The Whiteman Cometh
September 6, 2013 12:37 AM Subscribe
A full hour-long musical based on Breaking Bad and inspired by Andrew Lloyd Webber, as performed last month at the Upright Citizens Brigade theater in Los Angeles: Walter White And The Amazing Blue Crytal Meth.
The junior high kids were better.
posted by ShutterBun at 2:38 AM on September 6, 2013
posted by ShutterBun at 2:38 AM on September 6, 2013
aa-AA-aaaaaahhhhh
fighter of the White Man
aa-AA-aaaaaahhhhh
posted by Z. Aurelius Fraught at 3:28 AM on September 6, 2013 [7 favorites]
fighter of the White Man
aa-AA-aaaaaahhhhh
posted by Z. Aurelius Fraught at 3:28 AM on September 6, 2013 [7 favorites]
You gotta admire the work ethic of a "cleaner" who even "takes care of" his own corpse.
posted by chambers at 5:48 AM on September 6, 2013
posted by chambers at 5:48 AM on September 6, 2013
I thought this was horrible.
My first thought...if you're going to play Walter White commit to the bit. Seriously, it's hair. It will grow back.
posted by cjorgensen at 5:55 AM on September 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
My first thought...if you're going to play Walter White commit to the bit. Seriously, it's hair. It will grow back.
posted by cjorgensen at 5:55 AM on September 6, 2013 [2 favorites]
The junior high kids were better.
Agreed.
The UCB production basically just set the plot to music. There's no jokes beyond Wouldn't it be funny if Breaking Bad were a musical? And they've stretched that one thin premise over a full hour.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:02 AM on September 6, 2013
Agreed.
The UCB production basically just set the plot to music. There's no jokes beyond Wouldn't it be funny if Breaking Bad were a musical? And they've stretched that one thin premise over a full hour.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:02 AM on September 6, 2013
Yeah, I was thinking, if this were three minutes, it would rock. Make meth, rehab, kill kids, rehab, blow up Gus, rehab, die of cancer Satan! fini.
posted by cjorgensen at 7:13 AM on September 6, 2013
posted by cjorgensen at 7:13 AM on September 6, 2013
Geez, you guys are tough. I don't think they needed to throw in extra jokes. Setting the plot to music and playing it as they did is funny enough. OK, it's not drop-dead hysterical. But it's clever.
I do agree about the length, though. Short and clever would've been better.
posted by Paris Elk at 7:48 AM on September 6, 2013
I do agree about the length, though. Short and clever would've been better.
posted by Paris Elk at 7:48 AM on September 6, 2013
This is the Middle School Musical production referenced above. Pretty much this UCB thing but better, shorter, and with middle school kids. Gaze upon it and be merry.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:36 AM on September 6, 2013
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:36 AM on September 6, 2013
I find the singing-and-dancing bag of "blue rock candy" in the kid vid deeply disturbing.
posted by Paris Elk at 10:59 PM on September 6, 2013
posted by Paris Elk at 10:59 PM on September 6, 2013
Is this the new Breaking Bad thread? 'cause I have a prediction and want to talk about it.
posted by iamkimiam at 2:46 AM on September 7, 2013
posted by iamkimiam at 2:46 AM on September 7, 2013
Well iamkimiam, the Ozymandias thread is definitely closed. Someone suggested moving it all over to this thread, though there's no recent activity there. But this one is as good as any -- if you want to make your prediction here, have at it. I guess we'll figure it out tomorrow. Maybe everyone's just resting before the next wave.
posted by Paris Elk at 4:41 PM on September 7, 2013
posted by Paris Elk at 4:41 PM on September 7, 2013
iamkimiam: "Is this the new Breaking Bad thread? 'cause I have a prediction and want to talk about it."
It wasn't my intention on making the post but I'm always happy to hear theories. This could maybe be a bridge thread for the next one or two episodes and then someone could make another mass-link collection thread for the big finale (my guess based on the episode titles is episodes 7+8 will be one big climax).
posted by mannequito at 5:25 PM on September 7, 2013
It wasn't my intention on making the post but I'm always happy to hear theories. This could maybe be a bridge thread for the next one or two episodes and then someone could make another mass-link collection thread for the big finale (my guess based on the episode titles is episodes 7+8 will be one big climax).
posted by mannequito at 5:25 PM on September 7, 2013
omgomgomgomgomg I NEED TO TALK
posted by triggerfinger at 6:49 PM on September 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by triggerfinger at 6:49 PM on September 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Holy shit holy shit.
posted by jeather at 6:58 PM on September 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by jeather at 6:58 PM on September 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
posted by triggerfinger at 7:02 PM on September 8, 2013
posted by triggerfinger at 7:02 PM on September 8, 2013
I assume this is the Low Winter Sun thread?
posted by zombieflanders at 7:13 PM on September 8, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by zombieflanders at 7:13 PM on September 8, 2013 [7 favorites]
This better fucking be the new thread because we got shit to discuss.
posted by bondcliff at 7:15 PM on September 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by bondcliff at 7:15 PM on September 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
I don't even know where to begin - Todd's creepy crush on Lydia, Walt Jr's crazy grin for Saul, Hank's heartbreaking love-filled phone call to Marie, the terror in Jesse's eyes, the cliffhangeriest cliffhanger since whoever the hell it was shot J.R....
I need a drink.
posted by flyingsquirrel at 7:23 PM on September 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
I need a drink.
posted by flyingsquirrel at 7:23 PM on September 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
I think we can now probably safely assume that Vince Gillligan's teasers every week on Talking Bad don't tell us anything.
posted by triggerfinger at 7:27 PM on September 8, 2013
posted by triggerfinger at 7:27 PM on September 8, 2013
Walt Jr's crazy grin for Saul
I like the way that Sepinwall describes it in his recap:
I like the way that Sepinwall describes it in his recap:
One bit of levity in a very dark episode: Walter Jr. is very impressed to meet local celebrity (Better Call) Saul Goodman. It's one last reminder that Flynn is just a normal teenager who has no idea what's happening around him, and perhaps his last totally innocent moment.posted by zombieflanders at 7:32 PM on September 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
Also, Alan Sepinwall's review is spot on. All I know is at some point I ended up going from sitting on the couch to kneeling on the floor looking up at the TV with my hands on my face. I suddenly felt so hot and I noticed my heart pounding out of my chest. That is some good TV.
posted by triggerfinger at 7:33 PM on September 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by triggerfinger at 7:33 PM on September 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
[You can probably assume anything after this in the thread is a SPOILER for the most recent Episode of Breaking Bad]
There was a point, after Walt left his car and went off with his gun, before Hank showed up, when Walt was hiding behind the rock and coughing, that I was worried they were going to pull a Jacob's Ladder and he would imagine himself getting away, moving to New Hampshire with his family, curing his cancer, returning home to take out Todd's Uncle's gang and remove the ricin from his old house so it would no longer pose a danger. He would imagine all that as he lay dying, alone in the desert.
I'm glad that didn't happen.
