus/cartel/meth lab investigation drama -- as interesting as all that is. But I have full faith that this is all leading back to the main story, just giving us the backstory necessary to fully appreciate the big picture.

Everyone knows that Gus wore air jordans and had a high top fade 20 years ago.

[stevew]

Btw, loved that they used Steven Bauer as the head baddie. I'm unsure if his character is still alive, but I hope so.

[Ronnie Dobbs2]

I'm unsure if his character is still alive, but I hope so.

He appears in the cast list for 4.10 at IMDB

[Schmidty]

oh god this show makes me so happy

I love the show, but "happy" isn't a word that I would use after watching an episode, particularly this one. Riveted, yes, but happy, no. Disturbed, intrigued, a little depressed, and entertained are also words I would use.

[Radii]

I love the show, but "happy" isn't a word that I would use after watching an episode, particularly this one. Riveted, yes, but happy, no. Disturbed, intrigued, a little depressed, and entertained are also words I would use.

Hah, I typed that at the exact moment that Mike pulled up next to the SUV that Walt and Hank were in at Los Pollos Hermanos. I was laughing non stop that entire scene. It was riveting and intriguing too but the whole situation was absolutely hilarious to me.

Is it Sunday yet? :D

[stevew]

Seasons 1-3 are now on streaming.

[Radii]

(blasphemy)If they keep this up this is going to top season 4 of the Wire as the best single season of a television show ever.(/blasphemy)

I'm completely speechless after the ending to that episode. Just wonderful stuff. More later maybe, mind is currently blown!

[gi]

Just finished watching it, some of the best work on TV right now.

[Schmidty]

Just watched, and just really didn't enjoy that episode at all. Kind of thinking about bailing on it after all this time.

[RainMaker]

Seasons 1-3 are now on streaming.
Just noticed this. Finishing up Season 1 right now.

[jeff061]

I can't remember the last time I've seen a single show just ace every single episode like they've been doing this season.

[jeff061]

Just because.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qgoGrWBhBVE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[stevew]

There's like 4 episodes left this season?

Doesn't leave a ton of time left.
-I'm assuming that Skyler will either run off with her boss, or use him to launder money.
-Walt is spiraling out of control. He needs to make a stand.
-I wonder if one of the DEA guys is on the take. Hank's medical care has to come up as an issue.

[Radii]

Replying to stevew's post, using spoiler tags since I put in a bit more detail, just in case there are new people in here b/c of the on demand thingy.


-I'm assuming that Skyler will either run off with her boss, or use him to launder money.

I'm assuming option B. Last episode set up the fact that he needs to pay his taxes to avoid an investigation but he doesn't have money. Skyler can't afford an investigation either so she'll find a way to offer to pay the taxes. She's spiraling into a hole the exact same way Walt did, making her problems worse with every decision she makes. By the way, have you used the quicken!? Its AMAZING.

Walt is spiraling out of control. He needs to make a stand.

With Jesse seemingly loyal to Gus now I assume Walt is about to do something really rash and thoughtless, I don't even have a guess what he could possibly try to do, but I can't wait to see what it is! I also wouldn't be too surprised if the bulk of the rest of the season is so focused on Mexico and the Cartel that Walt doesn't really need to advance too far and that gets saved for next year?

[stevew]

I don't think I get Gus on some level. He has virtually unlimited resources, yet apparently lives a humble life. He has to maintain virtual secrecy in order for his operation to work. Yet he deals with street level dealers in season 3, and continues to work with Pinkman. I really want to know more about him.

[stevew]

Holy fuckin shit.

[Radii]

"I speak English" ... "oh good, so you know what the word asshole means"

[Radii]

Holy fuckin shit.

yeah, this. Jesus. How does this get better every week?!

[mauchow]

Skyler is an idiot.

Jesse saved gus and mike. We'll see what that does for him.

Walt walt walt...

Good episode!

[LloydLungs]

More awesomeness. I did have a hard time believing this Don Eladio character would still be around and in the same position of power 20 years later, in the same house, with the same pool, etc. You'd think something would have happened to him at some point before this, given the nature of the business.

This show has a way of making me perfectly happy to suspend a little disbelief, though.

[AENeuman]

More awesomeness. I did have a hard time believing this Don Eladio character would still be around and in the same position of power 20 years later, in the same house, with the same pool, etc. You'd think something would have happened to him at some point before this, given the nature of the business.

