Breaking Bad: The Baby, or the Dealer?

Breaking Bad spent the early and middle parts of its second season hinting that Walt's downfall would come at the hands of some nameless Mexican drug lord. There was Hank's short-lived El Paso assignment, vague references to "the Juarez boys," Tuco's connection to said boys, and even the narcocorrido.

 Maybe "downfall" is too strong of a word. I mean, the show has another season ahead of it, and I doubt it will involve Walt dead or in prison. My point is: that scorched teddy bear incident is coming, and I'm thinking it has more to do with Walt's own carelessness and desperation than him angering the wrong people. Or are the two things tied together?

 For example: Walt pushes Jesse to expand their territory. This gets Jesse's friend Combo killed (that's the "pissing off the wrong people" part).  A depressed Jesse turns to meth -- well, increases his usage -- to cope. This gets Jane off the wagon. She turns Jesse onto heroin. So when the biggest deal of their career and the arrival of Walt and Skyler's daughter happens at the same time, Jesse is too stoned to be of much help.

 "Never trust an addict," as Walt's new (?) business partner Gus puts it. He was played by Giancarlo Esposito, and yet another nice addition to Breaking Bad's supporting cast. A fast food franchise owner who also deals in meth, Gus could be the answer to Walt's prayers: someone with a network to distribute Walt's product, without Walt having to be involved in the day-to-day dealings of, well, dealing. Because, as Saul Goodman puts it, "You two suck at peddling meth."

 (Now that I think about it, if I ran TV, I'd commission Vince Gilligan to create two spin-offs of Breaking Bad: one about Saul Goodman, and one about how the owner of a fast food franchise became a drug dealer. Or maybe it was the other way around. I wanna know: which came first, the chicken of the meth?)

 At any rate, had Jesse been there, Walt wouldn't have had to choose between the baby and selling off his meth. Assuming he misses the former (once he loaded up the trash bag, his decision was made), I'd guess this pretty much wrecks things between Walt and Jesse and Walt and his family. Two more weeks to find out.

 Other thoughts:

• Man, Jesse and Jane's relationship went from sweet to tragic in no time.
• Director Adam Bernstein did a really nice job building suspense this week, both in the opening scene with the murder of Combo and the final scene, with Walt's mad rush to pick up the drugs and deliver them on time.
• Funniest lines of the week -- Skinny Pete comparing Combo's coffin to a Lexus, and Walt's non-chalance at his murder ("Which one was he?"). Also, Walt to Saul on the murder: "Some kind of turf dispute. Apparently we lost."

 Tom Coombe

  

Comments

[amber dorko stopper]

the person in the photo -- is this "jesse"? -- again, i don't watch this show but that actor is also in "big love" -- and we never remember the name of his character but have always called him "the tom-looking guy." (he looks more like you in "big love" than he does on "breaking bad", ben tells me.)

[Tom Coombe]

Yeah, this is Jesse, played by Aaron Paul.

I was aware he was on Big Love as well, apparently playing a very different type of character.

[Holden Caulfield]

One of the best episodes of the series. They could have called the episode "Choices."

Besides the obvious choice at the end by Walt, you have Jessie's choice to do heroin, Jane's choice to not walk out the door and stay sober (he tried to protect her by kicking her out), Skyler's choice to report or not report the boss' financial misdeeds (still not sure which she picked), and Gus' choice to meet with Walt.

Other highlights included Skyler's creepy, sexy, pregnant "Happy Birthday" song. She was clearly turned on by doing it and the little kiss that he gave her at the end. Nice touch to show how far the candles had burned down on the cake (much to the chagrin of Chicken Little Melting Candles lady.)

I was spoiled a little bit on Gus' identity having seen Giancarlo Esposito's name in the opening credits. Still, he was understated and brilliant as always.

Bob Odenkirk continues to bring some funny stuff to each episode - a nice break given the tense, dark places the show appears to be going to.

Was I the only one that thought that the kid on the bike was going to be caught in the crossfire instead of instigating it? Nice misdirection.

[Tom]

I was spoiled too by seeing Esposito's name in the credits. I hope he sticks around though.

As for the bike kid, I thought both outcomes were possible. Too much "Wire" on my part.