Breaking Bad (TV Series) ABQ (2009) User Reviews

Tongue-tied. Speechless.

[strawberry-60502 · 10/10 · 29 August 2019]

Can we take a moment and appreciate the efforts of the writers, the actors and the whole cast for creating this stunning and impeccable piece of art? I'm in awe really. This episode has all the feelings! I just can't get it out of my head how Donald's grief over his daughter lead to this tragic plane crash! The way he portrayed grief was very realistic, bravo!! Can we also talk about how Aaron Paul was killing it in this episode!! I've cried my eyes out. Skyler is finally connecting the dots and almost blowing Walt's cover is astounding and her acting was like WOW!! And I love the fact that Walt came to Jesse's rescue and treating him as his son is so overwhelmingly beautiful.

We definitely need a lot of these amazing actors and actresses!!

The morning after the night before

[Tweekums · 10/10 · 11 October 2012]

When Jesse wakes in the morning he finds Jane dead and despite his desperate attempts to resuscitate her it is far too late. He calls Walt and he says he knows somebody who can help; that person is of course Saul Goodman and he sends somebody round to clean up. This cleaner wipes the scene clean and removes all incriminating evidence before telling Jesse to call the authorities and tell them he just woke and found her like that. Later on, as the ambulance crew are dealing with her, her father arrives and surprisingly there is no confrontation. Walt meanwhile is feeling awkward as donations start flooding into his son's donation website; his family think it is a testament to people's generosity when Walt knows it is mostly his laundered money coming in. When he goes for his operation he is given an anaesthetic and as it takes effect he tells an accidental truth that looks likely to have severe consequences for his marriage. As the episode comes to an end we finally learn about the burnt pink teddy bear floating in the pool that we've been glimpses of since the season's opening scene.

This was a great end to the second season; it featured some of the most harrowing moments to date as Jesse and Donald Margolis deal with Jane's death. John de Lancie, best known for playing the somewhat annoying Q in various Star Trek series did a great job as her father Donald; you could see the character's world falling apart from his face alone as he saw the ambulance and instinctively knew what it meant. Aaron Paul was also on top form as he depicted Jesse spiralling out of control and ending up in such a state that he would have died if Walt hadn't come after him. After Walt's seemingly unstoppable rise it was nice to see his life suffer a set back when Skyler caught him lying. The reveal concerning the burnt teddy bear was as explosive as it was shocking; it was obviously a bit of a coincidence that something so poignant should end up in Walt's pool but good drama frequently relies on such coincidences. After this shocking conclusion I am glad I won't have to wait long before I can start season three!

My review of the entire 2nd season.

[Fella_shibby · 8/10 · 21 January 2022]

Very creative one.

Now who wud have thot about the 'head on the tortoise'.

The way Danny Trejo's head moves is hilarious.

The statement by Mr White, 'stay outta my territory' was epic.

The teddy bear stuff is filled with suspense.

This season has some amazing introduction of new characters, especially Saul Goodman.

Groundbreaking finale...

[Red_Identity · 10 February 2011]

The last episode of the 2nd season of Breaking Bad trails off from where the previous episode had left. After the tragedy, the characters finally have to deal with the turmoil, especially Jesse and even Walter.

In the last episode Walter White has a great moment, one of the best moments in the show so far, where listening to a father talk about his daughter's flaws opened his eyes to how much he cares about Jesse. I mean, he has worked with Jesse all this time, and it seems that they are both always conflicting against one another, but in this moment he realized that he loves Jesse in a way that is similar to his son. He has to deal with Jesse mourning and this is breaking him inside. I have to say that Aaron Paul has risen up to the challenge and has been simply magnificent in this second season, especially these last three episodes.

In other turn of events, there is a confrontation between Walter and Skyler. Anna Gunn gave an effective and realistic performance here, and it's not difficult to sympathize with her and see her reasons. The last scenes of the show also answers some questions about the recurring scene with the pink teddy bear.

I can't wait to start seeing the 3rd season and it's a good thing they are reruns and I only have to wait a week.

