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[-Pyromaniac-]

Nice observation on the Sepinwall review, not sure if anyone here pointed it out but the car garage guy said "nothing beats free" to Walt, same phrase the Denny's waitress says to Walt in the flash forward.

 

[maharg]

You should watch The Shield if you think that BB is good at making you pull for an antagonist.

The Shield is a completely different animal. For one thing, the show starts from a position of you thinking the character is bad and never really diverges from that. For another, Vic isn't quite as blatantly sociopathic as Walt. At least not after the first few episodes. He struggles with his decisions at times. And finally, when Vic talks about how much he cares about his family, I actually believe him. He doesn't do any of the borderline or outright abusive stuff Walt does to Skyler (at least not that I remember. Note though I haven't gotten around to seeing the last season of The Shield).

The Shield is also awesome, but it's not the same manipulation, nor does it succeed on the same scale.

 

[Fry]

Is this Vic's wife also a bitch?

Because Skylar kind of is.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

The Shield is a completely different animal. For one thing, the show starts from a position of you thinking the character is bad and never really diverges from that. For another, Vic isn't quite as blatantly sociopathic as Walt. At least not after the first few episodes. He struggles with his decisions at times. And finally, when Vic talks about how much he cares about his family, I actually believe him. He doesn't do any of the borderline or outright abusive stuff Walt does to Skyler (at least not that I remember. Note though I haven't gotten around to seeing the last season of The Shield).

The Shield is also awesome, but it's not the same manipulation, nor does it succeed on the same scale.

you should like....get on that

 

[Ventilaator]

Is this Vic's wife also a bitch?

Because Skylar kind of is.

Vic's wife actually puts family first, instead of pretending to.

 

[slightconfuse]

skylar started out as the betty draper of bb sucking the air out of scenes but i my opionon turned in this episode. as she said she is dirty herself but she is some what slefaware to try and get out before it all goes boom

 

[Neato_Jinkins]

hurr

i swear to god breaking bad is a social experiment constructed to ferret out lunatics who sympathize with walt

 

[Zen]

That or sexists. Seriously though, you might have to be borderline personality disorder not to have some sympathy for Walt.

I emphatically disagree with that. Walter has had multiple opportunities to legitimately help his family. The entire reason he cooks is because he's in charge and his product is the best around.

Oh that's why he enjoys it, but thanks to a hole gamut of things he basically has nothing left besides the cook. A lot of his earlier lies in the series were mostly necessity given his terrible decision not to join Grey Matter, it's not until recently that the 'come the fuck on Walt' lies have overshadowed them.

Hell, Hank wouldn't have even pursued his investigation without being pushed by Walt's foolish pride.

If Walt's end motivator is his family I really have to wonder why he's using the meth money to lease Junior a brand new 2012 Challenger R/T with 5.7l v8/375 HP, 25 hwy mpg available at a local dealer near you.

There are a lot of issues at play with Walt. In the face of how empty and terrible his relationship is with Skylar he's running to his relationship with his son as a coping mechanism.

Walt really blew it with Hank. He was drunk, otherwise there's no way that he'd have been so prideful and stupid.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

i swear to god breaking bad is a social experiment constructed to ferret out lunatics who sympathize with walt

tbh I think it's a social experiment to see how far some are willing to go to pretend that they like a completely abhorrent human being like Skyler

TRULY FASCINATING.

 

[Neato_Jinkins]

tbh I think it's a social experiment to see how far some are willing to go to pretend that they like a completely abhorrent human being like Skyler

TRULY FASCINATING.

what has she done that was abhorrent, besides sleep with a dude who wasn't a murderous wannabe machiavelli?

(hint for those incapable of detecting sarcasm: the above act wasn't abhorrent, either)

 

[Zeth]

Hank is on Fresh Air right now. Is this an old interview or new, anyone know?

 

[Linkhero1]

Fantastic episode.

tbh I think it's a social experiment to see how far some are willing to go to pretend that they like a completely abhorrent human being like Skyler

TRULY FASCINATING.

I believe this as well.

 

[JustProgress]

I have a question. Was the flash forward in ABQ? I remember the ID and the plates being from New Hampshire, but I'm assuming that was Walt making up some story?

 

[Cornballer]

Hank is on Fresh Air right now. Is this an old interview or new, anyone know?

