"Skyler, you've read the statistics. These doctors talking about surviving, one year, two years, like it's the only thing that matters. But what good is it to survive if I'm too sick to work, to enjoy a meal, to make love? For what time I have left, I want to live in my own house, I want to sleep in my own bed. I don't want to choke down 30 or 40 pills every single day, and lose my hair and lie around, too tired to get up and so nauseated that I can't even move my head. You cleaning up after me. Me... Some dead man, some artificially alive, just marking time... No... And that's how you would remember me. That's the worst part. So that is my thought process, Skyler. I'm sorry, I just... I choose not to do it."
'Gray Matter' is a great episode for a number of reasons. Firstly, we are introduced to a number of new characters, namely Jesse's friend Badger (Matt L. Jones) and Elliott Schwartz (Adam Godley), co-founder (along with Walt) of Gray Matter Technologies. His wife, Gretchen, was previously seen in the flashback in '...And the Bag's in the River'. We also get the 'talking pillow' scene, which is a definite highlight and perhaps the most emotional scene in the show so far.
The episode begins with Jesse at a job interview talking about his 'sales' experience, but it soon becomes clear that the job opportunity isn't what he thought it was. He then strives to cook meth of Walt's quality here and Badger is in disbelief as he repeatedly throws away batches because they aren't quite at Walt's level. The closest we get to any action in this episode is the scuffle between Badger and Jesse that almost turns nasty.
The main stories in this episode follow Walt. First of all, he and Skyler arrive at the Schwartz' party and it's a real realisation for him that this is what he could have had, as we learn about how he was a co- founder of Elliott's extremely successful company. Both Elliott and Gretchen come across as likable people, although there are hints that everyone didn't always get along and we are left to wonder why Walt left the company. I can only assume, at this point, that it had something to do with Walt's past relationship with Gretchen, but that's speculation. Walt seems genuinely excited when Elliott talks about them working together again, only for his heart to sink when he realises that Skyler has filled him in about the cancer and it may be nothing more than an act of sympathy.
The real highlight of this episode, as I mentioned above, is the intervention scene with the talking pillow. It's another moment where the White/Schrader family feels truly believable and each of the five characters shine. Skyler is obviously out to persuade Walt to get treatment for the cancer, while Walt is opposed to the idea. Hank becomes increasingly likable as he again shows how much he really cares about Walt, despite his analogies being lost on everyone. Walter Jr. is on his mother's side, but Marie (who really comes into her own as a character here) surprises everyone when she says it should be Walt's decision, something which Hank then agrees with. This leads to an argument before Walt brings it to a halt and grabs the pillow himself. He then delivers the speech I quoted at the top of the review and it's an emotional moment. It seems his mind is made up, but then he thinks on it a little more and decides to take the treatment. The episode ends with Walt turning up at Jesse's house and asking him if he wants to cook, so we can assume that who they sell to next will be a mystery solved in the next episode.
Something that really resonates here is Walt's pride. He's too proud to take the treatment for his lung cancer at first, then when he does, he refuses to allow Gretchen and Elliott to pay for it, despite their obvious wealth. He even tells Gretchen on the phone that the insurance covers it, which would seem to suggest he plans to pay for it himself with drug money. Like Hank says, a man should have his pride, but is Walt's already getting the better of him?
This episode is sad in parts, but it still has its fair share of funny moments, such as Marie's "Excuse me?" and Hank's disbelief when Skyler reveals it was Walt smoking pot, not Walter Jr., and Jesse's brilliant line - "It's just basic chemistry, yo!". Walter Jr. also has some great lines, with "You're a pussy!" and "Um... No it's not?" (when the cop says what he's asking is illegal) being my particular favourites.
'Gray Matter' is an important episode and it manages to entertain and surprise, while still intriguing us as to where we're headed.
9.0/10
'Gray Matter' is a great episode for a number of reasons. Firstly, we are introduced to a number of new characters, namely Jesse's friend Badger (Matt L. Jones) and Elliott Schwartz (Adam Godley), co-founder (along with Walt) of Gray Matter Technologies. His wife, Gretchen, was previously seen in the flashback in '...And the Bag's in the River'. We also get the 'talking pillow' scene, which is a definite highlight and perhaps the most emotional scene in the show so far.
The episode begins with Jesse at a job interview talking about his 'sales' experience, but it soon becomes clear that the job opportunity isn't what he thought it was. He then strives to cook meth of Walt's quality here and Badger is in disbelief as he repeatedly throws away batches because they aren't quite at Walt's level. The closest we get to any action in this episode is the scuffle between Badger and Jesse that almost turns nasty.
The main stories in this episode follow Walt. First of all, he and Skyler arrive at the Schwartz' party and it's a real realisation for him that this is what he could have had, as we learn about how he was a co- founder of Elliott's extremely successful company. Both Elliott and Gretchen come across as likable people, although there are hints that everyone didn't always get along and we are left to wonder why Walt left the company. I can only assume, at this point, that it had something to do with Walt's past relationship with Gretchen, but that's speculation. Walt seems genuinely excited when Elliott talks about them working together again, only for his heart to sink when he realises that Skyler has filled him in about the cancer and it may be nothing more than an act of sympathy.
The real highlight of this episode, as I mentioned above, is the intervention scene with the talking pillow. It's another moment where the White/Schrader family feels truly believable and each of the five characters shine. Skyler is obviously out to persuade Walt to get treatment for the cancer, while Walt is opposed to the idea. Hank becomes increasingly likable as he again shows how much he really cares about Walt, despite his analogies being lost on everyone. Walter Jr. is on his mother's side, but Marie (who really comes into her own as a character here) surprises everyone when she says it should be Walt's decision, something which Hank then agrees with. This leads to an argument before Walt brings it to a halt and grabs the pillow himself. He then delivers the speech I quoted at the top of the review and it's an emotional moment. It seems his mind is made up, but then he thinks on it a little more and decides to take the treatment. The episode ends with Walt turning up at Jesse's house and asking him if he wants to cook, so we can assume that who they sell to next will be a mystery solved in the next episode.
Something that really resonates here is Walt's pride. He's too proud to take the treatment for his lung cancer at first, then when he does, he refuses to allow Gretchen and Elliott to pay for it, despite their obvious wealth. He even tells Gretchen on the phone that the insurance covers it, which would seem to suggest he plans to pay for it himself with drug money. Like Hank says, a man should have his pride, but is Walt's already getting the better of him?
This episode is sad in parts, but it still has its fair share of funny moments, such as Marie's "Excuse me?" and Hank's disbelief when Skyler reveals it was Walt smoking pot, not Walter Jr., and Jesse's brilliant line - "It's just basic chemistry, yo!". Walter Jr. also has some great lines, with "You're a pussy!" and "Um... No it's not?" (when the cop says what he's asking is illegal) being my particular favourites.
'Gray Matter' is an important episode and it manages to entertain and surprise, while still intriguing us as to where we're headed.
9.0/10