Breaking Bad 3x13

Walt and Gus have agreed to meet in the New Mexico desert. Mike has had to do a lot of cleaning up after Walt plowed his car into the two dealers. Gus is incensed that Walt intervened to save Jesse, “some worthless junkie.” Walt offers Gus two options: kill him and Jesse, or continue their business arrangement as if nothing has happened. When he returns to the superlab, Walt is unpleasantly surprised that Gale is back as his assistant. At some warehouse, four Mexican gangsters are holding the owner at gunpoint. Mike the goon outmaneuvers them all. Apparently the owner supplies chemicals for manufacturing the meth – and the Mexican cartel is trying to find a weakness in Gus’ business. For his part, Gus visits Gale to inform him that Walt is dying of cancer and, in the event of his death, hopes Gale can take over the lab. He urges him to learn Walt’s system for cooking crystal the next day. The next morning Mike probes Saul where he can find Jesse. Saul pleads he cannot tell him that, but that he might have accidentally left a note with his whereabouts, some trailer park in Virginia.

Saul then drives with Walt to an arcade, allegedly to talk about some money laundering scheme, but really because at least that place won’t be bugged. Jesse is already there. In very few words, Walt explains they need to get rid of Gale. Jesse suggests going to the DEA for witness protection. Walt intimates without Gale, they are the only one who know how to manufacture the pure blue meth. All Walt needs from Jesse is Gale’s address – with Gus’ men continually trailing him, Walt cannot be seen following Gale home. Later, Jesse calls Walt with the address, but again begs him to go to the police instead. Just when Walt is leaving his house, one of Gus’ men drives up telling him to come to the lab. Mike’s already there – and Walt knows this is the end. Panicking, he tries to wrangle his way out of the situation to no avail. Walt offers them Jesse. He calls Jesse, but instead of arranging a meeting, he quickly tells Jesse he has a twenty-minute lead. “They’re going to kill me,” he explains, “Jesse, do it now!” Now held at gunpoint himself, Walt tells them Gale’s address – enough for them to know his plan. “Your boss is going to need me,” he proffers. Jesse reaches Gale’s house, he shoots his gun and the screen goes black. We have to wait until the next season to find out if Jesse screwed up again or if he did kill Gale. What a cliff hanger! And what an astounding season finale!

I have been having some difficulties figuring out when the dramatic events are supposed to take place. There was a reference to Fanny-Mae in the first season, to the subprime mortgage crisis in the second; Skyler was several months pregnant in the beginning and gave birth to Holly in season two; Combo was killed in season two also, and in the third that was just two months ago; later Walt asks Skyler what she imagines has been paying for all the bills for the six months. So, while we have been watching the series for three years, only a little more than half a year has passed in dramatic time. Thus, the events must all take place in 2008.

It was clear from the beginning of this season that Tuco’s cousins were going to play a big role in this season’s story arc. At first I found their cartoonish appearance bothersome, but the shootout with Hank offered a highpoint in terms of nerve-racking action. The failed assassination also provided a marvelous twist in Hank’s plot that started with the panic attacks about his promotion in El Paso. In the aftermath, his wife Marie became a more well-rounded character than she had been so far. The supporting cast including Gus, Mike and Saul were excellent as well. Skyler’s gradually shift, from a complaining, cheating mother and wife, to a more involved and understanding partner was immensely rewarding. Nevertheless, the real kudos go to Walt and Jesse. Obviously the show revolves around them, first and foremost, but it is because their characters are so engrossing what makes Breaking Bad one of the best drama series of the moment. It is going to be a long wait for season four. (Mind you, I finished this season early in July!)