For a show with a history of incredible endings, Breaking Bad may have outdone itself with the closing moments of "Crawl Space." Hot damn on a stick! Walt's sinister laugh as he rolled around in a pile of not-enough money is to this season what "Run!," his command to Jesse in "Half Measures," was to Season 3. I suffered twelve heart attacks during the artery-exploding last ten minutes of the episode and loved every second of it. The only thing keeping me alive at this point is the need to see how this incredible season ends.
The Breaking Bad team sure has a lot of fun torturing Walt. It reminds me of how I used to play The Sims just to build my character a house with no bathroom and watch him react. And suffer. Walt's holding pattern came to an abrupt end on Sunday as he was forced to react to metaphorically not having a bathroom; basically, his plan didn't work and now he's swimming in shit.
The events of this week's episode were all set in motion by Gus. Now that he's executed on his plan to execute the cartel to near perfection—we'll see if Mike makes it—and confident in Jesse's ability to whip up a batch of ABQ's finest teeth-shattering blue feel-good powder, Gus has moved onto Phase 2 of his plan to keep his empire running. And that means restructuring the business. In addition to purchasing a new coffeemaker for the industrial laundry's break room, he also has to sever ties with Walter and kill that pesky DEA agent who's, you know, the only one on the squad doing his job.
Gus doesn't normally hand out pink slips. When you're employed by GusCo Pharmaceutical, severance packages mean a completely different thing—with the emphasis on "sever." Walt lucked out because Jesse, while he's no longer a card-carrying member of the Walter White Fan club, won't work for Gus if Walter is killed. So Walt was treated to the worst exit interview ever: He was tazed, bagged, dropped in the middle of the desert, and informed that his brother-in-law is as good as dead. Oh yeah, and his entire family will be murdered if he tries to save Hank. Okay, but what about medical benefits? Are those just cut off? Is COBRA an option?
(Side note: If I have one issue with the way things are playing out, it's with Gus keeping Walter alive because of Jesse's insistence. If Gus did kill Walter, would Jesse just stop working? Or would Jesse continue being the employee of the month to stay alive? There's loyalty, and there's being stupid. Jesse can threaten Gus with not working, but what happens if Walt gets killed and Gus threatens Andrea and her son? Jess will be making glass in a heartbeat. Surely, Gus knows this.)
Thus began Run, Walter, Run, as Walt set off on a mad dash to protect his family by erasing its existence. And it was easily the best sequence of the season so far. Every single person who was involved in those scenes deserves an Emmy, right down to the person who applied Walter's Band-Aid. The cinematography made us feel trapped and cornered, the acting made us feel totally screwed, the score made us feel tense, and the writing made us feel scared. It allowed complete immersion in a way that only the finest art is able to achieve, by transporting viewers out of their comfy confines and into the story. And it was so good that it's hard to escape even now, more than twelve hours after the fact.
So what does Walter do next? The window during which he can erase his existence is closing, the money he needs in order to do so is gone, and Gus is mere moments away from finding out that Walter tipped Hank off and launching Operation Kill Walter White's Infant Daughter. Walt has to kill Gus, doesn't he? Isn't that the direction we all expected this season was headed in? Can Walt get Jesse back on his team and coordinate an attack from the inside? Or can Walter find the money and escape with his family to the Caribbean for a final season in which Walter runs a juice stand in Jamaica? (Though I'd still watch that show, I'd prefer to see him go head-to-head with Gus.) We have two episodes left to find out.
Another great episode punctuated by one of the series' finest moments ever. And one of the incredible things Breaking Bad is doing right now is making it plausible for any of the main characters, except Walter, to die. Place your bets.
Notes:
– Yes, Cranston was incredible in that final scene. But the indelible image burned into my cortex is of Skyler's face as Walter maniacally chuckles. Anna Gunn has been underappreciated this season because her storyline has seemed so isolated. But now two worlds have crashed (brilliantly, I may add) and we were instantly reminded of how great she is.
– What does it say that Gus had replacement blood on hand for Jesse? Was it just over-preparation on Gus' part, or a hint that he'd always expected Jesse to survive? I'm leaning more toward the "just in case Pinkman proves useful" idea.
– The scene with Saul's "A-Team" and Ted felt awfully Pulp Fictiony, didn't it? And yes, that's a good thing. Who else knew that the carpet Ted tripped on early would come back later in the episode? It reminded me of the moment in Steven Soderbergh's Out of Sight when White Boy Bob stumbled on a step early to establish his clumsiness, only to have it [spoiler!] come back and kill him later in the movie. Ted, that couldn't have been the first time you tripped on that carpet. If you'd fixed it earlier, you might have lived a long life as a sniveling good-for-nothing jerk. Isn't Ted the lamest?
