Thus, the show's fourth season comes to a close and it probably stands as the show's strongest thus far.
As Walt's car bomb plan backfired, he's forced to try to come up with a new plan. It's easier said than done as every location Gus frequents is surrounded by cameras, not to mention Gus' security personnel.
The difficult situation is made worse when the FBI takes Jesse in for questioning. It seems he had a little too much knowledge about Brock's condition and they want to know how he knew what he knew. After all, Ricin isn't exactly common. It ends up being something of a blessing, as Saul notes, Jesse's safe in custody whereas Walt is in danger, as evidenced by the fact that Gus' men go after him in his own home.
Things take a turn when Saul informs Walt about the vendetta between Tio and Gus. Most of the information comes from Jesse and what he saw, but it is enough for Walt to formulate a new plan.
While Tio hates Walt, he hates Gus more. It leads to an "enemy mine" situation of sorts as Walt enlists the old man to help eliminate his enemy once and for all. The plan is rather elegant in its simplicity. Tio fakes taking on the role of fink so that Gus will confront him personally.
Considering how Tio's last conversation with the DEA went, it's surprising that Hank went along with it. Again, we have a situation where the characters point out that it's not smart, though for completely different reasons.
It does lead to one of the episode's funnier moments as Tio just takes the opportunity to curse Hank out. At first, Tio's secondary form of communication seems tedious. Well, it is tedious. He'd be better off using Morse code, but when it comes to the messages he has for Hank, it actually adds to the humor of it as his vulgarities are literally spelled out.
Just seeing the DEA leave is enough to draw Gus' attention. His mooks offer to do the job, but Gus wants to see the old man die by his own hand. Precautions are taken, of course. A thorough search of the room is performed, but it turns out that Walt had planted a bomb on the wheelchair that goes off.
I do wonder how they didn't notice the thing. It wasn't exactly small and, as noted, they did search the room more than once. I guess they just mistook it for another piece of medical equipment?
In any event, the plan goes off without a hitch. True, Tio dies, but he knew going in that it would happen and he gets to take his arch-nemesis with him.
It's rather interesting to hear the news report. They're very solemn, which is understandable as a bomb went off at a retirement home. However, Walt is pleased, as he is safe and even the losses suffered weren't exactly heavy as they were all horrible people anyway.
Ah, but what of the poisoned child and Jesse's arrest? Well, it turns out that Brock wasn't poisoned with Ricin, but with a poisonous berry called Lily of the Valley that kids often eat by accident. This means that Gus really wasn't responsible for what happened, though both Walt and Jesse note that he still had to go. I totally called it, kind of. In fact, Jesse can also make that claim (though he doesn't know it). The episode's final wham shot shows that Walt had a pot of Lily of the Valley.
While the show has been very enjoyable, I have often felt that Walt wasn't living up to his reputation. You always hear about how Walt is this badass and how he takes on this more ruthless "Heisenburg" persona. It popped up on occasion, but it wasn't as prominent as I thought it would be.
Well, those traits comes to the forefront here. While Walt often did questionable things out of desperation, this marks a turning point as he not only poisoned a child, but used that as only a small piece in a much bigger scheme. He doesn't even seem all that torn up over it either.
It also puts the confrontation with Jesse from last episode in an entirely different light. I do wonder if those who go back for a rewatch find that the scene is less effective knowing what Walt did or if it makes it more effective. On the one hand, Walt's humanity is gone, but his ability to lie is beyond impressive.
The funny thing is that, until that wham shot, I was thinking that this easily could have been a series finale. Gus dies, Walt and his family are safe, money is longer a concern. The duo even destroy the lab for good measure. It seems like both Walt and Jesse are in a position to just walk away. It obviously isn't, but the way the resolution plays out, it could have been.
As it is, it looks like the final season is going to take a much darker turn as Walt's descent appears complete. While Walt and Jesse seem on good terms again, I think it's safe to say that Walt's scheme will come to light and drive another wedge into their relationship. Then again, his part in Jane's death has remained secret, so I could be wrong. I guess I'll just have to watch and see.
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