Raise your hand if you expected Hank to get a bullet through his head 1/2 second after he hung up with Marie.
I keep forgetting that one of the things I love most about this show is that they never do what I expect them to do.
God damn I love this show. God damn.
posted by bondcliff at 7:37 PM on September 8, 2013 [6 favorites]
There was a point, after Walt left his car and went off with his gun, before Hank showed up, when Walt was hiding behind the rock and coughing, that I was worried they were going to pull a Jacob's Ladder and he would imagine himself getting away, moving to New Hampshire with his family, curing his cancer, returning home to take out Todd's Uncle's gang and remove the ricin from his old house so it would no longer pose a danger. He would imagine all that as he lay dying, alone in the desert.
I'm glad that didn't happen.
Raise your hand if you expected Hank to get a bullet through his head 1/2 second after he hung up with Marie.
I keep forgetting that one of the things I love most about this show is that they never do what I expect them to do.
God damn I love this show. God damn.
posted by bondcliff at 7:37 PM on September 8, 2013 [6 favorites]
The kid that plays Brock does a really amazing poisoned-kid-gets-a-visit-from-his-poisoner, doesn't he?
posted by Sys Rq at 7:37 PM on September 8, 2013
posted by Sys Rq at 7:37 PM on September 8, 2013
Yes, let's talk about Brock. His behavior makes me think he has a secret about Walt he hasn't told anyone. Like maybe he saw him somewhere he normally wouldn't and was told not to tell anyone?
posted by triggerfinger at 7:39 PM on September 8, 2013
posted by triggerfinger at 7:39 PM on September 8, 2013
Raise your hand if you expected Hank to get a bullet through his head 1/2 second after he hung up with Marie.
*raises hand*
Actually my hand was in my heart at that point, ready to cry. I STILL NEED TO CRY GODDAMMIT.
posted by flyingsquirrel at 7:45 PM on September 8, 2013
*raises hand*
Actually my hand was in my heart at that point, ready to cry. I STILL NEED TO CRY GODDAMMIT.
posted by flyingsquirrel at 7:45 PM on September 8, 2013
Wait a sec....when Saul was at the carwash talking to Junior and Skyler, Walt quick popped in holding baby Holly and the popped back out. But then when he got the call from Jesse and ran out to get in the car he didn't have her anymore. Skyler and Junior watched him leave right? Where did Holly go?
posted by triggerfinger at 7:56 PM on September 8, 2013
posted by triggerfinger at 7:56 PM on September 8, 2013
Probably in the Coke Machine.
posted by bondcliff at 7:59 PM on September 8, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by bondcliff at 7:59 PM on September 8, 2013 [6 favorites]
I have to say, I was a little disappointed that they took a drink from the old "everyone starts firing and nobody gets shot except for cars" well.
posted by Rhomboid at 8:50 PM on September 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Rhomboid at 8:50 PM on September 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
But yeah, everything about that sequence with Hank just screamed "I'm about to die!"
posted by Rhomboid at 8:52 PM on September 8, 2013
posted by Rhomboid at 8:52 PM on September 8, 2013
So, who else has "She Blinded Me With Science" as their ringtone right now?
posted by tonycpsu at 9:00 PM on September 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by tonycpsu at 9:00 PM on September 8, 2013 [2 favorites]
Anyone else disagree with Sepinwall that "it's clear by now [Brock] has no idea Walt did anything to him"? I know they sat on the couch and played video games early in season 5 and Brock seemed oblivious, but this time it seems like Brock has some flicker of recognition, or suspicion - or we're meant to wonder if he does, anyway.
posted by mediareport at 9:40 PM on September 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mediareport at 9:40 PM on September 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Jack sees Jesse in the car and Jesse was just about to jump out of the car. The first chance they get to shoot Jesse, they'll take it. I guess we all just have to rely on the fact that Jack and crew apparently couldn't shoot a fish in a barrel.
posted by triggerfinger at 9:42 PM on September 8, 2013
posted by triggerfinger at 9:42 PM on September 8, 2013
OK, last week's police procedural creakiness was probably what was needed to cue things up to this point. Much more tension, more surprises. I had no clue what was happening with that offal package until the photo.
But seriously, with the major firepower those guys were toting, shouldn't several people have been Swiss cheese a few seconds into the shooting? I didn't expect much accuracy from any of those pistols -- sorry, Todd -- but those bigass long guns should have hit somebody, right?
posted by maudlin at 9:43 PM on September 8, 2013
But seriously, with the major firepower those guys were toting, shouldn't several people have been Swiss cheese a few seconds into the shooting? I didn't expect much accuracy from any of those pistols -- sorry, Todd -- but those bigass long guns should have hit somebody, right?
posted by maudlin at 9:43 PM on September 8, 2013
Mediareport, I disagree with Sepinwall. Brock looked like he clearly didn't like Walt. I think there's more to that.
posted by triggerfinger at 9:44 PM on September 8, 2013
posted by triggerfinger at 9:44 PM on September 8, 2013
I think someone shot Gomie and we don't know it yet. There was a second after the shooting started where the camera showed Gomie taking cover and all the gunfire sounds were really muffled and quiet for a sec, like he had gone deaf or something.
posted by triggerfinger at 9:47 PM on September 8, 2013
posted by triggerfinger at 9:47 PM on September 8, 2013
I know this is going to sound harsh, but I really don't give a crap what happens to Gomez. If they redshirt him while allowing everyone else to live, the whole setup was wasted. And believe me, I desperately don't want to see Hank die like that, but it will seem like an even bigger letdown if he lives, as they've established that Jack and his people are competent at murder and don't have the aim of a Star Wars stormtrooper. If there was any chance of Hank living, they would have had to have not opened fire.
posted by Rhomboid at 9:59 PM on September 8, 2013
posted by Rhomboid at 9:59 PM on September 8, 2013
Yes, let's talk about Brock. His behavior makes me think he has a secret about Walt he hasn't told anyone.
I read it more as simply that he doesn't like Walt because Walt is stiff and awkward around him. A contrast to Jesse who seems to have a very natural affinity with kids.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 10:23 PM on September 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
I read it more as simply that he doesn't like Walt because Walt is stiff and awkward around him. A contrast to Jesse who seems to have a very natural affinity with kids.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 10:23 PM on September 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
I desperately don't want to see Hank die like that, but it will seem like an even bigger letdown if he lives
I kind of want him to get the Ray Gillette treatment.
Also, I think it would be great if Lydia literally blinded Todd with science.
These are but two of the reasons I don't write drama for a living.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:24 PM on September 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
I kind of want him to get the Ray Gillette treatment.
Also, I think it would be great if Lydia literally blinded Todd with science.
These are but two of the reasons I don't write drama for a living.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:24 PM on September 8, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yes, let's talk about Brock. His behavior makes me think he has a secret about Walt he hasn't told anyone.
I read it more as simply that he doesn't like Walt because Walt is stiff and awkward around him.
I think these are both legit reads, and I hope the ambiguity is never cleared up.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:28 PM on September 8, 2013
I read it more as simply that he doesn't like Walt because Walt is stiff and awkward around him.
