Walter White’s sense of self preservation is so strong that I’m beginning to think that he willed his cancer right out of his body. We saw last season the lengths that he would go to to protect himself and those closest to him, so it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that the first thing he did after Gus’s little display of power from last week’s episode was to go out and purchase a weapon himself. Certainly a gun is a lot less stylish than a box cutter, but I’m thinking it will be more effective in the long run.
I’m just not sure that having a weapon is in Walter’s best interest. Clearly, Gus and his posse are not that intimidated by it, as Mike noticed right away that Walt was carrying. On the other hand, I could definitely see Walt doing something stupid with it, or just getting himself into deeper trouble. As we move forward through the season, I will be very curious to see what he ends up doing with it. It certainly feels like he and Gus are not going to both come out of this year alive. If that self preservation instinct of his is any indication, my money is on Walt.
I was a little surprised at just how bold Walt was in this episode. I certainly didn’t think that he could turn to Mike as an ally, and as his bar room beating showed him, it was the wrong choice. I have no idea if this will put Walt in more or less danger. It seems like the writers are setting up a potential change in loyalties for Mike, though. Early in the episode it was clear that he was not happy to find dried blood on his jacket. Is he growing weary of working for someone like Gus? The Mike/Walter relationship is going to be an interesting one to watch this year.
I have always loved the juxtaposition of Walter and Jesse. There’s Walt, who is filled with quiet rage, capable of much more than his school teacher demeanor would let on. On the other side you have Jesse, who is all big talk and bravado, but is actually a sensitive guy at his core. Having been forced to off Gale at the end of last season, it’s going to be tough watching Jesse try to cope with that. In this episode we saw a whole lot of denial. It’s clear he’s trying to surround himself with people and things so that he doesn’t have to be alone with himself and his thoughts. It was more than just a little sad at the end of the episode watching him try to get his friends to stay with him. He clearly needs someone to talk to. Is that Walt? Is there any other option?
In any case, this is looking to be another strong season for Breaking Bad. We’re only two episodes in and there has already been some great stuff. I have a feeling that the tense moments are only going to increase as we move forward and that pesky little notebook of Gale’s starts giving away secrets…
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Jul 25, 2011 @ 18:31 EST5EDT
