Yeah, I think after this episode, there is really nothing likeable about Walt now.
He's completely transformed.

Man, seriously, I think there was a good 5mins of silence after credits went up. Man.
This show, for real! Ugh. So damn good yet it kind of hurts...

Hey... did anyone else see how good Todd was at taking notes? Hmmmmm...

I'm sticking with Walter.

I find it amusing people are abandoning him in droves especially when he was everyone's favorite anti-hero for 4 seasons. Everyone says how despicable he is now, but how about all the other people everyone likes? Yeah Mike he's a real role model. Mike tried to kill Walt a few times. He was only stopped by circumstance. "Know your place?" Fuck that logic. Gus and Mike tried to separate Walt & Jesse and kill Walt, Gus even threatened to kill his family. Mike is just pissed he didn't kill Walter first. Gus got his and now Mike got his as well. I don't see Walt as a desperate blood thirsty killer, just someone who is outwitting people who are trying to drag him down. He see's his chance and has faced death (by hands of people who would kill him or cancer) so many times why not say fuck it and go for it all? I don't think all the work he has done should go to waste and he should be left with nothing. I mean he has nothing now, why give up, why go back to a normal life? There is no more normal life, He can't.

I do see a big mistake he just made though. Todd taking notes. That kid is a loose cannon. He's totally going to take the formula to his prison uncle eventually.

I wonder if Jesse will come back in the fold by circumstance or will lead to Walt's downfall?

^ yeah I don't agree with my friend that called Walt a "dumb fuck" at all, it just made me laugh a bunch the way he said it...there's no way he was serious anyway

he and I both were consistently thrilled watching Mike on screen but I'm not disappointed in this...crazy as it was for me to watch happening, it's not some wacky curveball or anything like that given Walt's situation and the way things have been going. you're very right about "no more normal life" Lixx.

I think I dislike the fact that Walt is working with Todd now. That kid is no good.

Yeah, I'm placing my bet on Jesse or Hank being the death of Walt.
Only time will tell.
Or a year.

Also, I'm half with you on this.
But I have a feeling that by the end of the show, we will hate Walt.
We might be reminded about him, his family (who used to keep him ground, and somewhat does in character) but int he end, I think where the show is going, he will be the most disliked.
Show is called Breaking Bad for many reasons. And I think the creator is breaking bad on the normal TV writing structure and starting to bring everything upside down for the main character. From goofy-dad making meth to killer kingpin.
It took 4 seasons to get here, and I think it'll probably take one more action for Walt to fully transform, although I think he's there now.

Like Daniel Day Lewis as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood, I think Walt will end up hateful of himself but still pitiable.

His last words in that film were "I'm done!"

I found myself asking whether or not I'd be as cool-headed as Jesse if I were him when Walt told him he'd get nothing if he was really out. Walt does owe Jesse, and is once again moronic in his hubris. A lot of us have been talking about Walt's ego and pride during this season, so it was good to hear Mike get right to the truth of this season during his penultimate words to Walt: That's exactly what is driving the poop to the fan. All this talk about being the best at something is nonsense in Walt's game, but to this point he's been too blinded by his "success" to see that. Straight outta classical Greek tragedy. Jesse appears to have too much of some form of personal integrity to fink on Walt, but I don't know ... it might happen accidentally at some point, but I suspect that what will really happen is that worsening circumstances will keep them together in one way or another, assuming Jesse survives or evades encroaching DEA.

You could say this about a lot of episodes, but there was excellent use of music and cinematography in this one. How about that lounge-lizard version of a bit from "Nutcracker Suite" during the first safe deposit box scene? Irony! And the brief safe deposit box cam? Very Coen Bros. (again!,) very cool.

I appreciated Lixx's defense of sympathy for Walt. The difficult trick of this show for the writers is to keep the trajectory from Mr. Chips to Scarface going while not completely alienating the audience with disgust with Walt. At this point, I feel like a rubbernecker, unable to look away from a disaster in progress.