I think these are both legit reads, and I hope the ambiguity is never cleared up.
posted by Sys Rq at 10:28 PM on September 8, 2013
Criminy, those shooters couldn't hit the broad side of a cow house.
posted by maggieb at 11:21 PM on September 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by maggieb at 11:21 PM on September 8, 2013 [3 favorites]
What I want is for Jesse to somehow escape, with or without Walt's taped phone confessions, and team up with poor, sweet, purple Marie to expose Walt to the world. Hank I figure will die cursing Walt's name as he futilely apologizes a la Mike.
As for Gomez, I still dont understand why he's even involved in all this, narratively speaking. In fact i spent minutes at the end waiting for Gomez to suddenly turn on Hank and reveal his double agent status to the world.
posted by showbiz_liz at 1:41 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
As for Gomez, I still dont understand why he's even involved in all this, narratively speaking. In fact i spent minutes at the end waiting for Gomez to suddenly turn on Hank and reveal his double agent status to the world.
posted by showbiz_liz at 1:41 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
I want Hank to survive, though I grant I would be really, really pissed if he did because I cannot see how he can plausibly survive this. But if Hank and Gomez are both killed, I'm not clear on how Heisenberg can become a name of terror.
posted by jeather at 6:06 AM on September 9, 2013
posted by jeather at 6:06 AM on September 9, 2013
I was so conflicted. I fully expected Hank to die last night, but the whole time I wasn't sure how to feel about it. He's not a bad guy, but he's also not really the GOOD guy. Nobody is. Even Walt, who really is THE bad guy, I don't really want to die.
God damn this show fucks with my head like no other. I wonder if this is what it's like to be on meth.
posted by bondcliff at 6:16 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
God damn this show fucks with my head like no other. I wonder if this is what it's like to be on meth.
posted by bondcliff at 6:16 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Because what happens is always the opposite of what we think will happen this is my prediction: Jesse dies and Hank lives. At the very least both of them are wounded by gunfire.
posted by triggerfinger at 6:33 AM on September 9, 2013
posted by triggerfinger at 6:33 AM on September 9, 2013
I think Brock just doesn't like Walt in that way that kids have of shutting down intrusive, fake grown-ups. Walt oozes insincerity: Fruit Loops, good stuff. Every kid on the planet knows grown-ups don't think Fruit Loops are good stuff. And remember how much he loved Jesse.
posted by thinkpiece at 7:20 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by thinkpiece at 7:20 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
And after the call with Marie, I would be truly shocked if Hank (and Gomie) are alive. That was a chill-inducing "I love you."
posted by thinkpiece at 7:22 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by thinkpiece at 7:22 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Jesse, Hank, and Gomey all die, which sucks for Walt, who's been ready to pack it in for a while now (Skyler has twice had to push to keep him going as Heisenberg), but it's good, too. Those three know where the money is buried ("where Walt lives"), but the peckerwoods don't.
Todd probably catches a stray bullet, too, and now look who really needs a qualified meth cooker!
The Peckerwoods' marksmanship doesn't really mesh with the way they dispatched that other SW meth heavy, although surprise and overwhelming firepower are pretty effective, and so they didn't ever take the time to get better at it -- a lesson Walt from New Hampshire has learned, too, maybe.
Too many other good bits to mention (Chief Peckerwood sizing up Walt on the call: "Why don't you do it?"). So far so good.
posted by notyou at 7:46 AM on September 9, 2013
Todd probably catches a stray bullet, too, and now look who really needs a qualified meth cooker!
The Peckerwoods' marksmanship doesn't really mesh with the way they dispatched that other SW meth heavy, although surprise and overwhelming firepower are pretty effective, and so they didn't ever take the time to get better at it -- a lesson Walt from New Hampshire has learned, too, maybe.
Too many other good bits to mention (Chief Peckerwood sizing up Walt on the call: "Why don't you do it?"). So far so good.
posted by notyou at 7:46 AM on September 9, 2013
My joy during Jesse’s phone speech now tastes like ashes. I haven’t yelled NO at my TV so hard since a certain event in Wire S5. Or to resurrect my habit from the other thread:
HERE IS MY SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF LAST NIGHT’S BREAKING BAD: [45:58 of I DON’T EVEN FUCKING KNOW ANYMORE] FUCK. FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKK…
posted by sparkletone at 7:56 AM on September 9, 2013
HERE IS MY SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF LAST NIGHT’S BREAKING BAD: [45:58 of I DON’T EVEN FUCKING KNOW ANYMORE] FUCK. FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKK…
posted by sparkletone at 7:56 AM on September 9, 2013
How about that conflicted handshake with Uncle Jack? I mean, Cranston's hand deserves an Emmy, it was both electric and dead at the same time. Cripes.
posted by thinkpiece at 8:05 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by thinkpiece at 8:05 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
I know, Jesse's awesome speech and Hank finally getting Walt and . . .
"You two guys are just guys. OK. Mr. White – he's the devil. He is smarter than you, he is luckier than you. Whatever you think is supposed to happen, I'm telling you, the exact reverse opposite of that is going to happen."
We can't say we weren't warned.
posted by jeather at 8:23 AM on September 9, 2013 [6 favorites]
"You two guys are just guys. OK. Mr. White – he's the devil. He is smarter than you, he is luckier than you. Whatever you think is supposed to happen, I'm telling you, the exact reverse opposite of that is going to happen."
We can't say we weren't warned.
posted by jeather at 8:23 AM on September 9, 2013 [6 favorites]
As for Gomez, I still dont understand why he's even involved in all this, narratively speaking. In fact i spent minutes at the end waiting for Gomez to suddenly turn on Hank and reveal his double agent status to the world.
On the one hand I agree that it seems like we're missing a scene somewhere, but on the other it just seems like something the writing (or editing) team wouldn't just leave out. I hope that either it'll be explained later or that they made a scene too subtle, but even if that's not the case, it's like -10 points from at Hogwarts after winning both the Quidditch Cup and the House Cup.
posted by zombieflanders at 9:04 AM on September 9, 2013
On the one hand I agree that it seems like we're missing a scene somewhere, but on the other it just seems like something the writing (or editing) team wouldn't just leave out. I hope that either it'll be explained later or that they made a scene too subtle, but even if that's not the case, it's like -10 points from at Hogwarts after winning both the Quidditch Cup and the House Cup.
posted by zombieflanders at 9:04 AM on September 9, 2013
I'm so happy I found you all. I was hanging out here in despair all by myself.
posted by Defenestrator at 10:46 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Defenestrator at 10:46 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also, if Hank was going to die I really feel like they would have done it at the end of the episode. I think it would be pretty weird to start an episode with Hank getting shot and dying. His death needs to be a climactic scene for it to be narratively satisfying (regardless of whether you want him to die or not). Unless they do some kind of flashback for a while I just don't see it working.
