Walt might have failed to cheat on his wife during their break up period, but only a few days into his break up with Jesse, Walt cooks meth with another partner. The bastard. And not just any partner, but Gale who seems to be Walt's ideal meth lab boyfriend. Gale is closer to Walt's age, he has academic qualifications, he shares Walt's nerdy passion for chemistry, he can play chess, he can recite poetry, he speaks in proper sentences and everything.
*giggles*
Meth lab boyfriend, indeed! XD
And the only reason Walt ends up fucking Gale over is because he needs to bring Jesse back under his control - except that we the viewers, who should breathe a sigh that Walt and Jesse have parted ways seemingly for good, want that old dysfunctional, crazy-smart team of Walt and Jesse back together again.
Thanks! Well...I really hate seeing Walt or Jesse cooking meth with anyone besides each other because it does always feel like a weird form of infidelity to me. Badger and Gale were not so bad but Walt cooking with Todd drove me crazy.
As much as we should want Jesse to run away screaming from Walt if the early S3 episodes (and the last Jesse scene in S5) prove anything it's that Jesse is no good without Walt either. They might as well be together till the bitter end.
I'll review the next two episodes as one since there are (tragically!) no Walt/Jesse interactions in 3x2 and 3x3 at all
Yup, I realised how much Walt and Jesse's relationship matters to me (you know, one of the main reasons I watch this show) when these episodes aired and there wasn't much interaction between them. By the way, I _really_ enjoyed all the flashbacks through the whole season, they gave such insight to many things.
I absolutely agree with you in this: I don't think Jesse was really demanding Walt stay out of his life. Jesse's speech was more of a broken cry for help. It was Jesse begging Walt to make him feel wanted again. Because when Jesse was ranting about having lost everything that he ever cared about, I think his relationship with Walt was one of those painful losses.
And voíla, it was so incredibly easy for Walt to convince Jesse to come back, despite his previous burst of anger.
I marathoned S1-4 of Breaking Bad very intensely and I remember that the early S3 episodes were the only time I felt a slight lull and I think it was down to lack of my Walt/Jesse fix! At least S3 had the Fly episode to restore the balance.
Walt was the one who dragged Jesse from the brink of suicide at the end of S2, so I think it must have really hurt that Walt rejected him too. The first half of Jesse's speech is all "Go away! I hate you!" but the second half is all "You said I was no good and you hurt my feelings." And even though Jesse is still yelling at Walt he starts to sound far more needy.
Awesome essay, as always. I know I've said it before but I'll say it again - you have a gift.
and lamentably, spend a lot of S3 separate
I know!!! If I had seen season 3 live instead of the marathon way, it would have driven me nuts!!
Walt speaking to an assembly of his high school students, offering them flimsy rationalizations for why this horrific plane crash really isn't so bad
Such an awkward moment! When Walt killed Jane, I knew it was bad but you could still see that Walt felt terrible while he watched her died... during that speech at the school? it's when I think I realized that Walt was truly a horrible human being. That's the kind of speech a sociopath would make.
I think Jesse is not so much talking about Jane but alluding to the hurt he caused Donald and what that hurt caused Donald to do and how the fuck is Jesse supposed to forgive himself for that?Oh, that's a good observation. I didn't think of Donald. Could very well be it
( ... )
Walt knows Jesse's vengeful speech might be nothing but hot air, but he can no longer be sure.
When I first heard that speech from Jesse, I didn't like it because it didn't feel true. That's not how Jesse speaks, he's not that eloquent... until I realized - Oh God, he had that speech rehearsed in his head for hours. :(
Jesse's speech was more of a broken cry for help. It was Jesse begging Walt to make him feel wanted again. Because when Jesse was ranting about having lost everything that he ever cared about, I think his relationship with Walt was one of those painful losses.
Oh yes. That speech wasn't rehearsed and you could tell the difference. His tone... we could see right through his soul. He was so panicked when he saw Walt leaving... He might as well have screamed 'Don't leave now! Tell me I'm worth something to you!'. Break my heart even more Jesse Pinkman, will you?? And Walt? This won't always work.