What remaining sympathies I have for Jesse and Walt got me thinking about things intrinsic to their character that have gotten them to this point. It's one thing to say that Walt has gone overboard with the arrogant pride, but why? We had clues way back in the first season, when we learned that he resented his college mates and original business partners for "betraying" what he saw as his own genius and contribution. He's overcompensating. His pride is actually based on deep-seated self-esteem issues. With Jesse it's harder to discern what's wrong deep down, but even if he's clean now, he definitely has an addict's personality, which Walt recognizes and cruelly reminded him of. Probably something to do with his dysfunctional family ... whatever it is, the crucial thing is that Jesse really does have the potential to fix his life, maybe settle down with Andrea and Brock and have a family, but he's trapped in Walt's vortex.

One more episode left before the break. Ya think the next one will be a hum-dinger?

P.S. I've made bacon-banana cookies and they are good, but no way am I going to lower myself and make fucking cake pops. A guy's gotta have his pride.

Dean did you connect the reference to Willy Wonka when Walt said "You get nothing!" I was dying when he said that. I half expected him to say "Good Day Sir!" Here's the ultra short reverbed/slo-mo version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW2vrPpmJOA

or the long version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDEdKzAZgko


I have to admit I love Vince's homages to older movies.

Oh and I get everyone loved Mike. I liked him too at times and realized he had a good head on his shoulders. I just never forgot he tried to take Walt out. This probably won't happen but the ultimate ending for me would be Jesse going on his own and leading a normal life, and not selling out Walter. And Walter escaping the DEA and living in seclusion.

Hah! Good catch, but nah, I missed it at the time. I was wondering what old movie Mike was watching when DEA was searching his house ... no golden ticket here.

In a sick and twisted way, maybe Walt did Mike a favor...

Putting aside that the show has to move forward...so things like this have to happen...I'm pretty bummed out about it.

Mike was easily my favorite character on the show, hands down.

Just how far Walt has fallen morally becomes clear in moments like the one by the river...he's still thinking only about himself, even as a man dies by his side...thinking through his next step out loud, while trying to say the "right thing" at the same time...

This show is nuts, really, the best.

That's another thing. Walt has always been a man about science and order.
But that move, well, he's now going on his "gut" feeling. Emotions. And thinking about conscience later. As he said as Mike was dying "I could have asked Lydia".

I don't even know WHAT to expect for the last episode of this half-season, and I still can't imagine was drives Walt all the way to the tease we saw on the first episode of this season.

Todd and Lydia are loose canons enough, but unless Heisenberg picks up the payoffs, the nine ex-Fringers have no reason not to talk in exchange for lessened sentences. Yikes!

My guess is that somehow Hank is going to make some crucial connection in the next episode. He's sooooo close.

I think I am going to go throw up and kill myself now. Just finished the newest episode, and that seems like its the only way I will ever smile again.

By far the best show I have ever seen. I know many people who would make quite an argument about that, but it really is just perfect.

I'm just starting the final season of "The Wire" (I know, I know, WAY behind the curve on that one) and can totally see why so many people call it "the best TV show ever made." It's an amazing accomplishment.

But I enjoy Breaking Bad more.

HOLY POOP I didn't even think about that. Are they doing a half season thing? This is the first season I have watched on cable.

last night was crazy. this season has seemed kind of lackluster but then again I didn't know they were splitting it so I guess there is still time to make it up.

Anybody watching Hell On Wheels on AMC? I think it comes on before BB but it is really good as well.

How is this season lackluster??

So has anyone else heard the rumors of a movie? Both Aaron Paul and Vince Gilligan have spoken about it.

Yup, next week is the last epp, for a full year.

Rich you hurt me :[. Dang now I am super bummed.

I always hated Walt. To provide for his family he made meth. I can't have any liking for a man that would make that stuff. Far to evil of a drug. I don't think they can end the show without him getting his due.

Always liked Jesse. Even when he was strung out he had heart.

I thought this was the last season?

Yes and no --- after the AMC budget debate/debacle last year it was decided that BB would be finished up in 16 episodes - more episodes than a regular season - that would be filmed concurrently but shown over two years. Seems somewhere between then and now it was decided to only make 8 at a time, but the broadcast schedule has remained the same.

I'm glad that they were given the opportunity to finish out the story the way they wanted to, but this short season shit is a brutal tease!

If this show had thought us anything it's everyone pays their due. Walt is still building, so I'm suspecting his due will be epic.