Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Breaking Bad re-watch: Season 3, Episode 3: "I.F.T."

The title’s initials stand for Skyler’s (Anna Gunn) profane proclamation at the episode’s end, her small bit of payback at Walt (Bryan Cranston). In the grand scheme of things, it’s not much of a victory; Walt’s still won their battle of wills and moved back in. But this revelation is still a stinging blow to Walt. His hopes of just returning to the idyllic suburban life are shattered, and Skyler won’t let things go back to the way they were before his foray into the criminal life.

And yet, Skyler could have easily beaten Walt at this game by turning him in. Instead, she proves Saul (Bob Odenkirk) absolutely right and does nothing. Why is that? Was Saul right that she wants to spare her children and family the shame? Does she unconsciously want the money that’s suddenly at her family’s disposal, or at least buy into Walt’s reasoning that they could use it for good?

I have my own hunch: Deep down, she still loves Walt. In spite of everything—Walt’s secrecy and lies the first two seasons, his revelation in this one, her burgeoning fling with Ted Beneke (Christopher Cousins)—she still has some care for her husband.

Another scene that points to my theory is when Skyler reveals Walt’s actions to her divorce lawyer (Julie Dretzin). The lawyer advises her to alert the authorities, but Skyler reveals she’s waiting for Walt’s cancer to make a divorce moot. Rather distraughtly, I might add, like she feels guilty that she’s waiting for her husband to die.

Contrast this with season five, where she coldly admits the same to Walt’s face. Skyler’s love for Walt may have died by then, but now, it’s still alive, if reeling from the hurt of Walt's actions. I believe this is the reason (along with some eventual acceptance of her situation, as well) that she’ll start to go along with Walt’s criminal activities, even aiding him. Just like how Walt broke the law out of love (at least at first).

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