– Whether it was intentional or not, the door to Ted's house is perfect. It's a simple door that's obviously suffered some sort of trauma; there are cracks, dents, and other blemishes on it. But it's been painted over in black to create the illusion from far away that it's fine. Just like Ted. Or maybe I'm just a little too obsessed with doors and tables on television.
– I would have liked to see a little more suspicion on Hank's part against Walt. When Walt caused an car accident to avoid turning into the laundry, Hank's radar should have gone off. It wasn't that long ago that Hank made a passing comment to Walter that dripped with accusation. Walt's influx of cash, his background in chemistry, his ties to Jesse, and his erratic behavior should raise some more flags. There's a little too much of the "Oh, Walt's just a bumbling old fool" attitude given all the signs pointing in his direction.
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
Best episode of the season and I felt so sorry for Walt. Plus his cry to laugh was chilling. I can't wait for the next two episodes of the season.
Anna Gunn was amazing in those last moments. And Cranston's laughter was absolutely TERRIFYING.
Skyler's reaction was just perfect. Cranston can do pretty much anything, but it was Anna Gunn's performance that sold Walter's leap from reality. That lurch from the norm that signifies a genuine shift to the uncomfortable. Sublime! I really want to see more of R.J Mitte in the finale. He brings a quality that is unique. I'd love to see him in a scene with Jesse. Two of Walter's "sons" together? Surely that's the goldmine of this series?
This must be the episode that will be submitted to the Emmy's for best direction, writing, musical composition, actor/actress, ect. Surely Breaking Bad can't top this. Can't it? The last two episodes will be one hell of a ride!
Last two episodes is gonna be epic. I remember thinking the first time Ted tripped over the carpet, 'Why show us that?'. You know? Why not just show him walking normally to the door? Still caught me by surprise when he tripped the second time. I agree that Walt's maniacal laughter was a great moment but it's Skyler's realization that sold it. Brilliant season.
A couple things. First, threatening Andrea and her son is not ideal for Gus. If he did that, Jesse would almost certainly turn against him and attempt to kill Gus at the first available opportunity (and probably succeed). Second, Gus can't afford to kill Jesse because he is the only one who can come close to replicating Walt's work.
Also, Anna Gunn's performance was fine, and the horrified look on her face was memorable. However, I don't think that was all that difficult from an acting standpoint. Hell, most of the people watching probably had similar looks on their faces. Again, it was a good performance. But let's not get crazy and start comparing it to Bryan Cranston's (there was a similar problem with people praising RJ Mitte to the heavens for basically just not screwing up the scene, as Cranston reminded everyone why he won three straight Emmys, and why the race for next year is all but over). He's the best actor on television by far. Who else could pull off that final scene? Nobody.moreless
Well, if one considers that Anna Gunn was, in reality, looking at a camera surrounded by filming crew members, not at what the people watching were witnessing... yes. I'd say her performance was great! Which doesn't take anything away from Cranston.
What about the bowl of oranges that fell on Ted after he bit it? An homage to The Godfather perhaps?
Amazing episode and Tim, you did a wonderful job reviewing one of the most electrifying episodes television has seen for a long time.
Great season! Great show! I can barely wait for the next episode. Has The Wire met it's match? Not far from it!
its re-assuring that in this day and age, when close to everything on TV is a drab an a ruse to acquire the viewers money with the least effort, that a show such as breaking bad can exist. everyone can agree with me that this was a pretty sick episode and would like to appreciate team-breaking bad for their attention to story telling detail. i love you guys
LOL I thought it was a new article x_x Nope. The title changed, is all.
Best. Show. Ever.
This is a great show,just cant get enough
"Side note: If I have one issue with the way things are playing out, it's with Gus keeping Walter alive because of Jesse's insistence. If Gus did kill Walter, would Jesse just stop working?"
To anyone who plays poker this is known as a leveling war, I don't think you are giving Jesse not cooking enough weight.
i.e sure Gus can threaten the people you mention but from Gus's point of view which is more valuable? Option A is keeping Walt alive and having Jesse continue to produce the key to his whole operation therefor making him to much money to even imagine. Option B is to kill Walt and nearly definitely lose Jesse as an employee even if he has to kill Jesse's loved ones.
this where where the "leveling" comes in, Gus knows that there is a high probability that Jesse will turn against him if he kills Walt. On the next level Jesse knows how important he is to the operation, next level again Gus knows that he can leverage Andrea and her son against Jesse but then again Jesse probably feels that him cooking voluntarily for Gus is for more important to Gus than Gus having no cook and at least 4 dead bodies on his hands ( Walt, Jesse, Andrea and her son )
So who wins the leveling war? hard to say but seeing as they are both working off imperfect information yet seemingly Jesse has more information than Gus this implies that Jesse ( and Walt ) comes out on top If both take the smartest option available to them.moreless
This was an amazing episode and the writers really know how to give the viewers a run for their tv viewing pleasure. Just when you think you know how things are playing out things take a turn in another direction. I look forward to seeing how the season plays out!
