Breaking Bad 5.8 "Gliding Over All" Recap

W.W.

Woodrow Wilson...Willy Wonka....Walter White?

Back when Hank jokingly proposed the idea that W.W. was indeed his brother-in-law, Walter was able to reach into his quick wit toolbox and find a Walt Whitman quote on a previous page in Gael's "Lab Notes."  Of course, Walt was able to do this because he's incredibly f---ing smart!! And yet, smart people tend to make the stupidest and laziest of mistakes.  How else can anyone explain Walt leaving Gael's note of appreciation in the copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass that Gael gave to him.  The only answer I can come up with is that Walt never actually opened the book.  To be honest, I've recently done a rewatch of Breaking Bad.  Seasons one to four.  But I really can't recall when Gael gave Walt the book.  Does anyone else know the history of this particular copy of Leaves of Grass?

Breaking Bad 5.7 "Say My Name" Recap

Mr. Chips to Scarface.  Or Anakin to Darth Vader

Fuck you Walt!.  That thought entered my mind several times during this episode.  He really is a complete and total asshole.  Vince Gilligan and his writers have done an incredible job of transforming Breaking Bad's protagonist into its antagonist.  Because in that final scene, I was desperately trying to convince myself that Mike killing Walter was a real possibility.  Unfortunately, it has already been revealed that Walt will live to see his fifty-second birthday.  That could be considered to be a minor problem in the show--the flashforward device always takes a little of the suspense away.  Then again, nobody really expects this show to exist without Walter White. 

That's not to say that I still don't have a few quibbles with some of what's transpired this season.

Breaking Bad 5.6 "Buyout" Critical Round-Up

 What some critics thought:
TIME's James Poniewozik
Huffington Post's Maureen Ryan
Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker

Some of my thoughts:

This week's Breaking Bad was not the most praised of this shortened eight episode "season."  Several critics found faults with some of the decisions and actions taken up by Walt, Jesse, and Mike.  What's up with Walt whistling?  He obviously knew Jesse was still in the house and could hear him.  Does Walt really not care about little Drew Sharp getting killed? Or is he trying to act like he doesn't care? That's an unwise strategy since he already knows how Skylar has reacted to his Scarface side. Walt's apathetic response to a child getting murdered probably played a part in Jesse's decision to get out of the meth game for good.  That and the prospect of a $5 million buyout.

Breaking Bad Finale

Here are some recaps on 'Face Off', the appropriately titled Season Four finale of Breaking Bad.  Understandably, they are on the positive side. 
TIME--James Poniewozik
AOL--Mo Ryan
"Talking TV with Ryan and Ryan Podcast"

TV Guide Magazine--Matt Roush
HitFix--Alan Sepinwall
Los Angeles Times--Todd VanDerWerff