An unbelievably good season ends in an unpredictable, yet perfect way

[RicinBeans94 · 10/10 · 25 May 2014]

Something I talked about in my review of the last episode, 'Phoenix', is that actions have consequences in this show. In 'ABQ', Breaking Bad's second season finale, Walt's decision not to save Jane indirectly causes a series of events on a scale he could not have dreamt of. Jane's father, Donald Margolis (played by John de Lancie, who has done some fantastic work as the troubled father in these last few episodes), returns to his job as an air traffic controller and causes an aircraft crash. The flashbacks that began at the start of the season finally become clear.

Now, on a first watch, many people seem to feel almost cheated and let down because they expected a more direct consequence - a cartel explosion perhaps. After watching the episode for a third time, I can honestly say it's one of the best episodes of the season and a completely fitting ending.

Breaking Bad manages to end its second season with a completely shocking turn of events that do indeed feel like an ending, while still leaving numerous threads hanging for season 3 - Gus Fring finding out about Walt having cancer and having a DEA brother-in-law, for instance.

Jesse, much like Donald, struggles to cope in this episode and Aaron Paul does a brilliant job. Just as we lose Jane, a character who reminded me a great deal of Mia Wallace, we get a Wolf-like cleaner who works for Saul, played Jonathan Banks. He is great here in his first scenes and I look forward to seeing more of him.

The confrontation between Walt and Skyler is on the same level as the very best Tony/Carmela moments in The Sopranos. By this point, we are completely invested in these characters and it's difficult, yet brilliant, to watch.

This season has given us some of the best television ever, with 'Phoenix', 'ABQ', 'Grilled', '4 Days Out' and 'Peekaboo' being particular highlights. It is truly an excellent achievement.

Episode: 10/10

Season: 9.5/10

Collission

[and_mikkelsen · 10/10 · 30 March 2023]

This was an amazing way to conclude season two! Everything that happened through-out the season, clashed in this episode! Now the actions commited has consequences as everything collides with reality!

Aaron Paul was great in this episode and we really see how great an actor he was! Walt was equally great as we really see what is going on inside him and how is getting more and more cold, but still showing us that his familly matters the most!

This episode also shows us the link between Saul and Gus as well as showing us Gus level of influence and how good he is to hide in plain sight!

The final scene was expertly made and shot! Now we get the answer to the pool scenes with the teddy bear!

I'm Floored

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 2 May 2018]

This had to happen. Walter had been able to keep all the balls in the air for just about everyone. But when a single lie got under Skyler's hide, she became suspicious and began to check on things. Once Columbo suspects you did it, he would be relentless. It's easy to find evidence when you are sure of the conclusion. Two focuses here. Jesse is inconsolable and Walter feels responsible for it (actually he is but wouldn't have had to worry if the girl wasn't bad news). Then Junior starts with the Pay Pal thing, exposing Walter visually. Then, of course, there is the surgery to make Walter White well again. What a great conclusion to the season!

Excellent Finale!

[g-bodyl · 10/10 · 25 May 2014]

This is the thirteenth episode of the second season of Breaking Bad and up to this point, this may be the best episode yet. As for finales go, this blows away the finale of Season 1. This has many shocking moments, such outstanding dialogue, solid visual effects, great acting especially by Cranston and Anna Gunn.

In this episode, "ABQ," Jesse blames himself for the death of Jane so he enters himself into rehab. Meanwhile, as Walt is about to go under the knife, he accidentally let something slips which has a dominoes effect as Skylar is fed up with his lies.

Overall, this is an incredible episode full of many intense moments. It's emotional on a high level and just a smart, well-written episode that has not one, but several shockers. Bring on the third season! I rate this episode 10/10.

Review of the 2st season: Overall 9/10

[851222 · 10/10 · 8 November 2015]

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Breaking Bad" season 2 was better then the 1st in all directions. Although story has some bumps here and there which could have been avoided, nevertheless this season has more strait plot in comparison to the 1st one. Acting is a bit better here, characters are more expanded.

