In this one, Walt (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse (Aaron Paul) are still recovering from the events of last episode. Walt is hatching a plan against Gus (Giancarlo Esposito), purchasing the title firearm to do the job, but finds he’s still way out of his league. Jesse, haunted from murdering Gale, tries to drown out his feelings any way he can: by relapsing back into drug use, throwing days-long house parties, blaring music at full volume with his head against the speaker. But not even the most extreme outside stimuli can ease the pain in his soul.
This is kind of another bridge episode. The aforementioned elements mostly elaborate on already existing plot points rather than introducing any new ones, though the elaboration is very well done. Other plot points—Skyler’s (Anna Gunn) attempt to buy the carwash, the bedridden Hank (Dean Norris) turning into a grumpy rock (I’m sorry, mineral) collector and alienating Marie (Betsy Brandt)—are also established, but don’t go too far forward yet.
Unlike previous seasons, however, even the bridge episodes have great stuff to offer. Every little new detail in the Walt vs. Gus plotline seems like another wall boxing Walt in. Like this episode’s introduction of new enforcer Tyrus (Ray Campbell), followed by Mike’s (Jonathan Banks) subtle hint he knows Jesse’s been stealing some meth. Or the scene where Walt tries to infiltrate Gus’ home at night, only to learn from a cell phone call that he’s being watched everywhere. Scenes like this, big or small, add another layer of tension, and those layers pile up to stratospheric levels by the latter part of the season.
There’s also one important scene, where Walt receives a beating from Mike for asking him to form an alliance against Gus. This sets up the feud between the two that will come into play later, especially in season five. Up to this point, all Mike’s dealings with Walt were strictly business. But after getting under his skin here by bringing up his departed ally Victor, it’s now a little personal.
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