Gray Matter (24 Feb. 2008)

Walt rejects everyone who tries to help him with the cancer. Jesse tries his best to create Walt's meth, with the help of an old friend.

Director:

Tricia Brock

Writers:

Vince Gilligan (creator), Patty Lin

Stars:

Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Bryan Cranston	...	Walter White
Anna Gunn	...	Skyler White
Aaron Paul	...	Jesse Pinkman
Dean Norris	...	Hank Schrader
Betsy Brandt	...	Marie Schrader
RJ Mitte	...	Walter White, Jr.
Adam Godley	...	Elliott Schwartz
Jessica Hecht	...	Gretchen Schwartz
Matt Jones	...	Badger
William Sterchi	...	Manager
Marc Mouchet	...	Farley
Kiira Arai	...	Server (as Kiira Arai Sniegowski)
Bill Allen	...	Scientist (as William Allen)
Loren Haynes	...	Music Producer
Kyle Swimmer	...	Louis

Storyline

Jesse tries to get a regular job and put his drug dealing behind him but he finds that there are few opportunities for someone with his education and experience. Jesse tries to cook a new batch of meth but can't come anywhere near Walt's standard. After attending a birthday party at a now very rich friend's house, Walt reconnects with his one-time business partner Elliott who offers him a job. It turns out Skyler told Elliott about his condition and Walt is not very pleased. Walt Jr. tries to get someone to buy him a six-pack but is busted in the process. He calls his uncle Hank to pick him up and Hank learns from Skyler that it's Walt senior who admitted smoking marijuana. Finding his behavior bizarre, the family sets up a intervention where they all get to tell Walt what they think about the situation.

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Plot Keywords:

intervention | party | meth lab | title directed by female | montage | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 February 2008 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

High Bridge Productions, Gran Via Productions, Sony Pictures Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

48 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Walter White is said to be the "white" in "Gray Matter", the name of former partner Elliott Schwartz's company. Schwartz is German for "black", and white combined with black makes gray; hence the name of the company.

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Goofs

The black Fender Stratocaster given to Elliot by a friend at his party is a Fender Stratocaster Mexican version. Eric Clapton only played Fender Stratocaster American. When he picks up the guitar, the headstock is from a Mexican made Stratocaster (subtle differences, i.e., the missing Fender logo up the very top).

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Quotes

Walter H. White: [during a family meeting about Walt's cancer treatment, during a tense fight amongst the family] Alright, I've got the talking pillow now... Okay?
[sits down with tears in his eyes]
Walter H. White: Look, we all in this room, we love each other. We want what's best for each other and I know that, I am very thankful for that. What I want... what I want, what I need... is a choice
Skyler White: What does that mean?
Walter H. White: [with tears in his eyes, very emotional] ... sometimes I feel like I never actually make, any of my own... choices. ...
[...]

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Soundtracks

"Koop Island Blues"
Performed by Koop featuring Ane Brun

User Reviews

It Matters

Walt and Skyler visits an old friend of Walt. At there, Walt is offered a job and a payment for his chemotherapy. He rejects it however, much to Skyler's dismay.

Jesse tries to continue his life and looks for a job to stay away from his drug life. But the job is not like what he expected and he find himself cooking meth again. But he cannot make the pure meth, like he used to do with Walt.

This episode is the struggle of both Walt and Jesse, as they are having money problems. Walt is offered job, and Jesse trying to find a job. Later, Jesse thinks he can cook meth easily, maybe he thinks it doesn't matter whether Walt is cooking or not, bu "it does matter." They need each other, and this episode shows this.

My vote is 8/10.