Is there any way Giancarlo Esposito is not getting an Emmy for his performance?? I'm ready to start a riot in front of the Kodak Theatre if he isn't even nominated.... Hell I'll event fly from France if I have to....
I posted this comment on another forum before, but I figured I might as well post it here:
How good was this episode!?
I'll tell you how good it was: It was so good that I created an account just to leave a comment here about how good it was.
This metaphor might be a bit worn out, but to me this season is best described as a rollercoaster ride. With the first few episodes (1-4) being equivalent to the waiting in line, seeing the giant structure from below, hearing the screams in the distance leading to a very pleasant anticipation of the wild things to come.
Then you finally get in the car, you fasten the belts and the ride begins (eps. 5-7).
The last three episodes (8-10) felt to me like the chain lift. The stakes grew higher and higher to the point that you can barely see the ground and you realize that you can't get off anymore.
'Crawl Space' would be the first drop. We've reached the highest point and the train starts to accelerate. Walter's laughter pinpoints the moment when you feel those butterflies in your stomach (I admit, I teared up) and now it is your turn to scream.
I'm looking forward to the loops, corkscrews and camelbacks the writers have in store for us in the next two episodes and I'm more than happy to go for one more ride next year...
It's all downhill from here on (which - in a rollercoaster metaphor - is a good thing of course!)moreless
This episode was nothing short of amazing. Damn, the last 10 minutes had me glued to my TV!! This season has so many WTF moments, every episode ends better then the last.
With only 2 episodes left, I am still not sure where this is going. While this episode focused mostly on Walt losing control, it also showed Jesse telling Gus if he kills walt, he's got a problem. So Jesse did not say goodbye to Walter just yet. Maybe Jesse is playing his own game to trick Gus into trusting him completely so he can get close with his pack of cigarettes. I think Jesse will kill Gus in the finale, this will be the twist I think. The writers are creating so much distance now between Walter and Jesse that there has to be a twist of some kind. I have been wrong the whole season so let's see :)moreless
amazing show!
I totally agree on the Hank thing, the car accident should have been a big sign. Hank is smart, naturally suspicious about everything and constantly investigating to look for answers. I know that Walt being his man has crossed his mind more than once but he keeps on stepping away from it because it just seems too far-fetched. I thought this would be the episode Hank would confront Walt and that little car accident that randomly happened with Walt's suddenly not being able to see has to be ringing alarms. With next year being the last season all bets are off and the only survivors could be Walt and Jesse. I personally don't want any of these people to die, not even Gus, but this feels like one of those finals where someone's life will be held in the balanced.moreless
Hank always had some kind off condescending attitude toward Walter. So, either he thinks that Walt is too dumb to run such an operation or he does suspect him and plays dumb while amassing proofs, as someone else pointed out.
When I first saw Ted trip on the carpet I wondered if it was a real accident and that they decided to keep it to lighten up the mood. Then I figured: "nah... there's gonna be something else. But I never expected that! And I actually was shocked about the ridicule of it contrasting with the "severe" or " disciplined" writing of the show. But now that you mention it, Tim, yeah... could be a small Giligan's tribute to Tarantino. I does, in deed, feels Pulp Fictiony.
amazing absolutely amazing show week after week its just breaking its own records of having the best ending.
I laughed out loud when Ted tripped, and burst out when I saw Hank in the neck brace. GREAT episode! I think many other shows save an episode like this for last, just to get us back next year. Breaking Bad takes it two steps further and you know the last 2 episodes are going to be incredible.
Gus wouldn't kill Jesse,because then his production would stop and he can't afford it to have it shut down even for a week or two.
I love this show.
Marie had to hear that crazy Walt's laugh, but yeah she was/is panicing.
If this is how it ends with two episodes before finale, what will finale bring??
Can't wait. Bring it!!!!!!!!
an absolutely brilliant episode but what Tim Surette seems to have missed in his excitement is not only that this was an Emmy performance by Cranston, we have also seen the transformation from Walter White into Heisenberg. It will be interesting to watch how they will top the insensitivity of this episode, I know they will, they always do.
One of the best Breaking Bad episodes ever! and there's still 2 left for the season.. I think Gus' gonna die.. its the only way I see this unraveled.
I said that last year and pum, bye bye Gale.
What I'd like to see is with Ted's passing, have Gus set-up a "dummy lab" somewhere in Ted's business, create a suicide "confession" note, and lead the feds to his house/body. Of course you'd have to find some kind of way to explain the blunt-force trauma, but that's what writers are for......
