Last night’s Breaking Bad was more explosive than an RV meth-lab driving into a burning building. It was also one of the most beautiful-looking hours on TV this season.
The pre-credits sequence, in which we saw a flashback to the murderous cousins who’ve been tracking Bryan Cranston’s Walt as little boys, was a sun-flare bright sequence that set up the origin of these two, with Tuco Salamanca uttering the words that guided their present-day revenge quest: “Family is all.” So it is with Walt and his brother-in-law, Hank (the superlative Dean Norris).
This amazing episode, written by X-Files vet Thomas Schnauz, had major scenes for every major character. Just think of the early scene, with Jesse lying in his hospital bed, flanked by lawyer Saul (Bob Odenkirk) and Walt. The sustained vituperation let loose by Jesse, the fury mixed with anguish as he noted that, in a twisted-logic way, Walt has been responsible for every bad thing that’s happened to Jesse since they’ve met, was a bravura piece of acting and writing. (Note to Aaron Paul: Be sure to submit this scene for Emmy consideration.)
One thing I love about BBad is the way the show can slide a big laugh into even the most serious scene. In that case, it was Saul contrasting Walt with the now battered Jesse: “You’re now officially the cute one in the group. Paul, meet Ringo. Ringo, meet Paul.”
But then the focus shifted to Hank, as the cousins turned their deadly attention to him. Hank, who by his own admission said he’s “been unraveling,” at first didn’t know how to take the warning that “two men are coming to kill you” and that he had “one minute” (the episode’s title) to scram from his car in the parking lot or be killed. For a law-enforcement man like Hank, the worst thing that can happen is to doubt your instincts, and his agony was palpable last night. His DEA days are numbered, I presume, which can only lead to more fascinating scenarios for this character.
That showdown was stunningly suspenseful. I almost couldn’t believe it when Hank took those two down. I had to stop and wonder if this might all be a dream on Hank’s part. Yes, I figured that hollow-tip bullet tossed to one cousin near the start of the hour would figure in its climax, but not in the brutally dramatic way it ultimately did. The fact that BBad can accommodate such danger, thrills, and humor, and set future plot lines spinning (what’s going to happen between Walt and Jesse now that they’re both eager to split that $3 million in drug money to be made?) — well, this is what is making Breaking Bad so good this year.
Tell me what you thought of last night’s episode, and where you think the show will go from here.
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“Yo, Adrian, Rocky called – he wants his face back!” Another gem from Saul.
Jesse surely had his own Rocky moment, near the end when “turning down” Walt’s offer, it was all Rocky-Mick in the stairway scene in my opinion – astoundingly done by Aaron Paul. His transformation, too, into the cold-machine- for-meth guy is nearly complete. We’ll see how the 2 get going.
Hank’s storyline and acting were off the hook BRILLIANCE. That was so suspenseful, you’re right on. I kept saying “OMG I can’t believe it” when each twist and turn occurred.
Awesome show.
Sooo agree! When he shot that second cousin, my heart soared — till I remembered he was wearing a bulletproof vest. That kind of climactic ending — the bullet being dropped, Hank struggling to load it — would have irritated me on any other show, but you could *SEE* Hank fighting for his life. It just WORKED. It worked the way it could never work on any other show.
I’ll add my two cents to the “please recap this show” brigade. I used to look forward to Ken’s reviews each Monday. I’d love to see them come back. Hell — retroactively review the last few episodes, starting with I.F.T.
The show has been in overdrive ever since.
I recap all the episodes at tvsnark.wordpress.com
Nothing fancy, just the facts.
For the life of me, i do NOT understand WHY this show does not have a regular recap and the readers of this website are not more in touch with this BRILLIANT show. This show has consistently been the best thing on TV since the Wire concluded and NOBODY here knows about it. It is SUCH a shame.
I know! I want a recap after every episode!!
I know what you mean…..me too!!
I totally agree. I’ve been wondering why, even after 3 seasons, this show barely gets mentioned on here. “Mad Men” has been getting recaps since at least season 2 (I wasn’t watching in season 1 to know if they had them then), and yet, “Breaking Bad” gets only a handful of articles.
I have never seen this show – I think because it always looked so depressing to me. But, maybe I will give it a try…
You have to! The writing and acting are brilliant! Rent the first season see what you think.
Loved it! I had to rewatch the last 5 minutes because I couldn’t believe something filled with so much suspense was on TV and not a movie. That whole sequence had so much in it. I just started watching this season and can’t wait to go back and watch the previous seasons. I love this show!
Amagine my dismay when I found that my DVR didn’t record the last 60 seconds of the show. Hank was just trying to load the bullet into his gun!! I was yelling in frustration!!!! thanks to all for filling me in on the end. Love this show……….
Hahaha that sounds so painful!!
It was Tio during the opening scene. Tuco is around the same age as the Cousins.
