This episode is one of the best. It's impact isn't always for what it obviously reveals, as they say "the devil is in the details".
Over five years viewer's have been given a slow-reveal as to who Walter White is. Early, he seemed like a conflicted, but decent, man...albeit a frustrated underachiever whose urgency to correct that was catapulted by a death sentence. Shortly, Walter was re-cast as person willing to throw caution to the wind to correct his financial shortcomings. Walter White became a criminal of his own choice as it was the only way he believed his goal of leaving his family financially flush was possible. This, along with pregnant wife, teenage son, and DEA in-laws presented a fantastic, truly ultimate, conundrum.
Over the past four seasons that provided lots of "left turn at Albuquerque" hard choices. These hard choices allowed the writers to continue to evolve Walter's character in extremely creative, and mostly entertaining, ways. However, as things progressed there were turning points where Walter's desperation became obvious. Walter was able to turn a blind eye to collateral damage that included the deaths of several and his brother-in-law's attempted assassination. Not only did Walter persevere, but he continued to become less of a victim and more empowered, even brash with no small measure of hubris.
Now, with this excellent episode we see deeply into the man Walter White is due to this evolution. The writer's have always hinted at a grandiose narcissistic Walter, yet viewer's still believed Walter had a humanitarian side. With this episode it becomes horrifically clear Walter is psychopathic in his narcissism. He believes he is both smarter as well as in his own league. He becomes a kingpin as he states his goal isn't simply monetary, he's here to build an empire. The scene were Jesse is wrought with guilt over the death of an innocent 10-year old boy and Walter is pleasantly whistling while he works is the exclamation point on this.
Walter's partners are done. Things have become so bad getting out without either being caught or convicted is the only choice. This requires selling their last major asset, their precursor meth, and each parting company with what should be an ultimate payday with little risk. What should be a simple choice becomes the man who is now Walter White's battle cry. Walter isn't able to go slowly into the night reaching financial independence. This megalomaniac won't stop, Walter has become a true criminal for which the old byline that everything he does is for his family rings hollow.
Over five years viewer's have been given a slow-reveal as to who Walter White is. Early, he seemed like a conflicted, but decent, man...albeit a frustrated underachiever whose urgency to correct that was catapulted by a death sentence. Shortly, Walter was re-cast as person willing to throw caution to the wind to correct his financial shortcomings. Walter White became a criminal of his own choice as it was the only way he believed his goal of leaving his family financially flush was possible. This, along with pregnant wife, teenage son, and DEA in-laws presented a fantastic, truly ultimate, conundrum.
Over the past four seasons that provided lots of "left turn at Albuquerque" hard choices. These hard choices allowed the writers to continue to evolve Walter's character in extremely creative, and mostly entertaining, ways. However, as things progressed there were turning points where Walter's desperation became obvious. Walter was able to turn a blind eye to collateral damage that included the deaths of several and his brother-in-law's attempted assassination. Not only did Walter persevere, but he continued to become less of a victim and more empowered, even brash with no small measure of hubris.
Now, with this excellent episode we see deeply into the man Walter White is due to this evolution. The writer's have always hinted at a grandiose narcissistic Walter, yet viewer's still believed Walter had a humanitarian side. With this episode it becomes horrifically clear Walter is psychopathic in his narcissism. He believes he is both smarter as well as in his own league. He becomes a kingpin as he states his goal isn't simply monetary, he's here to build an empire. The scene were Jesse is wrought with guilt over the death of an innocent 10-year old boy and Walter is pleasantly whistling while he works is the exclamation point on this.
Walter's partners are done. Things have become so bad getting out without either being caught or convicted is the only choice. This requires selling their last major asset, their precursor meth, and each parting company with what should be an ultimate payday with little risk. What should be a simple choice becomes the man who is now Walter White's battle cry. Walter isn't able to go slowly into the night reaching financial independence. This megalomaniac won't stop, Walter has become a true criminal for which the old byline that everything he does is for his family rings hollow.
