Monday, August 12, 2013

Raw Data: Blood Money

Thoughts and observations for the second half premiere of the final season of Breaking Bad, episode 05-09, "Blood Money" written by Peter Gould who wrote the epic episode "Salud" as well as several others*.  The episode is directed by Walter White himself, who also directed the season two and three premieres. 

* IMDB also lists an episode later this season, "Granite State", which would probably involve Walt's trip to New Hampshire involving the car he had at the Denny's in the flash forward to start last season and this one. Another episode is titled "Ozymandias" which we'll get to in a moment.

  • The flash forward picks up in what appears to be a scene that would directly follow the opener from last year at the Denny's.  The Good Denny's.  Here's what we learn
    • Walt is identified as Heisenberg and it's well known
    • Skyler and Junior are elsewhere
    • The house has been abandoned for quite some time (but we know less than a year)
    • Walt's neighbor (a different one than he sent to "check on the burner") dropped some oranges, which symbolize death or are at least a bad omen.  Recently seen at the Beneke residence.  
    • Walt retrieves the ricin he stowed away after the Jessie/Brock/Roomba incident, which would mean he'd want to use it.  Which is decidedly more subtle than the BFG.
    • In the scene they show before (last season) Walt says how long it takes to make the drive "if you only stop for gas" which makes me think he knows because he just did the drive without sleeping
      • Hey, maybe Walt is on meth!
  •  Present day!  Hank gets off the epiphany toilet
    • I wonder if there is some legal thing Saul can do for Hank taking the book
      • Probably not because I bet it doesn't matter.  The book was just the inspiration for Hank.  He's going to retroactively connect the pieces
  • Walt's downfall has often been his pride, whether it be in spats with Mike, or prodding Hank to re-open the investigation.  His shortcomings with Grey Matter and his unrealized potential are the impetus for much of this and it's a trait often cited to lead to his likely downfall.  While it can manifest itself in a desire for quality, like Walt taking pride in his 99 percent purity, and I don't think it will lead to it in the sense that he will get sloppy because he takes so much pride in running things tightly...but because he will overreach.  Walt couldn't stand the fact that he had to launder money through his son's Web site, and would not accept a gift from his friends (partly because he wanted credit for bringing in the cash, however elicit).  Even though he is out of the game at this point.....well, we still have seven episodes for him to get back at it.
    • The "Ozymandias" commerical lends itself to this. 
    • Even keeping Leaves of Grass is an example of this.  More on the hubris end of the scale.
  • The "Ozymandias" commercial may lend a peek to what is going to happen, if Walt ultimately wants to be recognized in some way for his achievement, or flies too close to the sun (as Victor did...) or taunts Hank too much.  The thing about the drug trade is that no matter how often the busts happen, someone else will be there to pick up the pieces and no one will give a second thought to the former man in charge (Walt/Ozymandia).  In a way, the show could end a lot like The Wire in that Walt's efforts to make his mark are as futile as efforts to change the game, whether it be drugs, politics, or education.  Ultimately, the larger institutions or whatever higher power looms over it all (glides?) will push Walt back down
    • Ozymandias is one of only a few poems to ever leave a mark with me (or be understood by me), probably my favorite.
    • The four toed statue on Lost always made me think of this
      • Speaking of, Walt and Ben Linus could put on a clinic about getting punched
  • Walt is back to wearing a lot of light and earthy tones and his underwear is conspicuous
  • Between Lydia coming for Walt and Hank coming after Walt...I need Sil to cheer me up..
  •  Walt emulates Gus on two occasions
    • His demeanor with Lydia at the car wash he shoos her away in an overly polite manner while running his legit front
    • Folding the towel and placing it at the base of the toilet as he barfs, to soften the floor on his kneeds
      • I chuckled on a repeat when Walt is staring at Gus in the garage through is binoculars, Walt has managed to find a piece of cardboard to there to soften the ground against his knees
  • When Walt is honest with Skyler about Lydia pulling him back in, it's jarring.  Because he's being honest.  Which says a lot.
  •  I assume whoever wrote the Badger and Skinny Pete scene is a huge Star Trek fan and had a lot of fun with that
    • "My script, I just have to write it down"
    • Oh jeez someone already animated it
  • Huel is looking at Jessie in the waiting room pull out his cigarette pack, probably thinking back to when he lifted the ricin 
  • Mike's not dead.  Okay, Walt is back to lying
  • Jessie's never been motivated by money, but by being good at something.  He went middle child that one time during an argument between Walt and Mike on costs, offering his whole share so Walt could keep his.   
  • If you are playing Breaking Bad Cinematography BINGO, there's some good POV and super close ups of the pool and skateboards to mark off on your card
  • Walt pretty much simultaneously admits everything and nothing to Hank, while also simultaneously goading him to investigate and reasoning with him to give it up...then threatens him to "tread lightly"
    • I thought Walt would take the strategy of reminding Hank how foolish he'll look if he has to turn in his brother who was under his nose the whole time.  The last ASAC was booted when Gus was discovered for the same offense.  This is even more extreme
    • I also thought he'd involve Skyler and Junior.  "Does Skyler know?!  She not only knows, but is laundering the money!  Put me away, put her away, and leave Junior an orphan."  Walt's approach is much more aggressive.
  • After a lot of speculation, the real point of the episode was to see how Hank would react to the news.  I could not come to a reasonable conclusion and was surprised at him punching Walt, while also thinking this makes complete sense.
 Have an A-1 day!

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