Renzatic on 26/9/2011 at 06:52

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There's a reason why I've found myself liking Breaking Bad over other shows of similar quality. No, it isn't nearly as complex and beautifully told as The Wire. It isn't as elegant and honest as Mad Men, and isn't...well...whatever The Soprano's had going for it, I still have yet to see it (I know, huge shame).

Breaking Bad has one thing going for it that makes it, at least from my perspective, oh so slightly better than than the series mentioned above....Pure, uncut, unadulterated, unmitigated animal lust intensity. Breaking Bad is a show that is perpetually keeps everyone, characters and viewers all, on that stark edged precipice.

Tonight's episode takes all the tension that's been building up since season 1, and lets it all come crashing down on Walt in spectacular fashion. In any other show, with any other actors, the resulting scene probably would've come across as overly melodramatic. Not here. Walt breaks down. He hits the absolute bottom, and deals with it the only way he can by that point. By laughing. And laughing. And laughing. Skyler's stunned trek down the hallway, that look of stunned fear on her face, while Walt loudly goes crazy in the background, and the soundtrack just drubs....drubs....drubs. Damn...it's some of the most gutwrenching TV I think I've ever seen. Corny as it might sound, I was stunned up through the credits.

...and we've still got two episodes to go before the season finale.

suliman on 26/9/2011 at 10:08

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How can they go on from here?

Scots Taffer on 3/10/2011 at 15:08

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I just about gnawed my fingernails down to my wrists.

Holy fuck. What can they pull out of the bag for the finale.

I've given up on theories. I just can't wait for the writers to astound me.

Though, I wouldn't be me if I didn't pick some holes, wasn't the whole Jesse and Walt unite against a common enemy a little too easy? It all makes sense from an internal logic perspective, but still all a little neat from a show that loves to paint itself in seemingly unthinkable corners. This is a tough judgement call of show vs tell, as I feel we've been "told" that the kid was poisoned, unless it's a massive red herring (which I doubt*) then it would've been more acceptable to have a sly scene with the kid playing outside and Tyrus offering him a smoke only for us to have a HOLY SHIT DO YOU THINK moment that gets unravelled later as Jesse realises it's missing etc and the grandplan is laid bare. That said, the girl and kid's inclusion back into this season has been a little too neat and coincidental for my liking, but shit, I can't fault this writing in general - it's ridiculously gripping.

* - I've seen theories that purport Walt poisoned Brock but I don't buy it for 2 reasons: 1. Walt openly states in the cold opener that he's ready for the consequences and basically arming himself for the final stand, this isn't the kind of man that then murders a child to weasel out of his situation; 2. I think it would push Walt from being the Tony Soprano protagonist mold (i.e. conversely likeable and detestable anti-hero with sporadic honourable traits) into plain Gus territory... not to say that might not be in the grand arc for Walt truly "breaking bad", but I'd be surprised if there going there now. Thoughts?

edit: Of course it could be some ridiculous "coincidence" where Brock just swiped that smoke and killed himself which would be some big metaphor for how ultimately futile and inwardly paranoid the whole crime game becomes, but the show hasn't laid the groundwork to really explore that concept enough at this stage so it would feel incredibly cheap if this was the case (I think).

All that said, the above is but a minor criticism, everything else I loved but particularly the way the scene in the chapel played out. In what Gus's mind should have been a grand gesture, and acknowledged as such, fell so flat that Gus had to read between the lines to understand they were already predicted him being the cause and thus, he was in danger by his very presence. That minute of silent deduction in the carpark was brilliant and totally in character.

Other things I loved: "Uh... because it's not Nazi Germany", Walt by the pool (forever immortalised by season 2's progressing cold openers) spinning the gun, the egging on of Steve by Hank leading to the chef story with Steve and the laundry owner, Tyrus holding out the phone for Jesse only to realise later at the hospital that he doesn't have the same control as he did with Walt, Saul cleaning out his safe and "honeytits"

Scots Taffer on 4/10/2011 at 09:21

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Fucks sake kids get with the program I need to discuss this shit

SubJeff on 4/10/2011 at 14:19

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Just seen the penultimate episode.

Oh shi

It's on like Donkey Kong. I hope Walt pulls more chemistry out to take it up another level.

I agree with you Scots [spoiler] that it's unlikely for Walt to be the poisoner. But if it was Gus then the chapel scene was too telling for him. He must know that Jessie knows after that so why is he continuing with the whole charade? Unless it was just a fortunate (for Walt) accident. And yeah, the carpark realisation by Gus was one of the moments that make this show great. [/spoiler]

Bring on the finale! Can't wait.