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[Zeliard]

I've been a big fan of the series so far, but the season premiere sucked ass in my opinion. Hardly anything happened and the scenes were overly dramatic and often predictable. Especially the last part, where we spend 10 minutes watching Gus getting dressed and walking up the stairs to say the incredibly predictable, "Get back to work" line.

Seems to me that the team are trying to hard. They need to let things happen more naturally and not go overboard on the 'artsy-ness' of the shots.

The purpose of that was to emphasize just how calm and in-control Gus is, even when he's doing something like cutting someone's throat open with a box cutter. It also helped to ratchet up the tension.

Gus has always been depicted as a very calm and professional sort of person - all business - with a meek outward appearance, so to see him go about brutally murdering somebody in the same manner as he conducts every other piece of business conveys just how pragmatically ruthless Gus can be. And also how it is that he got to the top in the first place.

 

[vatstep]

Maybe, but generally first and second season threads are smaller for any show.

I don't think he's just talking about on GAF. It's reflected in the ratings for last night's episode, and general word of mouth for the show that took a LONG time to really get going — I don't really know why that was the case. For me, as soon as I heard Bryan Cranston had a new show, I was in. I watched the premiere without even knowing much else about the series. Perhaps for most people, there isn't really one big draw on this show to pull them in. It does a lot of things fantastically, but maybe it isn't quite as flashy or glamorous as other dramas people like.

 

[kehs]

I was expecting a comedy show when this show first made news. I remember seeing the s1 thread on here with Cranston in his underpants. Immediately reminded me of Hal.

I kept seeing the thread getting bumped and staying on the first page, so I gave it a shot.

 

[Puddles]

sure, walt has gone on to cook meth, neglect his family, miss his daughter's birth and (in)directly cause the death of several human beings. but that's nothing compared to what skyler did. first, she sang happy birthday to ted monroe-style. then, she cheated on her husband. she fucked ted. SKYLER FUCKED TED. skyler cheated on her husband with a man named TED BENEKE.

Damn straight.

I hope when Skyler is burning in hell, she looks up and sees Walt in heaven giving her the finger.

 

[Drewsky]

I was reading the interview with Gilligan on Grantland and he said that he thought the moment Walt started becoming a villain was when he rejected the money that his ex-partner offered him out of pride. I don't know about anyone else, but I can totally see where Walt was coming from on that decision. Hubris or not, I may have made the same decision he did in that situation.

 

[kehs]

I was reading the interview with Gilligan on Grantland and he said that he thought the moment Walt started becoming a villain was when he rejected the money that his ex-partner offered him out of pride. I don't know about anyone else, but I can totally see where Walt was coming from on that decision. Hubris or not, I may have made the same decision he did in that situation.

It was basically charity. Walt earns his keep.

 

[Drewsky]

It was basically charity. Walt earns his keep.

So you agree with me then? Or are you being sarcastic?

 

[AlimNassor]

Damn straight.

I hope when Skyler is burning in hell, she looks up and sees Walt in heaven giving her the finger.

Right. Walter who has murdered a few people, put his family in danger, and lied to everyone will go to Heaven while Skyler burns in hell for having sex with Ted. That's terrific logic.

 

[KorrZ]

I don't think he's just talking about on GAF. It's reflected in the ratings for last night's episode, and general word of mouth for the show that took a LONG time to really get going — I don't really know why that was the case. For me, as soon as I heard Bryan Cranston had a new show, I was in. I watched the premiere without even knowing much else about the series. Perhaps for most people, there isn't really one big draw on this show to pull them in. It does a lot of things fantastically, but maybe it isn't quite as flashy or glamorous as other dramas people like.

I think it's just honestly that the show isn't advertised all that much. I didn't even know the show existed until the second season was already finished. To be honest I probably would have gone on never knowing this show even existed if my buddy hadn't randomly bought the first season because the Blu Ray was on sale. Word of mouth is slowly spreading because of just how good the show is, but if you don't know someone who watches it, I really don't see how the average person would ever discover it.