As far as I know, it's new. Just got posted this morning. I linked it above. FYI: There are apparently some S5 spoilers in the interview.

 

[dave is ok]

I have a question. Was the flash forward in ABQ? I remember the ID and the plates being from New Hampshire, but I'm assuming that was Walt making up some story?

Yeah, took place in New Mexico.

 

[freenudemacusers]

I don't know how you all manage this after every episode. Doing these mental gymnastics week after week must get tiring.

 

[maharg]

and she has had period of being mentally abusive to him also.

I'm genuinely curious, what is this mental abuse Skyler put Walt through? Please note I will not accept "tells him to eat his vegetables" or "makes him a plate of eggs with his age written in bacon on it" as valid answers for 'abuse'.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Look, it's one thing to feel bad for her now. But to act like Skyler wasn't always annoying is crazy talk. Hell I just read the maureen ryan review and the sepinwall review, and they both claim the same. She was Hell on Wheels the first few seasons.

 

[Big Baybee]

I'm genuinely curious, what is this mental abuse Skyler put Walt through? Please note I will not accept "tells him to eat his vegetables" or "makes him a plate of eggs with his age written in bacon on it" as valid answers for 'abuse'.

Seriously, lol. Anti Skyler people are hardcore. She's sort of annoying and a slight hypocrite. I really don't get why people are so emotional when it comes to Skyler.

 

[dave is ok]

She was Hell on Wheels the first few seasons.

wat

Is this AMC viral marketing?

 

[Kano on the Phone]

This episode had a lot of small stuff to think about. Maybe some foreshadowing too.

Maybe? This episode maybe had foreshadowing like a hammer maybe hits a nail.

 

[kehs]

wat

Is this AMC viral marketing?

There's a lot of Mad Men in this thread.

 

[GremlinFool]

Look, it's one thing to feel bad for her now. But to act like Skyler wasn't always annoying is crazy talk. Hell I just read the maureen ryan review and the sepinwall review, and they both claim the same. She was Hell on Wheels the first few seasons.

You're right, annoying people are just abhorrent, the whole lot of them.

Now, those egomaniacal, murderous, drug-dealing child poisoners, that's where my real sympathy lies.

 

[harSon]

You're right, annoying people are just abhorrent, the whole lot of them.

Now, those egomaniacal, murderous, drug-dealing child poisoners, that's where my real sympathy lies.

He's the main character of a popular television show. The writers wouldn't be doing a very good job if their main character was completely detestable and void of any openings for sympathies towards him to be had.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

You're right, annoying people are just abhorrent, the whole lot of them.

Now, those egomaniacal, murderous, drug-dealing child poisoners, that's where my real sympathy lies.

bro Walter White became this super passive aggressive then aggressive aggressive human being after spending his entire life being emasculated by Skyler. And now he is lashing out. He is the victim here.

 

[maharg]

you should like....get on that

Are you saying that because he turns into a horribly abusive person in the last season or just because I should? Because I know the latter. I was getting burned out on the show when I was watching it, it started to drag.

The really broken person in The Shield, to me, is

Spoiler

Shane

.

For the record, I do know what happens to Vic in the end even though I didn't finish the show.

 

[Zen]

I'm genuinely curious, what is this mental abuse Skyler put Walt through? Please note I will not accept "tells him to eat his vegetables" or "makes him a plate of eggs with his age written in bacon on it" as valid answers for 'abuse'.

Some examples: How about the extended period of throwing the fugue in his face (she's far better at overt abuse than he is), giving him hints that she would be having an affair (how she was dressing to go in on the weekend). Throwing him out and refusing to let him see his children. She has been abusive in turn, to deny it is crazy.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Are you saying that because he turns into a horribly abusive person in the last season or just because I should? Because I know the latter. I was getting burned out on the show when I was watching it, it started to drag.

The really broken person in The Shield, to me, is

Spoiler

Shane

.

For the record, I do know what happens to Vic in the end even though I didn't finish the show.

because his wife does in that season what skyler DON'T! That's why. Also, so much shit happens in the final season to everyone. You simply must.

 

[kehs]

bro Walter White became this super passive aggressive then aggressive aggressive human being after spending his entire life being emasculated by Skyler. And now he is lashing out. He is the victim here.

