Breaking Bad 3x09

The underground laboratory is working in full force manufacturing the purest methamphetamine ever seen: the notorious “Heisenberg” Blue Crystal. Walt kept his word. But Jesse did the math: they’re producing two hundred pounds a week for three months; they’ll be paid a million and a half each; but the street value of 2,400 lbs of crystal is some $96,000,000! Walt wants him to just leave it at that, be happy he’ll be a millionaire, but Jesse feels cheated. Afterwards, Walt visits Gus, because he has figured out Gus’ strategy: to divert the Cousins from Walt to Hank; turn an assassination into a shootout; setting the American and Mexican governments against each other; cutting off the drug supply from south of the border; and having the Southwestern market all to himself. Walk admits he owe his life to Gus, he respects his strategy, and would have done the same if he were in his position. In return, Gus agrees to extend his offer beyond the three months, for fifteen million a year, open ended, plus a guarantee of the safety of Walt’s family. For his part our crooked fake-Jew Saul is talking to Jesse about laundering his money by using a nail salon as a façade business. But Jesse’s uninterested.

Meanwhile, Hank’s DEA partner Gomez visits the hospital to relate that the blue meth is back on the market, just as Hank predicted. But Hank’s too concerned about the state he’s in. It’s unclear when or if he is ever going to be able to walk again. Health care insurance being what it is, Marie is understandably anxious that mediocre physical therapy isn’t going to be enough. She wants the best. And that may cost them. Later, Skyler offers her sister to cover Hank’s medical expenses. To Walt’s consternation, she tells Marie that they have enough money, because after Walt was diagnosed, he started gambling, he was too proud to take money from others and he wanted to provide for his family even after his death, and so he devised a system to predict cards at black jack and started gambling in illegal back rooms. Walt plays along with the lie and admits that’s how he made seven figures. Walt doesn’t know what to think. Has Skyler forgiven him? Does she really understand that he did it all for the best? But she avoids any confusion and warns him that she hasn’t forgotten that Hank’s in the hospital because of Walt. This is such an unbelievable series! I’m continually impressed where they’re taking the story, delving deep into the human drama of drugs.