Vanishing Peripheral Characters...

Ted, Gretchen, Elliot, Walter's mom, Andrea, her son, Hank's boss, Gomie? Where art thou?
Is the show going to answer questions they have introduced about these characters? The storyline feels fragmented, and disjointed; I long for the connection and cohesiveness in material I know BB can deliver. What do you guys think?

R.I.P. Gale Boetticher

As season 3 ends, how do you feel in regards to the death of Gale? Mad, sad, glad, BAD?
What are your thoughts?

Brandon "Badger" Mayhew and Skinny Pete are smarter thab Jesse

It was so hilarious to hear Jesse call Walter "Grandpa Anus" and then blame him for supply problems. Next he tried to dis Peter and Brandon for being at a meeting. They don't care about supply problems or even selling what they got. They are getting better. He made a big fool out of himself.

Junior isn't a kid anymore

In this episode, Walt Jr. didn't look or sound like a baby-faced kid anymore. I was pretty shocked at his height, and that he really looks like an adult....something the writers and producers couldn't "create" on cue, he's just looking that way. But, it'll certainly work well for the realism of Junior's reactions and behavior to what's happening with his parents. I think Junior is going to challenge Walt much more than he was doing with Skyler, since Hank's situation happened......but I can't imagine what he'll do. All the important people in his life (Walt, Skyler, Hank) are crumbling, and not really "present" for him, and I can't imagine how he's coping. He may look and sou

Mike is in a new orbit

Mike got a lot more dangerous on Sunday. In addition to all of his mad skills, we now know he is also a killer. It was brilliant how Gus got all of the cops out of the way with free food, while Mike did his job .

I am starting to get curious about Victor. Just who is Victor??

Victor (played by Jeremiah Bitsui) is a loyal henchman to Gus. He first appears in season two as a seemingly fellow customer in Los Pollos Hermanos when he suddenly confronts Walter and tells him where to deliver a large amount of meth. In season three, he continues his work under Gus, ordered to give money to Walter for Jesse's meth as a way to convince Walter to cook again.

Mike's Origins

A lot has been made of the fact that in some way or another Mike was involved with the warning to Hank. Takes a particular set of skills to track the killer's movements. Any speculations on the origins of Mike?

Poor Gale, we hardly knew ya!

I used to think Walter was just a sad sack who got dealt a bad hand. I really felt sorry for him. His crappy job and crappy car and crappy house made him seem like a victim. But, his handling of Jesse's threat to turn him in, shows just how stupid he is. To fire Gale and bring in that numbskull Jesse is just retarded. Gale was the first smart, funny and agreeable character on the show. Compared with a character like Tuco or Spooge, Gale was a welcome change. I agree with Saul. Walt should have looked into other options in dealing with Jesse's threat. I don't feel sorry for Walter anymore, he will get what he earns. The consequences of that decision will be everyone's downfall.

Maries finest moment

I have to give Marie her due. In this last episode, Marie really shinned! Her support for Hank is really admirable and shows the true depth of her character. In the past I have really bagged on her, called her Insane and so forth, but I really do love Marie...

Tio, Chickenman and the South Americans

Help me out here, folks....what is Tio's full name, and who is he, really? The head of the family Tuco is from and also the head of the cartel? Does Gus Fring originall hail from South America, where his business references seemed to come into play in order to do business with Tio and the cartel?

I think in the end, whatever Gus' business plans, Walt is going to end up taking his place, and maybe even Tio's family and the cartel, as far as being the most powerful drug supplier in the southwest United States.

Lastly, if Hank's career ends up being over as he's shunned out of the DEA, do you think Hank would ever end up on the other side of the law playing muscle or clean-up for Heisenberg?

Is Jesse becoming more like Walt? Or at least learning from him...

I've noticed some talk going around about Jesse's mannerisms during his talk with Badger and Skinny Pete, and how they reflected those that Walt uses. Upon several re-viewings of this episode, Sunset, I can't help but concur. It seems that the only time Jesse really acts like himself in this ep. is when he is in the RV with Walt, and even then none of his patent cockiness was there. Whether it's absence is due to the changes Jesse went through after Jane's death, or the stress of the situation is debatable. Also, I noted that when Skinny Pete is complimenting Jesse's blue stuff, he doesn't look cocky or self assured there either. Just vaguely proud.

Also, completely irrelevant to this episode, or even this season, but did anyone else notice in ABQ when Jesse is trying to revive Jane; he follows the advice Walt gave Tuco in Seven Thirty-Seven when they were trying to resuscitate No Dos and he said that, basically, only chest compressions work, and that breathing into the mouth does nothing? I love how, even though they make it look like Jesse learns nothing from Walt, he clearly does.

Bolsa is just as smart as Gus

Don Salamonca has become a pain for everyone. He can no longer function and so he put his psycho nephew Tuco in charge. That had to chap Bolsa's ass. Bolsa wants more control up North. Then Tuco got killed and now Don Salamonca wants revenge. He has put his even more psycho nephews on the case and the whole mess is just bad for business. Bolsa knows Don Salamonmca hates Gus(the Chicken General). So, what does Bolsa do, he sends them all North to get them out of his hair and hopes they get killed or arrested. Even if they are successful in killing Walt, Bolsa still wins. Gus no longer has a local supplier, so he must buy from Bolsa.. Bolsa moves in on Salamanca's territory and the twins and Don Salamanca keep Gus under control as tribute to Bolsa for their revenge. Problem solved. Bolsa is just as smart and sneaky as Gus when he wants someone to do something.

Eating and drinking in the lab.

I really like Walt's new "lab partner/assistant". He is really smart and he is the only character so far that seems to stimulate Walt. Walt is happy and challenged. He is reading Whitman!! LOL!! But, Gale is too smart. He is already learning Walt's formula and technique and Walt is so caught up in the moment, he does not notice. Must have been easy for Elliot to rip him off also. The only thing I don't understand, is the continual breaking of the Cardinal Rule of the lab. Never, never, never use lab glassware for drinking and never, never, never eat in the lab. Why do they do that?

Is it me or has Walt been acting like he has OCD?

Or he's tweaking. I mean what's with the sandwiches and the band-aide in the pool he had to remove. There's been serveral other things I've noticed, but can't think of them right now. Anyone else see it?

Hank - The Good Guy

After watching the latest episode ("Sunset"), I got to really thinking about Hank. At first, he seemed to just be a peripheral plot device as a foil for Walter. "One's a secret Meth dealer, the other's a DEA agent!" *cue 80's buddy comedy music* ... But over the past three seasons, he's proven himself a formidable character in his own right.

