Bullet Points (7 Aug. 2011)

Walt and Skyler have decided to use gambling to explain how Walt has made all of his money. It's not to be a happy story and Skyler insists that Walt admit to a gambling addiction and ... See full summary »

Director:

Colin Bucksey

Writers:

Vince Gilligan (creator), Moira Walley-Beckett

Stars:

Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul

Cast

Episode cast overview:
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.
Bob Odenkirk	...	Saul Goodman
Giancarlo Esposito	...	Gustavo 'Gus' Fring
Jonathan Banks	...	Mike Ehrmantraut
David Costabile	...	Gale Boetticher
Jeremy Howard	...	Sketchy
Ray Campbell	...	Tyrus Kitt
Frank Andrade	...	Tweaker Thief
Paul Neis	...	Support Group Leader
Brittany Gustin	...	Morning After Girl

Storyline

Walt and Skyler have decided to use gambling to explain how Walt has made all of his money. It's not to be a happy story and Skyler insists that Walt admit to a gambling addiction and express deep shame for what he has done. At dinner with Marie and Hank Schrader, they tell their rehearsed story. Hank has a story for Walt however, one of a dead wannabee singer who had lab notes describing a super-processing meth lab. Hank is convinced the dead man is Heisenberg, the drug manufacturer he has been looking for for over a year. Walt tries to warn Jesse and is appalled at his living conditions. Jesse couldn't care less and when Mike gets wind of his attitude, Jesse is taken for a ride into the desert.

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Plot Keywords:

meth lab | drugs | man in a wheelchair | camera shot from inside a drawer | made for cable tv | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 August 2011 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gran Via Productions, High Bridge Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Walter White: How did everything get so screwed up?
Saul Goodman: Yeah, you do seem to have a little "shit creek" action going.
[pause]
Saul Goodman: You know, FYI, you can buy a paddle.

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Connections

References French Connection II (1975)

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Soundtracks

"Days Like This"
by Melani L. Skybell

User Reviews

Walt learns that Hank is helping investigate Gale's murder

Having decided to buy the carwash Skyler and Walt must come up with a story to tell their family; after all it is a lot of money to account for. Skyler comes up with a story about how Walt took up gambling when he thought he was dying... and now is ashamed of it despite his success! The family accept the story and while there Hank shows Walt and Walt Jnr. a rather amusing video clip... it shows Gale performing a karaoke style song! Walt is understandably concerned and tells Hank he is happy to listen if he wants to bounce any ideas about the case off him... It becomes clear that Hank is convinced that Gale was Heisenberg but that doesn't mean the case is closed; the police are still investigating the murder and it appears that they have fingerprints and possible witnesses. Walt goes to see Jesse but he doesn't seem too worried about things... Mike however is concerned and if Mike is concerned than so is Gus and if Gus is concerned Jesse could be in real danger.

This episode got of to a great start in a scene where Mike is in the back of a truck that is ambushed by unknown assailants; at the time I assumed we would then be shown the events leading up to this event but interestingly we weren't... presumably we were just being shown the dangers of the job. Skyler's story about how they got the money seemed overly elaborate but I suspect a non-criminal would be likely to do that. It was great to see that Hank has got the 'investigation bug' back and isn't moping any more; it also served to advance Walt and Jesse's story. The ending leaves thing looking bad for Jesse in a way that should leave the viewers keen to learn what happens next.