Breaking Bad

[UVACoug]

Agreed. My wife and I thought that when we saw it as well. He was playing the dominating husband in a way he hadn't before, and his line about himself having built the empire - just him - I think was designed to exculpate Skylar.

But at the same time, when he walked back to the beat up truck after the call, we were wondering if he had done something horrible to Holly. Just because you never know.

I agree that the phone call was meant to exculpate Skyler. I also think he meant a lot of what he said. I think the state of his relationship with Skyler, and feeling emasculated because of it, was a big part of why he started cooking meth. There is a lot more to it than that, but I think he has resented and hated her for a long time.

[CardiacCoug]

I agree that the phone call was meant to exculpate Skyler. I also think he meant a lot of what he said. I think the state of his relationship with Skyler, and feeling emasculated because of it, was a big part of why he started cooking meth. There is a lot more to it than that, but I think he has resented and hated her for a long time.

Nope, I think he was putting on a show for the police -- pretending that he was a dangerous killer so they would keep his family protected, maybe even put them into permanent witness protection.

[scottie]

When Skylar told Walt Jr to put his seat belt on, and he said "You're shittin' me, right?"

[Mrs. Funk]

Nope, I think he was putting on a show for the police -- pretending that he was a dangerous killer so they would keep his family protected, maybe even put them into permanent witness protection.

Well, he IS a dangerous killer ... He just probably wouldn't kill a family member. Unless the person is "like family," and then they're fair game.

[UVACoug]

Nope, I think he was putting on a show for the police -- pretending that he was a dangerous killer so they would keep his family protected, maybe even put them into permanent witness protection.

He WAS putting on a show for the police, in order to exculpate his wife. I don't think he believes there is a threat to them from the nazis. Why would the Nazis go after his wife? It was definitely an act, but he also meant it.

[CardiacCoug]

He WAS putting on a show for the police, in order to exculpate his wife. I don't think he believes there is a threat to them from the nazis. Why would the Nazis go after his wife? It was definitely an act, but he also meant it.

If he really despised Skyler and meant all those horrible things he said to her, why would he call at all? Why not just let her go down for her role in the business?

The only reason he makes that phone call at all is to help her and protect her, even after she just tried to kill him. Another example of how Vince Gilligan is full of shit when he says there is nothing redeemable about Walt -- that he's Scarface.

[Pheidippides]

Yeah. So much for any notion of pandering to cheesy Hollywood gimmicks. This episode was like a great novel: harsh, unforgiving, and beautiful. Just brilliant writing.

Best episode of the series, and that is really saying something.

To this point, I love that they avoided a protracted shootout (despite our predominant debate this week). Last week closes with guns a blazing, and then this week, bam, Gomie's dead, Hank's injured, as if the writers are saying, "duh, what the hell do you think would happen?" And then all Walt did by trying to save hank was effectively sacrifice his fortune. Or most of it - I think I could be quite happy with $11MM, thank you very much.

[Non Sequitur]

But the phone call Walt made to Skyler there at the end wasn't him actually threatening Skyler, right? That was Walt's way of protecting his family -- making sure they are in protective custody so they are safe from the skinheads.

He wasn't trying to protect his family. It's always been about control for Walt. He always treated Jessed like a son, until he could no longer control him. When he lost control of Skylar and Flynn, that was the end. He took Holly, because that was the last thing he thought he could control. He didn't do it out of love or concern. Now the only thing he has left to control is that big barrel of money.

[UVACoug]

If he really despised Skyler and meant all those horrible things he said to her, why would he call at all? Why not just let her go down for her role in the business?

The only reason he makes that phone call at all is to help her and protect her, even after she just tried to kill him. Another example of how Vince Gilligan is full of shit when he says there is nothing redeemable about Walt -- that he's Scarface.

Because she is family. Because he has kids that need a mother. Because, while he hates her ... she is also his wife and he loves her. This is not a black and white show.

[Non Sequitur]

Because she is family. Because he has kids that need a mother. Because, while he hates her ... she is also his wife and he loves her. This is not a black and white show.

Has Walt ever shown any real affection for his family? Walt might love his family, but I don't think he really loves the members of his family.

[Pheidippides]

He wasn't trying to protect his family. It's always been about control for Walt. He always treated Jessed like a son, until he could no longer control him. When he lost control of Skylar and Flynn, that was the end. He took Holly, because that was the last thing he thought he could control. He didn't do it out of love or concern. Now the only thing he has left to control is that big barrel of money.

I agree with his reasoning for taking Holly - that was about power and control. I also agree that's he's lost control of Skylar and Flynn, and that's the end. But I think the call was about a last ditch effort at protection and love, knowing the cops were there, knowing that Skylar is facing an inquiry as Marie talks with the DEA and Hank/Gomie are missing.

I love that this show gives rise to these sorts of legitimate debates. I love that it focuses on little things, like the fact that you don't just have $80MM and somehow everything is okay. Instead you have a problem with how to actually use it, like you have an equivalent number of Yap stones.

[CardiacCoug]

He wasn't trying to protect his family. It's always been about control for Walt. He always treated Jessed like a son, until he could no longer control him. When he lost control of Skylar and Flynn, that was the end. He took Holly, because that was the last thing he thought he could control. He didn't do it out of love or concern. Now the only thing he has left to control is that big barrel of money.

I don't think he meant the stuff he was saying to Skyler in that phone call at all. He's sacrificing himself, even accepting the blame for Hank's murder, when he had offered to give up his entire fortune to save Hank and was devastated by the murder.

[OhioBlue]

I thought I saw something odd in the desert as Walt was rolling his barrel...thank you imgur for shedding some light:

http://imgur.com/gallery/7ysoP3E

These kinds of details just add to the awesomeness of the show. Also, this felt to me like the emotional climax of the show....still details to resolve, but this was where everything came together. Loved it.

[OhioBlue]

I don't think he meant the stuff he was saying to Skyler in that phone call at all. He's sacrificing himself, even accepting the blame for Hank's murder, when he had offered to give up his entire fortune to save Hank and was devastated by the murder.

This. I honestly think it was incredibly obvious what he was doing, and don't really see how it could be seen any differently. Love that in the same episode he was willing to see Jesse killed right in front of him, and then he throws himself on his sword--in a way--to protect his family and particularly Skylar.

[SCcoug]

I thought I saw something odd in the desert as Walt was rolling his barrel...thank you imgur for shedding some light:

http://imgur.com/gallery/7ysoP3E

These kinds of details just add to the awesomeness of the show. Also, this felt to me like the emotional climax of the show....still details to resolve, but this was where everything came together. Loved it.

Ha that is awesome.


Also the rabid dog has now been caged and chained up.