Season 2 presented some of the most unforgettable scenes i have ever saw. The sequence with the turtle in Mexico and shocking act that follows in the same scene are simply unforgettable. The episode were two leads were captured by Tuco was also magnificent. Writing is excellent, yet again almost every line in here leads somewhere.

Overall, season 2 is a great improvement in season 1 terms. It adds new characters, which are always interesting to watch and listen. Cinematography here become more epic and not a TV style. Overall, it's a 9/10 for season 2.

For All of the Staff, I Thank You

[ladylealegendary · 10/10 · 16 February 2017]

Thank you Aaron Paul for making me so close to tears as you painfully grieved the loss of the woman you loved most. Thank you Bryan Cranston for getting stronger in your character as you deal with conflicted feelings between work and family. Thank you Dean Norris for being so damn funny as a comic relief to the dark drama. Thank you Anna Gunn for getting on my nerves as the "typical" woman who waits for the last minute to candidly confront her spouse. Thank you RJ Mitte for making the best of cerebral palsy and making me question whether you actually had to because of how well you perform. Thank you Vince Gilligan who brilliantly makes this show iconic and memorable.

This has to be the best episode that aired since the beginning. The emotions are so bleak and dark, no one walks away happy as a result. Jesse loses Jane, Donald grieves over his only daughter, Skylar has stopped believing in Walt's lies and Walt actually becomes a better liar. I love how much character development has come from Walt's character. He is much more gruesome refusing to allow any ills to befall his family. Letting Jane die was a very wise move by the staff behind the screen. If Jane had survived this, I don't see Jesse ever growing up and starting to become a real asset for Walt's schemes. Jesse's "bad boy" routine was excellent in the previous episodes so I'm more than happy that Paul finally landed a serious role. I'm excited to see where they're going to take his character and I can't wait to see what happens with Donald and the plane collision. I loved the little sneak peak with Gus Fring as he donated money to Walt's charity and his encounter with Hal. Now I'm really on the edge of my seat! There's too much excitement to be had from this episode to keep it confined in 1,000 words! Season 3 is next!

Whattt

[zhyarTheChosen · 10/10 · 3 July 2020]

Really love how you can't predicte what is gonnna happen next

I want you out...

[Trey_Trebuchet · 9/10 · 9 February 2023]

What a finale!

Jane's death was unfortunately one of the few things that was spoiled for me somewhere on the internet several years ago, so this didn't hit me quite as hard as it probably did for others. As I said in previous review though, I've grown up around addicts and dealers, and a lot of the dialogue and scenarios in these last three episodes took me back to a darker time on my life. This show isn't shining light on dealing or abusing drugs, and I appreciate that. The guy who played her father was awesome!

Aaron Paul was very, very good here. I'm fascinated and scared to see where he goes from here. I'm not at all surprised he got awards for this show. He's dang good.

I also loved Anna Gunn's acting on this episode, particularly her last scene. Skyler's character isn't nearly as interesting as Jesse or Walt, but she's getting much more interesting now.

Bryan Cranston is excellent too. One of his best performances in the show so far is the entirety of this episode, the last three episodes honestly. I really like his character. I wouldn't like this guy in real life or anything, don't get me wrong, but through his horrible choices, he's actually a great character. I love what the writers did with him and Jesse here. It was touching and even scary.

I also loved his acting during the interview scene. So, so heartbreaking...

I must also say that both Giancarlo Esposito and Johnathan Banks for amazing intros in this season. Esposito's sit-down with Heisenberg was actually very chilling, and there's something very off-putting about this Mike guy.

This was a very good sophomore season that improved upon an already great opening season. I'm very excited and scared for whatever is going to happen next.

The teddy bear thing is sort of silly and obviously coincidental, but I thought it was expertly crafted and deserved.

Season Two

[zkonedog · 7/10 · 3 July 2019]

After watching the first season of Breaking Bad, I was left with a so-so feeling. Some episodes were very interesting, while others were a bit too weird in tone for this viewer. Because it has such an incredible track record, though, I stuck with it through this second season. While I'm still not yet ready to promote it to one of my "favorite shows", I am willing to say that it is starting to grow on me.

