After the heart stopping finish to season 4, we are now starting to see how everything falls into place in season 5. This episode shows us how small and insignificant Albuquerque is in the grand scheme of things. Madrigal is the real evil in Breaking Bad and we are now just starting to find this out. The landscape has changed and it promises to be be a wild season to follow.
15 Reviews
Fantastic stuff
Leofwine_draca21 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Another excellent episode. If they keep up this level of consistency then season five is looking to be the best one yet. All of the sub-plots are involved and engaging and feature great writing. I love that the writers realise what a winner they're on to with Mike so feature him a lot.
Breaking Bad has a new villain?
deltaop23 July 2012
After the jaw-dropping season premiere, the outrageous in Breaking Bad is getting cranked down.
This episode centers around Walter's pulsating desire to fill the power corridors and start cooking again. In this quest of his, he is ready to make some uncanny alliances.
The highlight of the episode, however, is the introduction of a new villain, Lydia (Laura Fraser), a former associate of Gus Fring who works for Los Pollos Hermanos' parent company, Madrigal. She is described by Fraser as being "extremely highly strung, calculating, enterprising," who wants to "survive at all costs." However her intro is far from this description. In this episode she is seen as nervous, jittery and extremely uncalculating.
This episode also reinforces the concept that has been the center-piece of this series so far; "the things we do for family".
This episode centers around Walter's pulsating desire to fill the power corridors and start cooking again. In this quest of his, he is ready to make some uncanny alliances.
The highlight of the episode, however, is the introduction of a new villain, Lydia (Laura Fraser), a former associate of Gus Fring who works for Los Pollos Hermanos' parent company, Madrigal. She is described by Fraser as being "extremely highly strung, calculating, enterprising," who wants to "survive at all costs." However her intro is far from this description. In this episode she is seen as nervous, jittery and extremely uncalculating.
This episode also reinforces the concept that has been the center-piece of this series so far; "the things we do for family".
A multifariously entertaining episode and a great introduction for season five's story
stillworkingfortheknife17 January 2014
With "Madrigal", Mike enters into the spotlight and we, for the first time, get to see what his daily routine consists of besides the meetings with Walt and Jesse. But though he may have got the most screen time in this episode, it's still Walt who remains in the centre of discussion afterwards, as his evolution to becoming Heisenberg is now completed.
Whether it's him terrifying his wife in bed, impassively upholding the lie of what happened to the ricin cigarette and Brock straight into Jesse's face, or accepting Mike's news at the end calm as a motherfeckur (that did it for me) – Walt is more startling than ever in "Madrigal", the first episode of the series to indicate his new persona that evidently. Despite all the awkwardness these aforementioned three scenes hold (watch the extended version of Walt and Skyler's scene in the bed for this sentiment to increase even more), the acting is sublime and, together with Vince Gilligan's script, perfectly illustrates the characters' current positions. In one story arc though, Breaking Bad's creator and mastermind prefers to stay ambiguous: newly introduced character Lydia Rodarte-Quayle, very believably portrayed by Laura Fraser. She was one of the biggest names in Gus Fring's hidden and now unveiled drug empire, yet manages to stay out of prison, at which point in the story we first meet her. The distraught, uptight broad she seems to be at first glance when conversing with Mike in what is possibly the series' best diner scene does also have some different facets, as she reveals in the succeeding episodes.
"Madrigal" could have been an outstanding conversation-only episode, as this series does it so very often, but there are also some rougher parts here and there, one reacquainting us with the wonderful James Ning as Chow and one at Lydia's home, which ensures a multifariously entertaining episode that also functions as a great introduction for the marvellous plot of season 5A.
