Where the last episode focused on a singular story line, this one focuses on several. They all move things forward, which is a rather impressive feat. Juggling several subplots can be tricky, but this episode handled it well.
For starters, we see that Jesse and Walt are back in business now that the fly is taken care of. Unfortunately, Walt is keeping better track of how much they produce, hindering Jesse's attempts to sell on the side.
Not that it matters, as it turns out that Badger and Skinny Pete haven't sold as they can't bring themselves to sell to addicts who are trying to better themselves. It was an oddly endearing moment. While they don't get as much screen time, these two are great to watch and are surprisingly likable.
Couldn't they just sell through their usual routes, though? I get that they wanted to bring in new customers, but it isn't like they don't have people who would buy the stuff.
In an effort to show them how it's done, Jesse decides to try and sell to a young woman who also attends. He doesn't so much sell product as fall for her.
Jane isn't completely forgotten as the episode opens with a flashback of their date. It was good to see her again, though I think that having her say that she threw up in her mouth a little (in response to a cornball line from Jesse) was the real driving reason why the scene was included.
As it turns out, the woman is also the big sister of the kid who shot Combo way back when. While it does trigger a desire for revenge on Jesse's part, it seems like too much of a coincidence. The odds of Walt running into Jane's dad at a bar was a slim one (as Walt even noted) but the odds of this happening are even greater. I actually bought Walt running into Don, but this development strains credulity a bit.
Speaking of straining credulity, Skyler learns of Saul's idea for a front to explain Walt's income and is less than impressed. Honestly, I don't think laser tag is the tough sell that Skyler thinks it is. Maybe he wanted to invest in it because it sounded fun? Walt's always been so cautious and straight laced, maybe he wanted to do something different.
This never comes up and Skyler suggests buying the car wash where he used to work instead. Considering the indignities that he suffered, one might wonder why he would want to go back, unless it was to torment his old boss. More than that, as Saul points out, they don't have a trustworthy inside man who can look the other way. It's a valid point, but Skyler counters by offering to do it herself.
Skyler's gradual descent into the business is fascinating to watch. Unlike Walt, she isn't coerced into it the same way, it's far more voluntary on her end, but the progression is still handled well. Her involvement makes sense too. Not only is she a skilled accountant, but she's trustworthy. On top of that, she reveals that she never filed the divorce papers, noting that spouses can't be compelled to testify against each other.
On other fronts, Hank's therapy doesn't seem to be going as well as one would hope. While the hospital clears him to go home, he insists on staying until he can walk again. He actually gets mad when he hears the "good news", especially when Marie lets him know that they got a hospital bed to keep in the house. It seems like an odd berserk button, but we'll see where it goes.
Coming full circle back to Walt, his dinner with Gus was surprisingly tense. The invitation comes out of the blue and the implication is that he suspects something is amiss. In true "gun under the table" fashion, the subject is never brought up, but there is still a palpable vibe as the two sit down to what seems like a cordial dinner. It worked really well and is arguably the highlight of the episode.
This episode had a lot of ground to cover, and it handled it effectively. It set things in motion that should make for great viewing as we come to the last two episodes of the season.
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