Breaking Bad

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Another great episode. A shame Cranston didn't win the Emmy, as he deserved it for tonight's episode; from the highs and the lows he displayed throughout.

I guess this means Saul makes it out, so any spin-off with him could either be a prequel or sequel to the show.

I hope they answer the question of what exactly is Walt's health at the moment. He appeared to be in better shape at the end of the episode than at the beginning, even though his body appears to have wasted away (with the ring falling off).

Can anyone answer how long he was in New Hampshire?

A Saul sequel may be a tad, uh, underwhelming. Unless it is him at the Cinnabon sharing stories about the past with the whole episode being a flashback.

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by Wormius

A Saul sequel may be a tad, uh, underwhelming. Unless it is him at the Cinnabon sharing stories about the past with the whole episode being a flashback.

It's a Prequel spin-off with Saul.

[stang]

Originally Posted by JeanLucPicard

Honestly...I really dislike this whole Grey Matter situation all of a sudden. Whatever Walter's dealings were with Schwartzs just had no development whatsoever. It was enough for us to know that once upon a time Walt's ego was hurt when it came to Grey Matter - we didn't have to go into it in any detail.
Bringing Grey Matter into picture just adds too many players for the last 45 minutes - and I just don't like too many character and "story arcs" crammed into a finale just for the sake of tying "lose ends". I was totally indifferent when it came to "Grey Matter" - theres no need to make it relevant at THIS point.

I'm pretty sure the whole grey matter thing was just another kick to his ego to push him back into Heisenberg mode. Just like it was at the beginning of the series. I don't think he takes any retribution against them.

[speede5]

At first I was thinking Grey Matter was possibly a way for him to get his money to his family. Then they were trying to disasociate themselves and it triggered Walt's ego.

I think Jesse lives now. He's going to kill Todd, somehow, and then he gets to man up and raise Brock. He will have some peace somewhere with a few million bucks.

Unfortunately I think there will be alot of disapointment with this finale, Way too much to wrap up in a 75 minute episode. i think a 2 hour finale would be pushing it.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

It's a Prequel spin-off with Saul.

I know. I was commenting on why a sequel would be bad, even though it's technically possible.

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I know. I was commenting on why a sequel would be bad, even though it's technically possible.

It occurred to me after I replied...

[Radio]

Originally Posted by Wormius

I don't think the blue meth means much, Walt knew they took Jesse to do a few cooks. For all he knows or cares, it was a success and then they killed him.

Regarding Jesse's escape, a bit contrived. They have video surveillance everywhere except there?

Lydia's "stevia" addiction almost seems like she would be the recipient of the ricin, but I don't think at this stage Walt needs to kill discreetly. He would probably just kill her with a gun for all it matters to him at this stage. Ironic that when those guys were contemplating killing Lydia they showed her mercy, not really reciprocal showing by Lydia with Skyler.

What's up with Walt's drink? Who drank theirs neat? Was that Walt's really preferred way or did he pick that up from Hank?

No way. They were supposed to take him, torture him for info then kill him. That's what Walt paid them for...to kill Jesse. He's made it clear in other episodes that that it is his recipe and he doesn't like others reproducing it...not even Jesse.

That Grey Matter interview definitely set him off. In their attempt to disassociate themselves with Walter they completely dismissed the fact that the company was built on his research. That all he did was help with the name after that company made billions off his work.

If there is blue meth back on the street he knows Jesse is still alive, because he's the only guy who could do it. I don't think he'll blow up Grey Matter but he'll bring them down somehow.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by speede5

At first I was thinking Grey Matter was possibly a way for him to get his money to his family. Then they were trying to disasociate themselves and it triggered Walt's ego.

I think Jesse lives now. He's going to kill Todd, somehow, and then he gets to man up and raise Brock. He will have some peace somewhere with a few million bucks.

Unfortunately I think there will be alot of disapointment with this finale, Way too much to wrap up in a 75 minute episode. i think a 2 hour finale would be pushing it.

