I didn't have that thought while viewing, but it's a great call. I'm assuming that Lydia's re-appearance was more than just an indication that the meth production isn't as good in Walt's absence ... it's a reminder that there are still unseen forces looming that will likely play a part in coming episodes.

Maybe I read too much into the show's layers of references and symbolism, but what the heck, at worst it's harmless mental masturbation. So here goes with some random thoughts.

I liked that the flash-forward that opened the episode appears to be a continuation of the previous 52nd birthday flash-forward. Neighbor Carol dropping the groceries and spilling oranges is almost certainly a harbinger of doom ... oranges have foreshadowed death already on the show (and some have noted the similarity to Don Corleone dropping the groceries and spilling oranges just before he's shot in "The Godfather.") Still, the opening teaser, while shocking, doesn't spoil the series' conclusion ... we still don't know who's going to survive this mess, or for that matter, why Walt retrieved the ricin at great risk in broad daylight.

When we first see Jesse during "Bad Blood," he's lost in thought while his goober friends riff on an idea for a corny Star Trek plot (which at least one reviewer analyzed to death ... I'm not going there.) Jesse's sitting in the classic stoner-pad chair: A "papasan." I don't know if this was intentional, but to me it was another subtle reference to what I think of as Jesse's morally redeeming paternal instinct ... and indeed the resolution he comes to before rising from the papasan is to take care of Mike's granddaughter and Drew Sharp's parents. This, like everything good and well-intentioned thing about Jesse is thwarted by Walt and his lies. I didn't get the impression that Jesse actually believed Walt's falsehood about Mike still being alive ... the "I need you to believe" begging practically gave the game away, and Jesse appeared to be humoring Walt with utmost disgust. Vince Gilligan has said that Jesse was never really cut out to be in the meth biz, and now that he's out of it, he realizes that more than ever, and also that he's never going to be able to live with his evil deeds, whether he's apprehended by the cops or not. Giving or throwing the blood money away won't wash the blood from his hands. He has every right to hate Walt with the entirety of his being. The teacher not only failed his student, he ruined his life.

It was over-the-top obvious, but I loved the neon sign screaming "DOG HOUSE" in the background of the parking lot scene that concludes with Jesse handing a wad of cash to a homeless man. Jesse's "in the doghouse" for life, because unlike Walt, Jesse can't live with himself. Even if he somehow managed to evade law enforcement, he'd serve a life sentence.

What can you say about the final scene and confrontation? The acting was pitch perfect. Dean Norris' portrayal of smoldering rage and conflicted emotions ... probably his best scene yet. That moment when Walt pauses, then turns to ask about the GPS device ... his ultimate act of hubris and the moment the entire series has been building towards. It's all downhill from here.

I'm really cringing at the thought of what'll happen to Walt Jr. There's no possibility of a happy ending for him in a tragedy he doesn't even know he's a player in. The ultimate innocent, the one unknowingly doomed by the duplicity of the two people he trusts the most, his own parents.

It was great. I am so looking forward to Jesse getting crazier. Loved him last night!

I'm no authority when it comes to ladies' fashion, nor do I play one on the internet, but I'd hazard to say that wearing high heels to the desert is an indication that someone may not have prepared well enough for her journey.

I was thinking the same thing. Lydia is such a trip. I'm having a change of heart with Skylar, now I hope Jesse gets it. His character has become so tedious. Seriously I know he's been through the mill and had a bad childhood, but get over it already with the soft spots! You're in the drug trade, take the money and be done with it. Can anyone tell I hope Walt gets away with everything?

After the end of last night's episode ("Buried") I remembered that Jesse once vowed to kill Hank. That doesn't look very likely at this point, but who knows?. I'm starting to wonder if the ricin is possibly going to be used by Walt on himself? Based on some hints dropped by Vince Gilligan, it seems likely that Walt won't make it out of this alive, but that somehow, his kids will get the "inheritance," or at the very least be adopted by the Schraders ... so hard to say! Not surprised to see the return of Todd, though. Why can't we just binge through the rest of the series NOW? LOL ... so impatient for every Sunday night.

If anyone actually has time ... here's a four-hour interview with Gilligan: http://bit.ly/17Yd6i3

LOL Dean, I'm with you on the binging. I started watching this by binging the first three seasons in about two weeks (maybe less). I just want to get to the end then go back and absorb. I most definitely think Walt will go out by his own hand via ricin. The question is will Jesse, Skylar & the kids, and Hank all still be alive? Whatever happens I really hope it does not end with Hank & Walt joining up to fight Lydia/Todd & Co.

The ricin thing is almost a definite. Have you seen the Reddit rumors?

I haven't looked at any of the theory or rumor sites yet but will take a look around.

This was a good list of "easter eggs".
http://www.buzzfeed.com/robinedds/break ... -your-mind

And going on the "Collector" theory for Walt, well, anyone notice what Todd was wearing in last nights episode?
Looks familiar.

That Buzzfeed was a great article. See if you can find the reddit article on the names of the last two episodes. Its eye opening.

