Breaking Bad Season 3

  On 5/25/2010 at 5:33 PM, The Overlook said:

"Fly" was a middling attempt at returning to form. When Hollywood writers try to do Beckett after reading Waiting for Godot a few times, this last episode of Breaking Bad would be the result. I liked the effort, but it was kinda...childish? All the aggressive and silly inserts in this show need to stop. E.g. - Walt writing on a glass surface so they can tuck a camera behind it. Why do thy think that shit is interesting? It's distracting. Every time they do shit like that, I think, "Oh, Walt is writing on a piece of glass. Wait, no he's not. He's writing on a clipboard but the director is a stupid cunt."

 

Anybody utterly sick of Jesse ending sentences with "bitch?" That needs to go away and quickly.

 

I agree with Squee about the "perfect moment" speech. It was reminiscent of season 1 writing and it worked very well. I wish the show had been anchored more by that speech instead of all the tedious fly-swatting.

What? the fly bit was a bit of light-heartedness, and in the end, Walt realises all his obsessing over the tiniest details don't mean shit, which hopefully will signal some really interesting upcoming episodes that look at the big picture more.

Jesse ends his sentences with "bitch" cause that's what thugged out redneck meth dealers do.

And the speech was good. moments of clarity under an opiate haze.

  On 5/26/2010 at 5:28 AM, chenGOD said:

  On 5/25/2010 at 5:33 PM, The Overlook said:

"Fly" was a middling attempt at returning to form. When Hollywood writers try to do Beckett after reading Waiting for Godot a few times, this last episode of Breaking Bad would be the result. I liked the effort, but it was kinda...childish? All the aggressive and silly inserts in this show need to stop. E.g. - Walt writing on a glass surface so they can tuck a camera behind it. Why do thy think that shit is interesting? It's distracting. Every time they do shit like that, I think, "Oh, Walt is writing on a piece of glass. Wait, no he's not. He's writing on a clipboard but the director is a stupid cunt."

 

Anybody utterly sick of Jesse ending sentences with "bitch?" That needs to go away and quickly.

 

I agree with Squee about the "perfect moment" speech. It was reminiscent of season 1 writing and it worked very well. I wish the show had been anchored more by that speech instead of all the tedious fly-swatting.

 

What? the fly bit was a bit of light-heartedness, and in the end, Walt realises all his obsessing over the tiniest details don't mean shit, which hopefully will signal some really interesting upcoming episodes that look at the big picture more.

Jesse ends his sentences with "bitch" cause that's what thugged out redneck meth dealers do.

 

And the speech was good. moments of clarity under an opiate haze.

Agreed, really enjoyed this episode

  On 5/22/2010 at 9:31 PM, The Overlook said:

 

Does anybody think the portrait of Gus's operation is a bit too squeaky clean? He clearly employs a shit ton of people and somehow they all keep their mouths shut? Hmmm.

Didn't you see what he did to that mexican guy? Gus's friendly exterior is just a front, and he probably know enough people to know who to hire, and they likely aren't the kind of people who turn into snitches

  Quote

The last thing I'd imagine Jesse wanting to do is go out on the street corners slinging meth again. WTTTTTTTTTTTTTTF.

I think that's why it's so great, some things never change. That is where he's safe, that's what he knows. I think he longs back to that life. what made him mad mostly in the latest season was going big again after all the fuckups.

LOL what a shitty I CAN HAZ EMMY episode.

anyway... I just found a leaked script for the final episode of season 8.

  On 5/25/2010 at 5:33 PM, The Overlook said:

All the aggressive and silly inserts in this show need to stop. E.g. - Walt writing on a glass surface so they can tuck a camera behind it. Why do thy think that shit is interesting? It's distracting. Every time they do shit like that, I think, "Oh, Walt is writing on a piece of glass. Wait, no he's not. He's writing on a clipboard but the director is a stupid cunt."

 

 

Yeah, agree. I really began to notice that when Jesse was cleaning the meth machinery with that brush or something, they felt the need to attach a camera to it apparently lol.

And yeah, that bitch shit is kind of getting annoying too, I especially hate the acting of Jesse's fuckup friends, they're just stereotypes.

