Breaking Bad

[jay santos]

Lots of reasons. Hank's boss ignored a lead, or at least Hank's suspicions, pointing to Gus. Has Hank done anything even remotely similar wrt Walt, a nerdy chemistry teacher who no one has given a second thought as a possible Heisenberg? If anything, Hank would get kudos for NOT ignoring him as a suspect.

Also after identifying the connection, didn't it seem like Hank's boss was kind of placed in the organization by Gus. Gus is a long time criminal with intentionally made social connections to help facilitate his role. It seems completely different.

[Pheidippides]

Lots of reasons. Hank's boss ignored a lead, or at least Hank's suspicions, pointing to Gus. Has Hank done anything even remotely similar wrt Walt, a nerdy chemistry teacher who no one has given a second thought as a possible Heisenberg? If anything, Hank would get kudos for NOT ignoring him as a suspect.

I get that people will like the flawed hero that Hank is becoming, but I don't. He already has flaws--he's chauvinistic, grossly inappropriate, testosterone-ridden. He reminds me of Vic from The Shield, only less interesting. It's a minor gripe on an otherwise great show, but I just don't like the direction.

But I think that's kind of the point of the past couple episodes. Hank is a meathead, a dumb jock type, Walt is the brainiac, at least as this starts. Walt is no match for Hank in the physical world, and Hank is no match for Walt mentally. Yet in the Blood Money episode, it's Hank who uses his brain to piece together a complicated puzzle, and Walt who uses the physical violence or threat thereof to get his way. Roles reversed.

I still maintain that Todd is the scariest character in the show. Like a murderous Boy Scout.

[ERCougar]

But I think that's kind of the point of the past couple episodes. Hank is a meathead, a dumb jock type, Walt is the brainiac, at least as this starts. Walt is no match for Hank in the physical world, and Hank is no match for Walt mentally. Yet in the Blood Money episode, it's Hank who uses his brain to piece together a complicated puzzle, and Walt who uses the physical violence or threat thereof to get his way. Roles reversed.

That's why I loved the first episode. After all that Hank has been through, including all of the stereotypical assumptions we make about him, he deserves to catch and defeat Walt, without any tarnish to the quest. What he doesn't deserve: to be transformed into this frantic, self-interested weakling.

[wuapinmon]

That's why I loved the first episode. After all that Hank has been through, including all of the stereotypical assumptions we make about him, he deserves to catch and defeat Walt, without any tarnish to the quest. What he doesn't deserve: to be transformed into this frantic, self-interested weakling.

Hmmmm. Does he tell Marie to give the baby back out of self-interest, or because it's the right thing to do? Is he more concerned about the law finding out what he knows and doesn't want them called, or does he think that the child belongs with her mother, or does he think that Skyler won't talk to him at all if he lets Marie take their baby. He can't hold the baby hostage; the evidence would never hold out since it would thereby be given under duress, unless the DEA has the authority to terminate parental rights from a preponderance of evidence.

[jay santos]

But I think that's kind of the point of the past couple episodes. Hank is a meathead, a dumb jock type, Walt is the brainiac, at least as this starts. Walt is no match for Hank in the physical world, and Hank is no match for Walt mentally. Yet in the Blood Money episode, it's Hank who uses his brain to piece together a complicated puzzle, and Walt who uses the physical violence or threat thereof to get his way. Roles reversed.

I still maintain that Todd is the scariest character in the show. Like a murderous Boy Scout.

Hmm, I completely disagree. Hank only finally found out due to an obvious clue, but he still can't use his brains to seal the deal. He punches Walt in the face and clearly exerts his physical dominance. Yet Walt relies on words and his brain to get him out of the situation and continue his status as the winner, at least for time being. The only reason he can use threat is due to his brain power which has accumulated him money and power.

[ERCougar]

Hmmmm. Does he tell Marie to give the baby back out of self-interest, or because it's the right thing to do? Is he more concerned about the law finding out what he knows and doesn't want them called, or does he think that the child belongs with her mother, or does he think that Skyler won't talk to him at all if he lets Marie take their baby. He can't hold the baby hostage; the evidence would never hold out since it would thereby be given under duress, unless the DEA has the authority to terminate parental rights from a preponderance of evidence.

Good question. Look how quickly he pulls out the recorder with Skyler in the restaurant. She's not his beloved wife's sister--she's a witness.

[Pheidippides]

Good question. Look how quickly he pulls out the recorder with Skyler in the restaurant. She's not his beloved wife's sister--she's a witness.

That scene was brilliant, and I thought Dean Norris was every bit as good in it as he was in the Tread Lightly bit from the week before. His rushed speaking, the intensity in his voice, the little bits of excited spittle - brilliant.

