TOO MANY COOKS

Hey Holly, it certainly was a tense episode. Did you notice there were no explosions or gunshots? The only fire I noticed was the lighting of a cigar. Aside from the beheading back-story, there was not any actual “action” to be had in this episode. Well, unless you count Hank smacking a couple of biker-types around. Yet, I found myself once again completely engrossed. Not white-knuckled, edge of my seat engrossed, but I could not fast-forward through the commercials quick enough.

This was Skyler’s episode. First of all, Anna Gunn put on an Emmy-worthy display of subtle acting. The extended scene from finding Walt at her home to her nearly spilling the beans to the cops was superb. Yes Holly, I believe it was her eyes that seemed to carry their own dialogue. Contrary to my comments from last week, the power of this scene is how grounded it is in reality. At times, it was almost too painfully real to life.

As far as Skyler the character goes, I did not blame her for wanting to take some measure of control of her situation while trying to inflict some of her pain back on Walt. I admire her protective instinct of Walt, Jr. as well. I look forward to more intense drama when that young man finds out his hero is a criminal. On the other hand, I have to question Skyler’s choice in men. Following Walt’s honest and heart felt plea for her to take the money he had “earned,” why would she then hook up with a man who is also a criminal? He does not cook Meth, but he cooks the books. He even used an almost verbatim justification for his actions in the previous episode. Is it just because he has more hair?

Speaking of achingly real, Jesse’s repeated dialing of Jane’s voicemail just to hear her voice resonates with anyone who has experienced such a devastating loss of a loved one. Talk about a simmering pot of grief and rage. Can you imagine how this will boil over when Jesse somehow finds out that Walt had a literal hand in Jane’s death? You can almost picture a season finale where Walt is chased down the street by a mob comprised of just about everyone in his life. Bringing up the rear will be the killing cousins brandishing some form of shiny utensils. They are just not like the rest of us. I am also curious to see if Jesse is able to cook as well as Walt after merely being his Igor for so long.

Another member of that mob would certainly be DEA agent/brother-in-law Hank. I have a different take on what he was up to in the seedy bar, Holly. If this were PTSD related, I do not think he would have as much control over his actions. On the contrary, I think he knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish. He is trying to sabotage his own promotion through his questionable actions. He does not want to turn El Paso down or let anyone know how much his last stint there screwed with his head. So here is the macho way to perhaps keep from being sent back to that hellhole. He relishes his role as big fish in little pond too much to go back.

The Chicken King is one cool customer, but his arrogance might just get him an unwanted visit from the cousins if he is not careful. Then his goose is cooked.