My bet is on him being held hostage and used as leverage to getting Walt to cook for them again. Jesse somehow escapes and finds himself trying to free both of them? I don't know, none of my predictions have been even remotely close so far so I don't even know why I try anymore.
posted by Defenestrator at 11:01 AM on September 9, 2013
My bet is on him being held hostage and used as leverage to getting Walt to cook for them again. Jesse somehow escapes and finds himself trying to free both of them? I don't know, none of my predictions have been even remotely close so far so I don't even know why I try anymore.
posted by Defenestrator at 11:01 AM on September 9, 2013
Also, if Hank was going to die I really feel like they would have done it at the end of the episode.
So do I. It was small comfort in the moments after I finished the episode last night though.
One thing that Gilligan and the other writers have mentioned several times in interviews/on the insider podcast is that they enjoy writing themselves into impossible-seeming corners without necessarily knowing how they're going to get out of it. I can just imagine them sitting around the writers room and deciding they've finished breaking this week's episode and thinking, "WELP. WE REALLY DID IT THIS TIME, DIDN'T WE."
... And then spent days working out however the hell they're going to get out of this.
posted by sparkletone at 11:19 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
So do I. It was small comfort in the moments after I finished the episode last night though.
One thing that Gilligan and the other writers have mentioned several times in interviews/on the insider podcast is that they enjoy writing themselves into impossible-seeming corners without necessarily knowing how they're going to get out of it. I can just imagine them sitting around the writers room and deciding they've finished breaking this week's episode and thinking, "WELP. WE REALLY DID IT THIS TIME, DIDN'T WE."
... And then spent days working out however the hell they're going to get out of this.
posted by sparkletone at 11:19 AM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
One thing that Gilligan and the other writers have mentioned several times in interviews/on the insider podcast is that they enjoy writing themselves into impossible-seeming corners without necessarily knowing how they're going to get out of it.
I've been working on a writing project since January, and seeing this happen week after week on BrBa has inspired me in my own writing practice. Subverting expectations, forcing the plot into impossible corners, showing not telling, flipping the script every. single. time. It's really been exhilirating to watch, and to try and achieve myself!
The writers are on a high-wire and in control. The writers know better than the audience, and understand that if they do their jobs right, the audience will be carried by elegance of the storytelling, the internal elegance, enough to stay on this heart-stopping ride.
In the immortal words of Jesse: "Whatever you think is supposed to happen, the exact reverse opposite of that is gonna happen."
The exact reverse opposite. Inspiring!
posted by thinkpiece at 11:37 AM on September 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
I've been working on a writing project since January, and seeing this happen week after week on BrBa has inspired me in my own writing practice. Subverting expectations, forcing the plot into impossible corners, showing not telling, flipping the script every. single. time. It's really been exhilirating to watch, and to try and achieve myself!
The writers are on a high-wire and in control. The writers know better than the audience, and understand that if they do their jobs right, the audience will be carried by elegance of the storytelling, the internal elegance, enough to stay on this heart-stopping ride.
In the immortal words of Jesse: "Whatever you think is supposed to happen, the exact reverse opposite of that is gonna happen."
The exact reverse opposite. Inspiring!
posted by thinkpiece at 11:37 AM on September 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
A river of expletives rivaling sparkletone's recaps spilled out of my mouth at the end of this episode. Jesus, my heart.
It's crazy how completely engrossing they managed to make the drama of Walt's downfall in the desert, despite the flashforward that began this season. We know he gets out of it, yet that moment with Walt behind the rock, in tears, utterly defeated, was amazing.
I know a lot of bad, manipulative shit has happened to him at Walt's hands, but Jesse is really unappealing right now. His smile when they put the cuffs on Walt turned my stomach.
And yeah, what was the deal with Walt popping into the car wash with Holly?
Gomie's definitely had it, and most likely Hank too. Which is why Walt (and family, probably) will have to skip town: Marie will have some idea of what went down, and will go right to the DEA with what she knows.
So who does Walt come back from New Hampshire to save? I will bet Jesse. But I'm always wrong.
I. Love. This. Show.
posted by Paris Elk at 2:14 PM on September 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
It's crazy how completely engrossing they managed to make the drama of Walt's downfall in the desert, despite the flashforward that began this season. We know he gets out of it, yet that moment with Walt behind the rock, in tears, utterly defeated, was amazing.
I know a lot of bad, manipulative shit has happened to him at Walt's hands, but Jesse is really unappealing right now. His smile when they put the cuffs on Walt turned my stomach.
And yeah, what was the deal with Walt popping into the car wash with Holly?
Gomie's definitely had it, and most likely Hank too. Which is why Walt (and family, probably) will have to skip town: Marie will have some idea of what went down, and will go right to the DEA with what she knows.
So who does Walt come back from New Hampshire to save? I will bet Jesse. But I'm always wrong.
I. Love. This. Show.
posted by Paris Elk at 2:14 PM on September 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
Paris Elk: "I know a lot of bad, manipulative shit has happened to him at Walt's hands, but Jesse is really unappealing right now. His smile when they put the cuffs on Walt turned my stomach."
Not me. I was smiling right along with him. Even the spit in the face was satisfying to me.
I'm sure you're not alone though. I think they've somehow kept Walt just sympathetic enough to garner that reaction for many.
posted by Defenestrator at 2:21 PM on September 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
Not me. I was smiling right along with him. Even the spit in the face was satisfying to me.
I'm sure you're not alone though. I think they've somehow kept Walt just sympathetic enough to garner that reaction for many.
posted by Defenestrator at 2:21 PM on September 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
That look was payback to "he can't just keep getting away with it!!" and it really worked for me.
posted by Rhomboid at 2:29 PM on September 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Rhomboid at 2:29 PM on September 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
Yeah, totally. Jesse working Walt over in that phone call in the car and Jesse spitting in Walt's face after Walt called him a coward were hugely satisfying moments. The real stomach-turning bit was when we saw the doubt on Jesse's face, when we realized just how badly he - still - wanted Walt's approval.
The two of them teaming up one last time to fuck the Nazis would be great to see, but yeah, the fact that I'm thinking that makes me also think it'll never happen, given how consistently surprising these last few episodes have been.
(I still think we'll see at least something about how Hank got Gomez involved.)
posted by mediareport at 2:38 PM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
The two of them teaming up one last time to fuck the Nazis would be great to see, but yeah, the fact that I'm thinking that makes me also think it'll never happen, given how consistently surprising these last few episodes have been.
(I still think we'll see at least something about how Hank got Gomez involved.)
posted by mediareport at 2:38 PM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Jesse had his change of heart after he saw Walt hollering at the Peckerwoods to back off; it's Jesse's first inkling of what we've seen already. Walt is a retired devil and willing to surrender and maybe repent (Skyler talked him out of it on the bathroom floor; she pushed him to go after Jesse later). His heart's not in it anymore.
For Walt's hubris to really hit him and lay him low, he has to lose significant important things: Hank and Jesse.
For him to have any opportunity at redemption post-New Hampshire, he has to have something pure to exchange his life for: Walt Jr and Baby Holly.
posted by notyou at 3:21 PM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
For Walt's hubris to really hit him and lay him low, he has to lose significant important things: Hank and Jesse.