They could have almost had another entire season without stretching things out too much. There's a lot more they could have done with Walt being in exile, and then hunting those that wronged him. Would have been nice to tie up some old loose ends as well, like Gus' mysterious past in Chile and the remnants of the Mexican cartel

[polak]

I’m inclined to echo the doubt about the finale being able to satisfyingly end everything that has been left open ended but I have faith. I’ve also given up on trying to guess how this will all go down. The gun has to be for Jack and his crew (which like I said before, is a little disappointing that such small characters end up being the final adversaries) but the Ricin could be for anyone. Maybe it’s for one of the Grey Matter people? Other than that, Jessie still needs a resolution, as does Lydia, Skylar and Marie. Saul has been taken care of and I’m assuming Hule is still sitting on his couch?

[Flabbibulin]

I don't think Grey Matter necessarily has to be involved in the last episode- it might have just been the motivating tool the writers used to get Walt back in the game and that is all we will see of them. The success of Grey Matter was one of his biggest driving forces for him in the beginning, and the interview clips reminded him of that.

Then again, it could be setting up to have a Godfather-like finish where Walt takes care of all of his enemies in a simultaneous fashion, ending with a final showdown with Jesse.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by polak

I’m inclined to echo the doubt about the finale being able to satisfyingly end everything that has been left open ended but I have faith. I’ve also given up on trying to guess how this will all go down. The gun has to be for Jack and his crew (which like I said before, is a little disappointing that such small characters end up being the final adversaries) but the Ricin could be for anyone. Maybe it’s for one of the Grey Matter people? Other than that, Jessie still needs a resolution, as does Lydia, Skylar and Marie. Saul has been taken care of and I’m assuming Hule is still sitting on his couch?

I'm prepared to be let down a little bit. There are just so many loose ends to tie off and so little time to do it neatly... too many corners that they painted themselves into. I've already compained enough about this season and how despite that great acting, the plot devices seem very forced in order to push the plot forward (and Walt seeing Grey Matter on TV at that exact moment seems like another one). Personally, I would rather that they leave a few loose ends than force everything into a resolution.

[Jbo]

My thoughts:

1) Walt will go in Scarface style on the Nazis. I think back on the scene where Walt and Flynn are watching that movie (specifically the final scene). He will not make it out of the fight. Jesse may take him out or Todd.

He will have some kind of closure moment with Skylar and Walt. Jr. before the fight.

2) I think Jesse finds the ricin on Walt and kills Lydia with it to get back at Todd.
I could see him getting out and looking after brock, or I could see him wind up dead.

Some story lines I would like to see:

1) Following a Walt death it is revealed that Grey Matter was truly built on Walt's work. Company is shown to be a fraud and disolves;

2) Badger and Skinny Pete talking about some guys they used to know....

3) Huell shown in the last shot still waiting for Hank to come back.

[Red]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I'm prepared to be let down a little bit. There are just so many loose ends to tie off and so little time to do it neatly... too many corners that they painted themselves into. I've already compained enough about this season and how despite that great acting, the plot devices seem very forced in order to push the plot forward (and Walt seeing Grey Matter on TV at that exact moment seems like another one). Personally, I would rather that they leave a few loose ends than force everything into a resolution.

I feel the same. The show’s best plot ended two episodes ago. They missed so much opportunity by killing off Hank so soon. All this family drama, dilemma etc, all gone. Too bad. The show could have ended right there. And it feels like it actually did. Little has happened since.
Everything since seems to be filler type material. Hardly anything worth caring for is left. Neos? Who cares. Jessie’s girlfriend (whatever her name is), again, she had what, 3 lines in the entire show? Gray matter? Again, we don’t know these people. They have had almost no part in this entire show. Lydia? Again, meh. Jessie and the family are the only things that need resolving and if the family continues to hate him then really, that plot was finished 2 episodes ago. No change since.

Last episode was pure filler, disappointing. Hope for a lot better in the finale.

[Jbo]

I had the opposite reaction to the last episode. I loved it. Almost every frame of it.

I loved finally seeing the extractor. And seeing Saul and Walt have that final moment, followed by a coughing fit that left him on the ground.

Seeing the contrast from the desert to the snow. Many poets and writers have used winter to symbolize death, and that is just what this was. Walt dying in the woods. Those moments in the cabin felt lonely. You could see everything that Walt had worked for stripped away. Watching Walt pay 10K just for an hour of playing cards was hard. You felt for him. I still think Walt is a good person.

"It can not have all been for nothing".

Finally, thought the way the fast forward was handled was perfect.