For the first half of this season, I was still finding the show to be lacking in progressive character development. It was always (as Walt so famously says about the meth business) "one step forward, two steps back". However, at about the halfway point of the season, the drama really kicked up a notch and hooked me.

Some of my favorite plots (minor spoilers) from this season include:

-Any episode primarily dealing with Jesse (Aaron Paul). I know that the show is supposed to center on Walt (Bryan Cranston), but at least so far Jesse has been my favorite character. While I'm always a bit befuddled by Walt's changing moods from one episode to another, I see a clear line of character growth from Jesse. -A new love interest for Jesse, a character who shows a completely different side of him than we had previously seen. -The continued exploits of Hank Schrader (Dean Norris), including a trip south of the border. He's just such a fun character, especially when we (the audience) know how close he is to the drug business while having absolutely no clue! -Finally, in the last couple of season two episodes, a real sense of feeling for both Skyler (Anna Gunn) and Walter Jr. (RJ Mitte). Up until that point, both of those characters had never really resonated with me. Junior was hardly a part of the show at all, while I found it hard to believe with each passing episode that Skyler was letting so many things fly regarding Walt's secretive behavior. After this season, though, I feel like the drama moved forward enough where I can appreciate those characters more.

Basically, then, the reason I liked this season better than the first is because much of the hi-jinks is cut out. This is a show that often has a very strange tone (likely set by Vince Gilligan), with much dark humor and even some downright goofy stuff. From all the other extremely positive Amazon reviews, people seem to like that approach. For me, though, it gets a little hard to take a show with such dark subject matter seriously when it often descends into goofiness. I prefer it to be hard-hitting drama pretty much all the time, and this season really starts to deliver that.

So, while "Breaking Bad" still isn't on any of my "all-time favorite" TV show lists yet, it's second season grew on me more than its first. I hope that continues as I begin the third season, and I'm very hopeful considering the drama that was set up in the season two finale.

It's Not That Huge of a Season Finale Compared to Future Season, But Still Ends Up Being a Flawless Episode

[stillworkingfortheknife · 8 November 2013]

Sorry for leaving out the introduction, but I just have to say in my first sentence that "ABQ" is an unexpectedly great season finale. Not that it has any really groundbreaking events as the final episodes of further seasons do, but simply how Vince Gilligan and Adam Bernstein realized these 45 minutes is magnificent. I'm adapting a slightly abridged review style so I can point out all the great things about "ABQ" as shortly as possibly.

The extended edit of the terrific black and white opening scene of "Over" that gives you chills in the first minute already. A perfectly shot foreshadowing and a perfect way to engage the audience's interest.

The introduction of Jonathan Bank's character who shares a fantastic scene with the devastated Aaron Paul.

Being able to get a look at the DIA standpoint again was nice and having a donation box for Walt going through the room while they are talking about his alter ego Heisenberg was just a brilliant directorial idea.

Another scene at Hank's office that has a huge surprise was Walt's new colleague Gus stopping by. Besides an outstanding conversation between Dean Norris and Giancarlo Esposito, the two coming to talk about Walt is what makes the scene really awesome.

Walt's interesting reaction to Walt Jr. Succeeding with his safewalterwhite-website.

The scene Walt and Jesse share at the rehab facility. Their talk isn't really worth to single out, but the weird set design is - reminding me of 2001: A Space Odyssey is a remarkable achievement.

Skyler's momentous decision at the end of the episode and the build-up to it. Surprisingly, even her explanations were interesting to hear while I consider it a great idea to for once dress Walt in bright colors just for this scene. And, do I even have to mention it? Bryan Cranston's and Anna Gunn's acting is top-notch.

How excellently Jane's father Donald is integrated in the story and how perfectly made the last minutes of "ABQ" are. Admittedly, the VFX aren't the best, but the scene itself is enough to blow you away.