Remember when he time traveled back in time to visit his old GF Gretchen and left her, their business, and everything like a little spoiled brat so that he could sabotage his future and get back at future Skysky, just because Skysky asked him which card he used to buy supplies?

Some examples: How about the extended period of throwing the fugue in his face (she's far better at overt abuse than he is), giving him hints that she would be having an affair (how she was dressing to go in on the weekend). Throwing him out and refusing to let him see his children. She has been abusive in turn, to deny it is crazy.

That hussy dressing up!

 

[maharg]

Some examples: How about the extended period of throwing the fugue in his face (she's far better at overt abuse than he is), giving him hints that she would be having an affair (how she was dressing to go in on the weekend). Throwing him out and refusing to let him see his children. She has been abusive in turn, to deny it is crazy.

....

None of these things are even remotely abusive. And he deserved to be kicked out of the house. Any rational person would have done what she did there.

 

[GremlinFool]

Some examples: How about the extended period of throwing the fugue in his face (she's far better at overt abuse than he is), giving him hints that she would be having an affair (how she was dressing to go in on the weekend). Throwing him out and refusing to let him see his children. She has been abusive in turn, to deny it is crazy.

He is a maniacal, drug-slinging monster. He should be thrilled that she didn't have him put in federal prison for life.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Remember when he time traveled back in time to visit his old GF Gretchen and left her, their business, and everything like a little spoiled brat so that he could sabotage his future and get back at future Skysky, just because Skysky asked him which card he used to buy supplies?

the straw that broke the camels back!

 

[Zen]

....

None of these things are even remotely abusive. And he deserved to be kicked out of the house. Any rational person would have done what she did there.

After all of his lies kicking it out is warranted, but refusing to let him see his children is crossing the line, I can't even fathom how you don't think that is mentally abusive, or wrong. By your own criteria Walt hasn't done much, directly, either then. I mean sure, he lied a bunch (mostly out of necessity up until recently), but eh.

 

[GremlinFool]

After all of his lies kicking it out is warranted, but refusing to let him see his children is crossing the line, I can't even fathom how you don't think that is abuse, or not wrong.

Agreed, I simply cannot fathom not letting my children see their homicidal dad.

 

[Zeliard]

I'm genuinely curious, what is this mental abuse Skyler put Walt through? Please note I will not accept "tells him to eat his vegetables" or "makes him a plate of eggs with his age written in bacon on it" as valid answers for 'abuse'.

She took the bigger piece of bacon away from Junior, a clear act of child abuse.

 

[Zen]

Agreed, I simply cannot fathom not letting my children see their homicidal dad.

This is before Gus was killed, and you say 'homicidal' like he had a choice. The Police would not have saved him, he and his family were going to be killed. Most of his kills in this series have been self defense or in the defense of others.

 

[Gorillaz]

Remember when he time traveled back in time to visit his old GF Gretchen and left her, their business, and everything like a little spoiled brat so that he could sabotage his future and get back at future Skysky, just because Skysky asked him which card he used to buy supplies?

Mind blown.....

 

[SaltyDoughnut]

Skyler #Draping

yes.

 

[GremlinFool]

This is before Gus was killed, and you say 'homicidal' like he had a choice. You're fooling yourself if you think the Police would have saved him, or that he and his family weren't going to be killed. Most of his kills in this series have been self defense or in the defense of others.

All of his kills in this series directly stemmed from his egocentrism, myopia, and insolence. This "self-defense" of which you speak would be wholly unnecessary if, I don't know, he opted not to become a savage meth producer and overstep lines with the fucking Mexican drug cartel.

There is no fatalistic veneer of gloom hanging over Walt. His injurious and illogical life choices forced his family into a precarious position, nothing else.

 

[squidyj]

PODCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAST!!!!

/khan

 

[Salsa]

Car part at the beggining made me cringe. I get the intention but it just came off really bad IMO. Rest of the ep was great, specially loved the ending with the watch

 

[artist]

She took the bigger piece of bacon away from Junior, a clear act of child abuse.

And a child who LOVES breakfast. Now thats real life trollin' to the max.

#TeamHateSkylar

 

[Zen]

There is no fatalistic veneer of gloom hanging over Walt. His injurious and illogical life choices forced his family into a precarious position, nothing else.

Of course, but that doesn't mean that it's fair to be so reductive of Walt while shooting to see all the shades of grey in Skylar.