For him to have any opportunity at redemption post-New Hampshire, he has to have something pure to exchange his life for: Walt Jr and Baby Holly.
posted by notyou at 3:21 PM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Jesse had his change of heart after he saw Walt hollering at the Peckerwoods to back off
No, I don't think that's true. Go back and watch the scene; Jesse's clearly having moments of self-doubt as he watches Walt being arrested, before the Peckerwoods show up. It's a testament to how strong Walt's emotional hold is for him.
posted by mediareport at 3:35 PM on September 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
No, I don't think that's true. Go back and watch the scene; Jesse's clearly having moments of self-doubt as he watches Walt being arrested, before the Peckerwoods show up. It's a testament to how strong Walt's emotional hold is for him.
posted by mediareport at 3:35 PM on September 9, 2013 [2 favorites]
The actor who played Gomez was on Talking Bad last night and was asked about how Hank got him involved so he talked about it a little. He basically was saying how Gomez is a by-the-book, facts based guy and he talked about how they worked a lot with DEA agents to prepare for their roles and how the agents spend months and months putting together a good case before taking any initial action. I was kind of wondering why he would say that when it seems like that's exactly what did not happen on BB. So maybe there is more to come on how that whole initial conversation went down.
He also said that Gomez is the only character in the show that does not break bad. I don't know if he was considering Flynn when he said that but it's an interesting thought.
Was That the Worst Marksmanship in Movie and TV History?
posted by triggerfinger at 3:58 PM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
He also said that Gomez is the only character in the show that does not break bad. I don't know if he was considering Flynn when he said that but it's an interesting thought.
Was That the Worst Marksmanship in Movie and TV History?
posted by triggerfinger at 3:58 PM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also, there was a lot of blue in last night's episode. Walter was wearing a blue shirt and his tan jacket had a blue lining. Several shots of Hank from below showing his head against a bright blue sky. Lydia wearing the same blue jacket from a few episodes ago and in the aerial shot while she walking away from Todd to the car, everything was kind of desert-colored except two cars in the parking lot - bright red and blue (Lydia got in the red one). Lots of talk about the color of Todd's batch of meth.
posted by triggerfinger at 4:04 PM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by triggerfinger at 4:04 PM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Fair enough, mediareport. The show's too well written for Jesse to do something out of character; if, as you say, he was reverting back to the old emotional patterns with Walt, that's because that's who he is. So is flying off the handle and then coming back to Walt's side. The stakes just keep getting higher.
I'm still going with important-to-Walt people begin dying soon; chickens coming home to roost.
posted by notyou at 4:09 PM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
I'm still going with important-to-Walt people begin dying soon; chickens coming home to roost.
posted by notyou at 4:09 PM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
Shots of Jesse were very sparse once Uncle Jack and Co. rode in. The last two were inside Walt's car with Jesse reaching for the passenger-side door handle just before the bullets began flying. After that no Jesse. Even the wide shots kept Walt's car at the edge of the frame. (I don't have a widescreen tv so maybe some of you could see more than me.) I'm wondering if maybe Jesse drops out of the car and skedaddles away unharmed. Leaving him to come back to help Hank and Gomez in the aftermath. ?
posted by maggieb at 5:03 PM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by maggieb at 5:03 PM on September 9, 2013 [1 favorite]
The show's too well written for Jesse to do something out of character; if, as you say, he was reverting back to the old emotional patterns with Walt, that's because that's who he is.
The most important point for me is that "who Jesse is" is someone who has a really tough time watching suffering. So when he's viciously tricking Walt over the phone he's fine, but actually seeing the results on someone he knows, right there in front of him? He can't help but feel sympathy for the asshole, and guilt over what he's done. I think the scene makes that clear.
Was That the Worst Marksmanship in Movie and TV History?
That was a pretty muddled piece. Its main point - that police accuracy when firing with handguns at real-life targets is 30% or less - isn't relevant at all to the main complaint I (and apparently lots of other folks) had about the scene: the Peckerwood arsenal opening up first would have at least hit and probably killed both DEA men right away, who didn't make it to the cover of the vehicle until *after* the scene showed dozens of bullets flying. It was a rare moment of Hollywood-style bullshit, and cold-ending the show in the middle of the scene only highlighted that.
posted by mediareport at 5:11 PM on September 9, 2013 [5 favorites]
The most important point for me is that "who Jesse is" is someone who has a really tough time watching suffering. So when he's viciously tricking Walt over the phone he's fine, but actually seeing the results on someone he knows, right there in front of him? He can't help but feel sympathy for the asshole, and guilt over what he's done. I think the scene makes that clear.
Was That the Worst Marksmanship in Movie and TV History?
That was a pretty muddled piece. Its main point - that police accuracy when firing with handguns at real-life targets is 30% or less - isn't relevant at all to the main complaint I (and apparently lots of other folks) had about the scene: the Peckerwood arsenal opening up first would have at least hit and probably killed both DEA men right away, who didn't make it to the cover of the vehicle until *after* the scene showed dozens of bullets flying. It was a rare moment of Hollywood-style bullshit, and cold-ending the show in the middle of the scene only highlighted that.
posted by mediareport at 5:11 PM on September 9, 2013 [5 favorites]
Here's my stab at how things will pick up again next week:
-Gomez has been hit, and dies.
-Walt is able to break through to call for a cease-fire. He brokers a deal to let Hank live in exchange for cooking with Todd, but they can't let Hank go so they take him as a prisoner.
-Jesse is forgotten during all of this and sneaks off into the hills.
-When Walt is missing for an extended period of time, Skyler releases the confession CD.
-As that is happening, Jesse finds his way back into ABQ and explains what happened to Marie. Enlisting the help of Badger & Skinny 'Mad Benjis' Pete, they are the ones to trash the White house and spray paint HEISENBERG on the wall.
-None of what I predicted will be close to the truth, but damn do I want to see Marie & The Gang unleash the fury.
posted by mannequito at 6:43 PM on September 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
-Gomez has been hit, and dies.
-Walt is able to break through to call for a cease-fire. He brokers a deal to let Hank live in exchange for cooking with Todd, but they can't let Hank go so they take him as a prisoner.
-Jesse is forgotten during all of this and sneaks off into the hills.
-When Walt is missing for an extended period of time, Skyler releases the confession CD.
-As that is happening, Jesse finds his way back into ABQ and explains what happened to Marie. Enlisting the help of Badger & Skinny 'Mad Benjis' Pete, they are the ones to trash the White house and spray paint HEISENBERG on the wall.
-None of what I predicted will be close to the truth, but damn do I want to see Marie & The Gang unleash the fury.
posted by mannequito at 6:43 PM on September 9, 2013 [3 favorites]
Yes, I was so excited and happy for Jesse for once. Walt wasn't a step ahead of him this time!
Now I'm wondering where Huell and Saul are. And also about the Brock connection.