Whether it's him terrifying his wife in bed, impassively upholding the lie of what happened to the ricin cigarette and Brock straight into Jesse's face, or accepting Mike's news at the end calm as a motherfeckur (that did it for me) – Walt is more startling than ever in "Madrigal", the first episode of the series to indicate his new persona that evidently. Despite all the awkwardness these aforementioned three scenes hold (watch the extended version of Walt and Skyler's scene in the bed for this sentiment to increase even more), the acting is sublime and, together with Vince Gilligan's script, perfectly illustrates the characters' current positions. In one story arc though, Breaking Bad's creator and mastermind prefers to stay ambiguous: newly introduced character Lydia Rodarte-Quayle, very believably portrayed by Laura Fraser. She was one of the biggest names in Gus Fring's hidden and now unveiled drug empire, yet manages to stay out of prison, at which point in the story we first meet her. The distraught, uptight broad she seems to be at first glance when conversing with Mike in what is possibly the series' best diner scene does also have some different facets, as she reveals in the succeeding episodes.
"Madrigal" could have been an outstanding conversation-only episode, as this series does it so very often, but there are also some rougher parts here and there, one reacquainting us with the wonderful James Ning as Chow and one at Lydia's home, which ensures a multifariously entertaining episode that also functions as a great introduction for the marvellous plot of season 5A.
Madrigal (#5.2)
ComedyFan20105 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers
In this episode we see Walt wanting to go back into business and trying to convince Mike to be his partner. But Mike doesn't want it because he feels that Walt is a ticking time bomb which Jesse doesn't see. I think it is a good prediction to us about what is to happen in this final season.
We have a lot of Mike in this episode, which I liked. He is a great character and Jonathan Banks is a wonderful actor. I liked him both being questioned by DEA and dealing with the new character Lydia who seems to have a lot of potential as well.
Another scene that was also beautiful was Jesse breaking down when they find what he believes to be his cigarette. He is all upset that he almost killed Walt for it and it is very heart breaking to watch. I love the two of them together and it is sad that Walt is lying to Jesse, at the same time once again what he did was just to protect the both of them.
We have a lot of Mike in this episode, which I liked. He is a great character and Jonathan Banks is a wonderful actor. I liked him both being questioned by DEA and dealing with the new character Lydia who seems to have a lot of potential as well.
Another scene that was also beautiful was Jesse breaking down when they find what he believes to be his cigarette. He is all upset that he almost killed Walt for it and it is very heart breaking to watch. I love the two of them together and it is sad that Walt is lying to Jesse, at the same time once again what he did was just to protect the both of them.
Is Walt getting too comfortable?
tbmforclasstsar25 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
breaking bad season 5 It was a much quieter week for Breaking Bad post-explosive season opener, but, perhaps not surprisingly (I'm looking at you, 13 Emmy nods), it wasn't any less powerful. In fact, this episode already shows the traces of a thickening season plot, if you will, as tensions gradually rise and the true nature of our favorite lead is revealed.
"Madrigal" opens with a death: a Mr. Schuler, a key player in Madrigal, the German parent company of Los Pollos Hermanos, and a man the DEA and police know to have been personally involved with Gus Fring, kills himself with an AED kit in a company restroom upon learning the police wish to speak with him. The title card and first set of commercials roll immediately after Schuler hits the floor, but because we know Breaking Bad, we're sure it's bound to come into play a little later.
But before it does, we're reunited with Walt. We watch as he pours salt into a tiny vial before placing it into a tobacco-less cigarette. All the while we hear, through voice-over, a conversation between him and Jesse, who frantically insists he must find the ricin cigarette he believes to be lost—but we know to have been stolen by Walt himself. Agreeing to help him search his place once more, Walt first destroys the original cigarette, hiding the ricin inside (for future use?), and plants the decoy in Jesse's house for him to find (which he does, rather amusingly, in his Roomba). Upon finding the cigarette, Jesse has a breakdown, and in tears apologizes to Walt for almost having shot him, for assuming he had anything to do with Brock's poisoning in the first place.
