Thoughts? Anything in particular you noticed?
Also, any suggestions for these discussions? I'm thinking of writing up some questions after each episode - like #hubskibookclub, I guess. Would anyone be interested in a #hubskitvclub, a place to discuss various shows?
The thing I love the most about Breaking Bad is the theme of emotional transformation. This idea parallels the personalty shifts depicted in the short novel Heart of Darkness, and the movies Aguirre: the Wrath of God, The Mosquito Coast, and Apocalypse Now. I constantly keep this in mind when observing Walt's actions, especially since last season it seemed as though Heisenberg had completely taken over Walt's personality. In the two new episodes you can see the panicky/bossy/by-the-book Walt we all used to know and love coming back to light, but I'm not sure if this is just a diversionary tactic in hopes we will have forgotten what a monster Walt has become. If Walt, not Heisenberg, is actually taking over the personality again and he is now forced to see the full damage he has caused to countless people, I really wouldn't doubt if his last words are something along the lines of "the horror, the horror."
This is really interesting, as I just watched Aguirre for the first time the other week, and it's a parallel I can definitely see.
This episode was super intense. It left me with a lot of feeling, but I don't know how much I can say about it. Hank said what we're all thinking; that there's no way he can bring down Walt without bringing himself down, too. Is that really why Hank is so angry, because Walt has probably ruined his rising star? Look what happened to Hank's boss. He accepted contributions from Gus Fring, and even though he had no reason to believe that Gus was corrupt, he got axed. Also, are we to assume that Walter's money is lost to the ether now? Even with a GPS, is there any way it's ever going to be reclaimed? I'm guessing probably not. It will sit forever as a forgotten symbol of the mark Walter left on the world. But maybe that's fine with Walter. I don't think he ever really cared about the money. To him each dollar doesn't represent purchasing power; it represents victory over Gus, Hank, Tuco, Mike and everyone else whose power he has seized. This shit's intense.
I was really pleased to see Hank recognising that he can't really turn Walt in, even with absolute proof, without losing his own job. It's stuff like this that is going to make this half-season really good: it's become more of a drama, I think. Walt is out, the action is going to subside (at least for now) and it's starting to focus a lot more on the characters. Hank can't turn Walt in without losing his job, Skyler is resistant to the idea of turning Walt in, and Marie knows but can't do anything. Jesse has nothing to lose - in fact, his guilt may make him talk, to bring the punishment he feels he deserves.