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 | ... | Gus Fring | |
Jonathan Banks | ... | Mike Ehrmantraut | |
David Costabile | ... | Gale Boetticher | |
Jeremy Howard | ... | Sketchy | |
Ray Campbell | ... | Tyrus Kitt | |
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Frank Andrade | ... | Tweaker Thief |
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Paul Neis | ... | Support Group Leader |
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Brittany Gustin | ... | Morning After Girl |
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. Written by garykmcd
'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.
"Bullet Points" is not one of the best 'Breaking Bad' episodes and there is better in Season 4. Still consider it great with a good deal of what makes the show so good present. It is a slow-burner and could have been tighter at times, but there are touches of light levity that balanced well with the episode's overall tone and it's absorbing from start to finish.
Visually, "Bullet Points" 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 "Bullet Points" 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 entertaining. The story is generally interesting and absorbing, with the pace of it consistently deliberate but not dull.
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 his and Cranston's chemistry is a delight. Anna Gunn is affecting and Bob Odenkirk provides some welcome levity. Dean Norris is terrific as Hank. The characters are compelling in their realism, with great chemistry, and the episode is strongly directed.
In summary, excellent. 9/10 Bethany Cox