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knives wrote:Her side of the story is honest without exaggeration.

I'm not sure the character's perspective has been conveyed without exaggeration. I think I also disagree with the notion, which was pointed out earlier, that not enjoying her alteration as a character is a symptom of simple misogyny. Perhaps I don't share the same perspective as the guys who decide to devote entire portions of the internet towards detailing how much they loathe the character, but I don't believe it's misogynistic to want the character to display a greater sense of authority and autonomy within the events that are consuming her life. I want Skyler to be a more forceful and capable character than she has been in the past few seasons, and I don't believe that's due to some deep-seeded resentment of women that I'm unwilling to admit.

In fact, I think the diminished role that the show has given to Skyler and Marie in the past few seasons kind of exhibits a certain type of partiality towards the male characters in the writing, whereby Skyler and Marie have both been turned into victims and by-standards to the events and actions of the male characters who require the majority of the audience's attention. Marie has quite often been reduced to being the clueless wife or sister that is so oblivious to the dangers that surround her family life that she can only pop into a scene to create some comedic situation. Meanwhile, for a stretch of episodes, Skyler was reduced to basically functioning as a overly shrill spouse, a catatonic character, or as a high-functioning zombie at the very least, and as a thoughtless partner who unintentionally creates additional obstacles for her criminal-mastermind husband at the most.

I really enjoyed the Skyler character when the show started and - aside from the screaming at the diner (which was probably a reasonable reaction within that context, but wasn't really helped by AMC hoping to have #AmIUnderArrest start trending on twitter) - I'm actually enjoying Skyler more this season than in the past couples seasons. However, her character didn't serve much of a function in the past couple of seasons other than making sure we understand how much of an emotional monster Walt has turned out to be. In the past few seasons, the female characters have largely been swept aside or discarded entirely by the men, and have really not been able to grasp any position of authority or power. It's only this season, with Lydia's recent actions, Skyler becoming more engaged in Walt's activities, and Marie prodding Hank to be more decisive, that the female characters on this show have started becoming dynamic again. That may always have been Gilligan's plan for the characters, and I really doubt he or his writing staff are misogynists, but I can't really ignore the fact that the female characters on the show have been largely shoved aside for the past couple seasons, so that the men could play out this game of chess (I guess it's actually more like Chinese-checkers).

flyonthewall2983 wrote:

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I came away from last night's episode with feeling really uneasy about where things are headed now. It feels like there is going to be far more collateral damage than even speculated, by the time we join the Walt seen in the cold opens.

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I'm starting to get the impression that the big showdown won't be with Hank and. Walt but with Walt versus Todd's gang. I think Jesse's attempted arson will be stopped by Hank and he'll convince Jesse to work with him.

Holy shit Dean Norris plays a better Walt & Vince Gilligan than they do themselves. Thanks for posting.

Things are coming up roses for him this year it seems (between this, Under The Dome and his role in The Counselor). Good for him.

Black Hat wrote:

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Also Hank, after evolving into a very likeable, intelligent character has now reverted back to his obnoxious, keystone cop act of season one which altho I understand his obsession I'm not sure if that's the way to go.

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It makes perfect sense because he still harbors that ill will towards Jesse for what happened before between the two of them. I think what we'll see in the next episode (if Jesse's new plan works) is that Hank begins to see him more than just the loser junkie he's always seen.

My only gripe with the episode is that Walt's car almost came in on cue once Hank's was out of sight. Seemed too staged for me, otherwise it was a good episode.

flyonthewall2983 wrote:

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It makes perfect sense because he still harbors that ill will towards Jesse for what happened before between the two of them. I think what we'll see in the next episode (if Jesse's new plan works) is that Hank begins to see him more than just the loser junkie he's always seen

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It definitely makes sense but I don't think Jesse gaining redemption or respect from the eyes of Hank is a particularly interesting place for the show to go.

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Wasn't it Gomie tailing Hank?

I thought that was a superb shorthand for what might otherwise have been a very tedious explanation of his involvement later at the Schrader household.

Great(!) episode. This season has now got my full attention after a weakish start. Unlike some maybe, I am fully sold on Skylar's character and her link to the overall theme: great evil countenanced by noble self-delusion.

rrot wrote:

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Wasn't it Gomie tailing Hank?

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No, the car stopped almost if not exactly where Walt stops at the beginning of the episode, and it seems to come in at the same speed.

It's jut an attempt to suggest the passage of time. An old theater trick you guys are putting too much thought into.