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Sloppy work

When I watched "Green Light" I thought Walt was being too hard on Jesse, but in retrospect Jesse is ruining all of their careful work. If Walt was there, they would never have gone out to cook without gas money, and they definitely wouldn't be pushing blue meth in a place that's loaded with cameras. Even though the camera in the store wasn't working, I don't think Jesse even noticed it. Because Jesse didn't think things through, he sets in motion a chain of events that are likely to lead to his capture.

Jesse could have called someone to meet him for gas money, but instead he takes the quick way and pushes the meth on the cashier. It's frustrating to watch, but the fact that I care speaks volumes about the greatness of this show.

"Lets talk shop"

"And not get Bogged down in Details". Saul Goodman was Insanely Funny this last episode. He tells Walt to get his Shit together, while Mike (The Utility man) is in the background doing a crossword puzzle. The Fight scene was hilarious. What do you say?

Walt Jr.

So....this kid is going to grow up totally normal right....He already has a wonderful attitude and is so full of love....He seems to just be blending into the background, or brushed under the rug when it comes to his parents.....I love it because is totally what happens to kids (being an older gen Xer, I would say kids 9-16) whether drugs are involved or not. Nobody stays married, nobody insists on raising children as a unit, and everybody wonders what is wrong with people. It would be really ugly if the show was based in the Bay Area. My point is, the undercurrent surrounding the White children is achingly realistic.....Walt is home without his newborn? It blows my mind! But that is happening right now in my neighborhood, and everywhere....nobody thinks of these kids that miss out on being raised by PARENTS.

Zombie Lover

I.F.T., indeed!

I knew they would end up together, but I thought it would be more about lust and less about revenge, although I had considered that as well. Just didn't think it would be the major part of it.

Seriously, though, could Skyler have had any less emotion about the whole thing? It's all broken down very clinically for her it seems.

Sheesh, the way she snuck up behind Ted? Did her feet even touch the ground on the way over? She looked like she was channeling Vampira!

Return of the Alpha male

I'm so proud of Hank. He has thrown off the chains of all that Liberal Feel good PC Crap and become a Man again. He stepped into the Arena and whipped not one, but two, count em two Dirtbags. I salute Hank, he did'nt want to use a Gun, he did it the Old School way...

The MAD Bell ringer

Did you all see Tio ring that damn Bell. Man he was going off, Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding! Do you think there is some pent up Rage there or what?

Hissy Fits Galore

I kind of lost track of the number of hissy fits-meltdowns Walt was having in this episode, but he was on quite a rampage......more than I've ever seen him have in one episode. It was a very amusing, but very telling, too.

Aside from what seems like a role-reversal between Walt and Jesse this season (Jesse being the mature one, Walt the child), what does it really mean for the business and Walt's personal life?

It foretell a shift of power in the partnership falling on the side of Jesse this season as Walt fights an internal losing battle with himself about who he really is.....Heisenberg. Walt's childishness might even empower Jesse into not only running the partnership and Walt, but going all out and betraying Walt to advance his own desires. What do you think?

Hank is not as dumb as I thought!!

When Hank had to spell out for Marie his theory of Walt's behavior, I got the feeling it did not add up when he did the math. Hank has been there to bail out everyone. Walt with the cop last week, Walt Jr. with the beer and Marie with the shoplifting. He even went to extreme lenghts to find Walt when Tuco had him and Jesse. Is Hank working both sides? Does he already know about Walt and Gus?(that chicken dinner from Pollos, he brought over was just to weird). It is like they have a secret club and you have to be bald to get in.( Bald Guys = Hank, Walt, Combo, The Twins, Mike, Jimmie in-n-out, Tuco's men, Gus' man, even Tuco and Gus have really short cropped hair.

"Her nosy nose is what's gunna blow the lid off this sh**!"

When Marie turns around and looks back at the house after talking to Hank about how she wants to know why Sky and walt are separating, the face she made was priceless. And so was my reaction, I literally said out loud to myself "That ***** nosy **** is gunna stick her ***** nosy nose where it doesn't belong because she just has to know, shes gunna blow this whole **** to pieces to fill her raging curiosity" Yup, that about sums it up. Betsy does a really good job at playing Marie. Oh, and Jesse's Parents! Talk about priceless... OMG their faces! I want a bulldog lawyer like Saul.

Skylar's Intransigence is not believable and is ruining the show.

Does the show's creator have an ex-wife he wants to needle? Why on earth would he suddenly make Skylar the most loathsome character on television? She would be livid for a week, maybe longer. She might even show up with the divorce papers and her (bluffed) ultimatum. However, her feelings would not be static. She lived through the desperation that drove him to deal drugs, she would eventually soften. In light of her son's anger and the child custody laws of New Mexico, there is no way she would persist in trying to keep the kids away from him. She could not possibly expect to be able to keep this up without telling Walter Jr. or her sister the reason. Besides being unbelievable, her intransigence is a real downer. I want them to build their empire together.

Walts Head

Walt's been off the chemo juice for a few months now, yet he still chooses to shave his head. He chooses to keep his Bad Ass Heisenberg persona. Also, I'm wondering about why the Diablo twins are bald also. Could it be that they have to take on the looks of the person that they are supposed to assassinate? Could it be that Walt has gotten a rep that he's not awhere of? After all, all the twin's have is a picture of him and his name. Nombre. Back in the day, like thousands of years ago, assassin's took on their target's persona's as an order of respect. I'm just sayin.

Mr. Heart of Darkness

It's kind of a suprise. and very interesting to watch Jesse wholeheartedly embracing his badness without a tinge of emotion or regret and contrast his behavior to Walt's mental struggle and excessive resistance to accepting that he is a bad guy, too,

Jesse's cool, calculating, emotionless table-turning or maybe it can just be called plain old revenge in the house sale was a stunner. Jesse, in that moment, seemed to be channeling Gus Fring.

I thought Jesse would escape becoming coldhearted, but maybe not......if not, former partners and friends better take note; it's not the same Jesse and all bets are off.

Mike and his position in the food chain.

I like Mike. Did anyone notice he has upgraded from a Dodge Diplomat to a Buick. He seems to be a level headed straight talker. When Saul said he knew a guy that knows a guy etc. He must have been talking about Mike. When the twins showed up at Walter's, Mike call the guy who was in Pollos and was the contact guy for Walter when he did his million dollar deal. Then, that guy then went straight to Gus. Then the hit was cancelled. Mike is much higher up than we might think.

The consequence of Skyler's reaction

Skyler claims she will not tell on Walt. But has she inadvertently caused him more trouble? If he were jailed for his crimes, he would be somewhat safe(r), because he would be under police protection (if such a thing exists), but there are also bigger, meaner criminals out there who don't like that he's encroaching on their territory.

What are your thoughts?

Who died and made Skyler "the queen of everything"?