S3 is a kickass season but I do get Walt/Jesse withdrawals and was slightly disappointed that we didn't get to see them sharing Walt's new apartment. But then S3 has One Minute, Fly and Half Measures which include some of the best W/J moments ever.
It's like he suddenly pushed the 'charisma on'
It really is! Jesse looks so different in that scene. Jesse is normally so lost and confused but being the bad guy gives him so much ZING and sex appeal. And then they had to mess his face up. Again. The bastards...
Reminds me of what Walt said to Gus the first time they talk as to why he worked with Jesse. 'Because I trust him' Even stupidly so! This makes me think that Jesse more so than Hank could be the one who brings Walt down (meaning arrested rather than killed). Walt trusts Jesse implicitly. Even in S4 Walt trusted that Jesse wouldn't let Gus kill him and blamed Jesse turning against him on Gus screwing with Jesse's head, not Jesse himself. Walt had no idea Jesse had a gun in his waistband in that last S5 scene and he never seemed
( ... )
S3 is a kickass season but I do get Walt/Jesse withdrawals and was slightly disappointed that we didn't get to see them sharing Walt's new apartment.
I know! It would have been so much fun to see a little bit of Walt and Jesse living in the same place for a few days. Or Walter Jr. running into Jesse! When Junior went to see his dad in that crappy appartment, I couldn't help but wonder where Jesse was and if they were going to run into each other. I hope we'll get those two to interact somehow.
I think part of the reason behind Fly was to make up for all the early season 3 episodes...
This makes me think that Jesse more so than Hank could be the one who brings Walt downWell, Jesse and Walt are the two main characters of Breaking Bad. Walt is, without a doubt, the 'bad guy' of season 5 and it would make sense for the other main character (the relative 'good guy') to bring him down. Walter hurt a lot of people, but none more than Jesse. So I firmly believe it's going to be Jesse vs. Walt in the end, not Walt vs. Hank (Can't wait to
( ... )
I'm re-reading this for my assignment and HOLLY FORESHADOWING:
But for Walt, this is Gretchen and Elliot all over again. Walt's former partner is going steal Walt's genius; the formula that Gus Fring had offered to pay millions for and Jesse is the one who will make those millions, only offering Walt a small cut out of charity.
It pains me to say it (since I'm a fan of Walt/Jesse co-dependency) but Walt really doesn't want Jesse in his life at this point. Jesse has become an irritating fly buzzing in his ears (more on fly metaphors in S3 part 2, obviously). It's much easier for Walt to see Jesse as another traitor partner who was trying to steal Walt's empire than it is for Walt to see Jesse as a fucked up kid whose life he ruined.
If Hank hadn't beaten Jesse up, he would likely have convinced Jesse to roll on Walt, considering Jesse's bitterness towards his old mentor.
I think Walt is shocked and saddened to see Jesse beaten, broken and in pain again, especially since - as always - it's largely Walt's fault that Jesse got hurt.
( ... )
I've only just discovered this comment (what happen to my notifications, LJ?) But yes, it's really breathtaking how much was beautifully set up in S3 - Walt's rage over Jesse being able to cook his formula, Hank seeing Jesse as the key to catching Heisenberg, Jesse generally being Walt's weak spot, etc. I doubt the writers knew very much about how they'd end their show but they did a such a great job at mining their history. The history really does dictate how it should end.
Great analysis of a really painful set of episodes. (Wait, as opposed to all the non-painful BrBa episodes....)
Only Walt knows how delusional Jesse is being with this speech and that Jesse is more a victim than a villain in this situation. But the only way Walt might take away Jesse's burden of being the bad guy is to reveal who the real bad guy is; something Walt's not prepared to accept. Wahhh :'(
This is a partner who Walt can consider his equal, so much so that he insists that Gale calls him 'Walt' rather than Mr White, something he never told Jesse to do. It caused me physical pain when Walt said that!
getting beaten up by a cop is just plain Kafkaesque yo. HA!
Walt thinks it'll be easy getting Jesse back on his side by dazzling him with the offer of 1.5 million dollars, but Walt forgets that it isn't money that Jesse has been yearning for. Right. I don't think Walt is even aware the extent to which Jesse wants Walt's approval--and I think Walt would be even more drunk on power if he did realize it.
