There are many things in season 5A that do the show a disservice, even though I still liked it overall. The release of the oppressive, crushing tension of seasons 3 and 4 really makes it hard to get into 5 when it feels a little like the story's just going on because it can (even when you know that it's not). It's clear that the aftermath of Walt's victory over Gus would change him for the worst and cause him to lose control of himself and I do feel like they handled it somewhat well in that the actual actions he made in the season weren't really cartoonishly evil, just the way he approached them. It's kind of hard to believe that while Walt is intensely prideful and ruthless he couldn't realize how silly he sounds saying things like "I am the danger" and "Nothing stops this train" though. He sounds like a Gus-level crime boss but he's still running a ragtag gang. Of course this cognitive dissonance is intentional, but I feel like it may be a step too far.
Also, the seams are painfully obvious regarding Mike's storyline. I didn't mind his characterization as a gentle caring grandfather who was really loyal to his men, but the idea that this man who is always depicted as so careful and calculating (remember that S3(?) scene where he's taking out those cartel thugs?) would slip up so often, especially regarding his lawyer and the payments, seemed like they reached a little too far to get his story to a close. Also, while I appreciate that they had Mike's insulting of Walter's pride be the straw that broke the camel's back between him and Walt it was still too sloppy to just have Walt off him and then just go "oops" right afterward. Doesn't help that 1.I'm not sure what Mike was expecting Walt to do about his boys. It's not like ducking and hiding would help much with those guys ready to testify, and what made him think Walt was going to be down with that knowing the way he is? and 2.Because Mike was already on his way to leave forever it seemed like the show just said "eh, you're not gonna see him the rest of the show, why not just get rid of him here?". I know the groundwork was laid for all these scenes but it didn't feel like it came together perfectly enough.
I also felt a little gypped when we see Walt come all this way in the struggle to build his empire, then the majority of his earnings happen in a montage and timeskip. I know they didn't want to spend weeks on Walt and that one guy's journey through the neighborhood's making meth, but idk man. Seems like squeezing just for them to reach the half-season revelation. And even that seemed a little suspect given how easily it was found out (though as someone said earlier, it seems just like Walt to leave a clue like that behind).
I still liked the season, but those issues soured it somewhat for me.
Edit: Thanks Cornballer, wasn't sure of the rules and just wanted to be safe, but I really hate tagging everything XD
Also, the seams are painfully obvious regarding Mike's storyline. I didn't mind his characterization as a gentle caring grandfather who was really loyal to his men, but the idea that this man who is always depicted as so careful and calculating (remember that S3(?) scene where he's taking out those cartel thugs?) would slip up so often, especially regarding his lawyer and the payments, seemed like they reached a little too far to get his story to a close. Also, while I appreciate that they had Mike's insulting of Walter's pride be the straw that broke the camel's back between him and Walt it was still too sloppy to just have Walt off him and then just go "oops" right afterward. Doesn't help that 1.I'm not sure what Mike was expecting Walt to do about his boys. It's not like ducking and hiding would help much with those guys ready to testify, and what made him think Walt was going to be down with that knowing the way he is? and 2.Because Mike was already on his way to leave forever it seemed like the show just said "eh, you're not gonna see him the rest of the show, why not just get rid of him here?". I know the groundwork was laid for all these scenes but it didn't feel like it came together perfectly enough.
I also felt a little gypped when we see Walt come all this way in the struggle to build his empire, then the majority of his earnings happen in a montage and timeskip. I know they didn't want to spend weeks on Walt and that one guy's journey through the neighborhood's making meth, but idk man. Seems like squeezing just for them to reach the half-season revelation. And even that seemed a little suspect given how easily it was found out (though as someone said earlier, it seems just like Walt to leave a clue like that behind).
I still liked the season, but those issues soured it somewhat for me.
Edit: Thanks Cornballer, wasn't sure of the rules and just wanted to be safe, but I really hate tagging everything XD