Skyler's positives are pretty evident. Good mother, intelligent, pretty. But I think her bad points are pretty glaring as well. Firstly, why wouldn't she have gotten a job long before now, long before Walt's diagnosis. Walt was working a full time job, and then having to go to a part time job at a CAR WASH. I know they have a son with CP, but really. It wasn't like she stayed home to make sure he got to school, because Walt usually took care of that too, unless Jr. took the bus.

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Who is the character Lauren Pinkman?

In Season 2, Episodes 5 and 6 an actress named Laura Lyman is credited on imdb as the character "Lauren Pinkman". I've watched "Breakage" two times and "Peekaboo" at least four, and can't find a sister or cousin character that would be related to Jesse. "Jane" was his aunt's name, and Tess Harper's character is "Mrs. Pinkman". Any ideas?

Diablo Twins

Wow, how pretty were they?

Homage References (?) Noticed any others?

There is a character named Tuco in "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"; I didn't realize that, until I was watching a replay.
There is a Star Trek reference too: The old man in the wheelchair who uses the bell to signal 'yes or no" with the dings... In the Original Star Trek there is a 2-part episode called "The Menagerie" where Captain Pike communicates through beeps for yes and no.
I'm wondering if you have noticed any other homages; and , if you caught the ones I listed.

Did Walt Kill Jane?

Jane killed Jane. Walt merely failed to intervene. He shouldn't have been there in the first place. He rationalized his lack of action for many reasons, not the least of which is that explaining his presence there would have been very difficult.

Why didn't he at least try to help her? Well, among other reasons, he is a science teacher, not a Doctor or an EMT. He already demonstrated that he has no CPR training in a previous episode.

Add that to the fact that Walt felt that Jane was a destructive element in Jesse's life (in a manipulative and fatal sense), and you can understand why Walt did not act.

Here's the twist: When Walt was trying to wake Jesse, this inadvertently caused Jane to roll over on her side. If Walt had never been there, Jane would still have been laying on her side when she began to vomit, and most likely wouldn't have choked to death! (This is undoubtedly a detail that never occurred to Walt)

Good vs. Evil

The profound moral complexity of this show is what makes it so intriguing to me.

The process of Walt's "Breaking Bad" is an ongoing one. To say that Walt is "Bad", or that he "Broke Bad" at one particular instance would be grossly over-simplifying.

Walt did bad things for good reasons. His motives were pure. In most instances, Walt acted solely in the interest of protecting his loved ones. Would not each of us be so capable if placed in his shoes?

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John Steinbeck"s "The Pearl"

I am sure you all have read John Steinbeck's, "The Pearl". The story involves poverty, struggle and greed. The story takes place in Mexico and is a mixture of Mexican folk lore and Steinbeck's creativity.

Look at this link to read a brief recap:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pearl_%28novel%29

When Hank flung Tuco's grill into the Rio Grande, was he a Kino character? Did that grill bring him fame and misfortune? And, is the scene with Walt burning money a metaphor of " Kino flinging the pearl back into the sea?" Has harm come to Walt Junior like it did to Coyotito?
There are many characters in place in "Breaking Bad" that parallel this short story.

Marie in Season Three

I think Marie is the untapped wild card in this story. She is just as deviant as any character we have seen so far. She is a shoplifter(thief), she is self absorbed, she has contempt for Hank and her "therapist" and she is a self promoter.
I wonder why she steals? Could she have a meth problem we have not heard about yet. Hank was very vague when he admitted that "Marie has a problem and we are seeing a counselor."
Could Marie and her problems be a significant influence in the Season Three story line?

THE OTHER SON

Over the course of two seasons, in both very subtle nuances and the severity of nearly every situation those guys faced, Walt & Jesse's partnership became more of an, awkward, friendship.

The Tuco saga turned that awkward friendship into a solid (yet still secret) one.

Later during Walt's "visit with his mother", his advice and positive encouragement to Jesse came as a surprise, but it was so... necessary. Walt told Jesse something to the effect of "I believe in you, Jesse. You can do this," and it became clear that Walt's trust and kind words were all Jesse really needed.

Their bond / relationship is never fully identified though, until the last few episodes. Walter showed an incredible amount of compassion for Jesse... the kind desperate compassion and love that a father (or mother) has for a child who they feel is slipping away.

Although Flynn, aka Walt Jr. is undoubtedly the son of Walter White, I believe that mentally and emotionally, Walter has adopted Jesse as perhaps... the son he never had.

If Walt has truly lost his humanity,

Then why did he come to Jessie's rescue in the finale? Jessie was obviously of no more professional use to him, yet he saved him anyways. Walt clearly sees Jesse as more than a partner. The scene with Walt and Jesse at the rehab really reminded us that he is still human and still has love in his heart.
Everybody's acting like just because he let Jane die, that he's now some horrible monster who's turned completely over to the dark side, and its total crap. Jane had the power, and was still threatening to use it to destroy the remainder of Walt's life. Also she was destroying Jesse. Walt would have been either nuts or way too soft if he had tried to save her.

What are your favorite Breaking Bad quotes of all time?

What are your favorite quotes from the show? I love these three lines and they aren't from any of the main actors...

1) It's FIDC insured yo! - Spooge
2) This way to savings, save your dollar bills yo! - Badger
3) I'm gonna keep a happy thought and assume this is just a negotiation tactic! - Saul

Is Walt a modern day Sisyphus?

As a punishment from the gods for his trickery, Sisyphus was compelled to roll a huge rock up a steep hill, but before he could reach the top of the hill, the rock would always roll back down again, forcing him to begin again.[2] The maddening nature of the punishment was reserved for Sisyphus due to his hubristic belief that his cleverness surpassed that of Zeus.

"Which BB Character are You?" Quiz

A while back, Tweeders had a thread entitled, "Which Characters are You Most Like?"...we had a lot of fun, comparing ourselves to our favorite actors/actresses on the show!
Just happened to come across, this little personality quiz, and thought it'd be interesting for all of us, to see who we really are most like!
Hmmmm...I was'nt EVEN close on mine!
I was most like Walt! ;)

Walt's Last Words to Gretchen"

Touching ... when will those come back to haunt him

Bring back Hank's blog

Alright at 00:01hrs it will be September 1st. Hank has been AWOL from his blogging duties long enough. Hank summer vacation is over, time to get back to your wise cracking ways. So put down that Beer and get with the program buddy.

Do we know when he's being Heisenberg and when he's being Walt? Does HE?!?

There was a scene in last night's encore showing of the episode, "Bit By a Dead Bee," that I didn't remember from the first time around. It's near the end, after Walt has gotten out of the hospital and he and Skyler are getting ready for bed. Walt puts on the
"Heisenberg hat," takes off his robe. amd jokingly asks Skyler if she needs anything from the convenience store ("A Big Gulp? Slim Jim?") It's a
cute scene, and Walt is obviously trying to defuse the tension that had been caused by his disappearnace.
But if confused me a little, because I had always associated that hat with Heisenberg; thought he wore the hat to get into the bad guy character, and that the hat had no place in Walt's life other than that. So, I'm wondering why the hat in that scene? And how much control does Walt even have over his Heisenberg alter ego?