This show has a way of making me perfectly happy to suspend a little disbelief, though.

Yep. It seems to me that the lawyer could have directly paid off the irs debt.
still by far best show around

[Butter]

So very interested to see where this goes the final 3 weeks. I now remember why I used to save all the episodes and watch them at once the last 2 seasons. So very hard to wait.

[gi]

I'm enjoying the depth they gave to Gus this season. He is now my favorite character, moving pass Jesse.

[mckerney]

Just watched the latest episode and one of my first thoughts afterwards was wondering if the video of Jesse cooking in Mexico would ever make its way to the DEA.

[Butter]

My first thought is this seems to set Gus up to not need Walt anymore, seeing as Jesse basically ran the Mexico project all by himself.

[gi]

With the added complexity that Jesse said Gus would have to kill him if anything happened to Walt....and then the interesting twist of the Walt/Jesse relationship.

[Butter]

Yes, but Jesse said that before he and Walt had their fight last week. Wonder if that changed anything there. Clearly Walt has some regret, but we haven't seen the response on Jesse's side yet... which is what I imagine we have coming up.

[mckerney]

My first thought is this seems to set Gus up to not need Walt anymore, seeing as Jesse basically ran the Mexico project all by himself.

He ran that cook, but I think it also showed that Jesse still probably needs a chemist working with him. As Jesse stated, he knew how to cook it by starting with the barrel with a B on it. If in Gus' lab they ever needed to synthesize any ingredients, make any changes based on what was available, or deal with anything going wrong he'd still need a chemist there, and best case one who knows Walt's formula.

[stevew]

My first thought is this seems to set Gus up to not need Walt anymore, seeing as Jesse basically ran the Mexico project all by himself.

Jesse only made 96% meth, Walt was still making 98%. This was the whole Gale vs Walt thing all over again.

[mckerney]

Jesse only made 96% meth, Walt was still making 98%. This was the whole Gale vs Walt thing all over again.

Wasn't Gus happy with what Gale was making but Gale insisted on learning from Walt?

[Radii]

I think the idea of troubleshooting is enough to keep Walt safe for now. Jesse can only follow the recipe, if anything goes wrong he'd need a chemist to figure out what happened and fix the problem.

[Radii]

dola, I see McKerney already said that. +1 then!

[stevew]

Wasn't Gus happy with what Gale was making but Gale insisted on learning from Walt?

I took that as Gus was obsessed with quality, but I may be reading too much into it.

[stevew]

Skyler is so dumb. Happy to see Bill Burr get some work. The Ted Scene was hilarious.

[Radii]

Happy to see Bill Burr get some work. The Ted Scene was hilarious.

He was, and it was, hah.

This season started before they got more episodes didn't they? I wonder if this was all written as a series finale just in case?? This is some serious endgame no way out stuff.

[stevew]

I was thinking that maybe Gus was just going to out Hank's financials instead of killing him. There's no way they could actually put another hit on him, I'll have to rewatch that part.

[Radii]

I was thinking that maybe Gus was just going to out Hank's financials instead of killing him. There's no way they could actually put another hit on him, I'll have to rewatch that part.

Oh very interesting, I like that thought.

Is Skyler about to freak out and out Walt to Marie on the phone?

[LloydLungs]

This is some serious endgame no way out stuff.

My thoughts exactly. This episode made me want to double-check whether they're sure they're doing another season. It's hard to see where it's going from here, but I have complete faith in this show's writers. Another incredible episode.

Incidentally, this show also continues to do funny incredibly well in the midst of some unbearably grim stuff.

"Huell, are you happy?"

"Reasonably."

All in the delivery.

[Radii]

My thoughts exactly. This episode made me want to double-check whether they're sure they're doing another season. It's hard to see where it's going from here, but I have complete faith in this show's writers. Another incredible episode.

Yeah, I agree completely.


Incidentally, this show also continues to do funny incredibly well in the midst of some unbearably grim stuff.

"Huell, are you happy?"

"Reasonably."

All in the delivery.

haha yeah, that was so great. Also.. "does the laundry have to be dirty!?" ... long pause from a guy who almost never speaks... "No."