 

[Seanspeed]

The purpose of that was to emphasize just how calm and in-control Gus is, even when he's doing something like cutting someone's throat open with a box cutter. It also helped to ratchet up the tension.

Gus has always been depicted as a very calm and professional sort of person - all business - with a meek outward appearance, so to see him go about brutally murdering somebody in the same manner as he conducts every other piece of business conveys just how pragmatically ruthless Gus can be. And also how it is that he got to the top in the first place.

You dont need to explain to me the purpose of the scenes. I get all that. The point is that they were unnecessary, forced and ultimately predictable, which took out any tension the episode might have had.

I think its been clear that Gus is a very calm and professional person, and considering that he's a big-shot drug dealer, it almost goes without saying that he's got a bit of ruthlessness to him somewhere underneath. We simply didn't need an entire episode, let alone a season premiere, to see it in action in my opinion.

The episode was a huge let-down after such a long wait.

 

[Jarmel]

I was reading the interview with Gilligan on Grantland and he said that he thought the moment Walt started becoming a villain was when he rejected the money that his ex-partner offered him out of pride. I don't know about anyone else, but I can totally see where Walt was coming from on that decision. Hubris or not, I may have made the same decision he did in that situation.

It's a complicated issue. I understand Walt's position but then there is his family to think about as well, not just him.

 

[kehs]

So you agree with me then? Or are you being sarcastic?

I'm agreeing.

 

[Jo-El]

What a fantastic episode! Totally worth the wait. I have no idea how they're going to get out of this mess.

 

[Puddles]

Right. Walter who has murdered a few people, put his family in danger, and lied to everyone will go to Heaven while Skyler burns in hell for having sex with Ted. That's terrific logic.

Isn't it?

IFT is probably the worst offense ever committed by a character in the history of film and television.

 

[Zeliard]

You dont need to explain to me the purpose of the scenes. I get all that. The point is that they were unnecessary, forced and ultimately predictable, which took out any tension the episode might have had.

I think its been clear that Gus is a very calm and professional person, and considering that he's a big-shot drug dealer, it almost goes without saying that he's got a bit of ruthlessness to him somewhere underneath. We simply didn't need an entire episode, let alone a season premiere, to see it in action in my opinion.

The episode was a huge let-down after such a long wait.

Gus previously only set out others to do his bidding. Now we know Gus isn't afraid to get his own hands dirty, while still taking the utmost precautions that you'd expect. It also showed that despite Gus' disdain for the way the Juarez cartel operates, he's personally capable of similar violence.

 

[Cheech]

LOVED the S4 premiere. Worth the wait.

Chicken man is ice cold as always, Jesse not saying dick the entire episode and then dropping his Silent Bob-like words of wisdom at the end.. very good. VERY good.

 

[Puddles]

So why exactly did Gus kill that dude? For failing to protect Gail?

 

[kehs]

LOVED the S4 premiere. Worth the wait.

Chicken man is ice cold as always, Jesse not saying dick the entire episode and then dropping his Silent Bob-like words of wisdom at the end.. very good. VERY good.

I really loved the interaction between Gus and Jesse.

They had a whole "sack up and stop being a bitch, you're in playing with the big boys, yeah motherfucker" conversation without a single word exchanged.

 

[Drewsky]

So why exactly did Gus kill that dude? For failing to protect Gail?

Because he was seen at the crime scene, failed to protect Gail, didn't respect the chemistry, etc.

 

[Jarmel]

Because he was seen at the crime scene, failed to protect Gail, didn't respect the chemistry, etc.

I think it was more of the first two with the first being the one that did him in.

 

[Drewsky]

I think it was more of the first two with the first being the one that did him in.

Gilligan said it was more the first and the last in that interview I referenced earlier. But he also said that fans' opinions are just as valid as his.

 

[Jarmel]

Gilligan said it was more the first and the last in that interview I referenced earlier. But he also said that fans' opinions are just as valid as his.

