"Mas" Review
“Mas” starts with a flashback to how Jesse got the RV in the first place. I really like that Combo was back (if only for a short time) and that we learn where the RV came from. The RV is like a character in itself. This flashback made me appreciate Combo more and it makes the impact of his murder in Season 2 a bit more meaningful. We learn by the end that Combo stole the RV from his parents, much like Jesse stole (well, bought for a very low price) the house back from his parents. God, these drug dealers are always stealing from their parents.
Walt continues to try and maintain his frame of mind from “No Mas,” and I don’t blame him. His whole “I made a series of bad choices” speech rings true. The drug business has cost him everything. I love how Gus gets Walt back into the business by explaining that a man provides for his family no matter what. Walt isn’t tricked by the ploy of getting half of Jesse’s money nor by the Frankenstein-style meth lab (although I’m sure that had something to do with it). Walt can be reasoned with and he really does want to look out for his family. I suspect there’s some history of this with Gus, too. It seems like he’s speaking from experience. I wonder if we’ll get any of his back story in the future.
I mentioned in my review last week that I was hesitant about the whole Hank storyline, but it’s starting to grow on me. I said that Hank doesn’t do serious well (that it’s against his character), but Dean Norris really did a great job this week. The whole shower scene, with Marie standing nearby, is so powerful. You can really feel for the guy. In addition, having Steve Gomez (his DEA partner) go to El Paso in his place was a great move on the writer’s part. I feel like Hank is on the brink of a nervous breakdown… and who could blame him, after seeing Tortuga’s head on a turtle explode?
Skyler begins to doubt her relationship with Ted, and I’m sorry, but I feel a lot of sympathy for her. Whenever I read anything about Skyler online, it’s about how bitchy she is. I think she’s in a tough place and doing the best she can with the circumstances. My favorite scene is her talking with the therapist divorce attorney. She really needs a friend to talk with and has no one, except the attorney. She tries to turn the lawyer into a friend by nearly asking to go out for a drink, but stops herself midway.
This season is hard to watch because Walt’s whole family is collapsing. This culminates with Walt signing the divorce papers and possibly moving out. “Mas” ends with Walt taking Gus’ offer and deciding to provide for his family… even if it means he’s lost them. He does so in a way where he kicks Jesse to the curb and rubs it in his face. It’s an aggressive move and a little strange because Jesse hasn’t really done anything to Walt. All their fights are usually started by Walt being obsessed with his product. Jesse ends up smashing a piece of cement into Walt’s windshield… I wonder if he’s going to get pulled over for that. That’s the second one this season!
“Mas” has brought Walt back into the business and concludes with a bunch of loose ends that change the direction of the series. Walt has agreed to the divorce, he’ll likely move out, he’s accepted his place in the drug business, and now Hank is closing in on Jesse and Walt. There’s a lot in store for next week, and based on the teaser, it’s going to be action packed.
So before you run to 24, you action-lovers, it might be wise to stick with Breaking Bad for another week.
-MP