'México. S'all I'm saying.'
In traditional Breaking Bad style, the show opened by teasing a vital aspect of the continued storyline; the slow-burning introductory scene saw the aftermath of Jesse's faux-Robin Hood escapade through the sprawl of Alberqueque, having thrown stacks of money from his car. The image of him, very much hollowed out, gave a great sense for the disillusionment that Jesse has experienced, and his character gave a heck of a lot to the episode's continuity, despite hardly being in it, which I'll come to towards the end. Structurally, the episode picks up after this right where the last one left off, in a scene brinking on comic-awkwardness, perhaps even pushing into it. Both Walt and Hank make an attempt to call Skylar - before Walt realises what Hank is doing and shoots him a spectacularly chosen look from Bryan Cranston. That moment alone further solidifed the fact that Cranston really has embraced the character(s) of Walt/Heisenberg.
Of course, undoubtedly the most solidly acted performance in the episode was from Anna Gunn, who portrayed Skylar with all depth of a woman whose idyllic view of family life and a future is beginning to collapse in on itself, especially when considering her confrontation with Hank at the diner. This scene was a prime example of the quality of Breaking Bad's writing, as its always held a strong grasp on back and forth dialogue between two characters, especially in a situation as awkward as the one beheld by Hank and Skylar. It allowed for something of a breather in between the shows more tense moments, and really helped to make clear how much of a psychological toll the truth has taken on Walt's friends and family.
I have this idea that all of the very best dramas need to include some element of comedy, however small they may be. To go off on a slight tangent, the first thing that comes to mind is Paul Thomas Anderson's films - see There Will Be Blood for 'I. Drink. Your. Milkshake!' As well as The Master for Joaquin Phoenix's depiction of Freddie Quell as he slams his back into the underside of a prison bunk while handcuffed. But with regards to Breaking bad in particular, I am, of course, referring to the downright brilliant conversation between Hule and Kuby, Saul Goodman's half-assed comic goons as they are sent to move Walt and Skylar's (literal) mountain of money, and instead end up lying on it, face up, in one of the most brilliant displayed depictions of the odd-couple in TV history.
After Walt has buried the money - staying true to the act of having the title relate to some aspect the respective episode's content - we saw Marie confront Skylar about her situation, establishing that Hank has inevitably told her about Walt. This scene further saw the disentiegration of the relationships between these four characters, as well as showcasing an emotionally-wrenching depiction of the breakdown between Skylar and Marie, as Betsy Brandt pulled off a brilliantly restrained performance consiodering she slaps Skylar in a knuckle-bitingly awkward moment. But the fact is, as Skylar faught to keep baby Holly from being taken away by Marie, as well as her conversation with Walt shortly after this in which they make arrangements to stay quiet, it could be that we're finally about to see the emergence of Mrs Heisenberg. During her dialogue with Walt on the bathroom floor, there's a sense that she is confronting the prospect of having to stay quiet, while Walt seems to confirm his original intentions, that being to ensure his family's safety.
Towards the end we were also offered an insight into Lydia's varied 'interests' as she has likely the most underrated character in the show, Todd, as well as several faceless henchmn, kill off her ex-business partners. The execution of the this scene was also rather brilliant, as it gave an increased sense of depth with regards to the kind of character that Lydia is. She's perfectly comfortable having people killed off without hesitation, just as long as someone else does it and she doesn't have to see the aftermath. While I've previously voiced my dislike for Lydia as a character, a lot of credit must admittedly be given for Laura Fraser's acting abilities in pulling off a controlled performance of such an awkard character.
Before the final scene, Hank faces the possibility that he will very likely be fired if he reports the truth about Walt to his employers, seeing as the person he's been looking for has been 'right under [his] nose this whole time,' which can assumedly mean that things won't hit the fan for at least a little while. That was my initial thought before the episode came to an end as Hank shuts the door into the interrogation room, which just so happens to contain... A post-cathartic Jesse. As I previously mentioned, Jesse seems to have lost interest in life now that this 'blood money' has found its way to his doorstep, and the final scene reinforced this point, as he sits before the two interrogators, staring into space, unblinking. Judging by his apparent state of mind, he could very easily bring Walt's world screaming and on fire to the ground.
Despite taking a minor step down from the premiere, the episode still stands above the quality of just about every other show on TV, and the gravitas of the final moments leaves plenty of speculation in the shadow of the next episode.
The only other question I have is;
Where the hell has Walter Jr disappeared to?
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