I think Walt maybe realized how much Jesse craves his approval in Season 5 since he started being far more respectful and complimentary to Jesse at that point, just to keep him from leaving. And yes, Walt was drunk on power by that point.
Ha! Casual TV friends just don't get it. But yeah, I've always seen Jesse's emotional rant at Walt in the hospital as more of a cry for help and love even, than Jesse really telling Walt to get out of his life. As Jesse says in his speech, he doesn't have anyone in his life and Jesse has always struck me as someone who hates being alone.
Yeah, I think Jesse literally shielding Walt from Mike with his body cleared that one up for Walt :/ Plus I think the fact that Gus & Mike valued Jesse increased Jesse's value in Walt's eyes... I think there's an econ term for that but that's not my area of expertise. The point I'm trying to make here is... WAHHH, this show hurts me.
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Walt might have failed to cheat on his wife during their break up period, but only a few days into his break up with Jesse, Walt cooks meth with another partner. The bastard. And not just any partner, but Gale who seems to be Walt's ideal meth lab boyfriend. Gale is closer to Walt's age, he has academic qualifications, he shares Walt's nerdy passion for chemistry, he can play chess, he can recite poetry, he speaks in proper sentences and everything.
*giggles*
Meth lab boyfriend, indeed! XD
And the only reason Walt ends up fucking Gale over is because he needs to bring Jesse back under his control - except that we the viewers, who should breathe a sigh that Walt and Jesse have parted ways seemingly for good, want that old dysfunctional, crazy-smart team of Walt and Jesse back together again.
Great analysis. Really great analysis. :)
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As much as we should want Jesse to run away screaming from Walt if the early S3 episodes (and the last Jesse scene in S5) prove anything it's that Jesse is no good without Walt either. They might as well be together till the bitter end.
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Yup, I realised how much Walt and Jesse's relationship matters to me (you know, one of the main reasons I watch this show) when these episodes aired and there wasn't much interaction between them. By the way, I _really_ enjoyed all the flashbacks through the whole season, they gave such insight to many things.
I absolutely agree with you in this: I don't think Jesse was really demanding Walt stay out of his life. Jesse's speech was more of a broken cry for help. It was Jesse begging Walt to make him feel wanted again. Because when Jesse was ranting about having lost everything that he ever cared about, I think his relationship with Walt was one of those painful losses.
And voíla, it was so incredibly easy for Walt to convince Jesse to come back, despite his previous burst of anger.
Awesome meta as always.
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Walt was the one who dragged Jesse from the brink of suicide at the end of S2, so I think it must have really hurt that Walt rejected him too. The first half of Jesse's speech is all "Go away! I hate you!" but the second half is all "You said I was no good and you hurt my feelings." And even though Jesse is still yelling at Walt he starts to sound far more needy.
Thanks for reading and commenting! :)
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and lamentably, spend a lot of S3 separate
I know!!! If I had seen season 3 live instead of the marathon way, it would have driven me nuts!!
Walt speaking to an assembly of his high school students, offering them flimsy rationalizations for why this horrific plane crash really isn't so bad
Such an awkward moment! When Walt killed Jane, I knew it was bad but you could still see that Walt felt terrible while he watched her died... during that speech at the school? it's when I think I realized that Walt was truly a horrible human being. That's the kind of speech a sociopath would make.
I think Jesse is not so much talking about Jane but alluding to the hurt he caused Donald and what that hurt caused Donald to do and how the fuck is Jesse supposed to forgive himself for that?Oh, that's a good observation. I didn't think of Donald. Could very well be it ( ... )
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Walt knows Jesse's vengeful speech might be nothing but hot air, but he can no longer be sure.
When I first heard that speech from Jesse, I didn't like it because it didn't feel true. That's not how Jesse speaks, he's not that eloquent... until I realized - Oh God, he had that speech rehearsed in his head for hours. :(
Jesse's speech was more of a broken cry for help. It was Jesse begging Walt to make him feel wanted again. Because when Jesse was ranting about having lost everything that he ever cared about, I think his relationship with Walt was one of those painful losses.
