So the "season five" DVD finally came out (which only has half of season five), and I watched it over the last couple of days.
The episodes of this season are all so tense. Full of fraught scenes between Walt and Skyler, between Walt, Jesse, and Mike. It was almost difficult to keep watching at times. This continues to be amazing television.
So Walt says he's "out" now, but that's kinda hard to do when you've just made deals with a big local organisation and started an overseas operation that are totally reliant on your product. It's also hard to see Walt quitting given his pride, resentment, arrogance... either he's just cut Skyler out now that the car wash is unable to effectively launder the money (which gave him an opportunity to lie about quitting), or he'll be quickly drawn back in when his partners come looking.
And now Hank knows. I can't wait to see this show's endgame.
One other bit: I was expecting the investigation into the missing kid to lead to the police finding evidence of the train job. I suppose that could still happen.
Breaking Bad
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I'm fortunate enough to have seen every episode for the first time in the past year, so it's all pretty fresh. Really looking forward to this.
Trivia: I read that Dean Norris asked to be killed off in the first half of season 5 because he has other work commitments, but they told him they couldn't because of how crucial he is to the final episodes.
Trivia: I read that Dean Norris asked to be killed off in the first half of season 5 because he has other work commitments, but they told him they couldn't because of how crucial he is to the final episodes.
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wayfriend
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Thinking about predicting the ending, in general terms. Spoilerish in vague ways.
Breaking Bad reminds me a lot of the Gap Series, and the Chronicles. Walter never ever acknowledes that there's a situation he can't find a way out of. He always believes he can do it, and then makes it happen. Like Morn Hyland, his desperation opens doors of possibility, and he walks through those doors.
It starts when he fights his cancer. He begins as the Ironic Mode man, who's circumstances exceed his capacities. But then he fights, and escapes those circumstances. Over and over again, circumstances find a way to surround him and make him helpless. Over and over again, he finds a way to bust out of those circumstances, and become the master of his own fate again.
I am not foreseeing justice for Walter. He does bad things, but in no way have we been led to hate him for what he has done. If anything, his is in an amoral world, not an immoral one. His story is not about his crimes, but about his busting out of what surrounds him, and the costs that he pays.
I foresee Hank and the DEA closing in, surrounding him, defeat seemingly inevitable. Then I see him finding a way to bust out one more time. And at great cost.
Ideally, I'd like to see him escape from prison at the end. That would fit the best.
Breaking Bad reminds me a lot of the Gap Series, and the Chronicles. Walter never ever acknowledes that there's a situation he can't find a way out of. He always believes he can do it, and then makes it happen. Like Morn Hyland, his desperation opens doors of possibility, and he walks through those doors.
It starts when he fights his cancer. He begins as the Ironic Mode man, who's circumstances exceed his capacities. But then he fights, and escapes those circumstances. Over and over again, circumstances find a way to surround him and make him helpless. Over and over again, he finds a way to bust out of those circumstances, and become the master of his own fate again.
I am not foreseeing justice for Walter. He does bad things, but in no way have we been led to hate him for what he has done. If anything, his is in an amoral world, not an immoral one. His story is not about his crimes, but about his busting out of what surrounds him, and the costs that he pays.
I foresee Hank and the DEA closing in, surrounding him, defeat seemingly inevitable. Then I see him finding a way to bust out one more time. And at great cost.
Ideally, I'd like to see him escape from prison at the end. That would fit the best.
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Spoiler
The flashforwards at the start of each of the two halves of this season are clues, of course. One year after the events we're seeing, Walt meets someone far from home to buy a gun, then heads back to his house - which is all sealed up and derelict. His neighbour is terrified when she recognises him. "Heisenberg" is sprayed on the wall.
So it's clear that by the end, it's become public knowledge that Walt is Heisenberg. My guess is that he's in hiding; for some reason he's come back to kill someone. He's most likely a wanted man.
His hair is back, so he is likely no longer on chemo. He's survived longer than he expected to (1 year, not 6 months). He may have stopped treatment because he expects to die anyway, which might also explain why he'd go home and walk around where he'll be recognised, and be planning to kill someone (Hank?). Or he may be in remission again, but has given up because he's lost everything.
