I feel like I’m getting the hang of the pacing for this show now. I figured we’d get mostly character development and then a reunion with Jessie at the end, and here we are.
What was interesting to me was the nature of the character development. Walt’s backstory with Elliot and Gretchen is particularly compelling – I hope we get to find out more about how things went sour between them all. Either way, we now have a much better understanding of why Walt is more willing to enter a life of crime for his remaining time than he is to accept help from his old friends. There are reservoirs of wounded pride and ill will here that seem to go so very, very deep. I have the feeling that Walt’s pride will be a recurring theme in upcoming seasons.
Also interesting was the fact that it was Skyler’s sister who seemed the most empathetic during the intervention that wasn’t an intervention. Given that she spent the first few episodes being a total asshole to her sister (and is a shoe thief), that surprised me. Fantastic acting from Betsy Brandt in that scene in particular.
I’ve not a clue what specifically is going to happen next. There are two more episodes in the season, so I expect another batch of meth will get cooked and something will go wrong and the season will end with Walt in danger of getting caught by his brother-in-law. It might have something to do with that respirator that got left behind after the first cook site.
I’m looking forward to finding out.
If you’re watching along with me, any thoughts? What complications do you see in Walt’s immediate future? The comments box is there for a reason 😉
I did decide to watch with you (never did follow it when it was so very popular). I’m finding it compelling and sad at the same time.
So very, very sad. That first episode I had trouble breathing in a few places just from the sheer despair.