Now, I've got to admit—this entire scene simultaneously shocked me, disgusted me, impressed me, and absolutely broke my heart all at the same time. Ultimately, we're laying witness to Walt's ultimate manipulation—he's using Jesse to get exactly what it is he wants because, well, he knows he can. At this point, Jesse is in the very palm of Walt's hand, and to watch Walt descend so selfishly into darkness—well, that's pretty tough to watch. As is Jesse's raw vulnerability. Despite everything, Walt has been there for Jesse—as a partner, as a mentor, and as a friend—and to know the truth about Walt that Jesse doesn't and to see him so ignorantly apologetic I've got to say, I choked up a bit. And then I realized I was feeling sorry for a meth-dealing, murdering punk with a god-awful vocabulary. I mean, if that isn't damn good TV, then I don't know what is.
As a result of what I assume to be guilt (again, Walt's got him just where he wants him), Jesse agrees to restart the business and continue cooking, and even accompanies Walt to visit Mike to get him back on board as well. Mike, however, refuses. He admits he doesn't trust Walt for a second, and expresses his concern that Jesse doesn't yet see how corrupt he's become. (Is it weird that I think Mike's respect for Jesse is kind of sweet?) Walt doesn't seem fazed by his response, however. In fact, he politely offers Mike his hand and tells him to simply consider it—perhaps there might be a change of heart somewhere down the line.
Meanwhile, the DEA further investigates Madrigal representatives in regards to Schuler, and the team begins to wonder whether or not Schuler was alone in his involvement with Gus. Likewise, Hank finds himself faced with a renewed respect from his colleagues. Because he was spot-on in regards to Gus, they no longer think him to be a raving lunatic, and essentially give him their blessing to seek out the elusive Heisenberg, which, of course, he has every intention of doing. (Random observation: Merkert's (Michael Shamus Wiles) monologue about Gus being "right under his nose" the whole time might not have been the show's most subtle hinting, but the look on Hank's face was interesting. Was he thinking what we think he's thinking?) To read the rest of the review (IMDb form too short) visit: http://custodianfilmcritic.com/breaking-bad-5-2-madrigal/
"Madrigal" opens with a death: a Mr. Schuler, a key player in Madrigal, the German parent company of Los Pollos Hermanos, and a man the DEA and police know to have been personally involved with Gus Fring, kills himself with an AED kit in a company restroom upon learning the police wish to speak with him. The title card and first set of commercials roll immediately after Schuler hits the floor, but because we know Breaking Bad, we're sure it's bound to come into play a little later.
But before it does, we're reunited with Walt. We watch as he pours salt into a tiny vial before placing it into a tobacco-less cigarette. All the while we hear, through voice-over, a conversation between him and Jesse, who frantically insists he must find the ricin cigarette he believes to be lost—but we know to have been stolen by Walt himself. Agreeing to help him search his place once more, Walt first destroys the original cigarette, hiding the ricin inside (for future use?), and plants the decoy in Jesse's house for him to find (which he does, rather amusingly, in his Roomba). Upon finding the cigarette, Jesse has a breakdown, and in tears apologizes to Walt for almost having shot him, for assuming he had anything to do with Brock's poisoning in the first place.
Now, I've got to admit—this entire scene simultaneously shocked me, disgusted me, impressed me, and absolutely broke my heart all at the same time. Ultimately, we're laying witness to Walt's ultimate manipulation—he's using Jesse to get exactly what it is he wants because, well, he knows he can. At this point, Jesse is in the very palm of Walt's hand, and to watch Walt descend so selfishly into darkness—well, that's pretty tough to watch. As is Jesse's raw vulnerability. Despite everything, Walt has been there for Jesse—as a partner, as a mentor, and as a friend—and to know the truth about Walt that Jesse doesn't and to see him so ignorantly apologetic I've got to say, I choked up a bit. And then I realized I was feeling sorry for a meth-dealing, murdering punk with a god-awful vocabulary. I mean, if that isn't damn good TV, then I don't know what is.
