Breaking Bad aired last night and I’m reeling. I admit I expected a lot of the events to happen, but the execution was exciting as always. The soundtrack this year is absolutely astounding and fitting for so many occasions. I even thought of Drive at a certain point. Anywho, this episode, Say My Name, is the episode before the season finale. As a whole after seeing this episode, I’m curious how it will all wrap up, considering that this episode didn’t really set up anything major to happen. There was a lot of resolution in many places, and could honestly have been the season finale itself. That means huge things will happen next episode and they’ll happen quickly. Anywho, let’s summarize what happened last night below. As always, major spoilers below!
The New Distributors
We were left with a cliffhanger regarding Walt’s method of getting out of the pickle he’s put himself in. When Mike and Jessie bring him to the people who are willing to buy the Methylamine, Walt proposes something else. He throws out stastitics and logical reasoning as to why they should be his distributors from now on. They reluctantly accept the reasoning, but not before Walt has one final moment of satisfaction. He demands them to say his name. Initially confused, Walt reminds them that he’s the one who killed Gus Fring and a moment of horror strikes their faces. The leader of the new distributors calmly says, Heisenberg, and Walt replies with a cold, “You’re Goddamned Right”. I had chills. Walt is absolutely fearless in the face of these stone cold killers and shrugs off the idea that he could easily die right then and there. I loved his metaphors with his product being premium and theirs being generic. Another awesome badass moment in the Walter White book.
Skyler’s Still Being a Bitch, but More Tolerable than Before
Walt used Skyler and the carwash to hide his methylamine during the transaction. She wants to know if she’s in any immediate danger, and persists to pester Walt about it, even though he shrugs her off. Before I was always upset and annoyed with Skyler and her ever present nagging, but it’s only this season where she has actual and reasonable concern. Her attitude of loathing of Walt continues back at the household when Walt tries to resume daily life as before, but Skyler’s having none of it. I’m curious what role Skyler still has to play in all this. She can just as easily become an extreme threat to Walt if she decides to turn on him, which might be the case if their kids get in harms way.
Jessie Wants Out
Jessie has continually expressed his want to get out of the game and finally breaks it off with Walt once and for all. Walt wants to hear none of it, preaching to Jessie that leaving now doesn’t erase the rather large amount of bodies they’ve dropped in their wake. Walt believes he and Jessie are already destined for Hell, so why not go for broke. It’s really sad seeing these two at each other’s throats, but I can’t not hate Walt for accusing Jessie of using again and telling him how worthless his life is if he didn’t cook. Jessie says screw you to Walt and leaves both the business and the money.
Walt’s New Partner
Jessie’s departure means Walt needs a new partner. Queue the douchebag Todd. Walt is skeptical about adding him and is worried that he won’t be able to cook right due to his inexperience, but apparently there wasn’t too much of a hitch in the cooking process. Although he plays innocent in this episode, refusing money until he masters the trade, I can’t help but wanting to punch him in the face for killing that kid. And is it just me or does he look like a young Matt Damon?
A Sweet Soundtrack
This episode’s soundtrack was particularly awesome. In addition to the usual upbeat ominous tunes, there were a number of other moments that simply caught my attention. Mike leaving to car had a ring of Drive in it and the tune that played during the cooking process was also really upbeat that it contrasted the seriousness of cooking meth. And then the awesome bank scene where Mike’s lawyer friend was putting the money in the safety boxes was also a nice touch. I might have to look into a Breaking Bad season 5 soundtrack if they had it.
Mike’s Bankroll Robbed Again
With Mike bought out, he’s using his money to pay for all the hazard pay costs of his 9 inmates. However, Hank Schrader is persistent enough to the point where Mike gets his bankroll robbed again. This forces him into a position where he has to leave town. He resorts to calling Saul and when Jessie hears Mike is in trouble, he jumps to the chance to help him. This irritates Walt and he volunteers to help Mike instead because Jessie is ‘out of the game’. The meet up between the two will be there last.
Dying in Peace
All season, both Mike and Walt were at each other’s throats. This meet up wasn’t any different, but Mike said a couple more words that really sent Walt over the edge. Walt demanded the names of the 9 inmates and when Mike wouldn’t give them up, Walt shot Mike in his fury. Mike shortly crashed afterwards and stumbled onto a lake where he sat on a rock bleeding to death. With a genuine look of guilt on his face, Walt confesses that he handled the situation poorly and could’ve gotten the inmates names through another means. Mike calmly tells Walt to shut the f*ck up already so he can die in peace.
Overview
Like I said, a lot of resolution here: Walt has a stable distribution, Jessie is out of the game, Mike has been dealt with. There are a couple of loose ends, but all of which can be a result of speculation. The primary loose ends I can forsee are what role will Todd and Skyler have in all this and what the deal is with the opening scene of the first episode. Todd is definitely an interesting new partner, who looks more than willing to learn, but is also a cold blooded killer. He could very easily be Walt’s new muscle. Skyler has been giving Jessie some weird looks lately. I’ve always wondered what REAL conversation could inspire between the two, maybe their distaste for Walt? Next week’s episode isn’t necessarily the season finale, but it will definitely have a high enough cliffhanger for all of us to beg for more come next Sunday. Next episode should technically be the climax of the entire ‘season’, so I’m expecting a lot to happen. Be sure to join us for discussion when the time comes.
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