HANK ON TOP

I will start by saying “Amen” to your points on both the acting and the action in “One Minute.” The tone is set right off the bat when Hank charges Jesse like a bull. Hank has been “acting” like a tough guy in several previous episodes, but he proves to us (and himself) he actually is kind of badass. I rewound the initial punch in Jesse’s face several times just to watch him fly off his feet again and again. I called my family in to the TV to show them a real smackdown. Poor Jesse. This should have been Walt’s comeuppance since it was his fault. Still, it was a hoot to watch middle-aged Hank strike a blow against young punkdom. I think anyone who refers to a male as “Bitch” deserves a good pop in the schnoz.

I had alluded in a previous post for Hank’s need to lean on his wife even though he was a tough guy. Despite that fact he had been shutting her out, his frightening trip to the ER reminded him of how important she is to him. I like to think his elevator breakdown gave him the strength to pull off what he did at the end of the episode.

Before we get to that, however, I want to point out his greatest feat of strength...coming clean. Despite suggestions on how to “cover” his actions, he boldly states the truth in black and white, damn the consequences. That is why I wanted him to get that hollow point bullet in that gun in time instead of the cousin giving him the doll treatment. We knew from the previous episode that Hank’s life was on the line. He had become so close to a cartoonish buffoon I actually half wanted him to go down. He is back on top of my list now. Did I mention I loved the face-crunching blow he landing on Jesse?
Now I wonder if the writers will take Hank down a path of renewed confidence or even greater anxiety after this traumatic event.

My first thought on the guardian angel is Gus as well. He clearly does not want anything messing with his golden goose. I think that flashback phone call does indicate a long-running mutual animosity and disrespect. However, like you said Holly... that makes it too obvious. Breaking Bad does nothing if not confound expectations. After all, they went to the trouble of masking the voice on the phone. There is no way it is Saul. He is kept out of the loop intentionally on many issues. You are probably right about Mike the Cleaner, but I am going to be contrary and go with another possibility just for the hell of it. Sheriff Merkert is connected in ways we cannot quite see. I mentioned this suspicion before. I cannot outline the motivations or who is pulling strings, but that still water runs deep.

Chip

P.S.
While we both enjoyed the previous episode “Sunset” we did not have much to inspire us to blog. I will point out the sequence where Walt and his new lab assistant get to know one another like a scene out of the latest romantic comedy was a blast.