[stevew]

Does Hector have any allies left? Possibly Juan Balsa's cop brother? I kind of think Hector, if at all possible, aligns with Walt's interests cause the enemy of the enemy is a friend

[jeff061]

That last scene and especially that last camera shot(Walt dead in a coffin?) was just epic. I think they can write their way out of this without much difficulty, but I don't know if they'll ever be able to repeat the magnitude of that scene.

So I'm going to just start lowering my expectations for next year. I just don't think there is anyway they can maintain this, so I'll ride out season 5 content with mastery of season 4.

[Radii]

The tension this entire hour was incredible.


I'm not quite comfortable with Gus fairly magically deciding that continuing to walk to his car is a bad idea. Seems a bit much.

[stevew]

Really good interview with Cranston on the WTF podcast today. Worth a listen.

[stevew]

RE: Gus

I think he's been presented as one step ahead for the whole show. I don't think it's a stretch that he could be suspicious that Jesse lured him to the hospital. Plus then the realization that the car was unattended.

[Radii]

RE: Gus

I think he's been presented as one step ahead for the whole show. I don't think it's a stretch that he could be suspicious that Jesse lured him to the hospital. Plus then the realization that the car was unattended.

Probably so and there's 100 reasonable explanations I'm sure. But they usually offer a line of dialogue or something to explain it. I just felt like the way it was presented didn't jive with what they usually show us. Not a huge deal at all. Cannot wait to see how they end it. I'd hate for this to be it for Gus.

[tarcone]

I just started watching this on Netflix. I remember when it 1st came out on SAT. I never got into it. But I saw this thread pop up regularly. So I thought I would start watching it. Wow. What a great show. I cant stop watching. I am on episode 10 right now. Ive watched it for about 3 or 4 days. Cant stop.

[mckerney]

Probably so and there's 100 reasonable explanations I'm sure. But they usually offer a line of dialogue or something to explain it. I just felt like the way it was presented didn't jive with what they usually show us. Not a huge deal at all. Cannot wait to see how they end it. I'd hate for this to be it for Gus.

Hopefully it will be explained next week, my guess is that Gus is monitoring Walt and Jesse's phones. Could also explain Brock being poisoned with ricin if Walt is right that Gus is behind that.

[stevew]

Probably so and there's 100 reasonable explanations I'm sure. But they usually offer a line of dialogue or something to explain it. I just felt like the way it was presented didn't jive with what they usually show us. Not a huge deal at all. Cannot wait to see how they end it. I'd hate for this to be it for Gus.

If Gus didn't poison the kid, wouldn't that make him uber suspicious?

[Radii]

Just listened to Cranston on WTFPod. His vague description of a couple emotions/moments form the finale have me on edge, hah. Dear god its only Thursday.

[Radii]

If Gus didn't poison the kid, wouldn't that make him uber suspicious?

I dunno. Would it? I think if he did it but Jesse didn't ask him if he did it that would arouse more suspicion. Probably lots of angles to look at there.

Like I said I don't doubt there's a reasonable explanation. But its not like Breaking Bad to pull any sort of visual tricks or leave out a detail to manufacture suspense. It just felt... un-breaking bad like.

[stevew]

Yeah, spoiler-ish. I thought the part about Jesse only being originally a 3 episode character was cool.

[Raiders Army]

Anna Gunn has gotten so fat and transvestite looking. Scratch that. I've seen transvestites that look more female than her.

[Radii]

Anna Gunn has gotten so fat and transvestite looking. Scratch that. I've seen transvestites that look more female than her.

woulda been perfectly happy seeing her get gunned down smoking that cigarette last episode.

[stevew]

Agreed...I watched the first 30 or so episodes of the show recently, and she got progressively fugly.

[mauchow]

My wife stopped watching after into season three (still don't know why) and Sunday I was watching it and she said "Holy shit Sky is fat.."

Hah.

[Bigsmooth]

I'm guessing she is preggers in real life? Only explanation I could think of for her repulsiveness.

[jeff061]

She's been getting fatter every season. Just went over the top this one. Though I guess she could be pregnant.

I just started watching this on Netflix. I remember when it 1st came out on SAT. I never got into it. But I saw this thread pop up regularly. So I thought I would start watching it. Wow. What a great show. I cant stop watching. I am on episode 10 right now. Ive watched it for about 3 or 4 days. Cant stop.

Season 1 was awesome, 2 and 3 were good, 4 is mind fucking blowing incredible.