As a result of what I assume to be guilt (again, Walt's got him just where he wants him), Jesse agrees to restart the business and continue cooking, and even accompanies Walt to visit Mike to get him back on board as well. Mike, however, refuses. He admits he doesn't trust Walt for a second, and expresses his concern that Jesse doesn't yet see how corrupt he's become. (Is it weird that I think Mike's respect for Jesse is kind of sweet?) Walt doesn't seem fazed by his response, however. In fact, he politely offers Mike his hand and tells him to simply consider it—perhaps there might be a change of heart somewhere down the line.
Meanwhile, the DEA further investigates Madrigal representatives in regards to Schuler, and the team begins to wonder whether or not Schuler was alone in his involvement with Gus. Likewise, Hank finds himself faced with a renewed respect from his colleagues. Because he was spot-on in regards to Gus, they no longer think him to be a raving lunatic, and essentially give him their blessing to seek out the elusive Heisenberg, which, of course, he has every intention of doing. (Random observation: Merkert's (Michael Shamus Wiles) monologue about Gus being "right under his nose" the whole time might not have been the show's most subtle hinting, but the look on Hank's face was interesting. Was he thinking what we think he's thinking?) To read the rest of the review (IMDb form too short) visit: http://custodianfilmcritic.com/breaking-bad-5-2-madrigal/
Getting back into business
Tweekums20 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This episode opens far from New Mexico in a German food factory where we see somebody tasting a variety of sauces; somebody tells him there are three men to see him and he promptly goes to the lavatory and kills himself! He works for Madrigal; the parent company of Gus's restaurant business.
Back in the States Jesse is getting paranoid about the whereabouts of the ricin laced cigarette; Walt has it but has no intention of telling Jesse; instead he makes a second, fake cigarette before going to Jesse's house to help find it with this done he suggests to Jesse it is time they started making meth again. They ask Mike to be a partner as he has the contacts to get certain ingredients and to distribute however he is not keen to work with Walt anymore. With Gus's operation out of business all those involved are short of money and the DEA are starting to question his associates; fearing one of them will talk a woman named Lydia approaches Mike with a list of people she thinks 'know too much' with the hope that he will kill them. He declines but it isn't long before she has hired somebody else and now Mike is on the list.
After a fine introduction to the fifth series things are a little less dramatic here; that isn't to say it isn't a fine episode though. Walt shows just how manipulative he has become as he sets about restarting the business. It is also impressive to see just how in control Mike is; the scene where he meets Lydia in a restaurant is great; he is calm and collected while she is overly nervous and acts suspiciously while trying not to be suspicious; Jonathan Banks and Laura Fraser are both great in that scene. He is also on top form when being interviewed by Hank and another DEA agent; even when they mention a large bank account in his grand daughter's name he doesn't waver. Overall another solid episode.
Back in the States Jesse is getting paranoid about the whereabouts of the ricin laced cigarette; Walt has it but has no intention of telling Jesse; instead he makes a second, fake cigarette before going to Jesse's house to help find it with this done he suggests to Jesse it is time they started making meth again. They ask Mike to be a partner as he has the contacts to get certain ingredients and to distribute however he is not keen to work with Walt anymore. With Gus's operation out of business all those involved are short of money and the DEA are starting to question his associates; fearing one of them will talk a woman named Lydia approaches Mike with a list of people she thinks 'know too much' with the hope that he will kill them. He declines but it isn't long before she has hired somebody else and now Mike is on the list.
After a fine introduction to the fifth series things are a little less dramatic here; that isn't to say it isn't a fine episode though. Walt shows just how manipulative he has become as he sets about restarting the business. It is also impressive to see just how in control Mike is; the scene where he meets Lydia in a restaurant is great; he is calm and collected while she is overly nervous and acts suspiciously while trying not to be suspicious; Jonathan Banks and Laura Fraser are both great in that scene. He is also on top form when being interviewed by Hank and another DEA agent; even when they mention a large bank account in his grand daughter's name he doesn't waver. Overall another solid episode.