Right! I noticed the error in Ken’s write-up. Tuco is the source of that amazing episode from previous season…Jesse and Walt in the desert, etc., wow, and Hank mentioned him last night, his “nemesis” somewhat. Everything changed for him after “Tuco.”
Correction, Tuco WAS around the same age!
When Lost concludes in late May, it will leave BrBad left as the best show on T.V. hands down!
Totally agree.
Breaking Bad already is the best show on TV, hands down. And this is coming from a LOST junkie. But LOST has really gone downhill this season…they’re trying to do too many things. But I pray to Jacob they finish strong. Fingers crossed
I just had to add this in reply to JD. WIth the CRAP that EW does cover for recaps, Amazing race, American Idol, Celebrity apprentice, and other crappy reality shows, WHY is this brilliant show being ignored. Hopefully someone has access to the powers that be at EW to change this. On AMC breaking bad gets 1500 comments per recap eposide. Yet this site ignores it. Really a shame
Because they have to pander to dimwit fans of glee, crappy reality shows and all of that vampire drivel.
This was such a beautifully crafted episode, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, yet the minute that bullet dropped, I knew Hank had a fighting chance.
I know you’ve talked about this before, but I hope the Jesse/Walt re-teaming doesn’t mean that Damages badman David Constabile is off the show. His cadence is pitch perfect in everything.
Watching last night, I had the same reflection..Aaron Paul best save that clip for Emmy time, b/c it’s amazing. not many actors can do that whole scene in one cut. Bravo BBad.
I agree, Aaron, if you’re out there… you just went from good actor to ACTOR’S ACTOR in one single episode. You are the MAN. Collect your Emmy.
There should be a “Lost” worthy recap of every episode of this show. Just the occasional one page is not nearly enough. Lawrence is correct. Not since “The Wire” has there been an intelligent and suspenseful show worthy of every bit of critical acclaim it gets. Shame how little EW covers it both on this site and in the mag.
Simply put, theatrical releases could learn something from that final few minutes. I agree beautifully shot violence.
Tarantino worthy! Or he’s jealous…
Quentin Tarantino likely watches the show, and he no doubt LOVES it.
Actually, a lot of critics are making similarities to this show and the work done by the Coen brothers (think Fargo or No Country for Old Men.)
I thought the scene where Walt asks “what next” and jesse replies with “I’ll tell you what happens next” was very reminiscent of the scene in Pulp fiction where Bruce Willis asks Marsallis “what now” , an homage maybe?
This episode is clearly the high point so far this season. Even with all the action last night, you can tell that the surviving cousin will do everything possible to extract a stronger and more brutal revenge for his brother. This is the 1 show that I make sure to watch its first showing if for no other reason, especially after an episode like last night, I can watch the encore right away. The best storytelling on tv.
For those asking about a recap column, check out Tim Goodman of the SF Cronicle who write a detailed review every Monday.
Surviving cousin? I figured they both died? One got a bullet in the head, the other got an SUV in the gut.
They showed the surviving cousin in the hospital in the “next week’s” highlights.
I have followed this show since the beginning and it amazes me that it is’nt even known of in some countries. Its by far the best show on tv for some time. Excellant show. Last nights show brought it to new heights.
Pure genius. BBad just gets better and better. Last 15 mins of the show were breathtaking. I was in my living room yelling “Get ‘em Hank!!” Can’t believe how affecting the show is. Kudos to all involved with this awesome series.
Amen to that!I am starting to really root for Hank at the beginning of the series I was annoyed with him, but love the guy now.
The actor has done an excellent job of making us like him, even when he is clearly losing control.
Amazingly incredible episode last night. The last five minutes had me on the edge of my seat and almost caused me to squeeze the air out of my poor dog! I just sat in silence for awhile after this one…what a show!
Just get’s better every week!
My God does every character in the BB cast end up in the hospital? Walt of course with his cancer then Skylar when she gave birth, Jesse, now Hank. Oh, Marie ’cause she works in one. People have a nasty way of dying or ending up in the hospital around good ole Walt.
So who do you think called Hank with the warning? Gus? I’m thinking it was Mike (the dude who works for both Saul and Gus). The guy who sold the bullet proof vests to the cousins was one of the McPoyle’s from “It’s always Sunny”. Those last few minutes took 5 years off my life!
took five years off my life, and kept me up, no sleep, was so tension filled, and wam bam
this episode was sooooo good last night, and i was sure that EW wasn’t going to say a thing about it while the TV Watch for Celebrity Apprentice makes the front page of the website.
Seriously EW, there’s a TV Watch for The Real Housewives of New York and nothing for Breaking Bad?!?!
i’ve noticed that most shows of real quality rarely get covered on this site (ie., Breaking Bad, Burn Notice, The Wire *while ‘The Wire’ was still on the air*, among other quality shows). And you all know what i mean.
please do better.
i agree, we need to support this INCREDIBLE show!! I thought they couldn’t top the RV seen from last week and then Hank blew it out of the park this week. next week’s preview looks great!