[jeff061]

Probably so and there's 100 reasonable explanations I'm sure. But they usually offer a line of dialogue or something to explain it. I just felt like the way it was presented didn't jive with what they usually show us. Not a huge deal at all. Cannot wait to see how they end it. I'd hate for this to be it for Gus.

I actually could easily see Gus putting it together. Between the way Jessie was acting and walking back to an unguarded car after being drawn out to accomplish nothing. I could see him putting those data points together as he walked towards an unguarded car out in the open.

I did have a little more difficult time seeing Jesse blame Walter so easily. So incredibly out of character and Jesse knows the guy better than anyone on the planet, he knows he wouldn't do it.

[Radii]

I did have a little more difficult time seeing Jesse blame Walter so easily. So incredibly out of character and Jesse knows the guy better than anyone on the planet, he knows he wouldn't do it.

I was ok with that, this kid Jesse loves is dying, Mr White is the only one he thinks knows about the ricin, Mr White came to his house the night before in a panic and thinks that Jesse's actions are getting him killed. Its completely irrational for Jeese to put the pieces together the way he did, but with everything happening around him being paranoid and irrational makes a lot of sense to me.

[stevew]

Suck My

[stevew]

Holy fuck

[Raiders Army]

I'm the one who does the knocking.

[Radii]

Sepinwall interview with Vince Gilligan on hitfix.com should be going up late tonight (its gonna get posted after the end of the west coast airing). Can't wait to read that.

Holy shit is all I can say right now.

Also, that was 100% a series finale, and an amazing one. Walt has now fully and completely descended to scarface as the creators intended.

I trust this show completely but man WTF can they do with 16 more episodes!!

[Bigsmooth]

Uh...wow. Fuggin amazing.

Are we supposed to assume someone was watching Walt and Jesse on the roof at the end? Confusing camera work.

[Radii]

Are we supposed to assume someone was watching Walt and Jesse on the roof at the end? Confusing camera work.


I didn't think so, they do so many unique camera angles and different views on things that i didn't really see anything going on there at all. I guess the possibility is open though.

[stevew]

http://i.imgur.com/UmDqw.gif

[stevew]

That's Huell taking the ricin cigs from Jesse.

[Radii]

Hah indeed. The other thing I wanna see is the gun Walt was spinning in the last episode stopping and pointing at the flowers, which is where the poison idea came from apparently.

[stevew]

Just watched that. The gun spun around and pointed at him twice. The 3rd time it points at the plant, and you can see Walt has an idea.

[Bad-example]

I hope they give us a flashback next season to show how Walt was able to deliver the berries to the kid.

I can't wait for next year. Walt will continue to simultaneously rise and fall, ascending in the drug trade while his soul turns darker and darker. My guess is he will be buying more car washes in his journey to become the next Gus. And at some point he is going to screw over those closest to him to save his own hide. Tremendous writing. 16 more episodes to finish off Walt's amazing transformation seems about right to me.

[gi]

Amazing, Gus's last physical action stood out to me. Nice touch, adjusting the suit.

[AENeuman]

super great, best music of the season, whole episode felt like the foster/bill house scene in silence of the lambs. hope the last season is just a spectacular fall. i'm sure mike is going to make things fun.

[CleBrownsfan]

I've started watching this on Netflix and I'm loving it! I'm 1/2 way through season 2 and at this rate I'll be done with season 3 in a week or two. Is there a place to watch season 4 on demand? Doesn't look like you are able to watch AMC shows on their site...

[Radii]

I've started watching this on Netflix and I'm loving it! I'm 1/2 way through season 2 and at this rate I'll be done with season 3 in a week or two. Is there a place to watch season 4 on demand? Doesn't look like you are able to watch AMC shows on their site...

A friend of mine caught up recently and he ended up paying to watch the 4th season on Itunes. No idea if AMC will air the 4th season in a marathon any time soon or not.

[Raiders Army]

I see next season as a Walter/Hank standoff.

To me, a satisfying way to ending the series would be for Walter to truly become evil and die in the end, perhaps redeeming himself by dying to save Jesse.

[Radii]

I see next season as a Walter/Hank standoff.

To me, a satisfying way to ending the series would be for Walter to truly become evil and die in the end, perhaps redeeming himself by dying to save Jesse.

