[worry]

Spoiler

It wasn't random. They knew exactly where he was (Gus's makeshift cartel hospital) and were on their way to talk to him as soon as Walt remember the cameras. The news filters to Mike a bit late, given his location, and he's just on his way to get revenge when Walt & Jesse meet him. Since there's only one road to this very particular, obscure drug cartel location, Walt was very likely expecting to see Mike's car somewhere along the way, since he knows exactly how Mike would react to the news.

[Ceda Cicero]

worrywort, on 16 July 2012 - 06:32 PM, said:

Spoiler

It wasn't random. They knew exactly where he was (Gus's makeshift cartel hospital) and were on their way to talk to him as soon as Walt remember the cameras. The news filters to Mike a bit late, given his location, and he's just on his way to get revenge when Walt & Jesse meet him. Since there's only one road to this very particular, obscure drug cartel location, Walt was very likely expecting to see Mike's car somewhere along the way, since he knows exactly how Mike would react to the news.

Spoiler

You're right, and makes total sense. And any but the laziest viewer should be able to fill those details in. I still think something about it felt a little rushed, or abrupt, and I think it has to do with Jesse for me. We got a few extended scenes showing what was happening with Walt post-"I won," but saw nothing at all of Jesse until he jumped out of that car with Walt. The pacing of the early part of the episode would've felt a lot better if we'd had a two minute scene of Jesse leaving the hospital from a visit with Brock or something, then getting a frantic call from Walt about going to find Mike.

[worry]

Spoiler

That's true about Jesse, but on the other hand, this WHOLE episode -- even in the scenes he wasn't in -- was about Walt and his increasing megalomania. He's elated and flying kind of high cuz of his victory over Gus, on top of his already huge ego, and that "Because I said so" scene kind of punctuated the entire episode (and maybe season?) with a thesis statement. And of course there's that scene where Jesse is trying to be heard and nobody's listening. In other words, I think leaving Jesse in the background was a deliberate thematic gesture, at least for this debut episode, and being frustrated by it is the proper intended reaction.

[Ceda Cicero]

worrywort, on 16 July 2012 - 08:25 PM, said:

Spoiler

That's true about Jesse, but on the other hand, this WHOLE episode -- even in the scenes he wasn't in -- was about Walt and his increasing megalomania. He's elated and flying kind of high cuz of his victory over Gus, on top of his already huge ego, and that "Because I said so" scene kind of punctuated the entire episode (and maybe season?) with a thesis statement. And of course there's that scene where Jesse is trying to be heard and nobody's listening. In other words, I think leaving Jesse in the background was a deliberate thematic gesture, at least for this debut episode, and being frustrated by it is the proper intended reaction.

Spoiler

Yeah, I think you're spot on. And I think there are also plenty of examples of episodes in past seasons that have been more Walt-heavy, or Jesse-heavy—this is definitely not the first time an episode has been weighted towards a particular story thread, and it's also unquestionably justifiable, for all the reasons you cite.

My little nitpick aside, man, it sure was good to be watching this show again.

[Ceda Cicero]

Briar King, on 16 July 2012 - 10:30 PM, said:

ok Im wondering if this is whats going on after seeing ep 1.

Spoiler

The start reminded me of S2 with the airplane crash. So I wonder if they are gonna stick with Walt future for the rest of the series? Anyone else think he could be on the run from Jesse with the whole "Lilly of the Valley" plant? I know Walt covered the plant up last night but I dont think they showed him throwing it away?

Spoiler

I think it's almost a sure thing that whatever is going on in that flash forward scene form the beginning of the ep, Walt and Jesse are splitsville. That's partially my gut saying that's the only way the two of them can end up, and that's partially because if shit is really as bad and desperate as it seems for "future Walt" and Jesse isn't right there with him buying a machine gun of his own, they had to have had a falling out.

But I also highly doubt it's just Jesse after "future Walt." Jesse's definitely gotten a lot more badass, but that gun Walt bought is a "I need to fend off a medium sized army" gun, not a "my ex-partner is mad at me and coming for my ass" gun.

Did anyone read the ComicCon transcripts where it was revealed that Gus's former backers/bankrollers, the German company Madrigal we've heard so much about (and I just learned, namesake of next week's episode), is going to play an integral role this season? Maybe they eventually send a hit squad after Walt. Who knows.

[worry]

Spoiler

[Beezulbubba]

Last night's episode was spectacular. Jonathan Banks' performance was top notch. I like where this last season is going.

[Ceda Cicero]

Mike continues to be insanely badass. And I echo my prediction that Madrigal is going to be some bad, bad shit before this is all said and done.

[Beezulbubba]

[Beezulbubba]

Hell yeah! Skyler is through with the lifestyle. But there is so much more fun to be had as a "Narco-Queen"! Extravagance awaits!.... well, not really.

[worry]

Final season, 16 episodes, split into two chunks of 8.

[worry]

Nah, he's just playing it cool.

[Beezulbubba]

Moral of the story: don't stop to catch tarantulas in the desert whilst riding your dirt bike. Instead, get your ass home to a cold glass of kool aid and scooby doo cartoons.

[worry]

Spoiler

[Ceda Cicero]

Briar King, on 03 September 2012 - 03:35 AM, said:

Oh shit that's a nice mid break for the season... This show is the shit plain and simple.

Yeah, of the maybe 4-5 "OH SHIT" things I thought might go down at the end of this episode, that was way at the bottom of the list. Fuckin' wild.

[A Demon Llama!]

I was hoping and expecting this to happen. I actually would love to see this show end with just everyone screwed over or dead. So when will the next episodes air now?

[worry]

July '13

[worry]

Spoiler

4. Neo-nazis, Todd the Kingpin

[Abyss]

SOMETHING AWFUL is blocked by my workmasters, but this x-ref at io9 is too brilliant not to share.

Worksafe. No spoilers. Well, technically RETURN OF THE JEDI spoilers but whatever yo.

[Abyss]

Just watched all of S4...
Holy fucking fuck with a side of methfries!