Gomez went with Hank and Jesse, so he wasn't keeping tabs on Huell any more. Did Huell show up at Saul's with an OMG, WALT KILLED JESSE AND HE'S COMING FOR ME narrative? Is there any way Saul and Huell end up in that desert?
And Brock...yeah, Brock hates Walt. He was listening to every word of that kitchen conversation. I feel like Brock's going to cause something to happen. Like somehow everyone else will be dead and Walt will think he's handled it all, and then Brock will show up and point a gun at him, say, "This is for my friend Jesse!"
And as the screen goes black, we hear the shot ring out and the final credits roll.
posted by misha at 12:13 AM on September 10, 2013
Now I'm wondering where Huell and Saul are. And also about the Brock connection.
Gomez went with Hank and Jesse, so he wasn't keeping tabs on Huell any more. Did Huell show up at Saul's with an OMG, WALT KILLED JESSE AND HE'S COMING FOR ME narrative? Is there any way Saul and Huell end up in that desert?
And Brock...yeah, Brock hates Walt. He was listening to every word of that kitchen conversation. I feel like Brock's going to cause something to happen. Like somehow everyone else will be dead and Walt will think he's handled it all, and then Brock will show up and point a gun at him, say, "This is for my friend Jesse!"
And as the screen goes black, we hear the shot ring out and the final credits roll.
posted by misha at 12:13 AM on September 10, 2013
Mannequito, I'm with you on the first two. But can Jesse really sneak away? They're in the middle of fucking nowhere. If sneaking was possible, wouldn't Walt have tried?
I don't know what will happen to Jesse, but maybe Hank the prisoner is who Walt comes back to save in the end. Somehow risking his life for his nemesis is even more compelling than doing it for his kids as notyou suggests.
Also, the Peckerwoods now know where the money is. As long as Head Pecker doesn't wash his hands. Which doesn't seem like a big risk.
posted by Paris Elk at 12:20 AM on September 10, 2013
I don't know what will happen to Jesse, but maybe Hank the prisoner is who Walt comes back to save in the end. Somehow risking his life for his nemesis is even more compelling than doing it for his kids as notyou suggests.
Also, the Peckerwoods now know where the money is. As long as Head Pecker doesn't wash his hands. Which doesn't seem like a big risk.
posted by Paris Elk at 12:20 AM on September 10, 2013
Oh! And what if the fake photo Hank took of Jesse is a way for the writers to give the fans what they want--provide Jesse with an escape route so he can start over?
Say Hank and Gomez don't make it out of the gunfight, but Jesse escapes somehow. Then he uses the photo to convince Walt (who hasn't seen it, right?) that he committed suicide or something.
And then Brock sees the photo, also thinks it is real, and goes after Walt (the idea of Brock taking out Walt is really appealing to me).
posted by misha at 12:25 AM on September 10, 2013
Say Hank and Gomez don't make it out of the gunfight, but Jesse escapes somehow. Then he uses the photo to convince Walt (who hasn't seen it, right?) that he committed suicide or something.
And then Brock sees the photo, also thinks it is real, and goes after Walt (the idea of Brock taking out Walt is really appealing to me).
posted by misha at 12:25 AM on September 10, 2013
Paris Elk: "Mannequito, I'm with you on the first two. But can Jesse really sneak away? They're in the middle of fucking nowhere. If sneaking was possible, wouldn't Walt have tried?
Also, the Peckerwoods now know where the money is. As long as Head Pecker doesn't wash his hands. Which doesn't seem like a big risk."
They can't be that far out can they? The Peckerwoods (is that like a general term for these guys, or is it a Mefi thing? Because I fucking love it) got there in a half hour or so. Walt didn't leave because Jesse was right, they got him where he really lives, and knowing they had his money killed the urge to run.
And the Peckerwoods don't necessarily know that there's money buried there I don't think, all they know is Walt called them and told them to come out there to get Jesse.
posted by mannequito at 12:56 AM on September 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also, the Peckerwoods now know where the money is. As long as Head Pecker doesn't wash his hands. Which doesn't seem like a big risk."
They can't be that far out can they? The Peckerwoods (is that like a general term for these guys, or is it a Mefi thing? Because I fucking love it) got there in a half hour or so. Walt didn't leave because Jesse was right, they got him where he really lives, and knowing they had his money killed the urge to run.
And the Peckerwoods don't necessarily know that there's money buried there I don't think, all they know is Walt called them and told them to come out there to get Jesse.
posted by mannequito at 12:56 AM on September 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
And then Brock sees the photo, also thinks it is real, and goes after Walt (the idea of Brock taking out Walt is really appealing to me).
Brock is, what, six? Seven? In the show's continuity. I just don't see them having a kid shoot Walt. This isn't The Wire. While unexpected for sure, I don't see any way to set that up that's narratively satisfying to me and I would guess to many others.
posted by sparkletone at 11:31 AM on September 10, 2013
Brock is, what, six? Seven? In the show's continuity. I just don't see them having a kid shoot Walt. This isn't The Wire. While unexpected for sure, I don't see any way to set that up that's narratively satisfying to me and I would guess to many others.
posted by sparkletone at 11:31 AM on September 10, 2013
The Peckerwoods (is that like a general term for these guys, or is it a Mefi thing?)
Yes, it's a general term for Aryan Brotherhood types that evolved out of Southern slang for poor whites. A while ago on Mefi I shared a funny story about hearing it for the first time.
posted by notyou at 12:52 PM on September 10, 2013
Yes, it's a general term for Aryan Brotherhood types that evolved out of Southern slang for poor whites. A while ago on Mefi I shared a funny story about hearing it for the first time.
posted by notyou at 12:52 PM on September 10, 2013
showbiz_liz -- poor, sweet, purple Marie
Yes! I mean I hope you are right. Can you imagine a possee consisting of Marie, Jesse, Badger and Skinny Pete? Good grief, there be a whole 'nother extra season. On the other hand, this _is_ Breaking Bad so it is time for Marie to step up. Marie, as we know already acts out in creative ways when she is stressed. Throw a dead or missing Hank at her, she may well murder them all including Vince.
posted by maggieb at 2:31 PM on September 10, 2013
Yes! I mean I hope you are right. Can you imagine a possee consisting of Marie, Jesse, Badger and Skinny Pete? Good grief, there be a whole 'nother extra season. On the other hand, this _is_ Breaking Bad so it is time for Marie to step up. Marie, as we know already acts out in creative ways when she is stressed. Throw a dead or missing Hank at her, she may well murder them all including Vince.
posted by maggieb at 2:31 PM on September 10, 2013
The only people who know that's where the money is are Walt, Jesse, Hank and Gomie. Walt didn't tell the swastika-necks why they were at those coordinates. What they do know is this: Walt and Jesse are the only ones who can cook the blue. Jesse's weakness is Brock and Andrea. They know where Brock and Andrea live. They also know Walt's real name and Lydia knows about the car wash--they could easily find his family.
posted by lovecrafty at 4:23 PM on September 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by lovecrafty at 4:23 PM on September 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
I made a six second clip of Science! available here for a limited time. Or memail me.
posted by maggieb at 7:01 PM on September 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by maggieb at 7:01 PM on September 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's too bad Hank and Gomez don't know those guys need Walt. Using him as a shield would put a stop to the shooting.
posted by Big_B at 9:15 PM on September 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Big_B at 9:15 PM on September 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
Re-watching: the shootout scene also an obvious continuity error, the rear drivers side window explodes in a shot from under Walt, but 3 seconds later from outside it's whole.