I agree with all said by Tim on this one, down to not really buying the part that Gus, who just killed a bunch of former associates, won't put lowly old Walt down based on the demands of Jesse. Of course, you COULD argue that it's BECAUSE Walt is such a nobody in the grand scheme of things that that's why he decided to oblige our young friend.
Good riddance, Ted! The fact that he had to go was established quite a while ago, and him dying the way he did neatly eliminates any responsibility of the main players. His part was pretty contrived, all told, but it was written well and executed even better.
I love Saul, especially in this episode.
It would be just so great if Walt died! Not that I don't like him, but let's face it, if this was real life he'd already be dead. He's totally sloppy and out of control this season, and that kind of verisimilitude is what make shows like Game of Thrones and Deadwood so great, with (SPOILER ALERT!) the deaths of Lord Stark and Wild Bill Hicock respectively.
Reminds me a bit of "Scarface" with Pacino. The rise and fall of Walter White.
i think we can all agree that the last scene alone should make them win all of next year emmys
I'm pretty sure this show is better than the blue meth that even Walt can cook.
Amazing! I can't wait till sunday to see how this all plays out. This is now easily my favorite show. I just wish all TV could be like this. Now if they give the Emmy to Mad Men again next year, I may cry. Breaking Bad totally deserves it for this unbelievable season. 96 on metacritic! that is insane!
best episode ever. wow, the ending blew me away.
how can this show be this good, it's almost ridiculous.
Excellent! Simply excellent!
@chas031 looking at the summary for the final episode, looks like you might be on the right track in which case it would be crazy interesting to see such a twist.
There's a little too much of the "Oh, Walt's just a bumbling old fool" attitude given all the signs pointing in his direction
You're right Tim. That's why I believe that Hank may actually have a tracker on Walt's car. BUT, with Hank having accepted the money from Walt where does that put Hank?? Trying to explain to the DEA that he thought it was illegal GAMBLING winning certainly won't get him any medals!! Using this assumption, then Walt might just enlist Hank to help him take down Gus. hhhmmmmm
I thought Hank was totally catching on though, when he was propped up in his bed. Hank could be playing dumb. Gathering evidence on Walt this whole time. The way he was mentioning things in the car was again oddly related to Walt. Hank says again "you can come to me for anything". Then after that accident, he said "I saw that car coming from a mile away." so seriously, I thought he was going to jump and start accusing Walt right there.
I too thought about that. I always figured that the last year would be that: Hank running after Walt. But now... who really can tell? :)
Totally agree about Anna Gunn. That look on her face is going to be burned in my memory for a long, long time; just top-notch acting. And all the Skyler-haters out there need to realize every scene can't be Heisenberg being a badass or Gus being a boss. Walt is not a good person, and what he's done to his family is pretty black-and-white thanks largely to how Anna Gunn's arc has played out. It's going to be really interesting to see how people feel about Walt after these last 15 episodes. Is he going to be the total "shark" Vic Mackey was at the end of The Shield or are we going to remember his shame and painful "I'm sorry about Jane"/"You're meth was as good as mine" moments with Jesse?moreless
That last scene with Skyler reminded me of The Shining.... the music, the camera angles, the dialogue. Man I still have the CHILLS!!
i just don't know if my heart can handle more of this...
For me, the first 35 minutes were awesome as the majority of episodes of BB. I felt satisfied by that time, without expecting that final 10 minutes, which were by far the best minutes of series I've seen this year.
Please, just give the Emmy to Cranston, Anna Gun and Vince!!
2012 will be the year of BB. Mad Men, and quoting Gus: You're done!!
Just thanks life for letting me watch the greatest serie of the last years.
I must admit that the drama and the tension was slightly as big as last season's Half Measures. I did not expect that Walt's endgame would begin in this episode at all. I honestly thought that nothing significant will happen for Walt, like he would still be working, but it was a surprise that things are seriously moving forward.
I hated how they treated Walt in the last few episodes, like he is nothing. I hope he still has a few cards to play, and reverse the situation with Gus. I started to like Gus after his back story arc but after deciding to fire Walt, I hate him so much.
Where did all of Walt's money go? Sure they bought the car wash and gave money to Ted, but didn't Walt make more money than that?
The Car Wash
Ted/IRS
Hanks Medical Bills
Walts Medical Bills
Walt Jr.'s PT Cruiser and Dodger Challenger
Saul Goodman Fees
Defunct Laser Tag/Arcade
Walt's Apartment
So outta the 7 million or so Skylar calculated, Walt probably made half that (worked for Gus for about 6 months).
Money Walt needs to pay the guy to make him and his family disappear plus the living expenses they will need = 'Where is the money Skylar!!! (followed by creepy laugh).
the car wash