Raw Data: Confessions

Thoughts and observations for Breaking Bad episode 5-11, "Confessions"... third of this year with five to go.

Written by Gennifer Hutchison, whose done a lot of work on this series, as well as Gilligan's former home, X-Files

Directed by Michael Slovis, the much lauded director of photography for this series


Walt's Jujutsu
Walt is a deranged evil genius.  He is blackmailing his brother-in-law for something his brother-in-law did not do.  In an incredible jujutsu ninja move, Walt, coming from a weak position and defensive perspective, manages to not only buy time but possibly bring his Hank problem to a sudden stalemate, barring some sort of kamikaze always get his man type mission on the part of Hank.  Last week I mentioned "Hank benefitted from Walt's meth money via his rehab.  Something to keep in mind."  Walt takes Hank's single, incredibly thin tie to the meth (which Hank is completely unaware of) and uses it to his advantage.  Quickly Hank is the one that now needs to make decisions about how to proceed, treading ever so lightly.  You have to wonder if this plan was sitting in the back of Walt's mind the whole time.

But you also have to wonder if it's a bluff, and would he actually bring down an innocent man and member of his family, and, presumably, the successive guardian to his children.  Any family togetherness is clearly gone forever.  Once someone tells you to "Just. Die." it's doubtful they'll split the wishbone next Thanksgiving.  But Walt and Skyler want to have an almost 'no hard feelings' attitude with Hank and Marie.  Even though the bond is gone, will they be willing to bring Hank to his knees as Walt goes down?

I am a bit shocked at the lack of shock and disbelief on Hank and Marie's parts.  It may be because they are so angry they do not have room for any other emotion.  Since Hank's panic attack behind the wheel he's been able to focus his energy and quickly come to grips with the reality of Heisenberg.  Marie seemed to do so even more quickly.  I wonder if it would be different, for Marie at least, if they hadn't been, or hadn't found out they were directly affected by Walt's shenanigans. 

This show takes some giant leaps in the interest of moving plot forward where characters make connections that are seemingly thing.  It also suspends reality in a way that I don't often see with other shows.  The way it is different is that viewers don't give them any guff about these leaps and connections the show asks them to make.  I wonder what that is.

Walt and Jessie
Speaking of catatonic, Jessie gives just enough a reaction out of his fugue state in the interview room to confirm (but not prove) Hank's suspicions.  Talking Bad posed the question, paraphrasing, what would be worse for Jessie to find out, Hank's role in Jane, Mike or Brock.  Looks like we'll see at least two, though I can't imagine the circumstance where evidence of the third would come out.  Jessie has his suspicions about Mike's death and may not be interested in proving it.  As Mike was in the game and understood the risks, Jessie's reaction to information about Brock* would dwarf that.

* Discovering in a similar epiphany-esque way as Hank on the toilet.  

When Jessie deduces the deal about Brock* his reaction is not to go to Hank, who essentially offered Jessie immunity not long before, or to get in the car and start his new life.   No, Jessie quickly obtains a giant can of gasoline and runs into Walt's house completely dousing it to apparently set fire to it.  Wow. 

* This show takes some giant leaps in the interest of moving plot forward where characters make connections that are seemingly thing.  It also suspends reality in a way that I don't often see with other shows.  The way it is different is that viewers don't give them any guff about these leaps and connections the show asks them to make.  I wonder why that is.  EDIT 8/27 But here is one good diagram of how it came together for Jessie

Until Jessie's revelation, Walt is on a manipulation bender, even for him, between hugging Jessie and using his cancer to retain control of his own son.

EDIT 8/27 And, for laughs, how about Walter retrieving his gun, casually making excuses to Skyler. Took a while to find that exact strip.

EDIT 8/27: Compare (I assume) Walt's choice of Guapo's for a meeting place with Hank, the DEA agent. Public and unlikely to cause a scene...with a much less Heisenberg-ed Walt choosing to meet Tuco the drug dealing meth head in the garbage dump. 

Have an A-1 day!