Pieces in place!
and_mikkelsen25 April 2023
This was a great episode to further establish season 5! This episode dels with investigating Gus's connections as well as Walt's interest in continueing the business!
This episode begins with an intense opener that gives us a hint of the extend of Gus influence, as well as how many was actually involved in his meth-business! While unraveling this, we are introduced to Lydia, one of the villains of the season! We learn that she will put herself before anyone else, based on her opinions and actions!
The scene with Walt and Jesse involving "The Cigarette" was really emotional and somehow dark thanks to Aaron Pauls acting and out knowledge of the truth!
This episode begins with an intense opener that gives us a hint of the extend of Gus influence, as well as how many was actually involved in his meth-business! While unraveling this, we are introduced to Lydia, one of the villains of the season! We learn that she will put herself before anyone else, based on her opinions and actions!
The scene with Walt and Jesse involving "The Cigarette" was really emotional and somehow dark thanks to Aaron Pauls acting and out knowledge of the truth!
Incredibly Entertaining!
g-bodyl9 February 2015
This is the second episode of the last season of Breaking Bad. This was a highly entertaining episode and it serves as another reminder that Walt's character has certainly changed from the first episode. I also liked the globalization aspect of the episode and for the first time in the entire series, we finally have a location shoot in Europe.
This episode, "Madrigal," has Mike being concerned about Gus's meth operation and who it involves. Some woman named Lydia confronts him and asks him to terminate eleven people involved with the operation. Meanwhile, Walt and Jesse decide to start cooking meth again as a three- way partnership with Mike.
Overall, the intensity may be harnessed somewhat, but this is still an excellent episode with further details on Mike's personal life. With another great screenplay and more great acting, particularly from Jonathan Banks and Laura Fraser, we get another successful episode. I rate this episode 9/10.
This episode, "Madrigal," has Mike being concerned about Gus's meth operation and who it involves. Some woman named Lydia confronts him and asks him to terminate eleven people involved with the operation. Meanwhile, Walt and Jesse decide to start cooking meth again as a three- way partnership with Mike.
Overall, the intensity may be harnessed somewhat, but this is still an excellent episode with further details on Mike's personal life. With another great screenplay and more great acting, particularly from Jonathan Banks and Laura Fraser, we get another successful episode. I rate this episode 9/10.
Walt on a Streak! Manipulation at its very best !!
surya-alonso23 September 2013
Warning: Spoilers
After a very strong premier, the story keeps us engaged and glued to it. As predicted, Mike is really getting deeper into the storyline and I totally love it.
This episode mainly centers around Walt manipulating Jesse and Mike to get back into their business again. We are now slowly getting to see the bad-ass Hisenberg side of Walt. Totally loved the way he plans each and every Strategy. He thinks literally a million times before taking every next step of his. We clearly see the qualities of Gus in Walt this season.
Mike, who previously had bitter experiences with Walt though initially declines his offer for partnership, an astonishing series of events leads him to accept the offer at last.
Very strong Acting performances by Bryan, Aaron and Jonathan. Even that of Laura Fraser's is Good. This episode at the end leaves us wondering how the things will unravel in the coming episodes. Excellent Episode !
This episode mainly centers around Walt manipulating Jesse and Mike to get back into their business again. We are now slowly getting to see the bad-ass Hisenberg side of Walt. Totally loved the way he plans each and every Strategy. He thinks literally a million times before taking every next step of his. We clearly see the qualities of Gus in Walt this season.
Mike, who previously had bitter experiences with Walt though initially declines his offer for partnership, an astonishing series of events leads him to accept the offer at last.
Very strong Acting performances by Bryan, Aaron and Jonathan. Even that of Laura Fraser's is Good. This episode at the end leaves us wondering how the things will unravel in the coming episodes. Excellent Episode !