Yes, it's a general term for Aryan Brotherhood types that evolved out of Southern slang for poor whites. A while ago on Mefi I shared a funny story about hearing it for the first time.
I asked the Internet and it worked!
posted by mannequito at 12:33 AM on September 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yes, it's a general term for Aryan Brotherhood types that evolved out of Southern slang for poor whites. A while ago on Mefi I shared a funny story about hearing it for the first time.
I asked the Internet and it worked!
posted by mannequito at 12:33 AM on September 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
Fear not. For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
posted by sparkletone at 1:50 PM on September 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by sparkletone at 1:50 PM on September 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
That makes me more afraid for Saul Goodman, but happier for Bob Odenkirk (and hopefully Lavell Crawford and Bill Burr). I wouldn't mind seeing Jonathan Banks getting more work, either.
posted by zombieflanders at 2:00 PM on September 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by zombieflanders at 2:00 PM on September 11, 2013 [1 favorite]
Aw, come on! Origin story!
It could be just like Alice. Gus would be Mel, and Saul would be Alice, a recent widow in a new city supporting himself and his young son (let's call him Todd because seriously Todd could totally be his son y'all) by working in a restaurant. Plus maybe he's studying law I guess.
It practically writes itself!
(I don't know what "kiss my grits" is in Spanish, but someone's gonna have to say it a lot.)
posted by Sys Rq at 4:21 PM on September 11, 2013
It could be just like Alice. Gus would be Mel, and Saul would be Alice, a recent widow in a new city supporting himself and his young son (let's call him Todd because seriously Todd could totally be his son y'all) by working in a restaurant. Plus maybe he's studying law I guess.
It practically writes itself!
(I don't know what "kiss my grits" is in Spanish, but someone's gonna have to say it a lot.)
posted by Sys Rq at 4:21 PM on September 11, 2013
Jimmy Fallon does a 13 minute parody with loads of cameos. (Spot the bunny!)
Peter Watts wonders about Jesse's cigarettes-ricin epiphany.
posted by maudlin at 8:01 AM on September 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
Peter Watts wonders about Jesse's cigarettes-ricin epiphany.
posted by maudlin at 8:01 AM on September 12, 2013 [2 favorites]
My god there's ANOTHER thread?
posted by Defenestrator at 10:52 PM on September 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Defenestrator at 10:52 PM on September 14, 2013 [1 favorite]
I like Grangousier's line of thinking, although I can't really picture Hank and Jesse plotting together. I think each of them has to do what he's gotta do to avenge everything he's lost. There are no more alliances. So deep.
I like the diner theory too! Walt is letting himself be smoked out on purpose. I think that AB has vandalized 308 Negra Arroyo Lane (rather than random kids). I think they would scrawl Heisenberg on the wall knowing Walt would go home at some point. They are telling him they will swap ... Hank? Marie? Skyler? (I have a delusion that the kids will stay safe) ... for Heisenberg, the cook.
Ack, what will take the place of BrBa in my life, I don't know.
posted by thinkpiece at 4:08 AM on September 15, 2013
I like the diner theory too! Walt is letting himself be smoked out on purpose. I think that AB has vandalized 308 Negra Arroyo Lane (rather than random kids). I think they would scrawl Heisenberg on the wall knowing Walt would go home at some point. They are telling him they will swap ... Hank? Marie? Skyler? (I have a delusion that the kids will stay safe) ... for Heisenberg, the cook.
Ack, what will take the place of BrBa in my life, I don't know.
posted by thinkpiece at 4:08 AM on September 15, 2013
Jesus. Heartbroken. First time I've ever actually been grateful for Todd's presence.
posted by triggerfinger at 6:25 PM on September 15, 2013
posted by triggerfinger at 6:25 PM on September 15, 2013
I found the Todd thing implausible.
Oh, Marie being sympathetic to Skyler is so painful.
posted by jeather at 6:33 PM on September 15, 2013
Oh, Marie being sympathetic to Skyler is so painful.
posted by jeather at 6:33 PM on September 15, 2013
And it looks like he's gonna be a sadistic little fuck about it, too.
posted by zombieflanders at 6:37 PM on September 15, 2013
posted by zombieflanders at 6:37 PM on September 15, 2013
Oh, no, poor Jesse, poor Flynn. No.
posted by thinkpiece at 6:42 PM on September 15, 2013
posted by thinkpiece at 6:42 PM on September 15, 2013
Yeah, once we got to that scene I understood. Todd has always been a psychopath.
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair indeed.
posted by jeather at 6:43 PM on September 15, 2013
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair indeed.
posted by jeather at 6:43 PM on September 15, 2013
OMG. OMG! I'm shaking!!!!!!
posted by thinkpiece at 6:50 PM on September 15, 2013
posted by thinkpiece at 6:50 PM on September 15, 2013
I'm actually speechless. I can't find words.
posted by triggerfinger at 6:51 PM on September 15, 2013
posted by triggerfinger at 6:51 PM on September 15, 2013
Give baby Holly an Emmy, too.
posted by maggieb at 6:55 PM on September 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by maggieb at 6:55 PM on September 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
West coast people should be avoiding this thread.
I of course didn't think about this beforehand, but of course the episode named Ozymandias has to be the major turning point of the season, where things go from king of kings to the lone and level sands.
Poor Marie.
posted by jeather at 6:55 PM on September 15, 2013
I of course didn't think about this beforehand, but of course the episode named Ozymandias has to be the major turning point of the season, where things go from king of kings to the lone and level sands.