 

[faceless007]

The car part didn't make me cringe but it was way too on the nose for this show, more like something out of a Ryan Murphy show.

 

[Finalow]

And a child who LOVES breakfast. Now thats real life trollin' to the max.

yes, what a bitch.
why did Walt save her? Damn.

 

[GremlinFool]

Of course, but that doesn't mean that it's fair to be so reductive while shooting to see all the 'shades of grey' in Skylar.

You listed benign activities that most people, put under that degree of duress, would engage in. Skylar was put into one of the most compromising predicaments imaginable. Yes, she fucked Ted. Yes, she tried to keep her deadbeat husband away from her children. Clearly, Gilligan intended for there to be a thick gauze of moral ambiguity overlaying the show, but Skylar's actions indicate her attempt to retaliate in a position of near helplessness.

Enumerating Skylar's abuses as if they're even remotely comparable to the turmoil that Walt put his family through is simultaneously farcical, delusional, and troubling.

 

[Amir0x]

Poisoning the kid
So what? and before you flip out,think about it. Do you really think that Walt, Mr Science, would have given the child enough to kill him? Or would have just guessed at the amount and hoped for the best? Walt was staring down the barrel of a gun and needed to survive. He didn't poison the child fatally, nor did he ever intend to. He was facing certain death and the death of his wife and two children, what would you do?

hahaha absurd. Sorry, but that's not how Lily of the Valley works. There is no feasible way to know how much will kill a person, it varies wildly from individual to individual and it's even more sensitive in children. Furthermore, some people are allergic to it, so they'd die pretty much without any chance.

It has nothing to do with Science - Even the smartest man on Earth couldn't have been sure. It was a calculated gamble, and showed Walt could give two shits about a child dying if it got in his way.

The justifications people give are almost more hilarious than the ones Christian-GAF give for Biblical contradictions at this point. So entertaining.

I won't cover the rest of your list, since they're just hilarious and have been covered hundreds of times.

 

[Zen]

Clearly, Gilligan intended for there to be a thick gauze of moral ambiguity overlaying the show, but Skylar's actions indicate her attempt to retaliate in a position of near helplessness.

Enumerating Skylar's abuses as if they're even remotely comparable to the turmoil that Walt put his family through is simultaneously farcical, delusional, and troubling.

The majority (until recently) of Walt's abuses were a bi-product of his poor decisions necessitating lies to protect them from the (legal or otherwise) ramifications of how what he's doing. The majority of his transgressions were unavoidable while being predicated upon the situation he put himself in. It's not until this season that Skylar has become helpless, and prior to this season she engaged in targeted mental abuse and manipulation. Walt has done similar manipulation of Skylar but it was at least on some level for her own protection from the truth of what he was doing, not to cause her anguish or harm.

Comparison does not mean equality. The forms of abuse that each has visited upon the other is worse on different metrics. I'm sorry you are not willing to see that and instead choose to construct a straw man by which to hang me.

hahaha absurd. Sorry, but that's not how Lily of the Valley works. There is no feasible way to know how much will kill a person, it varies wildly from individual to individual and it's even more sensitive in children. Furthermore, some people are allergic to it, so they'd die pretty much without any chance.

It has nothing to do with Science - Even the smartest man on Earth couldn't have been sure. It was a calculated gamble, and showed Walt could give two shits about a child dying if it got in his way.

To some degree it was a calculated gamble, but you should really post information to substantiate your claim that there's no feasible way of knowing how much would or wouldn't be a fatal dosage. There are something like 50 different cardiac glycosides in the plant, but I've never heard of it being a wild card relative to the amount consumed (obviously more is still bad, duh).

 

[Big Baybee]

Wait, people are bitching about Skyler not letting Walt see his kids? She had just found out he was a fucking drug dealer, LMAO.

 

[kehs]

The vast majority of Walt's abuses were a bi-product of his poor decisions, he was not willfully causing duress to his family so he could cause them harm, the majority of his transgressions were unavoidable predicated upon the situation he put himself in. It's not until this season that Skylar has become helpless, and prior to this season she engaged in targeted abuse of Walt.

Comparison does not mean equality. The forms of abuse that each has visited upon the other is better and worse on different metrics. I'm sorry you are not willing to see that and instead choose to construct a strawman by which to hang me.

ooh, you were doing so good, next time don't use words if you don't know what they mean!