Hope the next episode is better :)

  On 5/28/2010 at 1:02 AM, Berk said:

And yeah, that bitch shit is kind of getting annoying too, I especially hate the acting of Jesse's fuckup friends, they're just stereotypes.

I like how they can have a 10 minute scene set in a room full of meth heads and no one says "fuck" once

I'm guessing that was sarcasm? I just meant the acting of his mates not the swearing. The dude with the beany just pisses me off, thick as fuck plus no acting that is convincing imo. Sorry if I misunderstood your post!

I just meant that whenever the meth head stereotypes are on you're reminded that they aren't allowed to say "fuck" on this particular channel and it pulls you out of the show a bit

"Gosh, bro"

  On 5/28/2010 at 1:12 AM, analogue wings said:

I just meant that whenever the meth head stereotypes are on you're reminded that they aren't allowed to say "fuck" on this particular channel and it pulls you out of the show a bit

 

 

"Gosh, bro"

big lol.

the character literally says "gosh, bro" in an episode?? ? I'm kind of embarrassed if that's exactly what he says and I didn't socially facepalm such a travesty

anyway 3 episodes left after the one I'm about to hit play on, after the last slow mo ep. I'm pretty intrigued as to how the rest will play out coming to seasons end

great episode. a solid return to the best themes of the series.

i didn't concetrate 100% on this one, but why was jesse so spooked when that rehab chick was telling about her little brother, tomas? was it related to the shooting of his druggie friend?

edit: apparently so, her kid brother killed jesse's friend.

"scientists love lasers!"

I can't see Jessee surviving the Season Finale.

saul goodman should get his own spin-off with all his crazy dirty lawyer antics and his equally crazy clients.

pain is my foot in your ass

  On 5/31/2010 at 11:44 AM, azatoth said:

"scientists love lasers!"

  On 5/31/2010 at 11:44 AM, azatoth said:

i didn't concetrate 100% on this one, but why was jesse so spooked when that rehab chick was telling about her little brother, tomas? was it related to the shooting of his druggie friend?

 

edit: apparently so, her kid brother killed jesse's friend.

 

This season is a little inconsistent IMO...... and there are too many far fetched coincidences in this show, Jesse getting it on with the girl who has a little bro who just happens to be the guy who shot his friend.

I still love watching it though.

  On 6/1/2010 at 4:27 AM, Phrank said:

This season is a little inconsistent IMO...... and there are too many far fetched coincidences in this show, Jesse getting it on with the girl who has a little bro who just happens to be the guy who shot his friend.

it's all about karma and shit yooo

What did Gus mean with "don't make the same mistake twice."? He's probably talking about Jesse I guess.

  On 6/2/2010 at 12:40 PM, Berk said:

What did Gus mean with "don't make the same mistake twice."? He's probably talking about Jesse I guess.

That's how I took it, not that it matters.

This show is basically off its rails at this point.

There are so many things going on with little or no motivation. Skyler is suddenly A-okay with Walt's state of affairs, to the tune that she's joining in on the fun. Jesse's inhuman turn toward being a hard-core meanie by selling meth to NA addicts is not just far-fetched, it's painfully retarded to watch. He's making a lot of money. He's clean. The last time he was slinging dope, it was a last-ditch effort to make use of Walt's extra-awesome blue meth because Walt needed Jesse. Now, they have the world by the balls but Jesse decides..........to skim off the top and deal on the streets again when he knows Gus, Walt, and the baddies who killed his fat white friend are not gonna like that. So why does he do it? Oh, that's right. NO FUCKING CLUE. That's without saying that all the OMFG COINCIDENCES just need.to.stop.please.

Jesse trying to look all hard in his gothy outfit walking toward the camera to end the episode was a big, fat, unintended LOL for me. GRRRRR, Jesse. GRRRRRR. You get 'em!

Sorry, I just preferred the Jesse, Walt, and Skyler from the first two seasons. I have no idea who these people are anymore and it's getting really ridiculous. Anybody remember the episode where Jesse goes to the house with the ATM machine and the junkies, so he can earn some street cred? That was one of the most brilliant episodes of a then genius shows I've ever seen. Now, I just...sorry, but...no. It's not working anymore.