The Impact of the Lost Girls

At the end of Season 2, three characters, Donald Margolis, Jesse Pinkman, and Walt White, lost their "girls", and their ensuing behavior and actions resulted in some pretty horrific consequences, personally and publicly.

Donald caused a plane crash; Jesse self-destructed into a heroin free fall, and Walt did......?

How do you think Walt feels about the loss of Skyler and Holly? I really can't imagine how Walt will react to this loss or what actions he will take next season to get them back. This is Walt's first real personal loss since the series started, so would love to read what you think he'll do.

Tio

I am excited about tonight's episode. We get to meet Tio. He is an old crook, but he is one of the most honorable crooks we have met.

Skylars Head

If Skylar leaves Walter for good, do you think her head would be put on the back of a turtle or would it even fit?

Hank is not a player in Season 3

Hank has shown he is nothing like the person he pretends to be. He is a man plagued by self doubt and self loathing. He is a gas bag and a phoney. He became physically ill when his co workers gave him Tuco's grill, (very inappropriate gift in my opinion). He has panic attacks and he can't even speak Spanish. How can you live in New Mexico and not speak Spanish. I was born in Amarillo and hell I speak Spanish. Hank is a bumbling, stumbling fat sack of doughnut batter. So, how can he bring our hero down? It just would not be right if this nobody of a bum, disgrace to his badge, was allowed to capture Walt. I don't see Hank as a real player in Season three.

Hot Water

When Walter installs an on demand hot water heater in his house, he is very excited and describes it to Walt Jr. as having an "unlimited supply." This deceleration struck me as being very revealing. He is excited because he can provide for his family like never before, but there must also be a double meaning. Does he mean there is an unlimited supply of money for projects like this, or does he mean there is an unlimited supply of daring and bravado coming from him or is there to be an unlimited supply of meth. Or, is this a case where hot water is really just hot water?

Walt's Musical theme for Season 3

My last thread is starting to get a little overheated, so I'm going to try again with a new one. Walter White is Starting Season 3 in an unbalanced state. He has watched his Woman leave him, took Holly and bailed. His accident prone partner Jesse is recovering and out of action. Walt is left with a pile of Money and his head spinning poolside and now a mid air Plane accident occurs right over his House. Things are not working out very well for him are they? - So I have selected 3 Songs that I think are fitting to reflect Walt's current station in life at this point in our Favorite Show. My first selection is from ACDC - "Ride on", its a quiet little number, very introspective and Bon Scott delivers it beautifully. My next selection is also from ACDC - "Highway to Hell". We now turn up the Amperage a little bit. Walt might just travel down this Highway someday. Again Bon Scott belts out a fine performance! My third and final selection is a Classic Jimi Hendrix song - "Hey Joe". This little gem gets modified though. We use Walt's name in place of Joe and also add Ted's name. Here it is - "Hey Walt where you going with that gun in your hand?" ---- "I'm going down to shoot my Ol' Lady, you know I caught her messin round with a man named Ted". Ok, there you go, that's my play list. So tell me now, whats on yours?

If I can't have Skyler, then I want Carmen!

Walt has got to crash up against a strong female character to advance the story. My first choice is Skyler. I think Anna Gunn could hit a home run in Season 3, but if it isn't to be, then bring on Carmen. She's got an ass like an onion... makes me want to cry! (- Hank) There's lots of potential in Carmen prompting Skyler if Walt becomes involved. Now that another woman wants Walt and depending on Skyler's developments with Ted, she may change her mind and fight for her husband out raw jealousy and feminine pride. Ooooooh, cat-fight! Scratch her eyes out! Kick her in the ... well, you know where. Walt's got the big bucks now. He could be a "player".

Musical chairs for Breaking Bad characters

If all the characters in Breaking Bad lost their jobs, or positions in life, what would they do for a new
job/position or career?

Example : Jessie...Jessie is clean and now has a job as a cartoonist, using his high school drawings.
(..."comic book line, Super Girl"....taken from a posting by "repugnant" on AMC Talk
Forum).

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What's the price for your life?

Too many people are judging Walt as evil just because he didn't do something heroic (and stupid) like saving Junkie Jane. Did none of you notice the tears running down his face when it finally dawned on him that she was dead? Don't you know that he understood that this very awful fate could happen to his own daughter, Holly, 17 years in the future? Try this. You go to the doctor and he tells you the clock is ticking and you're going to die a slow and painful death in a limited amount of time. You've got skill(s). Maybe you know how to rob a bank, or there are people who've done you wrong and if they were dead it would make the world a brighter and happier place, or you know how to make copious amounts of illegal drugs. Or you join the Sheriff's Auxiliary to find out who the drug dealers in your community are and decide to off them to clean things up for the common good. What is worth your life? Go ahead and stand in Walt's shoes with your insides rotting out and tell me what would you trade your life for. (People who have seen the Japanese movie "Ikiru" by Kirosawa can't steal that plot). Look! If you don't have a cause, that's okay. Most people just wait for the end anyway. Give me a cash buy-out. How many dollars is your carcass worth? Let me write you a check and then the lights go out. Maybe Walt doesn't seem so "evil" now...

Women characters.

Uh. has anyone else thought that the Ladie's AKA Women in this show have been gettin some pretty bad raps? Everyone LOVE's Walt who's killed a few people,But hate's Skylar. Many love Hank, but tweeks on Marie. And for poor, poor little Jesse, many think that Jane deserved her death cause she was leading him on a herion path in combo with the meth path? Has anyone considered that Jane would have continued on her sobriety path if it warn't for Jesse? The only girl who's considered an innocent and not loathed is Holly.

Accountability of the "Survival Mode"

Clayton Neuman has previously posted a few weeks ago a term whom he calls Walt's "survival mode" to justify his heinous actions of Season 1 and Season 2. 'We fully understand and sympathize Walt's survival mode for his past actions of struggling for remission of cancer and saving his family from financial ruin. We have seen Walt endure the impossible odds and beat those odds in his own terms and damning his soul in the process. So far, in the series, Walt still has a good percentage of the viewers still sympathizing his actions.
In Seasons #1 and # 2 , other characterizations besides Walt, also have their own personal reasons for their "survival mode", but are their reasons as valid and justifiable for breaking the rules as Walt? Is the "Survival Mode" valid for all crimes or not? Where do we draw the line and say we won't accept and tolerate the "survival mode" as an valid reason.

Which characters do you think you are most like?

Me personally, its between two. Marie and Saul. Both characters talk a very good line of BS, but both have hearts in their own rites. I'll stop at this. Everyone can put their own details be they male or female to all characters.

