tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post7923534504900775955..comments2024-03-28T18:01:28.997-04:00Comments on What's Alan Watching?: Breaking Bad, "Mandala": Jane's addictionAlan Sepinwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-27735532213167680752010-06-17T02:33:28.776-04:002010-06-17T02:33:28.776-04:00I'm a bit (more than that) late to this as wel...I'm a bit (more than that) late to this as well but I've kind of been marathon-ing in the past two weeks.<br /><br />Of course,I have yet to see the final episodes and next season but perhaps I didn't have as much of a problem of 'who to root for' as others.This episode was devastating but despite all the mistakes made,I can't help but root for Walt and Jesse....somehow - Jesse,more than Walt this season.It's so tragic but Walt has many years on Jesse but Jesse is young and not yet jaded.He has a good heart and we see so many moments in S2 where he just cares SO much.And the sad part is that by initially giving Jesse what he was always searching for (interest,acceptance,etc.),Walt hooked Jesse,in the same way a drug could.And now Jesse is stuck,now turning even more to drugs.Of course,I was upset at Jesse's decisions in this episode but I saw and felt everything behind it.As much as I hated all of it,partnering with Walt led him to that place.<br /><br />Anyway...long rambling over...Walt,I love to hate (and secretly still root for because BC is so good) but Jesse...I just love and root for,even though I know him overcoming things would end the series lol.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-14687929442434013202010-03-13T08:44:51.532-05:002010-03-13T08:44:51.532-05:00about a year late to the dance, i started watching...about a year late to the dance, i started watching breaking bad (season 1) about 2 weeks ago and am completely hooked. i just finished watching this episode ("mandala") and decided to take a quick break (i will return to watching soon....how couldnt i with the show "on demand"?!?!). <br /><br />i have been a follower of alan's website for years (dating back to his upenn nypd page) and he never steers me wrong. <br /><br />this episode was pretty devestating, actually "out-sadding" even the somberest of the "the wire" eps. i am completely rapt, but am a bit worried that there is no one left to whom we will be sympathetic.<br /><br />okay enough writing, back to watch the penultimate episode of season 2.RWFnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-46323088934782299282010-01-12T19:55:37.283-05:002010-01-12T19:55:37.283-05:00I'd suggest that the comment before mine, made...I'd suggest that the comment before mine, made a few days after "Mandala" aired, be removed. Plenty of people watch shows for the first time long after they're broadcast. Unfortunately for me, I read the spoiler in the first few words of that comment right after watching the episode this page is supposed to be about, and before reading the one that comment is about.bleibtreuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12156700590662134044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-43926710213541758342009-05-26T07:52:10.805-04:002009-05-26T07:52:10.805-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.chungiemunchinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17656633474775575640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-69355540645194794742009-05-22T17:26:21.228-04:002009-05-22T17:26:21.228-04:00Wow, pretty great to see so many comment posts her...Wow, pretty great to see so many comment posts here, with a lot of interesting points. I only got around to watching last week's episode just now, and it blew me away. <br /><br />I do agree with someone above who said that it's possible for Walt to give Jesse up (though, in the scheme of the show, I just can't see them giving up Aaron Paul at all. He's amazing, and they play off each other so well.), especially after Walt's proclaimation "Because he does what I say." For a father-son relationship that isn't between a father and son, it certainly mimics a classic one. But anyway, there's something very ruthless in how he said it, perhaps a little to show off to the new contact, but at the same time I totally buy that Walt believes it to be true too. What happens now that Walt can't trust Jesse? Jesse used to be the only person who Walt can unburden himself with all his secrets and drug dealings, but now with the addition of Saul and possibly this new contact who Walt aspires to me (calculating, careful, and anonymous), such is not the case anymore. <br /><br />On the other hand, I'd feel that should Walt ever get a chance at redemption (which is unlikely, given the tone of the series, but...), I feel that even this slightest bit of chance will cease to exist should Walt give up on his partner. While this season has everything to do with showing us the full scope of Walt - that he had this 'bad' streak in him way before the cancer ever hit him, or before he and Jesse teamed up - and while the inevitable end to the series shouldn't be anything but a sad one, I'd still be pretty upset should Jesse be in one of those body bags, especially in the hands of Walt. <br /><br />Which reminds me - will we get a resolution on those flashforward scenes of the body bags and the teddy bear in the pool by the end of this season? <br /><br />2 more episodes, right? Can't wait.belindanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-77867943905120409552009-05-22T02:15:07.057-04:002009-05-22T02:15:07.057-04:00Did anyone notice the name of the restaurant, whic...Did anyone notice the name of the restaurant, which translates as "the chicken brothers"? Replete with a ridiculous caricature of said chickens, it seemed an oblique reference to our two hapless heroes.Peter Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07489774361150557165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-35422875056916721922009-05-21T23:55:42.556-04:002009-05-21T23:55:42.556-04:00New poster here...