I think Walt Dies in the end no matter what. If he dies of cancer, he wins. I doubt he redeems anything though maybe there's a fleeting Darth Vader moment at the end where he remembers he has a soul. My ideal ending involves Jesse finding out that Walt could have prevented Jane's death and chose not to do so and learning about the poison, killing Walt and walking away with his fortune. Everything (and everyone) Walt touches turns to shit, I'd love to see Jesse be the one exception in the end.

I definitely think Hank goes after Heisenberg hard, he won't consider anything completely closed after the way this ended, he'll just know that all of his assumptions were right. I'd just rather see Jesse kill Walt than any other potential demise including prison.


wasn't going to at first but spoiler'd my post, too many people have popped in briefly since the on demand thing, i hope nothing else i've posted before has ruined anything for anyone!

[stevew]

I've started watching this on Netflix and I'm loving it! I'm 1/2 way through season 2 and at this rate I'll be done with season 3 in a week or two. Is there a place to watch season 4 on demand? Doesn't look like you are able to watch AMC shows on their site...

I think episodes are 1.99/2.99 from the Amazon store.

[mckerney]

I see next season as a Walter/Hank standoff.

To me, a satisfying way to ending the series would be for Walter to truly become evil and die in the end, perhaps redeeming himself by dying to save Jesse.

I'm expecting a Walt/Mike standoff. I was expecting Mike to show up after Jesse left Walt at the end.

[stevew]

I'm going with an unknown baddie. I'd suppose that someone else might be angered by the laundry.

Plus nobody thinks that Walt will be happy running a car wash.

[Bigsmooth]

Good stuff here:

Breaking Bad Finale Recap: Plants and Animals - Hollywood Prospectus Blog (http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollywood-prospectus/post/_/id/35192/breaking-bad-finale-recap-plants-and-animals)

Spoilers obviously.

Particularly loved this part:
It’s been speculated elsewhere that the shot a couple weeks ago at the end of “Crawl Space” (http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollywood-prospectus/post/_/id/34260/breaking-bad-recap-that-rug-really-tied-the-room-together) that made it look like Walt was cackling in a grave really did mark the death of “Walter White” and the completion of his transformation into a full-time Heisenberg.

[ISiddiqui]

I just saw the finale... HOLY CRAP is right. Possibly the best season finale I've ever seen. How they'll top this next season will be interesting, but would love to see the Hank/Walt chase and Jesse, hopefully, coming out on top in the end.

[Butter]

Amazing, Gus's last physical action stood out to me. Nice touch, adjusting the suit.

Yep, that was great. The whole episode was great. The whole fucking season was great. I know that this is what it was all building towards... but now I am actually pretty anxious to see what happens with Mike next year and how Walt rebuilds the empire... lots of ways they could take next season.

[Butter]

I just now got the title of the last episode too.

[gi]

Yep, that was great. The whole episode was great. The whole fucking season was great. I know that this is what it was all building towards... but now I am actually pretty anxious to see what happens with Mike next year and how Walt rebuilds the empire... lots of ways they could take next season.


I like how they got Mike out of the way so they could deal with that situation next season. This allowed the Gus vs Walter battle to play out with Jesse not feeling he has to back Mike up.

[mckerney]

Download Our Gis Fring Mask for Halloween (http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/10/download_a_gus_fring_halloween.html)

[mckerney]

I like how they got Mike out of the way so they could deal with that situation next season. This allowed the Gus vs Walter battle to play out with Jesse not feeling he has to back Mike up.

He's probably the only one left that has access to the remainder of Gus' distribution network, will be interesting to see if he goes after Walt, offers him a deal to help both of them or goes at him heavy handed to keep the business going. My guess is he probably knows not to threaten Walt by now, so I think he'll either try to kill him or try to go in as somewhat equal partners.

[Bad-example]

Any chance of getting a spoiler warning added to the thread title so we can dispense with spoilering individual posts?

[Bad-example]

The guess here is Mike will be looking for work once he heals up. The only question is whether he goes to work for mexican cartel interests (unlikely) or for Walt and Jessie. The theory that he would come after Walt for killing his former boss doesn't hold much water IMHO. My name is Mike. You killed my boss. Prepare to die.

[Bigsmooth]

The guess here is Mike will be looking for work once he heals up. The only question is whether he goes to work for mexican cartel interests (unlikely) or for Walt and Jessie. The theory that he would come after Walt for killing his former boss doesn't hold much water IMHO. My name is Mike. You killed my boss. Prepare to die.