SHOULD WALTER KILL JESSE ?

Originally Walter partnered up with Jesse because of the need for someone who knew how to get the drugs distributed. Well, Jesse has proven to not be able to perform his part of the bargain very well at all. In fact Jesse has shown himself to be nothing but a liability. Jesse has been marked as a person of interest by the DEA. Jesse has told Walt's secrets to others, which lead to blackmail. And now that Walt has partnered up with Saul and Gus what services does Jesse provide? From an objective point of view Jesse takes half of the profits and is nothing but a liability ... Why wouldn't Walter terminate him?

If Jesse isn't killed how is Vince G. going to justify Walt's involvement with Jesse ?

Don't get me wrong ... I have a hard time imagining the series without J.P. , I really enjoy his contribution to the chemistry of the show. BUT ... how would anyone justify keeping such a partner in crime ?

Should Vince be concerned about "us" being sympathetic towards Walt ?

In the AMC website video "Inside Breaking Bad: A Look Ahead" , Vince states " The further we go down this road of him being a criminal the more we naturally worry , is he going to remain sympathetic to us ?"

My question is should the writers be worried about keeping Walt "sympathetic to us" or could that worry only impact the path that the character should take ? Could Vince's concern end up softening the shows direction ? After all Walt is an interesting character involved in an interesting train wreck ... would we be able to turn away even if we became un-sympathetic ?

My hopes are that Vince continues to take the big chances and continues with the disfiguration of Walt's character !

Walt makes BlueSky as "compensation" for those who betrayed him and this is ethical. True or False?

***( compensation----a psychological mechanism by which feelings of inferiority, frustration, or failure in one field are counterbalanced by achievement in another)

Walt is addicted to making Blue Sky because he missed his "golden opportunity." He didn't pursue his ideas and theories, but Gretchen and her husband DID carry out those ideas and look at the lifestyle they acquired! Walt, years later compensates his failure by making the purest Meth called BlueSky and reveals WALT was the genius after all and in Walt's mind, it's payback to those who betrayed him. Morally correct or not, he has cured the question who was the real genius.

My answer is True.

Does Skyler resemble a Shrike?

A Shrike:
"....A medium-sized bird similar to a bird of prey with a predatory nature that impales their victim on thorns in order to tear the flesh into smaller, more convenient fragments and later will return to devour the uneaten portions at a later time"....Wikipedia
Look it up and what are YOUR thoughts?

Bring Back Tuco!

Raymond Cruz's performance as Tuco was INCREDIBLE! Vince Gillian MUST bring Tuco back! Raymond Cruz's talents are wasted on "The Closer." With his "tio," Cruz's performance was emmy material. BRING HIM BACK!!!

Time for Walt to wise up

Isn't it about time for Walt to wise up to the hypocrasy of the "war on drugs" and join Law Enforcement Against Prohibtion (http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php)?

The yin and yang of Walts life

I felt Walts pain when he had to make a decision to watch Jane die or save him and Jesse from being blackmailed or turned in. To just have a baby girl and then to know you are watching someone elses girl die must be the most horrible thing that could happen to anyone with the exception of your own child. Bryan Cranston, you are one hell of a great actor. I am 63 and a devoted fan to the show and simply can't wait for season 3. Kudos to all of you.The finale was a mind blower.

Has Walt totally gone over to the dark side?

I am now conflicted about Walt's character...
Up to now, I've been "rooting" for him (in a perverse way) in spite of everything he's done (the drug dealing, killing hard-core drug dealers...). But when he stood there and watched Jesse's junkie girlfriend choke on her vomit, he crossed a line. And now the plane crash... I still want to believe that Walt is a decent human being. If he is, dealing with what he has done and inadvertently caused will be overwhelming and maybe a bit more than I am willing to participate in every Sunday night. Likewise, if he's just gone so far over to the dark side there's no return, the show won't have any appeal for me.

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Mr. Tax Fraud versus Mr. Meth Cooker?

Skyler has been able to overlook Ted's $1.2 million tax fraud to "save jobs and the company" and continue working for him.

Skyler thinks Walt has gotten his $100,000 by some means (robbery, stealing?) which is completely unacceptable, and rockets out the door as she kicks Walt into the ditch.

Where's the justice?

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Mandala episode

I was really pi**ed when Jesse shot up. I would have rather seen him go to a NA meeting. I really liked the character Jane, but now I don't. She's going to ruin EVERYTHING!!!!!!

Gus Frings is my new favorite character

even though he's only in two episodes I really find him interesting in a very mysterious way, I hope to see him in the 3rd season.

See Jane Jump Off A Cliff......

I just seen a preview pic of Jane preparing to "Bang" Jesse with a friggin' needle.........miss sober is gonna get our boy shooting up........What do you all think.......did y'all see this coming? I kinda did.....

Color Conspiracy Theory

Has anyone else noticed a color scheme going on in at least the characters names. There's Mr. WHITE, Jesse PINKman, and wasn't the lawyer Mr. GOLD sumthin or other. Then there's the frequent topic of the blue meth and those new sheets on Jesse's bed were awfully yellow. Perhaps these are all the colors of the meth rainbow.

Our Resident Classic Noir Femme Fatale?

Does Jane have the potential to be a true noir femme fatale? Notice she always wears black, but has what I consider the deceptively sweet, innocent features of a young girl. Will she be turn out to be the "helpful" female who betrays the hero (Jesse) in the end? I'm thinking of such femme fatales from the likes of "Maltese Falcon", "Out of the Past" and "Body Heat". Does Jane have an agenda? So far, no new character on the scene has been incidental to the story......

What's your favorite Mr.White/Jessie moment?

I really loved the scene with Jessie head to toe with blue crap and he is in Mr. White's kitchen. And after several days of making breakfeast for his own family ,who didn't really seem to appreciate it,he asks Jessie if he wants breakfast. Jessie who was probably starving, being without a house,slept in the RV, and covered in blue crap, he nods his head. It made me feel good because Mr. White had been real harsh with Jessie that whole episode and Jessie was having a real hard time and couldn't get a break and Mr. White wouldn't listen to him.When he offered him breakfast you knew that Mr. White was cool, he really does like Jessie.

Jessie is gonna cry when Mr. White dies

As their story unfolds so is their relationship. Even though they seem to be at odds with each other they also are starting to be a team and maybe even friends.And although Jessie has a street wise manner he shows us in "Peekaboo" that he is compassionate and good-natured. He knows first hand from his Aunt what Mr. White's fate is and how little he has. But their relationship is just starting to be one, I that I think , they are starting to enjoy. What's Jessie gonna do when Mr. White dies? It makes me sad to think about it.

