Breaking Bad

[Coach McGuirk]

No Fridge picking.

[MarkGrace]

I lol'ed last night when he put the coordinates on the lotto ticket. Seriously awesome stuff.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Last night's episode was one of the best bits of episodic television ever. One-fourth the way through the final "season" and they've raised the bar higher than ever. I'll be happy if it doesn't drop too far in the remaining shows.

The coordinates/lotto ticket thing actually bugged me a little, since I'm unaware of any lottery with three-digit numbers (but I confess I don't play much). That said, I've read that rabid fans have already tracked down the coordinates and they lead one not to a remote area of the New Mexico desert, but to Studio Q in Albuquerque, where the show is filmed. Nice.

[woot]

I really love the writing, the acting, basically everything. I can't wait to find out what happens next. And yet, I can't say I really enjoy watching it. Maybe it's just how far they're going with it. It's very satisfying as a non-copout portrayal of what his life has become, but I'm not sure I really "enjoy" it. It's weird. It's not like The Wire, for example, was gumdrops and fuzzy bunnies, but I really loved watching that show.

[clackamascoug]

I liked when the two dudes who brought the money in the barrells looked at each other when Walt said "its close enough." I wonder how much they came away with.

[UVACoug]

Seriously. Wtf?!?!?

I screamed out at my TV at the end of this episode because I didn't want it to end right there. Damn. I have to wait a week.

Next week it looks like (per VG and Skylar) that Walt and Skylar have a sit down with Hank and Marie (presumably - although that's a dangerous word to use with this show) at a Mexican restaurant.

I am also thinking that the end face off isn't Walt vs Hank. I am thinking it is Hank vs Lydia and Creepy McBastard the Kid Killer (spacing on his name) and the Aryan nation.

Are we sure it is Hank and Marie? My first thought was it was Gretchen and Elliot ... although I'm not sure why they would be having dinner with Walt and Skyler.

[ERCougar]

I hate to go against the grain here, but I didn't like last night's episode nearly as much as the premiere, or whatever one calls the start of the half season.
Hank - ugh...a turn for the worse. It's not about the innocent lives now, it's about being the guy to capture Walt. I liked having him as a hero to the show, I loved the direction they were taking these two--that concluding line to the first episode was maybe the best I've ever seen. Now he looks frantic and weak, with a touch of ambition. Honestly, I liked Walt better last night.
Skyler - I actually like what they're doing with her. It would have been way too easy to have her turn on Walt. She may still, but this is gonna get interesting.
Jesse - perfection. That opening scene. Wow. Can't wait for next week.

Ok, so I guess I'm just bugged about what they're doing with hank. Everything else is good, but that's a big deal.

Don't worry dabrockster. You got a little sneak peek. You haven't ruined anything. Don't watch any more now. There's quite a ride ahead of you

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

EDIT: Also...I don't buy the "career ending" angle to Hank's dilemma. This is the biggest catch in their history and he gets fired because it's his brother in law? Gus was also under everyone's nose. Embarrasing? Maybe, although I'm not even buying that. Career-ending? No way. Which adds to my problem with Hank now. It's now about Hank. If he really cared about the damage Walt's done, he tells them what he suspects.

[jay santos]

I hate to go against the grain here, but I didn't like last night's episode nearly as much as the premiere, or whatever one calls the start of the half season.
Hank - ugh...a turn for the worse. It's not about the innocent lives now, it's about being the guy to capture Walt. I liked having him as a hero to the show, I loved the direction they were taking these two--that concluding line to the first episode was maybe the best I've ever seen. Now he looks frantic and weak, with a touch of ambition. Honestly, I liked Walt better last night.
Skyler - I actually like what they're doing with her. It would have been way too easy to have her turn on Walt. She may still, but this is gonna get interesting.
Jesse - perfection. That opening scene. Wow. Can't wait for next week.

Ok, so I guess I'm just bugged about what they're doing with hank. Everything else is good, but that's a big deal.

Don't worry dabrockster. You got a little sneak peek. You haven't ruined anything. Don't watch any more now. There's quite a ride ahead of you

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

EDIT: Also...I don't buy the "career ending" angle to Hank's dilemma. This is the biggest catch in their history and he gets fired because it's his brother in law? Gus was also under everyone's nose. Embarrasing? Maybe, although I'm not even buying that. Career-ending? No way. Which adds to my problem with Hank now. It's now about Hank. If he really cared about the damage Walt's done, he tells them what he suspects.

I love the new angle with Hank. The writers are really forcing the audience to make tough decisions who they are rooting for. I never liked Hank much for some reason and always have wanted Walt to win. Makes it easier for me now.

[jay santos]

EDIT: Also...I don't buy the "career ending" angle to Hank's dilemma. This is the biggest catch in their history and he gets fired because it's his brother in law? Gus was also under everyone's nose. Embarrasing? Maybe, although I'm not even buying that. Career-ending? No way. Which adds to my problem with Hank now. It's now about Hank. If he really cared about the damage Walt's done, he tells them what he suspects.

Also, on this, I think it's clear that Hank is not talking or acting rationally, and that he's using this "career ending angle" as justification not to turn in his evidence because his pride and ego is too much for him. Good stuff.

[fusnik]

Also, on this, I think it's clear that Hank is not talking or acting rationally, and that he's using this "career ending angle" as justification not to turn in his evidence because his pride and ego is too much for him. Good stuff.

Hanks boss lost his job because of his relationship with Gus. That's how Hank gets his promotion.

Hank absolutely would lose his job if and when it comes to light that his BIL is possibly the biggest drug dealer to come out of ABQ.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Also, on this, I think it's clear that Hank is not talking or acting rationally, and that he's using this "career ending angle" as justification not to turn in his evidence because his pride and ego is too much for him. Good stuff.

I like the Hank turn as well, in part because it continues the theme of using good and often noble reasons for doing bad things. The story began when Walt wanted to provide for his family (but also to vindicate what he perceived as a life of failure), a dangerous combination of the selfless and the selfish. The lead characters (except for the interestingly exceptional Jesse) seem to be following similar paths.

[Coach McGuirk]

Hanks boss lost his job because of his relationship with Gus. That's how Hank gets his promotion.

Hank absolutely would lose his job if and when it comes to light that his BIL is possibly the biggest drug dealer to come out of ABQ.

exactly. Why would this not be even worse for Hank?

[Pheidippides]

I like the Hank turn as well, in part because it continues the theme of using good and often noble reasons for doing bad things. The story began when Walt wanted to provide for his family (but also to vindicate what he perceived as a life of failure), a dangerous combination of the selfless and the selfish. The lead characters (except for the interestingly exceptional Jesse) seem to be following similar paths.

Back in season one, who called Jesse as the moral compass of the show? Anybody? I didn't.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Back in season one, who called Jesse as the moral compass of the show? Anybody? I didn't.

OK, now I'm probably overreaching, but that's one of the reasons the opening scene of Sunday's episode struck me as so good. The aerial shot of Jesse slowly rotating on the playground merry-go-round looked to me like a (temporarily?) broken compass in search of the right direction. And what was the old coot, standing off to one side, thinking and what did he do? That Jesse ended up with the cops suggests the geezer did the right thing and summoned the authorities. I'd like to know if he kept a pack of bills for himself. I'll say no.

[ERCougar]

exactly. Why would this not be even worse for Hank?

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.