Yeah I agree. I feel that Mike was definitely warming to Jesse and especially now after he saved him in that shootout.

[Radii]

I am actor Giancarlo Esposito, and I play Gus on the show Breaking Bad. AMA. : breakingbad (http://www.reddit.com/r/breakingbad/comments/oaz0w/i_am_actor_giancarlo_esposito_and_i_play_gus_on/)

I haven't read through much but I expect a reddit AMA (ask me anything) with Gus should be freaking awesome.

[Bad-example]

From wikipedia:

On August 14, 2011, AMC announced that Breaking Bad was renewed for a fifth and final season consisting of 16 episodes. Bryan Cranston has said that the season will be split into two parts but AMC has not released a statement regarding this. Filming for the fifth season began on March 25, 2012. Bryan Cranston and Rian Johnson plan to direct some episodes. The season will premiere in July 2012, with the second half debuting in 2013.

Can't wait.

[jeff061]

Problems with this season:
Not a chance in hell it will be as good as Season 4. Because that's an impossibility.
I really hate the idea of breaking it up into 2 seasons. 8 episodes would suck.

Other than that, I can't wait for this slice of deliciousness to start.

[Radii]

Problems with this season:
Not a chance in hell it will be as good as Season 4. Because that's an impossibility.

I would have said that after season 3 as well (In fact I may have done just that somewhere).

[Radii]

First Look: Breaking Bad Season 5 poster crowns Walter White (http://www.hitfix.com/news/first-look-breaking-bad-season-5-poster-crowns-walter-white)

First promo poster released by AMC.

Also, AMC will be airing the entire series leading up to the start of season 5. Episodes begin to air next Sunday.

[Radii]

Breaking Gifs (http://usingonlythefreshestherbs.com/bg/)

The one of Jesse is awesome imo.

http://becauseyourbossisgonnaneedme.com/bg/bybignm/framec6b.jpg

[Grover]

So I'm watching the pilot. When they're busting the house where Walt takes the ride with Hank and Gomez, they show a mask that looks like Gus, after he gets blown up in season four.

Tremendous foreshadowing, especially since Gus isn't even introduced until season two.

[GrantDawg]

First Look: Breaking Bad Season 5 poster crowns Walter White (http://www.hitfix.com/news/first-look-breaking-bad-season-5-poster-crowns-walter-white)

First promo poster released by AMC.

Also, AMC will be airing the entire series leading up to the start of season 5. Episodes begin to air next Sunday.


Which was awesome, because I finally watched the show and got to watch it in its entirety. It is a very addictive show, but I conflicted on how I feel about it. I wanted to watch, because I wanted to know what would happen, but I can't say I am particularly "rooting" for anyone. Walt and Jesse are not very redeemable characters, and even Skyler is complicit. I sort of hope in the end Walt and Jesse dies, but in a way that Walt's son never knows what he was doing.

[Castlerock]

There are so many great characters. I'm not really 'rooting' for any of them as most of them are not likeable but are very complex and very well written and acted.

[Radii]

Starting in Season 2 I believe I found myself actively rooting for Jesse, and that rooting interest grows stronger the more evil Walt becomes.

I trust the breaking bad writing enough that I know I'm not going to be disappointed whatever they do... but I would love for the ending to involve Jesse finding out about Jane and that Walt poisoned the kid, killing Walt and getting away with it.

[GrantDawg]

Starting in Season 2 I believe I found myself actively rooting for Jesse, and that rooting interest grows stronger the more evil Walt becomes.

I trust the breaking bad writing enough that I know I'm not going to be disappointed whatever they do... but I would love for the ending to involve Jesse finding out about Jane and that Walt poisoned the kid, killing Walt and getting away with it.


I sort of root for Jesse, except I can't get over the fact he is peddling a very destructive drug. And then (of course) he shot Gayle in the face.

I do root for Hank. I feel very sorry for him.

[GrantDawg]

There are so many great characters. I'm not really 'rooting' for any of them as most of them are not likeable but are very complex and very well written and acted.


I agree with most everything you said, except I think the writing does fail in parts. Sometimes characters (especially Walt and Skyler) figures things out with very little evidence, and makes me have to suspend belief at times. The writing is at its best in personal interactions and character complexity. And I love when Walt makes a "Macgyver" chemical creation. I wish they did way more of that.