Montages aren’t necessarily bad devices in film or television. But when you use them too often, or substitute them for real story or character development, that’s not a good thing. It kind of says the screenwriters got lazy, or they hit a dead end in writing (I call this the “Rocky rule” because that series got progressively worse the more montages it had).
This episode mostly just establishes Walt (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse’s (Aaron Paul) new cook method: inside houses while they’re being fumigated. It then features a montage (the second in as many episodes) of them cooking the stuff, with a cool touch of intercutting close-ups of the atoms fusing together with each step. Not a whole lot beyond that, though, save for a near-tiff between Walt and Mike (Jonathan Banks) over paying Mike’s crew in prison, yet another example of the two butting heads this season.
There is one great moment, though, between Jesse and Walt. On a break from their cook, they have a seemingly mundane conversation about Jesse’s relationship with Andrea (Emily Rios). Only it isn’t just small talk. Walt hides it well, but clearly he’s manipulating Jesse to leave her.
It works, as Jesse breaks up with Andrea, not so much to protect her as out of shame for his actions (at least that’s what I detected). But what was Walt’s motivation? Was it to remove Andrea and Brock (Ian Posada) from the equation, not allowing them to be elements in any conflict again (an awkward scene of Walt sitting alone with Brock brought this to mind). Is it because Jesse will be easier to control—or more expendable—without human attachment? Maybe it’s something more selfish and cruel than that. I think subconsciously Walt realizes his attempt to make up with Skyler (Anna Gunn) is failing. If he can’t have a healthy home life, Jesse can’t either.
Jesse's not the only one Walt manipulates this episode. He also gets Marie (Betsy Brandt) on his side by revealing Skyler's affair. There's a little smirk of satisfaction on his face afterward; he’s not only become adept at manipulation, but he likes being able to control people. It's a great little piece of acting from Bryan Cranston, so subtle and subdued, and yet so clear and telling about the character.
Jesse's not the only one Walt manipulates this episode. He also gets Marie (Betsy Brandt) on his side by revealing Skyler's affair. There's a little smirk of satisfaction on his face afterward; he’s not only become adept at manipulation, but he likes being able to control people. It's a great little piece of acting from Bryan Cranston, so subtle and subdued, and yet so clear and telling about the character.
This episode loses points for the scene of Walt and Walter Jr. (RJ Mitte) watching the end of Scarface, though. Walt’s through making any effort to hide his deeds from Skyler, but this is just rubbing it in her face. He’s bad, no doubt, but he’s not this open and arrogant about it. Yet.
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