Great conversation here. Im glad Im up to date with the show, so much to discuss.

Interesting theories, some may be stretching it but there's some plausable ones. The easter eggs are also little fun tidbits.

Im certain Lydia, pushed by greed, will try to pull the 10 guys in 2 minutes type of stunt.. maybe against the DEA or Hank? If Jesse/Walt fall she goes down with them.

I had stopped rooting for Walter by the last few episodes of season 4, even more so during the first half of season 5. This episode though kind of changed things a bit. I'm seeing more of old Walt and less of Heisenberg.

I usually critique the shit out of movies and television programs, but Breaking Bad has usually surprised me and kept everything on point, but with this last episode, which I loved, one part bothers me. When Lydia goes out to check the meth lab and they are inside and the guy calls down and says we have a problem. He didn't think it could be because of Lydia at all? First he tells her to stay down there and why the fuck does the shitty cook go up? What was he planning on doing? Thats it.....

Yeah, this episode did a good job on that. It kind of strange watching a show, knowing that its going to end, and you know kind of how its all going to end (as stated before, its going to be a massacre- and I guarantee Walter White will not live). So its like the writers are like "You know these characters you've 'grown-up' with, well, now its time to punish them!"
And how they even wrote Hank and Marie. Petty and tunnel-vision on serving justice, but at the same time, they have every single right to be.
Hank gave his beat down to Walt. Now we Marie slapping Skylar. And I think this is just the beginning of the end for these two characters and their torturous road to the finale.
Its like seeing someone dig their own grave. And we are all here waiting for the execution.
It so good, but it hurts.
Damn, this show is amazing.

And waiting a week for a new episode sucks, but at the same time, I'm in no rush.

I can't remember ... did we resolve the "8" thing or not? If not, I think it's pretty simple. "8" signifies the eighth letter of the English alphabet, "H." Heisenberg.

It's hard to believe there's only 6 episodes left. I'm hoping Todd gets more shine in these last episodes. That character is very disturbing.

Those were the Lou B's though!

Or the cell phone signal, there is no way they would get signal down there. I suppose it depends how deep below, but still its stretching it.

One thing I have learned is not to believe I can predict this show. So dont get your hopes up on any of that. I wouldnt be surprised on any of them dying, although I think its fitting if Walt does.

She is rolling with the "Uncles of Anarchy" now so its possible right. But not by greed, rather no resort. The one thing thats for sure is that I feel Walt is smarter than all of them and will somehow beat them to the punch if it indeed come to this.

I know 6 is titled Ozymandias. I think the big bang of the beginning of the end will start with this episode.

I knew you would be up on the shoe game here

Is it weird I knew these as well. Her character is so far removed from her situation that she hadn't even thought of wearing something more appropriate like Dean mentioned. This I think is her down fall, she is cut throat but doesnt think of all the very small details that are obvious. Shes proved this before, like in the conversation in the dinner last year with Walt. This is why Walt is always 1 step ahead of her.

I completely agree with that. It just makes sense. They do so much with just simply the names of the episodes in this show its absurd. Everyone I'm sure knows the season 2 easter egg, either way it just makes me really look into the names of each episode. Turns out so does Reddit.
**CORRECTED**
I know that the name of the last episode is "Felina" which redditors think correlate directly with the song "El Paso". Also Felina can be rearranged to say "Finale", but I just doubt that is the case. El Paso is about a man who falls in love with an evil woman in El Paso who inevitably gets him run out of town. However he later comes back for Felina, and ends up dying for her. What the consensus is, is that Walt gets run out of town, but comes back for his "Felina" which is his Meth Empire, and inevitably dies for it. It almost seems a little wonky, but I could see Vince going down this path.

However thats just the theory on the finale itself. I also know that the second to last episode is called "Granite State" which refers to New Hampshire. Which is the location that walt has on his fake ID in the beginning of Season 5.

I just love that this a show that promotes you looking too deep into it. Usually you are rewarded for "reaching" when it comes to Breaking Bad. Can't wait till Sunday...

^ Just go to Wikipedia, they have the names of the episodes there. And its "Felina". But the Granite state clue does shed a little light into the timeline that these last episodes will follow. I'm guessing we're going to catch up to the future of S5E1 on the second to last episode.

This is true. I'm trying to stop predicting and just enjoy the ride.
But I'm still sticking by Walter dying. Whether by Todd (ala Layer Cake ending), by his own hands (ricen) or even by the hands of Jesse.

Actually, I'm cool with Walt living in the end, under one circumstance: EVERYONE else dies.
To live through it all, but everyone, Hank, Jesse, Skylar, even Walter Jr, who might be the purest character on the show, all die.
That would be the ultimate punishment.

And I have a feeling the money will go untouched. Ending shot in classic Breaking Bad style with a lizard walking over the burial, and the lottery ticket lost in someone else's hands.

I did enjoy the little western shot when Hank was closing the garage door. Hands by the waist, twitching. Just needed a tumbleweed to fly across.