[wuapinmon]

Hmm, I completely disagree. Hank only finally found out due to an obvious clue,

Whoa, there. I think you owe the word 'obvious' an apology.

[scottie]

Good question. Look how quickly he pulls out the recorder with Skyler in the restaurant. She's not his beloved wife's sister--she's a witness.

Right, and how he had no idea how to react to Skyler's "Hank! Am I under arresst?!!" questions.

[Jeff Lebowski]

ER, I couldn't disagree more. Hank is behaving exactly as I predicted he would. Hank's situation is ten times worse than that of his former boss. It was happening right under his nose and he had all kinds of hints along the way that he missed, none more egregious than Walt paying for his medical treatment with drug money (gambling wins? puleaze....) and turning into a car wash tycoon, etc. Hank is right on the money; his career is over. At the very least, he gets demoted to a desk job somewhere and is completely disgraced. Furthermore, Hank realizes now that Walt had some kind of hand in his near death experience. That would have to affect his judgment.

Furthermore, I am sure if Hank were turn over everything he knows, the full force of the DEA would be focused on Walt like a white-hot laser, they would force Jesse to take a deal to turn on him, and the show would be over next week. Boring...

[San Juan Sun]

One of the really great things about BB is the depth and complexity of these characters. They don't seem to be good guys or bad guys... just guys (or gals).

Hank is a meathead, but he's also a devoted public servant. Yes, he wants Skylar as a witness to nail Hank, but I believe that he really is concerned about her and the kids. To watch it slowly dawn on him that Skylar isn't just an innocent victim is really cool. And to watch him weigh his sense of justice with his personal aspirations is interesting, because face it: we all do this balancing act in our lives.

Same with Marie. Up till now she's been the petty, shallow but devoted sister to Skylar. But after figuring out Skylar's game (and how it has impacted her and Hank) she shows that she's more than just a klepto-sister. And where she used to be supportive of Skylar, she's now getting her eyes opened and acting in ways previously unseen.

[Jeff Lebowski]

That scene was brilliant, and I thought Dean Norris was every bit as good in it as he was in the Tread Lightly bit from the week before. His rushed speaking, the intensity in his voice, the little bits of excited spittle - brilliant.

Yeah, it was a fantastic scene. I think I enjoyed this episode even more than the last one.

[Jeff Lebowski]

One of the really great things about BB is the depth and complexity of these characters. They don't seem to be good guys or bad guys... just guys (or gals).

Hank is a meathead, but he's also a devoted public servant. Yes, he wants Skylar as a witness to nail Hank, but I believe that he really is concerned about her and the kids. To watch it slowly dawn on him that Skylar isn't just an innocent victim is really cool. And to watch him weigh his sense of justice with his personal aspirations is interesting, because face it: we all do this balancing act in our lives.

Same with Marie. Up till now she's been the petty, shallow but devoted sister to Skylar. But after figuring out Skylar's game (and how it has impacted her and Hank) she shows that she's more than just a klepto-sister. And where she used to be supportive of Skylar, she's now getting her eyes opened and acting in ways previously unseen.

Excellent points.

[Pheidippides]

One of the really great things about BB is the depth and complexity of these characters. They don't seem to be good guys or bad guys... just guys (or gals).

Hank is a meathead, but he's also a devoted public servant. Yes, he wants Skylar as a witness to nail Hank, but I believe that he really is concerned about her and the kids. To watch it slowly dawn on him that Skylar isn't just an innocent victim is really cool. And to watch him weigh his sense of justice with his personal aspirations is interesting, because face it: we all do this balancing act in our lives.

Same with Marie. Up till now she's been the petty, shallow but devoted sister to Skylar. But after figuring out Skylar's game (and how it has impacted her and Hank) she shows that she's more than just a klepto-sister. And where she used to be supportive of Skylar, she's now getting her eyes opened and acting in ways previously unseen.

I think it was Anna Gunn who said that the writers are brilliant at making the outwardly outrageous behavior stem from internally consistent motives and behavior - that these people are real, and they are not flat characters. I can't wait to see what happens with Jesse and Hank. I almost expect Jesse to roll over completely, give Hank everything. Walt - bad dad to Jesse - killed Mike - good dad to Jesse. And Jesse is the bad son to Walt, like Todd is the good son.

[Jeff Lebowski]

In terms of how this thing ends, we were speculating that maybe the drug dealer guys end up killing Walt's family and then he is out for revenge with the big gun. I was thinking about it, and it makes a lot of sense. Walt started this entire adventure as a way to provide for his family before his death from cancer. To have it then get reversed such that Walt ends up right where he was facing certain death but with his family all dead due to his actions would represent some nice symmetry. I can certainly see the writers going in that direction.