Contributor: Henry T.
Written by Gennifer Hutchison
Directed by Michael Slovis
I love how “Breaking Bad” is constantly flipping the script on its audience. We expect something to continue on its path and then the writers throw a bunch of curveballs at us. Jesse finally comes out of his drug-induced stupor and feels alive for once. This episode shows the more tedious side of his new “job” with the Fring organization. He may not be up to it after all. I thought it might be Skyler who has to learn how to run the car wash business. Turns out Walt may have to run it instead of her. Skyler even makes the interesting decision of possibly running away! Most every episode, I have no idea what’s going to happen on this show. That uncertainty is an asset “Breaking Bad” likes to play with all the time.
It’s great that Skyler and Walt figure out part of what’s going on in their respective lives. We know that Walt is smart and has to be the smartest guy in any room, but Skyler can put things together just as well. They don’t just share a stubborn streak. Yes, Walt denies it at first. It’s his go-to disposition. There are some things in the drug business that Skyler just cannot know about. She doesn’t realize how close to being right she is. It would arguably be the better choice for Walt to come completely clean with his wife. Lest something like murderous twins with axes show up at the door one day. What she doesn’t know might kill her or Walt, Jr. or Holly. That may have been the reason why she ran temporarily. That scene at the Four Corners Monument was the universe’s way of telling her to get out. Quickly. Yet, she is still drawn towards staying at home. She may want to see things through to the end. If she runs, Walt has been proven right. I think she may see the ugly side of the business very soon. She should’ve taken that opportunity to run, because it’s probably not going to come again for a long time.
Jesse comes down from the adrenaline rush he got last week. He is seeing the part of his “backup” job that isn’t too appealing. Mike and Gus work in the same manner. They’re both patient guys, working with a purpose. It’s been shown in separate instances this season. They know how to get things done quietly and with efficiency. Jesse is a hothead, twitchy and impulsive. Part of it is his new drug withdrawal (which is going to factor into his missions with Mike at some point), but it’s also his inability to be anything beyond a pawn in Gus’ hand. Walt is a hothead as well, but he’s smart. He sees the bigger picture. He instantly deduces exactly what Gus is doing. Not that he can do anything to counteract it. His solution to get aid for the lab proves temporary and just when Walt gains a small victory, it’s dealt with swiftly. Jesse does prove to have skills, but again, how long will that last? He will screw up just once (he is a world-class screw-up, after all) and it’s going to put the entire operation at risk. I truly wonder if everyone in the episode is making a bunch of mistakes. Gus doesn’t work with unpredictable people like Jesse. He can barely tolerate them. Why he’s keeping on with this charade for Jesse is something that has to be addressed sooner or later. Otherwise, the cartel — who is getting smarter and smarter with time — will get the best of the Fring operation.
In last week’s review, I mentioned that it was ironic if Walt engineered his own destruction by his confession to Hank. All of the measures he has taken to ensure the “protection of his family” have gigantic holes in them. He and Skyler agreed to no large expenditures, yet he can’t help but get Junior an expensive car. He either can’t or doesn’t want to tell his wife everything about his business. It may not be Walt who is in danger, but his family might be in the worst danger. The cartel is coming, already declaring war on Gus, and that’s probably going to the forefront soon. Hank’s investigation is not mentioned in the episode, but that’s bound to come up soon. All that stuff is well and good. It’s interesting that it really feels like setup for more complications to come as the show enters the second act of its season. The storm is coming. Can Walt truly protect his family, or will it all come crashing down on him? I might lean a little more towards the latter at this point.
Grade: 8/10