And for the bad parts of this episode: well, there weren't any. "ABQ" is just an amazing season finale and, in my humble opinion, the best Breaking Bad episode up to that point.

Talk about suspension of disbelief

[puzgolac · 8/10 · 14 December 2022]

An interesting finale (though not as good as some make it out to be) to a very uneven season. On the one hand, in this season we have the introduction of three great characters: Saul, Gus and Mike, and each of them owns every scene they appear in. On the other hand, this season has too many slow and boring episodes in which pretty much nothing happens, and too many slow, unnecessary moments in otherwise good episodes.

This episode has some big moments, the biggest of which, undoubtedly, is the fact that Skylar finds out about the depth of Walter's lies. But what should have been maybe the most impactful scene in the whole of season 2 is completely overshadowed by one of the biggest strings of coincidences in any TV show: Walter's partner moves in next to a junkie girl and starts a relationship with her (a relationship that starts completely out of the blue, by the way); the junkie girl blackmails Walter and gets on his bad side, so Walter decides to let the girl die, but her father just happens to be working in air traffic control, which in turn leads to father being distracted at work, which in turn leads to two planes crashing into each other practically above Walter's house. What??? I mean, can anyone take that seriously? We shall see what will happen in season 3, and why they decided to do the whole plane crash subplot. Maybe it will turn out to be something brilliant, but on its own, that ending is completely ridiculous and unbelievable.

A pivotal season, and a great season finale

[vmvirendra · 10/10 · 17 April 2022]

The final episode of season 2, and through this the whole season, has been a banger. I believe this is the season that sets in motion what become a feature film on the character of Jesse Pinkman, and a TV show on Saul Goodman. Every season begins with a dramatic scene, returning back to White's swimming pool. You do not know and you always presume that something big is going to go down at the end, and it does. The whole plot is so intricately meshed here in the final episode, and not for nothing, all the events relate back to Meth. Meth affects two relationships here, rather three. Skyler makes the decision to leave Walter, Jesse and Jane can never be together, and Jane's father will never see her daughter. Although, this whole season, a lot of people have been killed due to Meth, and the finale speaks to it when two plane crashes, because Why? It is Meth, and anyone who followed the story well throughout these seasons know pretty well why.

This season also brings out the best acting by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. Walter White is slowly easing into his role of the cook, the architect of all that is. He is just brilliant, the scared dad and husband who want all of it for his family but just cannot go out in the world, but a caring partner and friend, who realises he cares for Jesse as his son. He is angry, sometime pompous, but he is tough in the core and he knows when to keep his head down. Jesse has been amazing throughout this season, vulnerable from before, making his life's decisions, standing upto Mr White, but also falling in love. The best part is that you feel for Jesse when he slows down and thinks about the life ahead, you feel it when the realization hits hard on Jesse.

But the masterplot, was the crash and how it comes down in White's swimming pool. Who would have thought, but it is clearly an imaginative thinking.

I would rate this season and especially this episode near the top.

Consequences

[firmanfmn · 9/10 · 18 December 2018]

This final episode of the season ended with a crush,not just a plane crush but crush to Walter ,Skyler finds out about all walter lies and walter paid for the consequences ,mostly everyone paid the consequnces including Jane who got od from shooting heroine with Jesse.This season really end just well to start asking what next for the upcoming season.

Abq (#2.13)

[ComedyFan2010 · 10/10 · 27 December 2013]

An incredible season finale. It is absolutely perfect and very exciting and well done.

Jesse's reaction to dead Jane when he wakes up is horrifying, the poor guy having to go through it. Wonderfully acted by Aaron Paul. And it is also great to see Walt taking care of him, nice to see the relationship of these two characters getting stronger.

John de Lancie, who plays Jane's father is great as well. It is painful to see him witnessing his daughter dead. And the ending is so big with him causing the plane crash. This explains all those weird scenes we kept on seeing through the season.

And Skylar found many lies of Walt so she leaves him. Wonder what will happen with it net season. A part of me is happy that she won't be on that often anymore.