Wanted to find some opinion on...New poster here...<br /><br />Wanted to find some opinion on this episode. I have a differing opinion than most viewers. I fear that the writer may have jumped the shark here.<br /><br />The reason why I love the show is because it puts relatable characters in a situation that is unfathomable by the average Joe. We generally relate to people we like. Even if they are seriously flawed, there's always a redeemable trait. "House" is a perfect example of a flawed character that is likeable due to his roguish nature.<br /><br />The problem I have with this episode is that it leaves me with nobody to cheer for. Everyone is amoral. Everyone is weak.<br /><br />The previous episodes show the very flawed Jesse showing some of his humanity while Walt loses his. This episode absolutely wipes all of that out. I was so hoping that Jesse would do the right thing and stop Jane from shooting, but he is too weak. I suppose it couldn't happen any other way.<br /><br />The only positive I see is that at some point, Walt needs to see the absolute evil he is perpetrating on his community firsthand, and recognize that he can no longer separate himself from his victims. The viewer also needs to experience this to bring back the reality of the dark side of drug use.<br /><br />As much as I enjoy this series, I hope the upcoming episodes will give me a reason to care for the characters again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-30980559568980926062009-05-21T13:01:00.461-04:002009-05-21T13:01:00.461-04:00JoeinVegas said,
Did anyone catch the goof ups whe...<I>JoeinVegas said,<br />Did anyone catch the goof ups when Skyler was explaining the malfeasance? They under reported revenue? ... Oh you mean over-reported revenue…</I>.<br /><br />My accounting classes are so far behind me that my eyes just glazed over during her explanation. It was clear that something financial was wrong. It was only a matter whether he was the culprit or just covering up for someone else. <br /><br />More central to the episode was the problem of the anally careful Gus exposing himself to Walt as carelessly as he did. I agree with you, it seemed out of character. ... and he was very right, you can't trust an addict. <br /><br />Can't wait to find out what happens at the truck stop!Eldritchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02247921343535184791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-66824048721333726552009-05-20T15:40:58.708-04:002009-05-20T15:40:58.708-04:00Why would a dealer that has 20 years experience an...Why would a dealer that has 20 years experience and is supposed to be so careful let Walt get anywhere near him? Did he not do any due diligence and find out that his brother-in-law is the hot-gun DEA agent in town? <br /><br />Why meet them in person? Why fess up when Walt asks him about the deal? The one-hour deadline I could handle because Walt claimed he was ready anytime…<br /><br />He tells Walt that you can’t trust a drug addict, but now all it takes is for Jesse to screw up, give up Walt and then Walt gives up Gus. The only way I could believe this is if Gus wanted both to bring the meth to his boys and his boys to take them out.<br /><br />Did anyone catch the goof ups when Skyler was explaining the malfeasance? They under reported revenue? You mean they brought in a mil and only reported 800K? But then she says that she found fake invoices… Oh you mean over-reported revenue….JoeInVegasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-15181299229924022442009-05-20T12:24:06.833-04:002009-05-20T12:24:06.833-04:00Oops, nevermind, I see you have it at the top of y...Oops, nevermind, I see you have it at the top of your "recommended reading" links. You can see alot by looking.<br /><I>anonymoose</I>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-21784972423122211332009-05-20T12:20:20.864-04:002009-05-20T12:20:20.864-04:00Alan,
