Reflections. There were at least three (physical ones) this episode, if I recall correctly (anyone else catch them?). According to Wikipedia (which, I know, isn't exactly the most reliable source of information—shame on me—but for quick fixes, it'll do), in physics, "a reflection is a change in direction of a wave front at an interface between two different medium from which it originated." We could likewise push this idea into the realm of human self-reflection which, again, according to the not-so-credible site, is "the capacity of humans to exercise introspection and the willingness to learn more about their fundamental nature, purpose, and essence." So, where am I going with this?
Perhaps most obviously, to Walt's confrontation with Skyler in last night's stellar episode of Breaking Bad. At the heart of this episode, and in what is perhaps to become one of the major turning points of this season, Skyler (this time, after a much quieter act of desperation) admits to her now all-but-deranged husband that she's prepared to fight back, and the first way in which she'll do so is by taking their children away from him ("there's no better reason than family," right?). It's interesting, as hers is one of the reflections the camera lingers on this episode (think back to the bathroom scene she shares with Walt), that she chooses her husband's fifty-first birthday in particular, very nearly one year since Walt was first diagnosed with cancer (and, we officially know, one year before the the season's opener), to "change her direction." That moment, and those leading up to it, serve as yet another reminder, one that hits us forcefully at the conclusion the unbelievably executed exchange.
In a beautiful scene (an increasingly frequent occurrence on this show lately), Walt stalks his wife in their suddenly-too-small bedroom, threatening her and willing her to reveal what exactly it is she plans to do; will she harm herself? Nope; Walt will have her committed. Will she make it look as though Walt beats her? She can't do that either, lest she wishes the police to learn of the Ted Beneke scandal. No, all Skyler really has now is the opportunity to bide her time; to remove her children from the toxic environment she and her husband have created (interestingly enough, this episode she admits that, on some level, she and Walt are on similar planes—she, too, has blood on her hands), and wait. For what, precisely? For the cancer—Walt's silent stalker—to return.
Again, the reminder. Up to this point in the season, we've busied ourselves wondering who rather than what is to ultimately lead Walt to his demise (I'm, of course, guilty of it, too), seemingly forgetting that Walt's most frightening enemy is his incurable disease. That, in part, helps to make Skyler's threat that much more terrifying. Of course, she has no control over the turns her husband's health will take (though I will say, the shot of her smoking in the house was a nice little wink), but her eerie revelation almost forces us, along with perhaps Walt himself, to put things into perspective; it is, after all, only a matter of time (which, apparently, Jesse subconsciously thinks too, as his birthday gift to Walt is, quite fittingly, a watch; a watch the episode closes on a close-up of, just past second 51—hmm, symbolism much?).
In our defense though, the who enemies (as opposed to the what) are certainly the ones at the forefront of thought; some of them, after all, are even sitting at the same dinner table as our hero. I've got to say, I particularly enjoyed Hank's involvement in this episode. Early on, we learn that he is being offered the position of Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC), a promotion he jokes about having to take, but one we know he's eager to accept. What's interesting about the promotion is that it requires him to set aside all of his fieldwork projects, the Fring case (which, is hinted, needs to wrap up soon) included; that he seems a little skeptical about. So what does this mean for Walt? Does this signal that there's one less person he has to worry about? I'm not so sure. Knowing Hank, I'm sure he's bound to find some loophole that will allow him to remain involved. After all, it was the Fring case that spared him from a bed-ridden life filled with examining rocks—excuse me, minerals—and he was getting so good at it. Likewise, his DEA-style interrogation of Marie (not that it takes much to crack her) for the information surrounding Skyler's affair, as well as his exchanges with the White family (while some of them were, admittedly, depressing) offered just the right balance of comedic relief this episode was mostly starved of.
To read the best of the recap/review (IMDb form too short) visit: http://custodianfilmcritic.com/breaking-bad-5-4-fifty-one/
Perhaps most obviously, to Walt's confrontation with Skyler in last night's stellar episode of Breaking Bad. At the heart of this episode, and in what is perhaps to become one of the major turning points of this season, Skyler (this time, after a much quieter act of desperation) admits to her now all-but-deranged husband that she's prepared to fight back, and the first way in which she'll do so is by taking their children away from him ("there's no better reason than family," right?). It's interesting, as hers is one of the reflections the camera lingers on this episode (think back to the bathroom scene she shares with Walt), that she chooses her husband's fifty-first birthday in particular, very nearly one year since Walt was first diagnosed with cancer (and, we officially know, one year before the the season's opener), to "change her direction." That moment, and those leading up to it, serve as yet another reminder, one that hits us forcefully at the conclusion the unbelievably executed exchange.
In a beautiful scene (an increasingly frequent occurrence on this show lately), Walt stalks his wife in their suddenly-too-small bedroom, threatening her and willing her to reveal what exactly it is she plans to do; will she harm herself? Nope; Walt will have her committed. Will she make it look as though Walt beats her? She can't do that either, lest she wishes the police to learn of the Ted Beneke scandal. No, all Skyler really has now is the opportunity to bide her time; to remove her children from the toxic environment she and her husband have created (interestingly enough, this episode she admits that, on some level, she and Walt are on similar planes—she, too, has blood on her hands), and wait. For what, precisely? For the cancer—Walt's silent stalker—to return.
Again, the reminder. Up to this point in the season, we've busied ourselves wondering who rather than what is to ultimately lead Walt to his demise (I'm, of course, guilty of it, too), seemingly forgetting that Walt's most frightening enemy is his incurable disease. That, in part, helps to make Skyler's threat that much more terrifying. Of course, she has no control over the turns her husband's health will take (though I will say, the shot of her smoking in the house was a nice little wink), but her eerie revelation almost forces us, along with perhaps Walt himself, to put things into perspective; it is, after all, only a matter of time (which, apparently, Jesse subconsciously thinks too, as his birthday gift to Walt is, quite fittingly, a watch; a watch the episode closes on a close-up of, just past second 51—hmm, symbolism much?).
In our defense though, the who enemies (as opposed to the what) are certainly the ones at the forefront of thought; some of them, after all, are even sitting at the same dinner table as our hero. I've got to say, I particularly enjoyed Hank's involvement in this episode. Early on, we learn that he is being offered the position of Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC), a promotion he jokes about having to take, but one we know he's eager to accept. What's interesting about the promotion is that it requires him to set aside all of his fieldwork projects, the Fring case (which, is hinted, needs to wrap up soon) included; that he seems a little skeptical about. So what does this mean for Walt? Does this signal that there's one less person he has to worry about? I'm not so sure. Knowing Hank, I'm sure he's bound to find some loophole that will allow him to remain involved. After all, it was the Fring case that spared him from a bed-ridden life filled with examining rocks—excuse me, minerals—and he was getting so good at it. Likewise, his DEA-style interrogation of Marie (not that it takes much to crack her) for the information surrounding Skyler's affair, as well as his exchanges with the White family (while some of them were, admittedly, depressing) offered just the right balance of comedic relief this episode was mostly starved of.
To read the best of the recap/review (IMDb form too short) visit: http://custodianfilmcritic.com/breaking-bad-5-4-fifty-one/