Review of season 2

[goat-04054 · 10/10 · 2 January 2021]

The teddybear teases at the beginning of the season and the reveal at the end of the season... genius.

Pushed to the limit

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 6 June 2018]

'Breaking Bad' is one of the most popular rated shows on IMDb, is one of those rarities where every season has either been very positively received or near-universally acclaimed critically and where all of my friends have said nothing but great things about.

Very few shows in recent memory had me so hooked from the very start that before the week was over the whole show had been watched, especially when for a lot of shows now airing watching one episode all the way through can be an endeavour. 'Breaking Bad' had that effect on me, and its reputation as one of the best, consistently brilliant and most addictive shows in many years (maybe even ever) is more than deserved in my eyes. Its weakest season is perhaps the first season, understandable as any show's first season is the one where things are still settling.

Actually everything is established remarkably from the very start, but once the writing and characterisation becomes even meatier the show reaches even higher levels.

"ABQ" is yet another amazing episode of a consistently great season, for me it's in the top three of Season 2 along with "Grilled" and "Phoenix" and couldn't have been a better season finale. It has intensity but is also one of the show's most emotionally devastating episodes.

Visually, "ABQ" is both stylish and beautiful, with photography and editing that are cinematic quality and put a lot of films today to shame, where there are a lot of visually beautiful ones but also some painfully amateurish looking ones. The music always has the appropriate mood, never too intrusive, never too muted.

The writing in "ABQ" is a fine example of how to have a lot of style but also to have a lot of substance. The dialogue throughout is thought-provoking and tense, while also have a darkly wicked sense of humour, nail-biting tension and heart-tugging pathos. The story is texturally rich, intimate, tense and layered, with the pace of it consistently deliberate but taut.

Can't say anything bad about the acting. Bryan Cranston is phenomenal as one of the most fascinating anti-heroes, or even of any kind of character, in either film or television. Aaron Paul has never been better and Anna Gunn is affecting. The characters are compelling in their realism.

Overall, amazing and powerful. 10/10 Bethany Cox

SEVEN THIRTY-SEVEN-DOWN-OVER-ABQ.

[caballero-19 · 10/10 · 17 February 2022]

Final season full of details and only one reveal.

It's impressive that small details are what lead this manufactured episode.

The writing is impeccable, as always, this has been an unrepeatable experience for me, the writers and Vince Gilligan chose to take their characters into very dark places, those decisions have surprisingly little to do with the leading premise of the series.

Because everything is a consequence, like for Walter a death (murder) it was something that happens, he thought that, in the ending Walter aka Heisenberg is going to learn that you can also kill even when dead and he'll use it as a profit.

Amazing last episode of Season 2 !

[weibowil · 10/10 · 1 December 2014]

I just finished watching Season 2. Took ages to do it because the episodes during the middle part of the season were so ho-hum and mediocre... full of lies and dreary family dysfunction :(

But the penultimate episode was a stunner with a death, and then this finale was so well-written, it gets back to the level of Season 1's raw and gritty drama! The performances were amazing.. especially Jesse's weeping, utter pain and devastation at his girlfriend's death. And also Walt's facial expressions of guilt when his son called him a hero in front of the TV cameras. As well as Skyler's quiet but firm confrontation with her husband before she left. Great writing and acting. Pure excellence once again!

Season 2: Settles in really well and gets the pacing and content pretty much spot on aside from some late contrivances (SPOILERS)

[bob the moo · 6 November 2011]

When I finally got around to watching the first season of this show I did have to make an effort to put aside any hype I had heard and not take any weight of expectations in with me based on people throwing around praise for it. I mostly achieved this because it is unfair on the show and also risks me not liking it on terms I have in my head rather than on its own. Anyway, I generally felt that the first season came over like a long pilot – it seemed not totally sure of itself and the pacing and tone was not quite as consistent or strong as I would have liked; it showed plenty of potential and did more than enough to engage and interest me, but it did feel like a pilot season.