The Fake Heisenberg

It seems like this guy would be known to the DEA, if he'd been recycled that many times. Hank was definitely feeling some apprehension after the arrest. Do you think he's familiar with Jimmy In-N-Out? Or did something else raise his hackles?

Killer quotes....HANK SCHRADER edition!!!

Hank is quickly becoming one of the coolest cats on the show, in my opinion.......I hated the guy during season 1 lmfao......he always made me laugh though! :P

If you haven't watched the COP TALK videos yet, I recommend them....."big time"!

Here's a couple off the top of my head........

"If i were to guess......I'd say it's spanish for Asshole!"
-to Tortuga(?) last Sun.

oh and this was great tension builder...
"Jesse Pinkman....you're a hard man to find!"
-before he realized it was Tuco!

I could quote the whole last episode.....loved the way he stood his ground to all those pricks he works with.......

Who would you want to hang out with?

If the characters were real who would you want to hang out with? Walt would be pissed off all the time, Jesse would be trippin, Hank can be a jerk... maybe the hot landlady! ... nah, it would have to be Badger for me. That dude cracks me up. Have you seen the original minisode "The Break In" with Heisenberg and Badger? It's priceless. Watch it.

Business Smarts

On a scale of 1-to-10, how would you rate Walt and Jesse's partnership/business smarts so far? Right now, I'm giving them half a point.

Alexis' comparison (in Ep. 7 - Open Thread) of Walt's blowfish speech to Jesse as being on par with an Amway/pyramid motivational sale pitch was dead-on, I think. Is Walt so naive, really? Is Jesse so dumb? Sometimes I can't believe the words coming out of Walt's mouth. I keep wanting to holler at the TV, "You're talking about a drug business, Walt, not Amazon.com!". And as far as their recruits - the 3 Stooges (Skinny Pete, Badger, Combo), does anyone think they have the brains, muscle or nerve to help expand the business? Yikes.

I'd love to know where the storyline is from a timeline perspective. Maybe if it's only the first month or two in this whole enterprise, Walt and Jesse's learning curve isn't too bad, but boy, it's not great, either. Your take?

Talking about Aaron Paul(aka Jesse Pinkman)

I am a 63 yr. old woman and love the show. I want to adopt Jesse. When he saw that beetle and couldn't kill it, I knew he was not cut out to kill anyone. He is an amazing actor like the rest of the crew. I would like to know how Aaron trained to play the part. I have seen meth addicts on my street corner and he is so like them. Love the show!!!Keep it coming.

Skinny Pete: An Eddie Haskell for the Aughts?

I love this dude, but he's such a suck-up! What are your favorite Skinny Pete moments?

Gretchen

The real love of Walt's life or the ultimate betrayer? It's very hard to gauge their true history. In Season 1, Gretchen was crying when she found out Walt had lung cancer. And yet, Walt remains very polite, remote and even superficial in any interactions with Gretchen (well, until "Peekaboo"). Was Gretchen condescending in her demands to know the truth and her threats to expose Walt's lies? Is the story of the origin of Gray Matter really about scientific-corporate theft , romantic retribution, and class warfare?

Walter quotes....

Your Post

Jesse quotes.........

here are a couple of gems from the last episode....

"I'm a fan of the hard wood" to his landlord.....lmfao

"Your fence is too easy to climb" to Clovis.....

CRANK IT UP was a nice touch too......the name of the tow co.

Tuco needs to reappear somehow - Like Shredder

I know the dude is dead and I don't believe in reincarnation but I thought he was a believeable character and funny too-maybe an older version of Tuco can come back on the scene as an uncle for some family revenge and mess with the DEA office for a change instead of vice a versa.

The Wrath of Hank

Well, looks like Hank is movin' on up, with landing that big promotion! BUT, is he done with Jesse Pinkman? That had to have pissed off Hank in a big way to be involved in that gunfight with Tuco and nearly getting killed (which he's still feeling aftershocks from), and Jesse simply walks out of the DEA Station unscathed. I think while Hank is doing double-duty, he's gonna have his DEA co-workers watching Jesse, and possibly pulling one of Jesse's "distribution" buddies aside and telling them "You're now a confidential informant for us, or you're back in jail" What do you all think?

Recovering "Shield" addict.....

I was completely wrapped up in the FX show The Shield...then it ended....I'm Czarina. Anyone else here chuckling about the physical similarity of Hank Shrader to Vic Mackey?

The Hot Landlady

.....or Jesse's new squeeze. C'mon, give Jesse a little loving! She seemed reminiscent of Elvira - the Younger Years, but bringing her into the picture could pose some interesting developments and problems, and keep some of Jesse's humanity intact. It wouldn't hurt to have a different female POV besides Skyler and Marie. Hey, Walt and Hank have their women, why shouldn't Jesse have his own woman (not Windy Wendy)? Let's vote!

In Like Flynn

Anybody know the etymology of that expression? It refers to the sexual prowess of the actor Errol Flynn (whom Walt referred to) and some allegations that he seduced young girls.

Some folks made predictions that Walt Jr. might lose his virginity this season. Is the new nickname a hint to that possibility?

I also want to take this opportunity to refute the current rumor that Walt Jr. is gay. It's my opinion and you don't have to agree with me, but I have a teenage boy! At the baby shower for Skyler, he was filming the breasts of all the women...so that is my proof against the rumor.

What are your ideas?

Color "Scheming"

jamm54, hope you don't mind...but I've moved our conversation about "Colors" to it's own spot...
Everyone feel free to include your own theories!!! =)

By diksee on March 30, 2009 7:46 PM
Quote By jamm54 on March 24, 2009 12:51 AM:
Has anyone else thought it's funny that it's Mr. Pinkman and Mr. White in business together.....that there's got to be something to that? It reminds me of Reservoir Dogs and all the robbers (Mr. White, Mr. Orange, Mr. Pink, Mr. Blonde, Mr. Blue, Mr. Brown).Walt is surely turning into Mr. Black.

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Walt's Affair

.....well, the one Skyler thinks he's having because of the phone calls in Ep. 4 "Down". She's pretty obsessed over that cell phone, but does everyone think that Skyler believes Walt's having an affair? It almost seemed like they hospital psychiatrist had revealed Walt's confession about faking the fugue episode she had. Skyler was pissed, but would she retaliate over a suspected affair by harming her unborn baby by smoking? Would a woman do that to get back at her husband? What's everybody else think?

Jesse's triple whammy

No car, no house and no money. What's a boy to do? And has it been worth it?

When Skyler finds out...

We all know it's a matter of time before Skyler finds out what Walter is up to (making crystal). The real questions with this topic is how will she react? Half of me believes that she will walk away from him and my other half believes she won't. Walter seems to have a natural ability to get out of these rediculous situations and I don't see why he can't get out of this one. What do you think?