Oh yes. That speech wasn't rehearsed and you could tell the difference. His tone... we could see right through his soul. He was so panicked when he saw Walt leaving... He might as well have screamed 'Don't leave now! Tell me I'm worth something to you!'. Break my heart even more Jesse Pinkman, will you?? And Walt? This won't always work.
Reply
It's like he suddenly pushed the 'charisma on'
It really is! Jesse looks so different in that scene. Jesse is normally so lost and confused but being the bad guy gives him so much ZING and sex appeal. And then they had to mess his face up. Again. The bastards...
Reminds me of what Walt said to Gus the first time they talk as to why he worked with Jesse. 'Because I trust him' Even stupidly so! This makes me think that Jesse more so than Hank could be the one who brings Walt down (meaning arrested rather than killed). Walt trusts Jesse implicitly. Even in S4 Walt trusted that Jesse wouldn't let Gus kill him and blamed Jesse turning against him on Gus screwing with Jesse's head, not Jesse himself. Walt had no idea Jesse had a gun in his waistband in that last S5 scene and he never seemed ( ... )
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I know! It would have been so much fun to see a little bit of Walt and Jesse living in the same place for a few days. Or Walter Jr. running into Jesse! When Junior went to see his dad in that crappy appartment, I couldn't help but wonder where Jesse was and if they were going to run into each other. I hope we'll get those two to interact somehow.
I think part of the reason behind Fly was to make up for all the early season 3 episodes...
This makes me think that Jesse more so than Hank could be the one who brings Walt downWell, Jesse and Walt are the two main characters of Breaking Bad. Walt is, without a doubt, the 'bad guy' of season 5 and it would make sense for the other main character (the relative 'good guy') to bring him down. Walter hurt a lot of people, but none more than Jesse. So I firmly believe it's going to be Jesse vs. Walt in the end, not Walt vs. Hank (Can't wait to ( ... )
Reply
But for Walt, this is Gretchen and Elliot all over again. Walt's former partner is going steal Walt's genius; the formula that Gus Fring had offered to pay millions for and Jesse is the one who will make those millions, only offering Walt a small cut out of charity.
It pains me to say it (since I'm a fan of Walt/Jesse co-dependency) but Walt really doesn't want Jesse in his life at this point. Jesse has become an irritating fly buzzing in his ears (more on fly metaphors in S3 part 2, obviously). It's much easier for Walt to see Jesse as another traitor partner who was trying to steal Walt's empire than it is for Walt to see Jesse as a fucked up kid whose life he ruined.
If Hank hadn't beaten Jesse up, he would likely have convinced Jesse to roll on Walt, considering Jesse's bitterness towards his old mentor.
I think Walt is shocked and saddened to see Jesse beaten, broken and in pain again, especially since - as always - it's largely Walt's fault that Jesse got hurt. ( ... )
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Only Walt knows how delusional Jesse is being with this speech and that Jesse is more a victim than a villain in this situation. But the only way Walt might take away Jesse's burden of being the bad guy is to reveal who the real bad guy is; something Walt's not prepared to accept. Wahhh :'(
This is a partner who Walt can consider his equal, so much so that he insists that Gale calls him 'Walt' rather than Mr White, something he never told Jesse to do. It caused me physical pain when Walt said that!
getting beaten up by a cop is just plain Kafkaesque yo. HA!
Walt thinks it'll be easy getting Jesse back on his side by dazzling him with the offer of 1.5 million dollars, but Walt forgets that it isn't money that Jesse has been yearning for. Right. I don't think Walt is even aware the extent to which Jesse wants Walt's approval--and I think Walt would be even more drunk on power if he did realize it.
Either way, Jesse ( ... )
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Ha! Casual TV friends just don't get it. But yeah, I've always seen Jesse's emotional rant at Walt in the hospital as more of a cry for help and love even, than Jesse really telling Walt to get out of his life. As Jesse says in his speech, he doesn't have anyone in his life and Jesse has always struck me as someone who hates being alone.
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