So it's clear that by the end, it's become public knowledge that Walt is Heisenberg. My guess is that he's in hiding; for some reason he's come back to kill someone. He's most likely a wanted man.
His hair is back, so he is likely no longer on chemo. He's survived longer than he expected to (1 year, not 6 months). He may have stopped treatment because he expects to die anyway, which might also explain why he'd go home and walk around where he'll be recognised, and be planning to kill someone (Hank?). Or he may be in remission again, but has given up because he's lost everything.
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wayfriend
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Murrin,
Spoiler
Good insights. Especially about how it has become well-known that he is "Heisenberg".
If the flash-forward is a year later than main-line events, then he's managed to evade the law for a while. I don't think killing Hank serves any purpose any longer. I believe he would consider that act, but it would have been earlier in the time-line, more close to when Hank caught on. Killing Hank only makes sense when he's the only one who knows.
Unfortunately, I can only think of one plausible person the ricin is for. And that makes me sad about the ending. I hope I am wrong. The fact that Walter also needs a big machine gun means I might be.
If the flash-forward is a year later than main-line events, then he's managed to evade the law for a while. I don't think killing Hank serves any purpose any longer. I believe he would consider that act, but it would have been earlier in the time-line, more close to when Hank caught on. Killing Hank only makes sense when he's the only one who knows.
Unfortunately, I can only think of one plausible person the ricin is for. And that makes me sad about the ending. I hope I am wrong. The fact that Walter also needs a big machine gun means I might be.
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Yeah, we got shown what the time gap was in the first half: the flash forward was his 52nd birthday, then it showed his 51st birthday just after.
I don't really know about the gun thing. And the ricin. Something has to have happened, just before this, that's provoked him to travel back across the country to Albuquerque to kill some people. Who knows what.
I don't really know about the gun thing. And the ricin. Something has to have happened, just before this, that's provoked him to travel back across the country to Albuquerque to kill some people. Who knows what.
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I've said it before, but there's only one way this show can end. Badly.
Walter will die (or maybe wander off in exile and/or blinded), and he (not the cancer) will be the instrument of his own destruction. It's classical tragedy. A man gifted by the gods builds an empire and struggles against his own fate but is ultimately brought down by his pride. Hell, considering Skylar is Walt's wife and Walt (Jr.'s) mom, he might as well be Oedipus Rex. That also raises the specter of Walt killing Skylar or at least appearing to directly cause her death and Jr. killing Walt. That would be interesting.
The bigger question is whether or not Jessie will find redemption. I imagine so, as it will give the audience their expected measure of catharsis.
Also of note, the (half) season teaser trailer had Cranston reading Percy's Ozymandias. If that's not blatantly obvious...
As far as this episode goes, it was a little underwhelming, though I wouldn't say disappointing. Important things happened, a couple cool lines are said, but no jaw-droppers, in my opinion.
Walter will die (or maybe wander off in exile and/or blinded), and he (not the cancer) will be the instrument of his own destruction. It's classical tragedy. A man gifted by the gods builds an empire and struggles against his own fate but is ultimately brought down by his pride. Hell, considering Skylar is Walt's wife and Walt (Jr.'s) mom, he might as well be Oedipus Rex. That also raises the specter of Walt killing Skylar or at least appearing to directly cause her death and Jr. killing Walt. That would be interesting.
The bigger question is whether or not Jessie will find redemption. I imagine so, as it will give the audience their expected measure of catharsis.
Also of note, the (half) season teaser trailer had Cranston reading Percy's Ozymandias. If that's not blatantly obvious...
As far as this episode goes, it was a little underwhelming, though I wouldn't say disappointing. Important things happened, a couple cool lines are said, but no jaw-droppers, in my opinion.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
-George Steiner
I can see an ending where Walt's cancer goes into remission but he is stuck in a life without his family (either they are all dead or in witness protection).
So he will have "won" but at the cost of everything in his life.