Very Good Transitional Episode
Hitchcoc10 May 2018
The cook is on and Walter has become a beast. He and Jesse have endeavored to get Mike involved but there is a great lack of trust. We find out in this episode that there are a handful of leftover characters from the cartel who could be a problem. Mike meets with a young woman who has a list of eleven that could compromise them. She seems a shy, pretty girl, the last you'd suspect. She is there to ask Mike to kill all of them. The DEA continues to investigate Gus's dealing, calling in suspects, but now that Gus's laptop was compromised, they have nothing to do but threaten. Mike, himself, is called in. They are all people connected with the fast food business, doing things below their stations. When two are killed, Mike goes after the girl. She is the mother of two little girls. Walter tells Skyler that things are only going to get better and that she will get over the Ted thing. Skyler's face reveals that she is terrified.
Good and Evil
TheFearmakers31 August 2023
A very important moment... in a show all about the importance of important moments... has, after the now classic polite-interrogation scene between Hank/Gomez and Mike... and after both Mike, then Hank, were able to one-up each other...
Mike leaves the room, door closed behind him, and the camera stays on Hank and Gomez, who have been main characters from the beginning of the series (ie a main character and his sidekick), and they don't say anything because, at this point, Mike is as important as they are...
It's a great scene from one of the more bizarre episodes... in that its comparably so corporate and clean compared to all the others... including a prologue set in Germany that seems almost like another show altogether (or perhaps simply foreshadowing the more offbeat and colorful BETTER CALL SAUL)...
Then there's poor "banjo-eyes" Lydia being visited by Hank and his agents, and while this is her first appearance as one of the primary Final Season players, it seems like she's been there all along... for more reasons than her character having been an important phantom operator in Gus's overall operation...
A business that's now handed to Walter White in what feels like a back-to-basics/garage band aura for his overall hit-and-miss odyssey: being in charge yet having less actual control than ever.
Mike leaves the room, door closed behind him, and the camera stays on Hank and Gomez, who have been main characters from the beginning of the series (ie a main character and his sidekick), and they don't say anything because, at this point, Mike is as important as they are...
It's a great scene from one of the more bizarre episodes... in that its comparably so corporate and clean compared to all the others... including a prologue set in Germany that seems almost like another show altogether (or perhaps simply foreshadowing the more offbeat and colorful BETTER CALL SAUL)...
Then there's poor "banjo-eyes" Lydia being visited by Hank and his agents, and while this is her first appearance as one of the primary Final Season players, it seems like she's been there all along... for more reasons than her character having been an important phantom operator in Gus's overall operation...
A business that's now handed to Walter White in what feels like a back-to-basics/garage band aura for his overall hit-and-miss odyssey: being in charge yet having less actual control than ever.
Getting better.
sebastianmitton29 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This season, like all others has started off a tad slow, and that is of course to be expected after such a climactic build up and ending to season 4.
I'm not going to lie, I was a little let down the the premier of this season but this episode has made me feel a little bit better. It's good to see Mike back in action and being his old cranky self. However like always he really is the smartest character in the series. Challenging Walt on his plans and begging Jessie to get out while he can. My prediction is, it's not going to end well for the old man, he'll see a demise soon enough.
We start off in once again and unfamiliar setting with a very depressed looking man who appears to be the manager of a fast food chain similar to Gus. The scene went a little long in my opinion but then he got up and killed himself which was both predictable but still unsettling. What does this mean going forward? Who is this guy and how will this now effect the show? All to be seen...
Walt and Jesse are looking for the Ricen(?) ... the poison in the cigarette because Jessie is losing it at the thought of some random kid picking it up and getting poisoned. There's a montage that reminds me of the previous season which finally made me settled and start to enjoy the episode. The nostalgia of it all I guess.
We're introduced to a new character? A skittish female who seems to be extremely anal and paranoid about most things. Exactly what we needed .. another annoying female character because the show was totally lacking in that department .. I kid i kid :) She seems like an interesting character, and you feel for her when Mike has his gun about to kill her but then she has something to offer and did it save her life? My guess is yes.
Basically, my prediction is the 'bad guy' of the season is going to be Walt himself, self destructing and taking everything down with him whether it's intentional or not.
