Comments on: Breaking Bad Review: “Bullet Points”

By: darci

darci — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:50:54 +0000

I think this is the episode that is turning the season towards how they promoted it – seems like everything is really getting going now and they’re upping the ante on action…I’m interested to see what is gonna happen with Jesse for sure.

I love when Walter busted into Jesse’s trashy little party and confronts him about how they plan to deal with the fallout from the murder of Gale (you can watch at http://vimeo.com/27637571 ). Great song, too (“Flyentology” by El-P) that is such an intense song for such an intense scene

By: Robin

Robin — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:48:38 +0000

I enjoyed the review, I think this was the best episode of the season. If you were interested in hearing an episode review podcast then please give mine a try http://www.thetvcritic.org/casts/Breaking_Bad_404_Bullet_Points.mp3

By: Arthur Reed

Arthur Reed — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:13:28 +0000

Sorry, “Skylar wants it to appear as if SHE had control.”

By: Arthur Reed

Arthur Reed — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:11:06 +0000

Well, I think this was a great episode of a (so far) great season. Everybody wants action, action, action, but this show is built around slowly escalating tension that realeases only when it needs to, and then starts building right back up again without ever totally letting it go.

I’m a little confused about where they’re going with Jesse, but I think he may actually die. Walt seems to care for him, as if he’s replaced his dysfunctional, dishonest relationship with his real son for a fatherly role in Jesse’s life. But Jesse would never be as low as he is now without Walt, and if he dies, Walt will know it’s his fault and no one else’s. If he doesn’t die, then he might kill Mike, and become some kind of rogue threat to the whole enterprise, like a man with nothing to lose, looking for a way to destroy everything that made him who he is. Mostly Walt.

Is it just me or does anyone else think Hank actually thinks Walt might be Heisenberg? It seems possible that he’s simply waiting for the evidence to become trial worthy before he lets on. He’s studying those minerals for a reason, and it seemed like he really wanted Walt to comment on the manganese thing. I think Hank is playing stupid. Check, check, check, raise, a la “crazy handful of nothin’,” where Hank learned that Walt can lie effectively.

As to the gambling cover, I kind of agree with some of the criticisms, but I think this plotline is all about Skylar taking some control over a situation she knows is getting messy, even if she doesn’t know the details. And it’s also about Walt’s reluctant allowance of her control. They still love each other. And Skylar wants it to appear as if he has control. Why does a card counter gambling addict quit when he’s up millions? Because his wife will totally leave him if he doesn’t.

I think the most intense scene of the episode was Walt watching Gail karaoke and trying to pretend it was funny, and again, I think Hank set that up on purpose.

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 07:35:56 +0000

I wouldn’t say it’s jumping the shark.
Yeah, it’s definitely a plot device to bring out a more bad ass, determined Walt, and to get a rise out of the audience.
But it could work. It would be the repercussions of being in a dangerous game Walt’s in.

By: BobaFett

BobaFett — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 07:07:30 +0000

I WHOLEFUCKING HEARTEDLY AGREE that Skylar needs to get beheaded ASAP.

Can’t someone cut her tongue out?

The funny thing is that she (Anna Gunn) was great the first two seasons, but since then I cringe whenever she’s on screen.

By: JohnC

JohnC — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 23:58:21 +0000

I would like a dead Gus as well, since he’s being a bit ineffective and selfish.
But Mike should definitely live.
And killing Skylar or Walt Jr. is far too obvious of a drama spike. Once the writers kill off any of Walt’s family, you know they’ve jumped the shark at that point.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 21:05:08 +0000

Best episode of a (so far) weak season.
I want more badass Walt.
I want Jesse to grow a pair (or at least have the writers not react how he was last season).
I want a dead Skyler.
I want a dead Gus and Mike.
I want a more mobile, entertaining cat and mosue between Walt and Hank.

By: john v.

john v. — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:29:31 +0000

I couldn’t agree more about the gambling being a silly cover story. For that reason I thought the rehearsal scene was a little long. As would happen in real life, both Hank and Walt Jr., were like “way too go, man!” Like you said, why would anyone be ashamed of winning millions of dollars.

I figured Mike was taking Jesse to the scene of the truck ambush from the opening minutes…. thinking maybe it’ll scare him into straightening up. ???

By: Don

Don — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 17:59:22 +0000

I think what may save Jesse will be Andrea and her son. She was in the first episode (I believe it was the first, when she asked him if the money was from him) and so far this season it was the only time that we have seen him caring about something other than his moral dilemma.
Though it could have been in there simply to show him cutting ties with her as well. Hopefully the next few episodes have more Pinkman air time so we can find out.