I really hope Jesse gets redeemed. Deep inside him there is a good kid trying to get out.
So he will have "won" but at the cost of everything in his life.
I really hope Jesse gets redeemed. Deep inside him there is a good kid trying to get out.
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Things have gotten quiet in this thread since the 2nd half of S5 resumed. Does that mean people are disappointed? Or just speechless?
At four episodes into the "beginning of the end," I'll have to say I'm a little surprised at how things have played out. Jessie, in particular, seems to be driving the plot (good for him). The stalemate between Hank and Walt was totally unexpected. I didn't realize how that would take so long to develop. I thought once Hank knew, it would immediately start the fireworks. The "confession" tape was genius. I'd forgotten how they paid for Hank's medical bills, compromising him. If I remember correctly, Walt was against this originally? That paid off big time. Walt (and the writers) are quite intelligent.
Skylar's turn in this last episode was also very surprising. It's weird when she comes off as less sympathetic than Walt. She's definitely on board now! I can't imagine her getting through the guilt, though. I don't expect a very good end for her (suicide?).
At four episodes into the "beginning of the end," I'll have to say I'm a little surprised at how things have played out. Jessie, in particular, seems to be driving the plot (good for him). The stalemate between Hank and Walt was totally unexpected. I didn't realize how that would take so long to develop. I thought once Hank knew, it would immediately start the fireworks. The "confession" tape was genius. I'd forgotten how they paid for Hank's medical bills, compromising him. If I remember correctly, Walt was against this originally? That paid off big time. Walt (and the writers) are quite intelligent.
Skylar's turn in this last episode was also very surprising. It's weird when she comes off as less sympathetic than Walt. She's definitely on board now! I can't imagine her getting through the guilt, though. I don't expect a very good end for her (suicide?).
Success will be my revenge -- DJT
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Yes, I noticed at that point that Skyler appears to have crossed the moral event horizon - or at least thinks she has, and has lost hope of returning.
The main thing I'm noticing in this last stretch is that it doesn't feel like it should be episodes, but a single long piece, which makes waiting each week difficult.
The main thing I'm noticing in this last stretch is that it doesn't feel like it should be episodes, but a single long piece, which makes waiting each week difficult.
I am blown away so far by these final episodes. The CD Walt made and gave to Hank just caught me totally out of left field. I did not expect that at all.
And I love the way they did this week's episode - letting you go nearly half the episode before revealing what happened to Jesse in Walt's house. Awesome stuff.
I really hate to see this show end... apparently the episode after next (ep 6 of these final 8 ) is the "Oh Sh*t" episode... I'm expecting either a huge body count, or a really unexpected body count. Can't wait!
And I love the way they did this week's episode - letting you go nearly half the episode before revealing what happened to Jesse in Walt's house. Awesome stuff.
I really hate to see this show end... apparently the episode after next (ep 6 of these final 8 ) is the "Oh Sh*t" episode... I'm expecting either a huge body count, or a really unexpected body count. Can't wait!
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Zarathustra
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He's the last one who doesn't know, at this point. Well, except the baby. 
The scene between him and his father by the pool, where Walt is worried about his plans, and Flynn is just worried about his father, was very touching. There's plenty of emotional payoff there waiting to happen. The writers recognize this, of course, and that's why they teased us a little bit last episode with Flynn saying, "Why don't you just stop lying?" He was talking about the cancer, again, whereas everyone else (including us) is thinking in terms of plots. And the fact that something like mortality and disease can take a back seat for everyone else (including us) just shows how much people can get wrapped up in human drama.
The scene between him and his father by the pool, where Walt is worried about his plans, and Flynn is just worried about his father, was very touching. There's plenty of emotional payoff there waiting to happen. The writers recognize this, of course, and that's why they teased us a little bit last episode with Flynn saying, "Why don't you just stop lying?" He was talking about the cancer, again, whereas everyone else (including us) is thinking in terms of plots. And the fact that something like mortality and disease can take a back seat for everyone else (including us) just shows how much people can get wrapped up in human drama.
Success will be my revenge -- DJT