The audio and visuals were also good like always with the show.
I give it an 8/10 Looking more and more promising.
I'm not going to lie, I was a little let down the the premier of this season but this episode has made me feel a little bit better. It's good to see Mike back in action and being his old cranky self. However like always he really is the smartest character in the series. Challenging Walt on his plans and begging Jessie to get out while he can. My prediction is, it's not going to end well for the old man, he'll see a demise soon enough.
We start off in once again and unfamiliar setting with a very depressed looking man who appears to be the manager of a fast food chain similar to Gus. The scene went a little long in my opinion but then he got up and killed himself which was both predictable but still unsettling. What does this mean going forward? Who is this guy and how will this now effect the show? All to be seen...
Walt and Jesse are looking for the Ricen(?) ... the poison in the cigarette because Jessie is losing it at the thought of some random kid picking it up and getting poisoned. There's a montage that reminds me of the previous season which finally made me settled and start to enjoy the episode. The nostalgia of it all I guess.
We're introduced to a new character? A skittish female who seems to be extremely anal and paranoid about most things. Exactly what we needed .. another annoying female character because the show was totally lacking in that department .. I kid i kid :) She seems like an interesting character, and you feel for her when Mike has his gun about to kill her but then she has something to offer and did it save her life? My guess is yes.
Basically, my prediction is the 'bad guy' of the season is going to be Walt himself, self destructing and taking everything down with him whether it's intentional or not.
The audio and visuals were also good like always with the show.
I give it an 8/10 Looking more and more promising.
Welcome to the family madrigal?!🎶
Trey_Trebuchet23 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I really dug this one, maybe even a bit more than the opening episode.
Walt and Jesse share a very emotional moment in the beginning. Aaron Paul's acting is so, so good. He didn't get me crying or anything, but I was genuinely upset to see him in such distress, that he almost killed Walter not knowing that WALTER is the reason for that confrontation. Very upsetting to see, and it's gonna surely make for some of the most juicy drama of the whole show later on.
But after that, Walt and Jesse sort of take the backseat as Mike and some of Gus's associates and workers take the spotlight, which I actually loved. Walter may have "won" against Gus, but that clearly had major consequences, and I doubt he's prepared for what's to come. It genuinely has me anxious!
Jonathan Banks was excellent here. I'm very excited to see what becomes of his character, and maybe a bit scared, seeing as I kind of want to root for him more than Walt at this point.
I will say that I hated the very last scene... I'm sure I'm suppose to, it was very uncomfortable. Walt may have been someone I was rooting for at some point, but it's been a hot minute since I have, and this scene (which no one seems to be talking about) has me hoping he loses. Who knows. Maybe he'll lose and I'll feel for him... I really, truly don't know. But still, screw that guy.
A great episode!
Walt and Jesse share a very emotional moment in the beginning. Aaron Paul's acting is so, so good. He didn't get me crying or anything, but I was genuinely upset to see him in such distress, that he almost killed Walter not knowing that WALTER is the reason for that confrontation. Very upsetting to see, and it's gonna surely make for some of the most juicy drama of the whole show later on.
But after that, Walt and Jesse sort of take the backseat as Mike and some of Gus's associates and workers take the spotlight, which I actually loved. Walter may have "won" against Gus, but that clearly had major consequences, and I doubt he's prepared for what's to come. It genuinely has me anxious!
Jonathan Banks was excellent here. I'm very excited to see what becomes of his character, and maybe a bit scared, seeing as I kind of want to root for him more than Walt at this point.
I will say that I hated the very last scene... I'm sure I'm suppose to, it was very uncomfortable. Walt may have been someone I was rooting for at some point, but it's been a hot minute since I have, and this scene (which no one seems to be talking about) has me hoping he loses. Who knows. Maybe he'll lose and I'll feel for him... I really, truly don't know. But still, screw that guy.
A great episode!
