Comics Bulletin logo
Search
  • Columns
    Random
    • Marvel Month in (P)Review: February/March 2009

      Jamil Scalese, Jason Sacks, Nick Hanover
      March 9, 2009
      Columns, Comics Bulletin Soapbox
    Recent
    • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

      Daniel Gehen
      February 8, 2021
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

      Daniel Gehen
      December 4, 2020
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

      Daniel Gehen
      October 30, 2020
    • What Looks Good
    • Comics Bulletin Soapbox
    • The Full Run
    • Leading Question
    • Top 10
    • The Long-Form
    • Jumping On
    • Comics in Color
    • Slouches Towards Comics
  • Big Two
    Random
    • The Full Run: Final Crisis #4

      Jamil Scalese, Jason Sacks, Nick Hanover
      December 11, 2019
      Columns, DC Comics, The Full Run
    Recent
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      DCeased: Dead Planet #7 Presents a Hopeful Future (Review)

      Daniel Gehen
      January 22, 2021
    • Retro Review: Detective Comics #826 Remains a Holiday Classic

      Daniel Gehen
      December 3, 2020
    • DC Comics
    • Big Two Reviews
    • Marvel Comics
  • Indie
    Random
    • Interview: Jason Copland and Michael May, Creators of "Kill All Monsters"

      Jamil Scalese, Jason Sacks, Nick Hanover
      July 14, 2017
      Dark Horse, Indie, Interviews
    Recent
    • 4.0

      Review: Beast Wars #2 another chance to change the past

      Stephen Cook
      March 3, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Reviews
    • Archie Comics
    • Boom! Studios
    • Dark Horse
    • IDW
    • Image
    • Oni Press
    • Valiant
  • Reviews
    Random
    • 3.5

      Review 'Veronica Mars': We Used to Be Friends

      Jamil Scalese, Jason Sacks, Nick Hanover
      March 9, 2014
      Reviews
    Recent
    • Singles Going Steady – Vowels, Who Needs Them?

      Daniel Gehen
      March 8, 2021
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Singles Going Steady
    • Slugfest
    • Manga
      • Reviews
    • Small Press
      • Reviews
      • ICYMI
      • Tiny Pages Made of Ashes
  • Interviews
    Random
    • Immortal Iron Fist: Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction and Duane Swierczynski

      Jamil Scalese, Jason Sacks, Nick Hanover
      April 7, 2008
      Interviews
    Recent
    • Interview: Jon Davis-Hunt Talks SHADOWMAN

      Daniel Gehen
      June 8, 2020
    • Interview: Becky Cloonan talks DARK AGNES and Her Personal Influences

      Mike Nickells
      March 4, 2020
    • Simon Roy

      Interview: Simon Roy on His Inspirations and Collaborations on PROTECTOR

      Mike Nickells
      January 29, 2020
    • Audio Interview
    • Video Interview
  • Classic Comics
    Random
    • Canteen Kate: A perfect example of why I love running this Classic Comics Cavalcade

      Jamil Scalese, Jason Sacks, Nick Hanover
      February 19, 2014
      Classic Comics Cavalcade, Columns
    Recent
    • VISITOR is the Quintessential “SPIRIT” Story

      Daniel Gehen
      March 26, 2021
    • Countdown to the King: Marvel’s Godzilla

      Daniel Gehen
      May 29, 2019
    • Honoring A Legend: Fantagraphics To Resurrect Tomi Ungerer Classics

      Daniel Gehen
      February 15, 2019
    • Classic Comics Cavalcade
    • Classic Interviews
  • News
    Random
    • 3.5

      Review: 'Patriot-1' is a taut, exciting summer movie action epic

      Jamil Scalese, Jason Sacks, Nick Hanover
      May 4, 2014
      Kickstarter Spotlight, Reviews
    Recent
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Image Comics and TMP Announces SPAWN’S UNIVERSE

      Daniel Gehen
      February 18, 2021
    • SAVAGE DRAGON IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 17, 2021
    • Press Release
    • Kickstarter Spotlight
  • Books
    Random
    • You Gotta Read This: 'Her Eternal Moonlight Sailor Moon's Female Fans In North America'