Poor Marie.
posted by jeather at 6:55 PM on September 15, 2013
Wow, Walt did TWO nice things this episode. One of them might even work.
posted by jeather at 6:57 PM on September 15, 2013
posted by jeather at 6:57 PM on September 15, 2013
He's getting her off the hook!
posted by triggerfinger at 6:58 PM on September 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by triggerfinger at 6:58 PM on September 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
Oh, wow. She gets it.
posted by thinkpiece at 7:00 PM on September 15, 2013
posted by thinkpiece at 7:00 PM on September 15, 2013
Was that a rabid dog that just walked across the road?
posted by bondcliff at 7:04 PM on September 15, 2013
posted by bondcliff at 7:04 PM on September 15, 2013
I can believe this piece of Low Winter Crap keeps harshing my high, ugh.
posted by thinkpiece at 7:04 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by thinkpiece at 7:04 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
A stray dog, anyway. In contrast to the rabid dog, who is now on a leash.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:05 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Sys Rq at 7:05 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
I cannot believe I feel sorry for Walt again. I know he is a monster, but still.
posted by jeather at 7:06 PM on September 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by jeather at 7:06 PM on September 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
I think it's time to check out this Silk Road thing all the kids are talking about these days, because I'm gonna need a shitload of barbiturates to survive two more episodes of this.
posted by zombieflanders at 7:06 PM on September 15, 2013
posted by zombieflanders at 7:06 PM on September 15, 2013
Wtf was that?! That episode was all over the place and not in a good way. Once Hank died it felt like all the air went out of the show and almost every thing after was highly contrived.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:24 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:24 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Maybe you changed the channel by accident. (To Showtime, maybe?)
posted by Sys Rq at 7:30 PM on September 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Sys Rq at 7:30 PM on September 15, 2013 [2 favorites]
Brandon, that is probably the wrongest thing anybody has ever said on this web site. And we used to have Wolfdreams01 as a member.
posted by Rory Marinich at 7:31 PM on September 15, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by Rory Marinich at 7:31 PM on September 15, 2013 [7 favorites]
In all honesty though, I did feel the whole 'telling Junior' scene was a bit iffy.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:33 PM on September 15, 2013
posted by Sys Rq at 7:33 PM on September 15, 2013
Yeah, I wish they'd just let Junior be in total confusion and/or shock at the scene at the house and just gone from there. Like, where he and Marie are just total and complete opposites in terms of reaction. Her breaking down and him basically going catatonic would have been a great contrast.
BTW, apparently this was another episode from Looper and Brick director Rian Johnson, who also did "Fly" and "Fifty-One" for the show.
posted by zombieflanders at 7:37 PM on September 15, 2013
BTW, apparently this was another episode from Looper and Brick director Rian Johnson, who also did "Fly" and "Fifty-One" for the show.
posted by zombieflanders at 7:37 PM on September 15, 2013
Brandon, that is probably the wrongest thing anybody has ever said on this web site.
Not shooting Jesse made little sense.
Not shooting him after torturing him made little sense.
Skyler being bullied by Marie made no sense. The knife fight was crazy, along with taking Holly.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:41 PM on September 15, 2013
Not shooting Jesse made little sense.
Not shooting him after torturing him made little sense.
Skyler being bullied by Marie made no sense. The knife fight was crazy, along with taking Holly.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:41 PM on September 15, 2013
Not shooting Jesse made little sense.
He can make the meth blue.
Not shooting him after torturing him made little sense.
He can make the meth blue.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:42 PM on September 15, 2013 [7 favorites]
He can make the meth blue.
Not shooting him after torturing him made little sense.
He can make the meth blue.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:42 PM on September 15, 2013 [7 favorites]
He can make the meth blue.
Sure, but Walt wanted him dead. That he suddenly is like "oh ok, torture and them kill him, fine" rang false
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:55 PM on September 15, 2013
Sure, but Walt wanted him dead. That he suddenly is like "oh ok, torture and them kill him, fine" rang false
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:55 PM on September 15, 2013
GOING TO FORGO MY USUAL REVIEW FORMAT BECAUSE I AM TOO UPSET TO SCROLL AROUND FOR THE TEMPLATE. NKIUERFIUSHRFLUAISHFAUNILASRFHLIUEARFOINAERFNOA.
I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I WAS SIMULTANEOUSLY SO UPSET AND YET SO NARRATIVELY SATISFIED. JUST FUCK. FFFFUUUUUCCCCKKKKKKKK.
posted by sparkletone at 7:55 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I WAS SIMULTANEOUSLY SO UPSET AND YET SO NARRATIVELY SATISFIED. JUST FUCK. FFFFUUUUUCCCCKKKKKKKK.
posted by sparkletone at 7:55 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Walter White: secret MRA.
posted by sparkletone at 8:04 PM on September 15, 2013
posted by sparkletone at 8:04 PM on September 15, 2013
Walter White: wounded heartbreaking awful stupid arrogant child. Ifehriofeoihfoeeinfalidnf
posted by sparkletone at 8:07 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by sparkletone at 8:07 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Sure, but Walt wanted him dead. That he suddenly is like "oh ok, torture and them kill him, fine" rang false
He didn't really have a whole lot to bargain with, other than questioning the neonazis' honour.
They left him with his life and a barrel full of money as compensation. That seems more than fair.
posted by Sys Rq at 8:09 PM on September 15, 2013
He didn't really have a whole lot to bargain with, other than questioning the neonazis' honour.
They left him with his life and a barrel full of money as compensation. That seems more than fair.
posted by Sys Rq at 8:09 PM on September 15, 2013
Last thought: death to false cliffhangers. We got sucker punched and then some. Just Jesus fucking Christ.
posted by sparkletone at 8:09 PM on September 15, 2013
posted by sparkletone at 8:09 PM on September 15, 2013
FYI, even more discussion going on at the even newer Breaking Bad FPP.
posted by jeather at 8:20 PM on September 15, 2013
posted by jeather at 8:20 PM on September 15, 2013
As I calm down: I agree that the telling Walt jr scene was hurried. I blame that on this being 8 and not 13 episodes. It was very good but also very rushed.
I also agree the knife fight was "crazy" but it made emotional sense. Yes I mostly need characters to behave in normal ways or at least like themselves, but the context made it work for me. They're all so far past sanity at that point that her drive to protect the kids from Walt.... Logical sense no, but who is ever fucking rational 100% of the time? It made, like I said, emotional sense.
And wow. I was talking about tonight with one of the security guys at my favorite night club, and I had more than I expected right but so much wrong in the details....... And once I'm out of shell shock, I get to go pointedly not talk about it with him or several other people ell oh ell.
posted by sparkletone at 8:24 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
I also agree the knife fight was "crazy" but it made emotional sense. Yes I mostly need characters to behave in normal ways or at least like themselves, but the context made it work for me. They're all so far past sanity at that point that her drive to protect the kids from Walt.... Logical sense no, but who is ever fucking rational 100% of the time? It made, like I said, emotional sense.
And wow. I was talking about tonight with one of the security guys at my favorite night club, and I had more than I expected right but so much wrong in the details....... And once I'm out of shell shock, I get to go pointedly not talk about it with him or several other people ell oh ell.
posted by sparkletone at 8:24 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Jesus I cried several times. Fuck, this show man. This show.
Jack might not care about making the meth blue now that he's got 70 million dollars, but Todd does. Because Lydia wants the meth blue. And creepy fucker Todd is into Lydia.
Jesus, Jesse. He's got no one at all now. My wee shriveled black heart is breaking for him.
posted by lovecrafty at 9:34 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
Jack might not care about making the meth blue now that he's got 70 million dollars, but Todd does. Because Lydia wants the meth blue. And creepy fucker Todd is into Lydia.
Jesus, Jesse. He's got no one at all now. My wee shriveled black heart is breaking for him.
posted by lovecrafty at 9:34 PM on September 15, 2013 [1 favorite]
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"Yes I'm Hank, and Hank's on the case!"
posted by Paris Elk at 2:01 AM on September 6, 2013