Sings brilliantly
TheLittleSongbird19 June 2018
'Breaking Bad' is one of the most popular rated shows on IMDb, is one of those rarities where every season has either been very positively received or near-universally acclaimed critically and where all of my friends have said nothing but great things about.
Very few shows in recent memory had me so hooked from the very start that before the week was over the whole show had been watched, especially when for a lot of shows now airing watching one episode all the way through can be an endeavour. 'Breaking Bad' had that effect on me, and its reputation as one of the best, consistently brilliant and most addictive shows in many years (maybe even ever) is more than deserved in my eyes. Its weakest season is perhaps the first season, understandable as any show's first season is the one where things are still settling.
Actually everything is established remarkably from the very start, but once the writing and characterisation becomes even meatier the show reaches even higher levels.
It would be a hard task following on from such an incredible start to the season, but "Madrigal" does so brilliantly, it really does sing. It is a transition episode, but a fine one at that, and may not have the tight pace and red-hot intensity of the best episodes, but everything that makes 'Breaking Bad' as a show so great is present. Lydia is a fascinating character and the episode is worth seeing for her and how she's introduced, Madrigal itself cuts a formidable presence.
Visually, "Madrigal" is both stylish and beautiful, with photography and editing that are cinematic quality and put a lot of films today to shame, where there are a lot of visually beautiful ones but also some painfully amateurish looking ones. The music always has the appropriate mood, never too intrusive, never too muted.
The writing in "Madrigal" is a fine example of how to have a lot of style but also to have a lot of substance. The dialogue throughout is thought-provoking and tense, while also have a darkly wicked sense of humour, nail-biting tension and heart-tugging pathos. The story is texturally rich, intimate, tense and layered, with the pace of it consistently deliberate but taut.
Can't say anything bad about the acting. Bryan Cranston is phenomenal as one of the most fascinating anti-heroes, or even of any kind of character, in either film or television. Aaron Paul has never been better and Anna Gunn is affecting. The supporting cast are both intriguing and entertaining. The characters are compelling in their realism, likewise with their chemistry, and the episode is superbly directed.
In conclusion, truly impressive. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Very few shows in recent memory had me so hooked from the very start that before the week was over the whole show had been watched, especially when for a lot of shows now airing watching one episode all the way through can be an endeavour. 'Breaking Bad' had that effect on me, and its reputation as one of the best, consistently brilliant and most addictive shows in many years (maybe even ever) is more than deserved in my eyes. Its weakest season is perhaps the first season, understandable as any show's first season is the one where things are still settling.
Actually everything is established remarkably from the very start, but once the writing and characterisation becomes even meatier the show reaches even higher levels.
It would be a hard task following on from such an incredible start to the season, but "Madrigal" does so brilliantly, it really does sing. It is a transition episode, but a fine one at that, and may not have the tight pace and red-hot intensity of the best episodes, but everything that makes 'Breaking Bad' as a show so great is present. Lydia is a fascinating character and the episode is worth seeing for her and how she's introduced, Madrigal itself cuts a formidable presence.
Visually, "Madrigal" is both stylish and beautiful, with photography and editing that are cinematic quality and put a lot of films today to shame, where there are a lot of visually beautiful ones but also some painfully amateurish looking ones. The music always has the appropriate mood, never too intrusive, never too muted.
The writing in "Madrigal" is a fine example of how to have a lot of style but also to have a lot of substance. The dialogue throughout is thought-provoking and tense, while also have a darkly wicked sense of humour, nail-biting tension and heart-tugging pathos. The story is texturally rich, intimate, tense and layered, with the pace of it consistently deliberate but taut.
Can't say anything bad about the acting. Bryan Cranston is phenomenal as one of the most fascinating anti-heroes, or even of any kind of character, in either film or television. Aaron Paul has never been better and Anna Gunn is affecting. The supporting cast are both intriguing and entertaining. The characters are compelling in their realism, likewise with their chemistry, and the episode is superbly directed.
In conclusion, truly impressive. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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