BREAKING BAD - 3x08 "I See You" - Episode Review
Plot summary: The fallout from Hank's shootout is revealed. While Jesse covers at the lab, Walt attempts to placate Gus. After witnessing a disturbing outburst, Walt worries he and his family are in danger. Walt also has new questions for Gus.
Written by Gennifer Hutchison. Directed by Colin Bucksey.
No seriously, can this show get any better? That was the thought running through my mind at the end of this week’s BREAKING BAD, entitled “I See You”. Even though it was fairly predictable on one or two levels, the narrative surprises and the (as) usual excellent acting carried what might have been a static episode into a near-nail biter.
To wit: Since most of this episode was centered around its primary characters waiting (Walt and family waiting for Hank to survive, Jesse wating for Walt’s return, Gus wating for his plan to unfold), I largely spent it waiting for certain plot events to transpire, while enjoying the acutely observed minuate of how each character chose to use that time. Walt spun his bullshit lies (of which Skylar wasn’t having any of it, a great touch) and fruitlessly tried to fix what he had wrought (as exemplified by the wobbly table leg); Jesse was the silliest we’ve seen him in a while (his new playground and elation over Hank’s injuries certainly added to his disposition), only to find himself in over his head as always; Marie lashed out at everyone (some more deserving than others) but herself; and we all saw what Gus did.
I suppose that was necessary from a plotting standpoint; after all with the seemingly unstoppable Cousins finally out of the way, the show needed a new antagonist to pit Walt against. On the other hand, the show’s also been building up Gus’s reach and influence all season long, and it seemed only natural that he chose this moment to colidate his monopoly over the blue meth by eliminating its main distribution rivals. That fact that Hank got shot and lived definetley aided his plan; after all, it put adddional outside pressure on the Cartel that he might not have been able to achieve on his own. Regardless, Gus yet once again demonstated his sublime mastery of the situation, and it should be interesting to see how he wrangles the two loose cannons of Walt and Jesse after going to such lengths to put them exactly where he wanted them: under his boot.
After largely taking a back seat for the last episode, Cranston came back to the forefront this week; and if there’s anything that makes for good drama, it’s watching your main character squirm, which he did plenty of this week. And while he rightfully got put on the spot by his wife, sister-in-law, and employer, he also handled that cafeteria conversation with the perfect blance of humility, honesty and very well concealed guile. I couldn’t help but focus on Skylar’s reactions during that long story; after all, that previous hospital excursion led to a certain (unintended) disclosure about the second cell phone, but at the same time, you could see her warming up to him just a bit, as she remembered their previous life together. And I sensed underlying all of it was Walt’s desperate need to get away from this all, and back to the dry cleaners…
Uncle Tio said in last week’s teaser, “Family is all.” Walt may finally be realizing that once again, but is it too late? Atfer all, he finally got clued to all the Cartel action that’s he’s was blissfully ignorant of beforehand (and that more men might be on their way), and that his criminal actions have undisputedly maimed both Hank and Marie. Chickens are coming home to roost, y’all, and it’s their cook who has the final say over life or death.
Other notes:
• As I said, I spent a large part of “I See You” waiting for a few things: namely, (a) Hank to survive, (b) Fixer Mike to take out the surviving Cousin and (c) Jesse to call up Gail and have him help cook. Two of the three happened, and I think with the double Meth order bearing down on him, Walt will have no choice but to beg the man he so cruelly blew off this week back on his side.
Regardless, I got the full-on evil giggles as Walt and his DEA “buddies” approached the Cousin’s room, anticipating the reaction as he finally laid eyes on Heisenberg. I was not disappointed, and it was both bad ass and a clever call back to the manner in which he was introduced (right down to the same music cue).
• The presence of dozens of Hank’s DEA colleagues waiting vigil downstairs (even though Marie didn’t want them there) and giving blood was a nice unspoken tribute to the bond between law enforcement agents. (The sight of Walt warmly surrounded by a cabal of men assigned to catch his alter ego was another pleasing irony on top of that). Clever ploy, to get the men on watch distracted with buckets of chicken so that Fixer Mike could slip in unnoticed (a bit unrealistic, but whatever).
• Walt Jr. seemed a bit cold to his father this week, either because he was grieving so much, or that Skylar’s been saying a lot of things to him at home.
• Will the other Cartel members find out about Gus’s machinations and come gunning for him? My Magic 8 Ball says “Highly likely”…
Episode Grade: B+
(look, not one AVATAR reference… oh, wait, never mind… )