Breaking Bad: Fifty One
"All I can do is wait..."
I was so thrilled just to see Rian Johnson's name in the credits again. Every episode looks great but he puts a strange sinister beauty into this one just as he did with my beloved Fly. I ranked my Top 10 Breaking Bad episodes earlier this week. This is the first S5 episode that'd probably break into that list somewhere. It was just so horrifying and yet gorgeous.
Damn. Skyler White told her husband straight out that she is waiting for him to die of cancer. There have already been some epic Walt/Skyler confrontations but that bedroom scene...DAMN. The cold war in the White household has been one of the darkest aspects of S5 and it disturbs me more each episode. I was hoping that Skyler would find a way to get the kids to Hank and Marie's house, even if she had to make herself seem like the crazy dangerous parent. But now she's alone with Walt, all I can think about is that ricin hidden in the walls and how Walt could make it look like suicide. *shudders* I've been preparing myself for the possibility of Mike's death in the front eight but I'm starting to think I need to fear for Skyler too. I really do believe that her children will end up being raised by Hank/Marie (please please, let them survive at least). For Skyler herself I think she'll either die, go to jail or ask Saul to help her disappear (or my fantasy - Skyler running away with Saul!). Until this week I'd been thinking the third option was most likely. Before S5 began I wouldn't have believed they'd ever have Skyler being murdered by Walt but now I can see it as a real possibility. I wonder if she'll even try to off him first. But whether Skyler takes action or sticks to waiting...we all know Walt is still alive one year from now. I can't see Skyler taking another year of this.
Then there's Jesse giving Walt a birthday present and I just...I...*bursts into tears, screams into a pillow, walks slowly into a swimming pool* ...I can't cope with this kid anymore. But I loved that Walt seemed touched by Jesse's gift because while Walt is now a monstrous sociopath who uses and abuses everyone around him, Walt still craves love and admiration for himself. As much as people refer to Jesse as Walt's surrogate son, right now Walt is still getting a good share of blind adoration from Walter Jr. Not to sound too slashy, but Jesse is becoming more and more like a surrogate wife to Walt. frenchani mentioned last week, the last meth making montage with Walt/Jesse was so harmonious, it was actually romantic and even sensual. On an emotional level, Jesse is giving Walt everything he'd wanted from Skyler - from Jesse's tearful apology for wronging Walt, to trusting that Walt's plans will keep them safe, to now giving Walt his only surprise birthday treat. Which for Walt/Jesse is more like an anniversary gift really, marking their one year partnership. And then Walt bragging about his new watch to Skyler all "See? Someone still loves me." was perfect. For a moment, I wondered if Walt was going to tell her it was from Jesse, that kid Skyler thought was dealing her husband weed a year ago. I do wonder if Walt telling Skyler about Jesse almost killing him will turn out to be a fatal error - if Jesse and Skyler ever cross paths and if Skyler asks Jesse about the time he almost killed Walt and Jesse tells Skyler about Brock's poisoning...would Skyler remember they used to have a Lily of the Valley plant in their backyard? Because that would be epic. I do have a feeling Walt's two lives will blend more and more this season. I'm wondering if that green/yellow tent will end up covering the White house at some point.
Other thoughts on Fifty One:
- At first I was screaming 'Noooo!' over Hank accepting the promotion rather than staying on the Gus Fring investigation. But then, I'm pretty sure that Hank is eventually going to figure Walt out through his homelife rather than on his job. I wonder if Junior living with Hank will be a key factor. I'm still waiting for Junior to tell someone about that time Walt called him 'Jesse'.
- Lydia is still a hoot. There have been some BB gender debates this week and I guess there might be some criticism over an episode with TWO crazy ladies almost ruining the grand schemes of cool criminal men. I think Lydia may be more badass than she appears. If Walt doesn't kill Mike, then I could see Lydia pulling a Janice Soprano on him.
- Jesse is THE GUY! Jesse is Mike's guy! He's finally deemed capable of being the guy. *happy sigh* I love Mike and Jesse's little bromance, but I do wonder when Mike will run out of patience with Jesse and insist on going "full measure" on a few threats to their business/life whether Jesse cries over it or not. But still, how can anyone resist Jesse and his "Methlyamine is, like, Unicorn rare, yo!" comments. Next week's heist caper looks fantastic - can't wait!
- Is anyone else scared for Walt Jr. being given that sports car and being encouraged to drive recklessly by his dad? Maybe it'll take his teenage son having a car accident to get Walt seeing that he is a danger to his own children. Speaking of the new cars, I did relish that reference to Walt having run over "a deer" a few months back. Ahh, memories.
PS - I know I'm being majorly unpatriotic right now, not making LJ posts gushing over Team GBs success in the London Olympics. I'll level with you. I have a secret that I can't really share with anyone at the moment...I'm so very bored. I'm pleased we are doing so well after the years worth of hype and expense over the Games. I just can't pretend I've ever enjoyed watching sport coverage for long periods of time, let alone 24 hours a day for weeks on end. Sorry. Just. Can't help it.