      Jamil Scalese, Jason Sacks, Nick Hanover
      October 5, 2016
      Books
    Recent
    • Collecting Profile: Disney Frozen

      CB Staff
      November 22, 2019
    • Collecting Profile: NFL Superpro

      CB Staff
      August 31, 2019
    • “THE BEST OF WITZEND” is a Wonderful Celebration of Artistic Freedom

      Daniel Gehen
      September 15, 2018
    • Review: ‘Machete Squad’ is a Disappointing Afghan Memoir

      Jason Sacks
      July 31, 2018
    • Review: ‘Out of Nothing’ is the Antidote to Our Sick Times

      Jason Sacks
      July 23, 2018
    • Review: ‘Bizarre Romance’ Shows Rough Edges in the Early Days of a New Marriage

      Jason Sacks
      July 10, 2018
What's New
  • Collecting Profile: Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Collecting Profile: 1990 Marvel Universe Trading Cards
  • Collecting Profile: Red Sonja
  • Collecting Profile: Dr. Doom
  • VISITOR is the Quintessential “SPIRIT” Story
  • Collecting Profile: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Contact Us
  • Write for us!
  • Visit Video Game Break!
Home
Columns

Breaking Bad 4.03 “Open House” Review

Jamil Scalese, Jason Sacks, Nick Hanover
August 7, 2011
Columns, Shot for Shot

The Comics Bulletin All-Stars continue our team review of one the best shows on TV, AMC’s instant classic Breaking Bad.

This week, Events spiral out of control at Jesse’s house. Skyler asks for Saul’s help regarding the carwash. Marie returns to an old past time and in the process a friend asks Hank for help.

Breaking Bad airs Sunday nights at 10PM EST on AMC, the home of just about every great show you might want to watch.

Oh, and be warned that there are SPOILERS below.


Nick: To me, last week’s episode of Breaking Bad concerned the dissolutions of the teams that we’ve gotten used to in the series. Hank and Marie, Walt and Skyler, Jesse and Walt– all of these pairings were broken or in serious disrepair in this episode. Granted, the latter two teams have had issues for some time, but this episode really showed the way each half of the duos went their own way, working without the other or even actively against the other.

Jamil: Last week was definitely about advancing the narrative of each of those relationships and bringing them to the next logical step. It’s amazing how far the Walt/Skyler dynamic has evolved from the traditional suburban family life to builders of a criminal empire.

Jamil:Skyler was the true star of this episode, even if a lot of screen time was given to Marie’s reinvigorated petty theft storyline. From her assertion that it to be “this” carwash to her heavy handed negotiation tactics we saw a side of Sky that has been simmering under the surface since the middle of last season.

Nick: Skyler might have taken the spotlight in this regard, showing off the full scope of her stubborn attitude and cold calculation. Many fans have been irritated by Skyler since nearly the beginning but regardless of where you stand with her, you can’t say she doesn’t demand a certain respect. Skyler’s business sense paid off handsomely, even if her reasons for wanting to pursue a property owned by someone who did not want to work with her were suspect. I feel that some of the fan issues with Skyler have more to do with people being unused to seeing a strong, independent wife on a show like this. A woman unwilling to back down and just let her husband’s ego get in the way of practicality (although admittedly Skyler’s pursuit of the car wash came with its fair share of pride on her part) tends to rankle some viewers.

Jason: My favorite aspect of the Skyler storyline is how she out-thought Saul. It was great to see her creative and ruthless side of her coming out. Sky really is growing on me more as she becomes more ruthless and conspiratorial.

Jamil: I am in that camp that once abhorred Skyler, and I even considered her a more dangerous and a larger nuisance than Crazy 8 and Tuco back at the outset of the show. You are right when you say that the original authority that made her such a challenge for Walt in previous seasons now gives her the instant authority to do what she is doing now. To bring it back to our collective passion – this is like Dr. Doom joining the FF. We know he’s a legit contender and force to reckon with and even though we’re a little weary with him on board, there is a certain sense of relief that such a capable and powerful force is on the hero’s side.