  On 6/3/2010 at 9:20 PM, The Overlook said:

 

1) Skyler is suddenly A-okay with Walt's state of affairs, to the tune that she's joining in on the fun.

2)Jesse's inhuman turn toward being a hard-core meanie by selling meth to NA addicts is not just far-fetched, it's painfully retarded to watch. He's making a lot of money. He's clean. The last time he was slinging dope, it was a last-ditch effort to make use of Walt's extra-awesome blue meth because Walt needed Jesse.

3) Now, they have the world by the balls but Jesse decides..........to skim off the top and deal on the streets again when he knows Gus, Walt, and the baddies who killed his fat white friend are not gonna like that. So why does he do it? Oh, that's right. NO FUCKING CLUE. That's without saying that all the OMFG COINCIDENCES just need.to.stop.please.

4)Jesse trying to look all hard in his gothy outfit walking toward the camera to end the episode was a big, fat, unintended LOL for me. GRRRRR, Jesse. GRRRRRR. You get 'em!

 

1) That's ok with me. Characters are evolving, this show is all about the good and evil in everyone, and the coexistence of both sides in each of us and how you can go from an end to another. I mean, given the circumstances (hank's situation, marie's despair), she gets to understand that the ends can sometimes justify the means, which is where Walt is at.

2) Agreed. It doesn't makes much sense after Jesse's girlfriend death and his new attitude that was emerging.

3) It seems Jesse needs the thrill of selling dope in his life, being a clean lab assistant is boring to him.

4) He's not trying to look all hard, he was just angry at the bad deal and being ripped off by a kid.

  On 6/3/2010 at 9:36 PM, the anonymous forumite said:

  On 6/3/2010 at 9:20 PM, The Overlook said:

 

1) Skyler is suddenly A-okay with Walt's state of affairs, to the tune that she's joining in on the fun.

2)Jesse's inhuman turn toward being a hard-core meanie by selling meth to NA addicts is not just far-fetched, it's painfully retarded to watch. He's making a lot of money. He's clean. The last time he was slinging dope, it was a last-ditch effort to make use of Walt's extra-awesome blue meth because Walt needed Jesse.

3) Now, they have the world by the balls but Jesse decides..........to skim off the top and deal on the streets again when he knows Gus, Walt, and the baddies who killed his fat white friend are not gonna like that. So why does he do it? Oh, that's right. NO FUCKING CLUE. That's without saying that all the OMFG COINCIDENCES just need.to.stop.please.

4)Jesse trying to look all hard in his gothy outfit walking toward the camera to end the episode was a big, fat, unintended LOL for me. GRRRRR, Jesse. GRRRRRR. You get 'em!

 

 

1) That's ok with me. Characters are evolving, this show is all about the good and evil in everyone, and the coexistence of both sides in each of us and how you can go from an end to another. I mean, given the circumstances (hank's situation, marie's despair), she gets to understand that the ends can sometimes justify the means, which is where Walt is at.

 

2) Agreed. It doesn't makes much sense after Jesse's girlfriend death and his new attitude that was emerging.

3) It seems Jesse needs the thrill of selling dope in his life, being a clean lab assistant is boring to him.

4) He's not trying to look all hard, he was just angry at the bad deal and being ripped off by a kid.

To #1 and #3: the problem is that they haven't done any of their homework. The writers have been consistently too lazy to motivate things. What you are describing makes perfect sense, on paper, but show it to me! I wanna see this happening with her character. This show used to be one astute character study after another. Now, it's far more plot-driven. Plot don't mean shit if the characters aren't convincing.

  On 6/3/2010 at 9:43 PM, The Overlook said:

  On 6/3/2010 at 9:36 PM, the anonymous forumite said:

  On 6/3/2010 at 9:20 PM, The Overlook said:

 

1) Skyler is suddenly A-okay with Walt's state of affairs, to the tune that she's joining in on the fun.

2)Jesse's inhuman turn toward being a hard-core meanie by selling meth to NA addicts is not just far-fetched, it's painfully retarded to watch. He's making a lot of money. He's clean. The last time he was slinging dope, it was a last-ditch effort to make use of Walt's extra-awesome blue meth because Walt needed Jesse.