The second season opens with much more of a sense of confidence about it and while it is the same it definitely feels like it knows itself a bit better. The overall sweep of the season was much better paced and got the mix of content and the tone really good. I had worries at the start of the season because I felt that almost too much was happening too quickly; we pick right up after the end of the first season and within the very two episodes not very much time has passed but a LOT has happened (and a lot of very "big" stuff as well). This worried me because I didn't think it would be a good idea to keep it up at this rate – this is not 24 and the action was almost too rapid and too dramatic. Fortunately the show does slow down after these opening episodes and from there we do continue to have ongoing events and twists and turns, but they vary in nature, in focus and in scale so that I didn't feel I was being rushed or bombarded with overly intense drama.

Instead we have personal drama infused with the drama of the business of drug dealing. We have comic realities of the business constantly being taught to Walt in the school of hard-knocks and we have his constant battle to do right by his family while also deceiving them and changing from the man they love into the man he needs to be to look after them. Indeed it is this personal battle within Walt that is the best part of the season and it is brought to the fore really well. Of course it helps that Cranston is terrific across the show – he gets his character totally and he convinces in every mode, he has moments of doubt but his focus and determination takes him down roads that he only seems to morally consider later – and this is where his personal battle is, often played silently on his face and just behind his eyes. He is equally well supported by Paul (albeit his character is simpler) and of course Gunn and Norris (the latter doing good work with more material this time).

It isn't all perfect though and I did find the last few episodes to be a little disappointing. In particular I found some of the plotting devices to be really quite contrived and not fitting the rest of the show. So I just about went along with Walt meeting Jane's father at random in a bar to unknowingly discuss the same situation (that was a nice tragic moment that was good enough for me to overlook the way it came about), but for the "build-up" of the bear in the pool and the crime-scene at Walt's house to then be caused by a plane crash directly above the house caused by Jane's father, just seemed to silly and too contrived for it to work on me as much as I would have liked – if anything it did make me feel a little disappointed that this had been the thing "teased" through the season only for it to be one of the weakest of all the many events through the season. It wasn't a deal-breaker for me because I did love the rest of the season a great deal, it just seemed out of character for the show and disappointingly random.

The second season of this show really did please me. It provided plenty of big moments of intensity and drama but it balanced these well with just as many character-driven moments and in particular seemed much more confident in regards the character of Walt- who is the heart of the show. The things I was disappointed in did bug me, but they were the minority of the show – the majority of it was stronger and improved from the first season, all moving in the right direction to make a very enjoyable and engaging season. I suspect it will not be very long before I am starting on the third season.

Great closer

[Leofwine_draca · 10/10 · 5 January 2021]

Another really good episode and a fine closer for season two. I wasn't expecting the final scene at all and the idea of consequences is enough to blow you away. The acting is excellent across the board, the main characters go through so much emotional stuff here that you can't tear yourself away from it all. This is exactly the kind of episode that has me hungry for the next series.

A big improvement over the previous one, and yet another introduction of a future recurring character

[bellino-angelo2014 · 9/10 · 23 November 2023]

Jesse Pinkman wakes up and finds Jane dead, so he calls Walter, who then calls Saul who sends his private investigator Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) for eliminating every trace in the apartment for avoiding that Jesse ends involved in the death of the girl. Later Jesse goes in a coven of drug addicts and dealers but when Walt and Mike find the place they rescue Jesse just in time before he ends in the vortex of destruction and take him in a rebilitation center. Walt has some surgery on the lungs and when they return home Skylar finds out about his hidden lies and Skylar leaves home for a few days for giving Walt time to take his things and leave. Jane's father is an air Marshal that since is distraught by the death of his daughter causes a collision in mid-air and some objects that fall from the plane end up in Walt's property, one of these is the pink teddy bear we saw at the beginning of some episodes of this season.

The episode was a nice introduction of Mike Ehrmantraut and despite the premise it was a less mean-spirited than the previous one, and it was nice seeing Jesse in a rebilitation center since he was risking death. A perfect conclusion for a season full of winners.