Breaking Bad Forum

Didn't see one started so I thought I'd go ahead and start a discussion thread for the episode.

[I'm not the biggest forum user, (although I'd like to start posting more) and I'm not sure if you guys were interested in this sort of thing, but I just thought it'd be cool to have a thread for each episode with Screened users]

Amazing season opener. The entire Gus scene literally gave me chills: beautifully shot, the sound of every footstep, and I loved how eerie and minimal it was. Walter's speech during that whole thing was so cool too, Bryan Cranston really showing his range here. Can't wait till next week.

I was afraid at the end of season 3 that Gus had lost his presence as an intimidating crime boss, but this episode showed that he isn't just brutal in his manipulative ways, but also physical. I almost thought for a second there that maybe they would kill off Walt right then and there because I was so caught up in the tension. That was probably one of the most brutal kills I've seen on television. Also there's something about the cleanliness and efficiency that Walt and Jesse cleaned up the corpse that made it seem even more disgusting and disturbing than when cleaning up Crazy 8's cousin's chunky leftovers after he fell through the bathroom floor.

But immediately after that we, or at least I was treated to some laughs. One being the french fry transition from when they were mopping up the floor. Second being Walt and Jesse wearing the same clothes. And another being how silly the clothes looks on Walt, especially when he didn't peel the size sticker off it.

Anyone else make the comparison of Hank's situation to season 1? Walt initially refused treatment because he didn't want to be a burden on his family with his wife taking care of him all the time and being unable to provide for his family, yet now Hank, as a consequence of Walt's actions is in that situation.

Anyone else make the comparison of Hank's situation to season 1? Walt initially refused treatment because he didn't want to be a burden on his family with his wife taking care of him all the time and being unable to provide for his family, yet now Hank, as a consequence of Walt's actions is in that situation.

Gus is definitely a bad ass. Even though you could feel the whole scene that he was going to kill that guy, the slow, methodical and silent way in which he did it was freaking intimidating. A great start, I had almost forgotten about this show but this ep brought it all back.

Fantastic opening. Some highlights:

• Gus scene. Not only for what it was, but what it represents: Breaking Bad is able to use actions to speak for the characters better than just about any other show I can think of. The way they let the scenes go and go with no dialogue brilliantly build tension.
• End scene was very well done. The last shot sets up some potentially disastrous for Walt and the crew.
• The matching Kenny Rodgers shirts.
• Great nod to season 1.
• All leads were great with Cranston of course being the standout. I loved his speech in the lead up to the murder.
• Not much Hank, but what we saw definitely shows the transition that character is making which is great for that character and the series in general.

@minipato said:

Anyone else make the comparison of Hank's situation to season 1? Walt initially refused treatment because he didn't want to be a burden on his family with his wife taking care of him all the time and being unable to provide for his family, yet now Hank, as a consequence of Walt's actions is in that situation.

Absolutely. The arc's that all of these characters have made thus far in Breaking Bad is incredible. All of them are in such different places now than they were when the show first started, all accredited to such fine storytelling. Can't wait to see more of Hank's role this season.

I always understood Gus as the guy who hires people to get jobs done or send messages. The utility knife scene was just amazing. Both Walt frantically trying to talk to him and Gus' actions were perfect. Kenny Rogers t-shirts were great...

Anyone else thing Walt's speech - during the Gus scene - called back to his speech with Jessie in the season 3 opener? Walt frantically trying to blame the plane crash on some one else, the same as he was Gale's death. He is unable to accept that things have unraveled because of him. Everyone's pain and suffering can be traced back to his decision to 'break bad', and he is constantly trying to avoid coming to terms with that. As his cancerous evil spreads.

Such a fucking fantastic show!

@StealthMaster86 said:

Except when Gus killed Victor, not a lot happens. But doing nothing intensifies that scene and make that hour of television stand out to one of the best. Only Breaking Bad can have an hour of nothing and still be thrilling every minute of the episode.

The murder was when it solidified in my mind that "Holy shit, Breaking Bad is back."