Breaking Bad re-watch: Season 1, Episode 7: "A No-Rough-Stuff-Type Deal"

This episode not only marks the end of the first season, but also a major change in direction for the show.

For one, Walt (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse (Aaron Paul) switch from making clear meth out of cold meds to the show’s iconic blue variety out of methylamine (you know your'e a fan of this series when you can spell that word without spell check or looking it up). But the plotline of the two comically stealing a drum of methylamine, then having to work cooking it in Jesse’s basement around a real estate open house on the same day, is the last time the show will play like a comedy of errors. There will still be some great comic moments sprinkled throughout the series, but with Walt’s Heisenberg persona emerging, and he and Jesse now in a business arrangement with hardcore criminal Tuco (Raymond Cruz), the show will now fully transition into a crime drama. And a very good crime drama.

The family drama will carry over into the later seasons, however, and we get a little bit more on that front, too. We learn about Marie’s (Betsy Brandt) shoplifting habit, which will come up again, with further development of her DEA husband Hank (Dean Norris) to come starting next season, as well. And after Skyler (Anna Gunn) is almost arrested for Marie’s thievery after a misunderstanding returning a baby shower gift, her conversation with Walt about breaking the law strongly hints she won’t take it well if she uncovers her husband’s criminal deeds. Later episodes will prove this to be accurate.

This season was a scant seven episodes because of the writer’s strike that was still in effect when and before the series premiered in early 2008, but this actually turned out to be the perfect length. I was hooked after three, but I’d say seven episodes are enough to give any show a real chance to capture your interest. If this season gets you hooked, you’re in for a series that just gets better and better. If not, then you’ve at least seen a full story that comes to a relatively standalone conclusion.

Personally, I can’t imagine anyone watching just this season and deciding not to continue. But that’s just me.