As they have before, Walt and Jesse dispose of the boy, now named Drew Sharp's, body using acid. They're even able to dismantle the moped he rode and dissolve that in acid too. It's amazing how many problems can be solved with acid.
Sadly, it doesn't solve all of their problems. Jesse is still miffed at the fact that the kid was killed with no real thought. Oddly, Todd makes a solid case. He's not a sadistic psychopath. He didn't want to do it, or enjoy it, but at the same time, he didn't want any witnesses. Even if the kid had no idea what he saw, it could still pose a problem for them down the line. As such, he made the tough call.
Jesse still isn't too happy, but he does get to clock Todd in the face and is adamant about forcing Todd out. It's an option, though Walt notes that they would have to buy his silence. Killing him is an option that's brought up, but quickly dismissed. As such, they decide to keep him on in his original role.
That doesn't stop Mike from accosting the guy later, though. I figured that, as a grandfather, what Todd did may have hit a nerve, but Mike is more annoyed that Todd brought a gun without telling him about it.
Keeping Todd on almost becomes a moot point as both Mike and Jesse voice interest in getting out. Jesse's reasons are obvious as he is torn up by guilt, but Mike reveals that the DEA has been tailing him.
Mike knows a guy who is interested in buying their supply of methylamine and is willing to pay enough for them to retire.
Not surprisingly, Walt isn't interested. This becomes a problem when the buyer makes it known that they want the whole supply so that they can wipe the competing product off the market. Suffice it to say, Walt doesn't budge.
Actually, the episode did a good job of showing us why Walt refuses to walk away. It isn't just that the plot demands it, or a one dimensional desire for unlimited powa! Walt points out that their supply can make them a lot more than what is being offered and even his backstory with Gray Matter is brought up as Walt relates to Jesse how he took what seemed like a reasonable buyout there and regretted it for years when the company skyrocketed.
It was a nice touch. I'm not sure if that was planned from the get-go or if it was just a happy coincidence. It initially seemed to just be to establish Walt's scientific prowess (as well as show Walt's pride as it allowed him to turn down multiple offers to have his cancer treatments covered), but it panned out very well in terms of Walt's overall arc.
Jesse does point out that this isn't exactly the same as no one else can produce Walt's product, but it doesn't matter.
I'm not sure about Walt's claim that his empire is all he has left. If Walt really did walk away, it would probably go a long way towards repairing his home life. Even Jesse says that it would put them out of danger and that he would have more money that he thought he would need to ensure his family's financial security. Of course, it falls on deaf ears.
One of the real highlights of the episode comes when Walt invites Jesse to stay for dinner after Skyler comes home. The show has often thrived on edge of your seat tension, but this scene deals with tension of the more awkward and uncomfortable kind. You really feel bad for Jesse as he futilely tries to fill the silence with small talk. You can see why Paul got an Emmy nomination for his performance here as he really sells it.
I also rather enjoyed Cranston here. He looks like he's having fun now that Walt is more of a villain. His escape from Mike's restraint was also a highlight. Granted, Mike catches him again and has a gun to his head, but Walt isn't too worried. Even a season ago, Walt would have stammered to some extent, but he doesn't even flinch as he reveals that he has a new plan so that they all come out ahead. Even Jesse seems willing to hear him out.
This episode was good, but not as great as many of the other episodes this season. There are highlights to be sure. It had a lot of character fodder and it does move the plot forward, but it didn't resonate as much as others have.
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