Suggestion: For the newbies perhaps you sho...Alan,<br /><br />Suggestion: For the newbies perhaps you should make your "six rules for posting" visible on your blog homepage. <br /><I>anonymoose</I>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-47411009608761920622009-05-20T09:35:13.011-04:002009-05-20T09:35:13.011-04:00Oh, and also: agreed with whoever said "Happy Birt...Oh, and also: agreed with whoever said "Happy Birthday Mr. President" was the most uncomfortable moment in recent memory; in fact, it was more uncomfortable than anything I've seen on the Office in ages. My wife and I literally watched it through cracks in our fingers. We debated fast-forwarding. That was worse than Hostel.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10032345969354207822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36583630589384962582009-05-20T09:28:47.227-04:002009-05-20T09:28:47.227-04:00I'm probably over-guessing here, but I noticed tha...I'm probably over-guessing here, but I noticed that Jane said "Meet you there" to Jesse, and then did not meet him there; in fact, she hasn't moved since she shot up. (Including when Walt came in and slapped Jesse around fairly noisily.) Is it possible she's already dead?Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10032345969354207822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-48252022962863905082009-05-20T05:56:34.406-04:002009-05-20T05:56:34.406-04:00Guys, no talking about the previews for later epis...Guys, <B>no talking about the previews for later episodes</B>. It's <A HREF="http://sepinwall.blogspot.com/2009/03/six-simple-rules-for-commenting-on-my.html" REL="nofollow">Rule #2</A>.Alan Sepinwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03388147774725646742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-9900170835322546272009-05-20T00:15:54.117-04:002009-05-20T00:15:54.117-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-10949323520804818472009-05-19T21:45:37.421-04:002009-05-19T21:45:37.421-04:00I agree with the idea that the two body bags conta...I agree with the idea that the two body bags contain Jesse and Jane.<br /><br />My guess is that it is Gus that kills them bc he wants Walt freed up to cook more meth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-18519524448047584632009-05-19T21:09:31.006-04:002009-05-19T21:09:31.006-04:00I just watched the entire series in the past day, ...I just watched the entire series in the past day, not bad. I fear the end of this season might be too dark for my liking. If the wife and the son is killed by Walt Sr. then I will stop watching. In fact if Walt ends up killing his son then I will stop watching. I hope they don't pull a fast card and reveal it to be the Partner's Girlfriend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-60316624833487166052009-05-19T19:14:07.911-04:002009-05-19T19:14:07.911-04:00For a while, I thought the mystery drug distributo...For a while, I thought the mystery drug distributor was going to not exist, because it would turn out that Saul was talking about Heisenberg. That theory even got me as far as the guy not showing at Chicken Bros.<br /><br />And to me, the actor who played the doctor will always be Sam's dad (dentist?) from Freaks & Geeks.Doug Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14367377514810160082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-44865697484123418262009-05-19T17:26:03.090-04:002009-05-19T17:26:03.090-04:00Newbie here - great blog and great conversation! F...Newbie here - great blog and great conversation! For what it's worth, in my opinion, the darkest moment in this dark episode is when Walt junior took that third drink, and how he talked about it later with Walt in the kitchen. Since the very beginning, I've been waiting for Walt Jr. to get caught up in the family business somehow, but he's been pretty straight and steadfast so far. I have an awful feeling that losing Walt Jr. in the web of deceit and violence that Walt has been spinning is about the only dramatically satisfactory payoff - and we just took the first step in that direction.robsalkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16092023594359206573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-66826190159052856732009-05-19T15:27:00.000-04:002009-05-19T15:27:00.000-04:002 things:
#1. As a former user I must say that t...2 things:<br /><br />#1. As a former user I must say that the depiction of Jesse's speedball high is completely ludicrous. Pure movie cliche horseshit on the level of HR Puff'n'stuff creatures appearing during a psychedelic experience. Not only is this a silly way of capturing a heroin high, but it's especially off the mark since Jane and Jesse are speedballing. She crushes pure grade-A Walt salt in that spoon. Shoot that and you're not exactly going to be floating down the ol' River Lethe, especially right off when you're really going to be feeling the effect of the stimulant.<br /><br />#2. If I was a gambling man (which is not recommended for ex-users, natch), I would lay money that Aaron Paul is going to have a lot more time to spend with Bill Hendrickson's daughter at the end of the season. On a show like Breaking Bad, everything turns to shit. They've laid too much groundwork showing us that despite clearly being a damaged generation fuck up, Jesse is a real dumb sweetheart who doesn't really have the constitution for this game because deep down he's actually not a wretched human being. They wouldn't have gone to all that trouble if they weren't going to kill him off. He isn't Chris Multisanti and Walt isn't Tony--their relationship isn't that complicated.Jane's Spoonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-36971871918633974092009-05-19T12:06:00.000-04:002009-05-19T12:06:00.000-04:00"I seriously doubt they're going to kill off Jesse..."I seriously doubt they're going to kill off Jesse."<br /><br />We'll see. I remember reading an interview with Vince Gilligan or Aaron Paul, saying that he was supposed to die at the end of season 1, but the writers strike forced them to change plans. <br /><br />Plus, Jesse and Jane are heading down a path of turning into Spooge and Skank...and we saw how that ended!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06758037835024735246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-53950889174273347222009-05-19T10:03:00.000-04:002009-05-19T10:03:00.000-04:00I'm guessing that Saul bought the "World's Greates...I'm guessing that Saul bought the "World's Greatest Lawyer" mug for himself, perhaps at the same store where Michael Scott bought his "World's Greatest Boss" mug...TChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02868069915551135931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-28735917822457855912009-05-19T09:54:00.000-04:002009-05-19T09:54:00.000-04:00One note regarding Gus -- he is not the 'manag...One note regarding Gus -- he is not the 'manager' of the fast food grease & salt emporium, he *owns* it, along with 13 others. Interesting that even his legitimate business entails pushing poisons onto the lower classes.<br /><br />Also, I've got to send some love to Bob Odenkirk. Saul is his best character since Porno Gil back in season one of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." That man was born to play sleazy.<br /><br />And I also loved the cell-phone in the classroom ceiling business, especially having Walt tell the class it must be the pipes, only to have the "missed call" chime immediately sound. It's not every show that opens with a child committing murder and contains a tutorial on shooting a meth/heroin speedball that also can make the viewer laugh out loud.Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15582136184196524214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-34570801321650691362009-05-19T02:33:00.000-04:002009-05-19T02:33:00.000-04:00If we extend the arena a bit from The Wire to Homi...If we extend the arena a bit from The Wire to Homicide: LOTS, we can recall Giancarlo Esposito as FBI Agent Mike Giardello, though he didn't have one tenth of Gus's composure.<br /><br />By the way, did it occur to anyone else that shortly after Walt assures Gus that he is indeed a cautious man, he allows Gus to rush him into acting like a complete maniac?Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17517257.post-34977842903942630292009-05-19T01:16:00.000-04:002009-05-19T01:16:00.000-04:00I think Jane stayed and did drugs with Jesse becau...I think Jane stayed and did drugs with Jesse because she couldn't stand it that he kicked her out. She was used to him being her puppy dog, but there was something that he loved as much,if not more, than he loved her: getting high. He had to choose between hanging out with her and smoking meth, and he choose the meth. Having been there herself, she figured, if she couldn't beat him, she'd join him, something she'd unconsciously wanted to do from the day she let him move in.The Gregarious Misanthropehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03538131895960750996noreply@blogger.com