By last, you mean respecting the chemistry?

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

You dont need to explain to me the purpose of the scenes. I get all that. The point is that they were unnecessary, forced and ultimately predictable, which took out any tension the episode might have had.

I think its been clear that Gus is a very calm and professional person, and considering that he's a big-shot drug dealer, it almost goes without saying that he's got a bit of ruthlessness to him somewhere underneath. We simply didn't need an entire episode, let alone a season premiere, to see it in action in my opinion.

1. you don't need to explain anything to anyone! walt is a recovering cancer patient who loves money. jesse is a druggie. mike is a stone cold killer. gus is a drug kingpin. why do you bother watching this show? no need to drag that out over the course of an hour, over the course of a season, over the course of a series! this show should have been a 2 hour movie. done and done!

2. this was one of the more tension filled episodes in the shows history.

The episode was a huge let-down after such a long wait.

that's just like.... your opinion, man

 

[Drewsky]

By last, you mean respecting the chemistry?

Yup. He said it was because he tried to do the cook himself even though Gus demands perfection, as seen in the flashback at the beginning. That and being seen at the crime scene.

 

[Zeliard]

The chemistry must be respected.

 

[AlimNassor]

Did you guys see the sneak peek for 4x02?

lolololololololololololol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e-1NLg4iGk

It's very funny and not spoilerish imo.

Next week can't come soon enough

 

[kehs]

Yup. He said it was because he tried to do the cook himself even though Gus demands perfection, as seen in the flashback at the beginning. That and being seen at the crime scene.

Did you post a link to the interview?

 

[big ander]

I was reading the interview with Gilligan on Grantland and he said that he thought the moment Walt started becoming a villain was when he rejected the money that his ex-partner offered him out of pride. I don't know about anyone else, but I can totally see where Walt was coming from on that decision. Hubris or not, I may have made the same decision he did in that situation.

I agree with you in part, but I also agree with Gilligan. Denying Schwartz's money wasn't a villainous act, but it was Walt deciding that he preferred the criminal life to the easy way out. At that point it was mostly done out of hubris, but I like to think the Scarface part of him that was buried so deep back in season 1 also loved the danger and criminality.
@Copernicus: http://www.grantland.com/blog/hollywood-prospectus/post/_/id/30856/breaking-bad-creator-vince-gilligan-on-last-nights-season-premiere

 

[Beads]

The Gus scene was just enormous. Completely silent for around 10 minutes, yet the scene spoke volumes through the acting. I haven't followed this show like I should have the past couple years, but I will definitely watch every episode of S4.

 

[TheVampire]

Ok so I've recently quit smoking weed and as a result my sleeping pattern has been messed up and I have also been having crazy dreams.

Last night I was dreaming that I was in that room with Walt and Jessie and that I grabbed victor in a headlock and choked him to death while the others were killing Mike.

Seriously it was fucking intese, I remember him resisting and fighting while I was choking the life out of him and I woke up in cold sweat thinking WTF?!


haha that episode had a real impact on me

 

[Drewsky]

Did you post a link to the interview?

Nah, sorry, I figured Cornballer or somebody had posted it already and I just missed it. Ander hooked you up.

 

[kehs]

Thanks.

Bryan Cranston is on Conan tonight, not sure if it's a rerun or not.

 

[Drewsky]

It's not a rerun. Cranston is awesome.

 

[cacophony]

So much to talk about Breaking Bad and everybody wants to talk about the god damn tighty whities.

They should sell this meth candy.

 

[Drewsky]

I don't know if I wanna watch it.

 

[AlimNassor]

Cranston is always awesome in his interviews.

 

[-Mikey-]

Great opener for the season.

The very long scene with everyone underneath the laundromat was very intense. I had no idea what Gus was going to do. That scene alone proved why this is one of the best shows on TV.

Also, I liked the small comedy bits. Skylar (sp?) getting into Walt's apartment. Saul on the phone and Walt's outfit at the end with the sticker still on it. Love those little touches.