3) Now, they have the world by the balls but Jesse decides..........to skim off the top and deal on the streets again when he knows Gus, Walt, and the baddies who killed his fat white friend are not gonna like that. So why does he do it? Oh, that's right. NO FUCKING CLUE. That's without saying that all the OMFG COINCIDENCES just need.to.stop.please.

4)Jesse trying to look all hard in his gothy outfit walking toward the camera to end the episode was a big, fat, unintended LOL for me. GRRRRR, Jesse. GRRRRRR. You get 'em!

 

 

1) That's ok with me. Characters are evolving, this show is all about the good and evil in everyone, and the coexistence of both sides in each of us and how you can go from an end to another. I mean, given the circumstances (hank's situation, marie's despair), she gets to understand that the ends can sometimes justify the means, which is where Walt is at.

 

2) Agreed. It doesn't makes much sense after Jesse's girlfriend death and his new attitude that was emerging.

3) It seems Jesse needs the thrill of selling dope in his life, being a clean lab assistant is boring to him.

4) He's not trying to look all hard, he was just angry at the bad deal and being ripped off by a kid.

To #1 and #3: the problem is that they haven't done any of their homework. The writers have been consistently too lazy to motivate things. What you are describing makes perfect sense, on paper, but show it to me! I wanna see this happening with her character. This show used to be one astute character study after another. Now, it's far more plot-driven. Plot don't mean shit if the characters aren't convincing.

But I mentionned the motives, it's just that they are not conventionally obvious and explicit. Skyler is taking part in Walt's business because of Hank and Marie, but also, I believe, because she was at a point in her life where she was lost (as she mentionned many times to her lawyer), not knowing what to do, etc...She tried to find the excitement with her affair with Ted, but it seems it's not that exciting to her. Also, the fact that she kept on working with Ted despite the shady business shows an ability of her character to accept and even work for "evil". Her accepting Walt's business is just the natural continuation of that side of her personality, or should I say, humanity.

As for Jesse, it seems the thrilling aspect is obvious, I can't see any other reason why he would do that.

The only lame turn I blame the writers for is Skyler quickly being in love again with Walt. Not obvious at this point of the show, but there are some cues.

Skyler's recent actions seem pretty much in line with her character; she's always been something of a hypocrite, she's never been as clean as she seems, she likes men who she sees as powerful; she's self-destructive; she realized Walt is powerful and motivated by an interest in helping his family whereas Ted is just kind of incompetent and a pussy; she'll get involved with something shady, she just really hates being lied to.

Jesse continuing to act irrationally and stupidly, and to engage in self-destructive behavior, is completely in line with Jesse's character.

I really hate it when people expect characters on TV shows to act rationally, and criticize the writing when the characters do not. Real people hardly ever act rationally. Real people have complicated motivations that they do not even understand. This show is stronger for accepting that and running with it.

The proliferation of coincidences is a bit much, but the writers have explicitly lampshaded it several times recently. It's more or less become a central theme this season, and I'm interested to see where the writers take it (I can't imagine this show taking the BSG "god is controlling things" approach).

I'm half expecting something truly random, unconnected to anything, to happen and shake up everyone's lives, and to play off and subvert the characters' increasing sense that everything happens for a reason.

On the other hand, the connectedness/coincidences plays into the 12-step theme, and the great truth behind those coincidences as that they're ripples caused by our central characters doing some intensely bad shit. So there's no overarching control, there's just action and consequence, and neither Jesse nor Walt seems to understand (at present) that they are the reasons for things going to shit around them. Or maybe Jesse understands this intuitively, hence the increasingly negative approach he's taking (edit: think about Jesse's back story if you're confused as to why this completely irrational response fits who he is and what he thinks he is expected to be) , and the rejection of the 12-step program (there isn't a greater force, there's only Jesse, the fuck up, hurting people, which in turn hurts other, less directly connected people, and so on.)

Here's the thing, for all the realism, this is a TV show and not a documentary, and you can expect that it'll stray a little outside the realm of plausibility in order to explore the effects on character and its central themes. There's nothing wrong with that at all, that's kind of how fiction works.

  On 6/3/2010 at 10:14 PM, baph said:

Real people hardly ever act rationally. Real people have complicated motivations that they do not even understand.

True.