Oh and that ending. Walt giving up, seeing the Grey Matter TV show.

Walt is dead. That is what the woods and snow have symbolized. Heisenberg is all that remains...and he is going to take a lot of people down with him. (And the Breaking Bad theme playing when the cops came in...perfect)

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

My thoughts:

1) Walt will go in Scarface style on the Nazis. I think back on the scene where Walt and Flynn are watching that movie (specifically the final scene). He will not make it out of the fight. Jesse may take him out or Todd.

He will have some kind of closure moment with Skylar and Walt. Jr. before the fight.

2) I think Jesse finds the ricin on Walt and kills Lydia with it to get back at Todd.
I could see him getting out and looking after brock, or I could see him wind up dead.

Some story lines I would like to see:

1) Following a Walt death it is revealed that Grey Matter was truly built on Walt's work. Company is shown to be a fraud and disolves;

2) Badger and Skinny Pete talking about some guys they used to know....

3) Huell shown in the last shot still waiting for Hank to come back.

I think people are still expecting this to be some heroic story where Walt comes back and does something brave. Unfortunately, the fact that I feel depressed and sick after almost every episode makes me realize that this is going to end badly, for everyone.

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

I think people are still expecting this to be some heroic story where Walt comes back and does something brave. Unfortunately, the fact that I feel depressed and sick after almost every episode makes me realize that this is going to end badly, for everyone.

Yep. Like I said in the above post. Walt is dead already. To me that is what the woods and snow symbolized. When Flynn yelled "why don't you just die"...he already had. Walt died up there.

Heisenberg is the re-animated hell fury of Walt.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by JeanLucPicard

Honestly...I really dislike this whole Grey Matter situation all of a sudden. Whatever Walter's dealings were with Schwartzs just had no development whatsoever. It was enough for us to know that once upon a time Walt's ego was hurt when it came to Grey Matter - we didn't have to go into it in any detail.
Bringing Grey Matter into picture just adds too many players for the last 45 minutes - and I just don't like too many character and "story arcs" crammed into a finale just for the sake of tying "lose ends". I was totally indifferent when it came to "Grey Matter" - theres no need to make it relevant at THIS point.

I think it's perfect. After all that's happened, all the plans, all the enemies made on the way, all the money, all the destruction to his family, he's gone, he's out, he's dying ... and this petty bull#### pulls him back into it.

Walt was always a petty, weak loser acting like a boss, and this driving him over was exactly the way you'd expect him to react.

[polak]

I agree that most of this episode was filler but I think it did a good job showing that Walt had lost it all. Even when he threatened Saul he couldn’t finish. I thought that was a pretty powerful scene.

He’s dying, he lost his, money, his family and he lost his power. Then the last scene showed him giving up and Heisenberg taking over.

While I agree that episode 14 would’ve been a great finale if they tied everything off, whose to say what next week has in store? Episode 14 was incredible and took care of a lot of business in that hour. Could very well happen again. Jessie, the Nazis and Lydia could conceivably be tied off during the same event and Walt’s family doesn’t need much for a resolution, they know the truth, what else is there really to do? I don’t see that being anymore of a challenge then killing Hank, exposing Walt and having his family turn on him in one episode and we saw how amazing that turned out. Probably one of the best hours in TV history.

Like I said, it’s going to be tough to end this with everything wrapped up but if any show can do it, it’s this one.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by Red

I feel the same. The show’s best plot ended two episodes ago. They missed so much opportunity by killing off Hank so soon. All this family drama, dilemma etc, all gone. Too bad. The show could have ended right there. And it feels like it actually did. Little has happened since.

Everything since seems to be filler type material.

Originally Posted by polak

I agree that most of this episode was filler

Are we watching the same show? I didn't think a single minute of that episode was filler. It certainly wasn't as action-packed as the past few weeks, but everything seemed to be critical to the plot. In fact, other than the Star Trek plot idea, I don't think there's been any filler at all this last half-season.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Close to a year. It was shortly after his 51st birthday that all hell broke loose, and we saw him at the beginning of the season on his 52nd birthday. He's also had time to go through multiple cancer treatments and also we know the house is now in the state it was during the flash forward

Are we sure that's the time frame though?

Seems it would be a real stupid move to have the same birthday on his new New Hampshire ID as he did in his real life.