Interesting to see Jesse in the diner scene. Thought the killing was going to fuck with him but not in the way he was acting. So much has happened to him since the beginning and it looks like he'll be a darker character this season.

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

Because he was seen at the crime scene, failed to protect Gail, didn't respect the chemistry, etc.

Interesting that Gilligan said that. I was just making that assumption earlier. I guess it was intended that Gale and Walt convinced Gus to "respect the chemistry". In the timeline - First Gale in last night's episode, then Walt in one of the episodes last season.

 

[LaneDS]

Rewatched "One Minute" tonight, and even though I knew exactly what the outcome was going to be it was still an incredibly tense scene when Hank is attacked by the twins. Made me feel nervous and left me with goosebumps.

Season three develops into such a monster. Wondering if the end of the season will have a similar effect on me, because I sure as shit was flipping out the first time I saw it.

 

[Drewsky]

Wondering if the end of the season will have a similar effect on me, because I sure as shit was flipping out the first time I saw it.

It will.

 

[Wanace]

The premiere was good, not great, but good. It definitely sets up what's going to happen the rest of this season (tension with Gus and Walt and Jesse, probably a new detective guy poking around in Gail's apartment/notebook looking for them, etc.). I have faith that this season will be good. I don't think it can match the absolutely spectacular Season 3 though. That was epic television.

 

[dead souls]

What a complete double standard. Walt and Jesse have made so many idiotic decisions i have lost count, but when Skylar, A WOMAN, acts completely rationally when faced with the complicated situation Walt has thrust upon her, she's a poorly written, annoying character. It beggars belief.

I couldn't agree more. Some forum member's misogyny knows no bounds. It's just a shame that it has to mar the thread for the best show on television.

 

[LaneDS]

It will.

Here's hoping. I at least live semi-vicariously through my roommate who is watching these episodes for the first time. Took him a while to come around to the show but now he's hooked. Excited to see his reaction to the last few episodes of S3 and the S4 premiere.

 

[kehs]

I couldn't agree more. Some forum member's misogyny knows no bounds. It's just a shame that it has to mar the thread for the best show on television.

It'd be the greatest show on tv without the boards.

 

[Cornballer]

- Matt Zoller Seitz weighing in on the season premiere over on Salon.com

 

[Puddles]

I couldn't agree more. Some forum member's misogyny knows no bounds. It's just a shame that it has to mar the thread for the best show on television.

She fucked Ted, dude.

 

[oatmeal]

Great premiere.

Why did Gus kill that guy? He was his right-hand man

Was it just a power play to show who's boss?

Poor dude

 

[Imm0rt4l]

Great premiere.

Why did Gus kill that guy? He was his right-hand man

Was it just a power play to show who's boss?

Poor dude

He was seen at the crime scene and Gus is a very careful man.

 

[smokeymicpot]

Great premiere.

Why did Gus kill that guy? He was his right-hand man

Was it just a power play to show who's boss?

Poor dude

He failed at his job.

 

[Flash]

I think Gus was kind of out of his element by killing Victor the way he did. Here is a man who talks about how fear tactics are inefficient and repeatedly looks down on the way the cartels do their business. Yet he brutally murders Victor in hopes to scare Walt, Jesse and Mike. He committed a monstrous act out of necessity, and I think he is clearly frustrated and beginning to show his true self. And this is what will lead to his downfall (at least in my opinion).

The greatest strength Gus had was his composure and professionalism (a cardinal trait he brings up on numerous occasions), along with the fact he was the silent, intimidating businessman, and not a cold blooded killer.

And its fairly obvious that Victor was killed because he was at the crime scene (and possibly for his lack of respect for chemistry). I don't think he was at fault for not keeping Gale alive because clearly Gus ordered the murder of Walt, and recall Victor was in charge of bringing Walt to lab where he was going to be killed. Gale's death is definitely Gus' fault, as he for whatever reason did not have anyone watching over him.