Jessie's car

Oh, boy, my husband just corrected me - his car is called a low rider - shows how much I know about cars! Has it ever been mentioned what happened to Jessie's dad?

Season 2 Episode 4*****DOWN

I was just wondering if anyone knew what kind of sweatshirt jesse pinkman is wearing in this episode. It white with a bunch of colors, mostly black letters but also colors. Please answer this question, its bugging me!!!

"Those boys down in Juares" (Mexico)

So Tuco said that his cousins are coming up from Mexico to come get them and keep them safe. Well, "Tio" in spanish means "uncle" so the cousins are "Tio's" sons. Tio spent hours with Jesse and Walt, he can identify them and he knows that they tried to poison Tuco. So, as Hank calls them, "Those boys down in Juares" , Tuco cousins are on the way and Jesse and Walt will be seeing them soon. And rumor has it they are more evil than Tuco ever was!!

Heisenberg?

I love that Hank's street name is Heisenberg. I haven't seen a lot of discussion of the ironic and prophet choice of a name.
Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle is a landmark of quantum physics. In a sense it states that the position or location of a particle can never be absolutely determined no matter how carefully or accurately it is calculated.
For Hank, no matter how rigorous and careful he is, he can never be absolutely sure of the outcome.

Season 1 Episode 3 question

While running back through Season 1, I came across a question that I need answered. During the opening scenes of 103 while Walt and Jesse are cleaning up the mess, Walt has a flashback. It took me awhile to figure out it was a flashback and indeed it was Walt with Gretchen. Why is Walt attempting to inventory the chemical makeup of the human body with Gretchen? I understand they were in Grad school together when they formed Gray Matter Tech.

Thanks for the help,

Infern0

Who will be back?

Anyone else wonder if they'll be bringing back any of the characters they barely introduced in season one? I hope so. I'd love for them to bring back Skinny Pete. I thought he was great and I think there's real potential for his character in this show.

...charms to soothe the savage breast

In the interview with the Music Supervisor for Breaking Bad (see here: http://blogs.amctv.com/breaking-bad/2008/03/interview-with-thom), he speaks of his mindset with regard to choosing the music for the show and offers some hints of things to come.

If you were to choose a song or music genre for a character on the show, what would it be? Please list the character by name and then a song or style of music that you think best represents him or her.

Walt's 50... how about the rest of them?

indulging one of my usual fan quirks-- getting to know and love the characters is a complicated process for me -- I find myself very curious on the ages of some of these characters.

We know Skylar's younger as its unlikely she'd be pregnant at 50 but how much younger?

How long do you figure Jessie's been out of High School? A couple years or is he in mid twenties already?

Which sister is older?
How much younger than Walt does that possibly make Hank?

I need any and all speculation so don't hesitate to throw in your .02 cents

The Gretchen Connection

I'm sure I'm not the only person out there intrigued by the crucial question:

Why is Walt where he is now? Why he is hustling for meth money when he should be sitting in an upholstered office in downtown ABQ watching his stock returns pile up? In other words: WHY DID HE LEAVE GRAY MATTER?

And I'm equally sure I'm not the only person who has fixed on the lovely Gretchen as a likely answer.

But if she IS the reason Walt and Elliot parted ways, what are the details? Two broad possiblities strike me as likely:

Walt and Gretchen were involved pre-Elliot, and Elliot stole/attracted her away from him (i.e., he actively seduced her, or she spontaneously fell in love with him and left Walt).

OR. Elliot/Gretchen was the original relationship and Walt had a thing with her on the side, and Elliot may or may not have found out. If the second case, Walt may have deliberately distanced himself from Elliot out of guilt.

I lean toward scenario 2b, imagining that in any of the other above plot lines, the open bitterness between the two men would have been too deep to be bridged by an occasion like a corny gift at a birthday party. But I could be wrong. In fact it might have nothing to do with Gretchen at all. We have virtually no information on the matter.

The point is, I want to know what you all think. :D

By the way, it's great to join the discussion. I've been a fan since before the first episode, actually, just from watching the previews, but I only discovered this talk forum recently. Breaking Bad is easily one of the best television shows ever made, and I'm on tenterhooks awaiting Season 2.

Character Development Challenge

Which character (not a main one) would you like to have more information about? Or, is there a character that you think should be introduced to more fully develop the story? Who is this person, and how will they contribute to what we already know?

You're My Big Man

This is what Walt says, in part, in the videotaped message he plans to leave for his wife and son in the pilot episode. Anybody else think that's kind of weird thing to say to a child in his mid-teens?

Walt's Son

Is this kid for real or is he an extremely gifted actor? My wife and I love the sideline of the sticky-handed sister. I personally loved the episode where the Brother in Law takes the son to the Meth Motel, dead nuts on and hilarious. The tell-tale rotting teeth says it all.

Skyler Finds Out: For Non-Majors

First, I want to give a brief explanation of my post title. When I was in college, there were several elective courses labeled as subjects for non-majors. To my knowledge, they were mostly science courses. It wasn't intended to be a lighter version of a subject, but rather a survey for those who were interested from an avocational point of view. Also, I saw it as taking the pressure off the professor, allowing him or her to present the topic in a more casual manner.

I won the RV about the 5th week of the season, but I've still been interested in some of the questions. It's not fair for me to be in with those who haven't won yet, so I'm setting up this topic for others like me. Also, we can continue to discuss it after the week is up.

For me, the easy answer is that Skyler can't find out about Walt's moonlighting. That's too simple, though. Another thing to think about is WHEN she finds out. If another principal figure (Hank, Marie or Walt Jr.), figures it out first, that will likely soften the blow, because that person will be able to offer their opinion to Skyler.

If Skyler finds out first, it's going to be a big blow to their relationship. Like any big secret revealed, it will be a shock and she will have to figure out what to do with the information. Unless Walt is also caught by the police or turned in, he's not off the hook. He has obligations to his family. If he can't take care of those, they'll have to develop a different strategy to survive. Any way it happens, it will be unpleasant.

Walt and Jesse: Take 2

When I was watching the pilot for the second time tonight, with the knowledge of all that's to come fresh in my mind, I couldn't help but reflect on how much Walt and Jesse's relationship evolved over the course of these very few episodes. In the premiere Walt approaches Jesse not with hints at perhaps paternal affection, like we see in the finale, and not even with tolerance, but almost with downright disgust and condescension.

The scene where he approaches Jesse at night was remarkable to me in that Walt doesn't even give Jesse a choice: he simply informs him the way things are going to be. I can't believe how far the two came in their relationship over the course of the next six episodes.

The other thing that occurred to me while I was watching is that the show never really returns to Skyler's two hobbies: her e-bay selling and her short story writing. I suppose that's a credit to the character's selflessness in the face of the events that are about to unfold in her life, but I hope that Vince Gilligan returns to these facets of here character -- they're interesting, and I think they could make for some great plot points.

