The last episode ended on a very grim note as both Walt and Jesse were taken by Tuco at gunpoint after their business venture seemingly imploded. While things aren't exactly good, the situation is not as dire as one would think. Tuco is still rather interested in doing business with Heisenburg, but does say that he needs to relocate due to DEA pressure.
As this isn't an option, the two revert back to coming up with a way to kill the dealer once and for all. While the episode largely thrives on the tension of having the main characters in the grips of a violent psychotic, their attempt to come up with a plan does lead to one of the episode's more humorous moments.
Between Walt's shooting down Jesse's idea of bum rushing Tuco by pointing out that the only viable weapon in arm's reach is a fly swatter and Jesse trying to use Walt's cancer to suggest that he should be more willing to lay down his life, there's quite a few laughs to be had. The latter is rather messed up, but when you're backed into a corner like that, you have to play whatever card you can.
I do wonder how the two were able to have their conversation without Tuco picking up on anything. I mean, he was only a few yards away and the house had an open layout. Heck, they weren't even whispering that quietly. He really should have heard them. I guess you could chalk it up to the drugs.
The two do attempt to use the ricin to poison Tuco, first by telling him that it's a new product and then by discreetly sprinkling it in his burrito after he cooks them dinner. Neither one works, but they were valiant efforts nonetheless.
The entire episode keeps you on the edge of your seat as the two walk on egg shells trying to make it out. There are several points where it seems like Tuco is done with them, which does a great job of building tension.
It all culminates in a final showdown after Tuco's uncle rats them out. While it would have been nice to see Walt jump into the fray for a 2 on 1 fight (he may not have been able to get a clear shot, but he could have knocked Tuco out with the butt of the rifle), I think it worked better that Jesse was the one to get in the last blows. He had taken the most punishment (even taking a beating here) so it gave him a chance for some payback. If anything, I'm surprised he didn't get in a few more kicks for good measure.
I was certain that Walt's decision to let Tuco bleed out was going to bite them, but Hank arrives and manages to finish the job after a big shootout. Again, we have a situation where a character should have picked up on something going on close by as Walt and Jesse run away, but maybe the cameras made the two look closer than they were supposed to be.
Speaking of Hank, we come to the home front, where Skyler enlists Hank to track down her husband. All things considered, she does well. She's clearly concerned, but manages to keep a cool head, providing a recent picture of Walt to an officer and even checks with the credit card companies to see if there was any recent activity. She rips into the officer at one point, but it's fairly justified as she has brought a lot to the table (literally as they are sitting down at one when talking) and all she gets is more questions she doesn't know the answer to.
They do try to do what they can by handing out flyers, but it doesn't seem to bode well. Hank does discover that Walt has acquired a second cell phone after realizing that the call that Skyler heard wasn't registered on his regular phone.
This actually ends up being what saves them as it leads Hank to try to track down Jesse, and it is through this that he stumbles on Tuco's hideout.
I loved this episode. It might rank as one of my all time favorites to date. You could cut the tension with a knife and the climax felt like an appropriate payoff. All of the characters had a chance to shine, which is impressive as there were a lot of things to juggle.
This episode goes to show you why the show is as revered as it is. It really is fantastic television and while the ending doesn't pop as much as its predecessor in terms of leaving you hanging, I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes from here.
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