Breaking Bad
 
Breaking Bad

Episode Report Card
Joe R: A- | 1325 USERS: B
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The Gambler

And while we're discussing physical therapy, think the Breaking Bad team, why not shift to a closeup of a foot being massaged? Um ... even when that foot belonged to Saul Goodman. Okay. Jesse shows up at this strip-mall day spa -- where my liberal guilt is working overtime to keep me from mentioning that it's all Asian ladies working here -- clearly having been summoned by Saul. Wait, isn't this where Saul gets his little rub and tug? Wait, no, that's his chiropractor. Anyway, he's called Jesse here (actually, he called Walt too, but he didn't show up) to offer him this very salon as a prime money-laundering investment. Jesse doesn't catch on at first, and once Saul spells it out, he starts to walk out. Saul says he's serious -- and Jesse needs to get serious about staying out of jail. Don't end up like Capone and get nabbed for tax evasion. Saul then embarks upon a fairly informative presentation where he explains the basics of money laundering and the benefits it holds for a young drug dealer like Jesse. But Jesse is ... well, a young drug dealer. So all he hears is "taxable income," and he's out. "I'm a criminal, yo," he says. Saul gets serious and says if Jesse wants to remain a criminal, as opposed to a convict, it's time to smarten up. Jesse thinks Saul just wants his 5%. Saul says it's 17%, actually. Walt got 5 due to "privileges of seniority." Saul, we were all there. More like "privileges of almost walking out on your sad ass." Which is what Jesse does now. Of course, Saul's already got one meal ticket, so he can afford to let this one walk out, for now.

Walt arrives at the Pollos compound to have a chat with Gus. This appears to be the same trailer where Gus earlier met with Bolsa, Tio, and the Cousins, but it felt much smaller then. This scene is being shot to represent the largeness of Gus's operation and influence, so it looks like a cavern. Anyway, after some unconvincing pleasantries and asking after Hank, Gus asks Walt what's troubling him. Walt says he came here to "lay the cards out on the table." He says he knows about the phone call Hank got just before the attack, and he believes that same person was protecting him. He thinks the assassins (Cousins) were after him and this unseen person (who shall remain nameless) diverted them towards Hank. So on one level, Walt's alive thanks to this certain, completely anonymous, someone. But Walt also believes this person -- whoever he may be and however many chicken parts he sells daily -- warned Hank so that there'd be a shootout, leaving both sides bloodies. In one stroke, this unnamed man, who may or may not wear glasses, set the American and Mexican governments against the cartel, thus cutting off the supply chain from Mexico. If this man -- this unassuming, nerdily-dressed man -- were to have a source of product here in the states, he'd pretty much have the market to himself. You know ... not bad, Walter. If this were a movie, Gus would begin slow-clapping for you right about now.

Breaking Bad

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