What if Walt began "selling" on eBay? What if Skyler took some creative ideas from Walt's activities for her short stories?

Anyways, those were my impressions. What did you all think about the second time around?

Hank: Snitch or Sneak?

There is a reason why Hank is a DEA agent and his main focus is on meth. This is not just a coincidence. The question is, what will Hank do once he realizes how involved Walt is in the meth scene? I think Hank will discover that Walt was responsible for the missing chemistry lab supplies, then it snowballs from there and he finds out how involved Walt really is.

Does Hank look the other way? After all, Walt's dying and won't be around long. (not likely) Will Hank arrest him on the spot? It is his job to protect and serve. Or will he become involved? Once he sees how well Walt and Jesse are doing, he may want a piece of the pie.

We all know Hank isn't a saint, considering he accepted illegal cuban cigars for doing a favor for somebody else, and he even laughed it off when he found out Walt is smoking pot. So it seems he doesn't care about the little things if nobody is getting hurt. So, how will he respond to the fact Walt is becoming a meth kingpin? It will happen and I would imagine it will happen early or mid-way through next season. So do you agree? I'd love to hear everyone's take on this.

Tuco is on Walt's List

Tuco is too evil to live. The end of the Finale was Tuco huffing some of Walt's super-potent Blue meth and then winding up into psychotic brutality whereby he assaults one of his henchman within an inch of his life, all because Walt asked him to mellow out.

Remember that Walt's primary consideration upon entering into the meth business a second time was "No Bloodshed". Whoops. The problem with Tuco is that he is going to kill Walt or kill somebody else in such a way that it gets Walt implicated and arrested. Walt knows this and he also knows that he hates Tuco. And he knows that Tuco is very careless about how he samples the product when he buys it.

So here's how I think it goes down: Walt is going to produce a batch of something that when Tuco sticks his face into the bag it will so severely incapacitate him Tuco will either die or be reduced to a harmless zombie. At that point either of two things will happen: Jesse will take over the selling part of the operation or the henchman who Tuco messed up in the Finale will take over, now beholden to Walt for his destruction of Tuco. You won't see this coming and it won't be easy, it will just create a bunch of new problems and the chemical mixture of this show will remain as volatile as ever. This despite the very satisfied feeling we will all have when we see Tuco get the ultimate morality play.

Walt's Lot in Life

I think this has been the most engaging, horrifyingly hypnotic show to come along in many seasons. Having caught up fully, I decided to browse some discussion boards to gauge others thoughts on Breaking Bad.

I found some great insights, and angles I hadn't really considered, but the one comment that I saw again and again that really troubles me is the idea that Walt is a fantastic failure for choosing a career as a high school chemistry teacher.

Granted, given the fragments we know of his background in science (assistance in research that led to a Nobel prize, a mind for problem solving that is still vividly remembered at a pool party more than two decades later), it does seem clear that Walt could have remained in the collegiate world, or swallowed his heartbreak and found corporate riches as a partner in Gray Matter.

But, (and here to me is the crux of the brilliant social commentary of the show), the idea that being a highly educated and clearly dedicated (he remembers things about even a very poor student like Jesse that many teachers would not have) high school teacher is an automatic mark of failure is appalling.

What's more appalling is the vividly rendered situation that Walt is in even before he is diagnosed with lung cancer -- that of a tenured, educated high school teacher who is forced to take a bad part-time job to afford a very modest middle-class existence.

This is not Walt's fault (though it is clearly his building frustration); this is the fault of a country where the burgeoning divide between the haves and have-nots is expanding at a reckless pace, and in which a man who has inarguably one of the most important professions in this country cannot possibly make ends meet if there is a bump in his road.

Pity Walt for his poor choices, puzzle over his indulgence of pride in refusing charity, abhor him for reuniting with Jesse even after the horrific events of their first endeavor, but don't lose sight of the poignant and powerful social commentary at work here -- a man of Walter White's profession, living frugally and responsibly, and with the need for a medical procedure that appears neither radical nor "experimental" should never have been in this position in the first place.

Cameras and More

This last episode is another example of the excellence that is Breaking Bad. This is honestly one of the most poignant shows I have ever watched. And I am a little hesitant to say I love it for fear it will be canceled (that seems to happen to good shows... Anyways, a few things that are excellent:

1) The camera work is truly unique. I loved the single shot of Walt in his bathroom, about to shave his hair off- truly unique and forward-thinking, but also nostalgic in a way.

2) Walter, jr. deserves an Emmy already. My younger brother has similar disabilities and it is amazing to see a realistic, punk-kid trying to buy beer, who also has a disability. But I didn't appreciate the playing of reggae music when Walt was getting together the glassware supplies. People who smoke weed associate with reggae and think meth is scary. I'm sure that isn't true for everyone- but I personally didn't appreciate it.

On that note- I think that Walt's character should be doing much more pot-smoking. Seriously, there are the obvious benefits- but also think about chemo and all of the relief it might offer. Those are my thoughts. I'll be looking forward to next Sunday!

The Badger Problem

Jesse, what are you thinking? You can't leave Badger out there roaming the desert with his crossbow! The guy's a moron and an ass to boot, but you've got to either go back and make friends or run him over.

Easy Way Out

I think Walt got the easy way out when he discovered that Krazy 8 had a weapon and was planning on killing him first chance he got, thus making the murder much more palatable in his mind.

It would have made things much more interesting if Walt noticed the missing piece of the broken plate, killed Krazy 8 thinking it was self-defense and then discovered the missing piece had skidded away or was hidden under the furnace or something. Then he would've been stuck with the knowledge that he had killed a man who might , in fact, have meant him no harm.

I just think that would've been a much more interesting way to go.

Breaking Bad Is Great Television

Just like Deadwood, (speaking of which Anna Gunn played Seth Bullock's wife, and now Walters wife) and The Sopranos, this is classic television drama.

The storyline particularly resonates with me because I have just turned 50, quit smoking, and have an obligation to care for someone that is handicapped. (pulling up the young boys pants in Episode 1 and seeing Walt largely ignored on his 50th Birthday, you get a sense of the end of something that is never coming back.)

So I immediately saw Walt in myself, and feel the desperation he feels, trying to hold it together financially working two jobs in America circa 2008 where there is no respect for what you do.

Watching Walt become passionate for a minute in his lecture, only to be rudely interrupted by the kid flirting, the owner of the car wash having Walt scrub tires for minimum wage, the inevitability of an untimely death due to Cancer pull us in to a world that could happen in real life.The drama is heavy.

Stellar acting and great writing and production!

Wonder Woman 1969, the premeire episode was uncut and uncensored I am not sure why the second airing censored the language, some scenes were cut for commercials for the encore airing which you saw.