Breaking Bad – Shotgun
Breaking Bad followed up last
week’s excellence with an episode that didn’t quite match it in terms
of entertaining the viewer. With a greater emphasis than usual on
visual style the episode did provide some stunning shots, but it was
also brought down slightly by a storyline that moved along at a
snail’s pace. That being said, the episode was not without some big
developments to the plot and characters.
Walt’s anxiety over Jesse’s safety has
obviously built to a frantic level in the space between now and when
we last saw him in Jesse’s house. The well executed shots from the
point-of-view of Walt’s front bumper immediately throw us into the
chaos of his madcap race to Los Pollos Hermanos. Adding to the
excitement was Walt yelling at Saul to ensure Skyler gets all of his
money if something happens to him, all while weaving in and out of
traffic with varying degrees of success. However, the more important
call would be the message he leaves Skyler, which would have a
considerable impact on their relationship. That would come later
though, as Walt does somehow manage to avoid arrest or collision on
his way to confront Gus. “The Chicken Man” always seems a step
ahead though; leaving Walt to stare at security cameras that mock him
every bit as much as the one in the lab. Cranston’s performance as
an unhinged Walter White in these opening minutes make it easy to see
why he nabbed that best actor Emmy three years running.
