OT: Breaking Bad episode 5 open discussion

Submitted by BeatOSU52 on

I do not believe there has been a Breaking Bad thread since the season 5 premiere, so I thought I'd start one as there are only four episode left before the mid-series finale. Tonight's episode of course airs at 10pm Eastern on AMC.

 

Tension has been building rapidly the last four episodes, and it appears things are going to start taking off starting with this episode.  In an interview with Aaron Paul (Jesse) before the season aired, he said this was the episode where a ton of drama and action begins to happen.

 

See preview of tonight's episode here

DonAZ

August 12th, 2012 at 2:46 PM ^

I thought the way the last episode ended -- with closeup of Walter shaving his head, the nick and the trickle of blood, and band-aid, and then the close-up of the watch's second hand ticking towards 12 -- was outstanding.

That show oozes sinister vibes.  It sets out to do this, and it does it well.

And I'll say again -- the way light and shadows are used to amplify mood and tension is exquisite.  For those with a photographer's eye ... watch for it.  Outstanding cinematography.

MGoBender

August 12th, 2012 at 3:31 PM ^

One of the first things I noticed when watching the series was the excellent use of chiaroscuro lighting.  There's one scene - I think one of Walt first meetings with Gus - where the lighting is spectacular.  They both are lighted so that one side of their face is completely dark.  It's an obvious metaphor for the double-lives they live, but the true pay-off is the season 4 ending in which the "two-face" of Gus is shown quite literally.  Love this series.

BeatOSU52

August 12th, 2012 at 4:06 PM ^

While the foreshadowing and symbolism is often what gets noticed and appreciated by us fans for this show, the lighting and camera work is amazing.  I remember a few episodes ago, they showed Skyler in bed with Walt talking to her and you could see Walt's entire body but not his face...making him out to be like a pure evil serial killer like you would see in a horror movie.

RobizzleGoesBlue

August 12th, 2012 at 4:31 PM ^

The sound is equally important in my mind. When Walter is on the phone with Mike, the low frequencies of his voice are amplified, making a growling (lion-like) voice. On the other hand, it will cut to Walter attempting to casually speak with Skyler, and the low frequencies are cut, while the mid's and highs are boosted, making his voice incredibly nasal, and fragile.

Really fantastic production work in my mind. Love the way every aspect of the show is used to deepen thematic elements.

Frito Bandito

August 12th, 2012 at 8:30 PM ^

Well Mr. Smarty pants... Let's just say I was less than serious. It's also worth noting that Nick Sobotka would have a few words for Mr. Pinkman and all his down, street wise wiggers. Yo.

RobizzleGoesBlue

August 12th, 2012 at 4:27 PM ^

Sorry to be a nerd, but did anyone else pick up on the obvious Shakespeare allusions in the most recent episode?

Examples:

Skyler trying to drown herself=Ophelia in Hamlet.

Skyler talking about the "blood on her hands" while endlessly scrubbing her hands=Lady Macbeth.

 

I think that this is some foreshadowing for the ultimate outcome of the show. Any other opinions here?

Like It's 19BBY

August 12th, 2012 at 5:28 PM ^

I have this feeling that Walt is eventually going to kill Skyler. I know that sounds pretty off the wall, but with Skyler expressing how she basically wishes Walter would just die, and her behavior becoming so erratic. Maybe at some point Walter will give up trying to win her over and just see her as a major liability to his business and kids.



One way to do it would be the Ricin. They've pretty much left that open ended because Walter never disposed of the vile, it's hiding behind a wall socket. Would anyone really suspect him if he did go that route? I mean, shes already tried to commit suicide. Maybe this time she succeeded.



That might even spark Jesse's suspicion concerning the whole Brock situation, if he were to hear Akyler died of Ricin poisoning ...I don't know.



Here's an idea. How about I just watch the show when it comes on.





exmtroj

August 12th, 2012 at 5:34 PM ^

I've always wondered, since everything seems to be very deliberate with this show, what was the point of making Walt Jr. disabled? Was it supposed to drum up more viewer sympathy for Walt when he first started cooking?

NoMoPincherBug

August 12th, 2012 at 6:37 PM ^

Walt Jr. is great...kid is a really good actor.  Remember when Walt went Heisenberg for the very first time when the kids were making fun of Walt Jr. in the store?  That moment alone served the purpose to have a character with a disability on the show and Walt at the time saying "enough of this crap, im mad as hell and not taking it any more"

It is much more dynamic to have Walt Jr. with a disabilty as the son...vs. some blonde good looking 16 year old athlete...

rjc

August 12th, 2012 at 7:00 PM ^

Vince Gilligan created the character to honor a disabled friend from NYU but it also contributes to the desperation of Walt's circumstance and influences his decision to "break bad."  RJ Mitte, the actor who plays Jr has cerebal palsey himself but doesn't require the crutches he uses on the show.

NoMoPincherBug

August 12th, 2012 at 6:34 PM ^

IMO Lydia did not plant that sensor device on the Bee Meth barrel.  She didnt even know how to turn the cameras down.  So we are expected to believe that she could figure out a forklift, get up there 12 feet to lift the barrel and bring it down...place the senser and put it back up there?

no way...Mike is wrong on that... no way Lydia is capable of that

HelloHeisman91

August 12th, 2012 at 11:26 PM ^

Typically great shows hit their peak 4-5 years into their run and BB is no different. When in concludes, always leave them wanting more will certainly apply. Can't believe it's going to be over.

BeatOSU52

August 13th, 2012 at 12:07 AM ^

3 episode left until the mid-series finale, but then we have to wait another year for the final 8 to air of season 5.

I am pretty confident a major character will die before episode 8, the mid series finale, ends (or a re-occuring one at least), and I wouldnt be surprised if Hank finally finds out a little about Walt maybe being Heisenberg.  Haven't read any spoilers, just a guess.

But anyways, what an ending.  I don't think that was necessary of Todd.  Even if the kid knew what was going on, I don't really think he could have done much to get them in trouble.  It's not like he had a camera.

SEAL Fan

August 13th, 2012 at 12:19 AM ^

Unbelievable episode tonight.  My jaw was on the floor with that ending, simply wow.  

 

I think the show ends with Walt disappearing.  In the beginning of season 5 he's at that diner with a different name living in New Hampshire.  Makes me think he called that vaccuum repair guy.

BeatOSU52

August 13th, 2012 at 12:48 AM ^

yeah he'll disappear but from that foreshadowing scene, he also buys some intense weapons so he'll have a final stand with someone(s).

There will be some major tension next week between Mike-Jesse-Todd-Walt regarding that kid.  My guess is it may not turn out pretty for the person that is in disagreement with Walt.

reshp1

August 14th, 2012 at 1:52 PM ^

I liked that episode actually, it was a tangent into Walt's mind, it revealed a lot about what he was going through internally. It didn't really advance the plot line and wasn't particularly eventful, but the show's always been about the tension between the characters and that episode was no exception.