Jason: Walt and Jesse are now being watched. A video camera now watches every move that the two make while in the lab. The noose feels like it’s tightening around the men, as there’s yet one more place for the two to hide out. Of course we expect no less from Gus – and could this in part be a reaction to Mike’s beating of Walt and Walt’s incautious attempt to form an alliance with him? Typically for Breaking Bad, we aren’t privy to why the camera is placed at the lab, but we can definitely speculate. Perhaps this is another way that Gus is keeping Walt at arm’s length and monitoring him from afar. To continue with Jamil’s analogy, this is yet another way that the relationship is breaking apart – though obviously the relationship between Gus and Walt was as fractured as could be.

Jason: I found it very interesting, by the way, that we don’t see any follow-up to last episode’s beat-down. There’s emotional fall-out but there’s no reaction except for the ambiguous addition of the security camera. Is Mike loyal to Gus or not? It’s another mystery inside of many other mysteries on this show.

Jamil: Gus and his plans for Walt are the cattle driving this stagecoach. I am also extremely curious about what Mike did, if anything, after he left Walt on the barroom floor. Where the whole meth manufacturer/dealer relationship goes is anyone’s guess. What is Gustavo’s next move? Is he looking for another cook? Is he content with having his current team work under the pressure of fear? What’s with that guy sitting in the car outside the White residence? It’s funny how the last two episodes have had so little momentum in what is the main crux of the show and yet both have been killer

Jamil: Walt and Jesse only get a minor scene in this episode, and it consists of some head nods and go-kart invites, but it signifies the disrepair in their always chaotic relationship. These two are very far apart right now, they’ve barely had a conversation since their rendezvous at the laser tag joint. Walt is so concerned with protecting himself he is blind to the damage to his former student. Jesse is where he is because Walt put him there. Throughout the series Walt has routinely pulled Jesse deeper into the darkness of crystal meth, and has kept him alive to suffer the pains of doing evil things. He’s a long study on how Walt is poison to those around him.

Jason: The storyline with Marie shoplifting and pretending to be another woman is of course an attempt to distance herself emotionally from Hank and his illness. She’s so damn convincing in all of the open houses! I almost wanted to believe her in a way. Marie seems so needy. She’s always seemed the character in the Walt family of the show who most seems lost and unmoored. Even when Hank was feeling hale and healthy, he was never the most attentive of husbands, and Marie suffered a good amount of loneliness. Now we get to see her under extreme pressure and she’s acting out in a way that seems sure to blow up on her.

Jamil: The Marie theft storyline was a surprising turn for me since I thought that character arc was long dead. Her theatrics took up a large section of this episode, and while the performance was great I felt like it didn’t jive with the larger picture. Smartly, the creators managed to reign it in by tying it directly into Hank owing the homicide cop a favor. It probably felt out of place because it’s so long overdue; Marie has been ignored as a character for awhile, and that made it so invigorating to watch her play all those different roles. I especially like the new conflict because it forces interaction with Hank, and made him deal with an embarrassing situation to compound the shame of his injury.

Jason: As we probably all expected, Hank is now being called upon to help investigate Gale’s murder. I’ve always expected the series with some sort of confrontation between Walt and Hank, and we now see the wheels of that confrontation once again rolling into motion. This investigation has the potential, of course, of reinvigorating Hank. That, in turn, puts the viewer in a very mixed position. We want Hank to get better, but that risks Walt and Skyler in a major way. Another division in relationships – though Walt and Hank have never been close, and their storylines haven’t overlapped at all this season.

Jamil: Hank flipping through the pages of Gale’s notebook was a great way to close the episode. The seesaw of Walt and Hank’s long-term relationship is fascinating — when Hank is close in the Heisenberg case we cheer for the typically heroic D.E.A agent, but hope he stops short of nabbing the lead. On the other side we like when Walt scores a big victory, but realize he must be punished for what he’s done. I expect that give and take to play heavily into the future of this season, and lucky for us Hank stopped staring at geodes.

Jamil: My favorite moment of this episode, and possibly favorite cameo of the series, is Bill Burr as the water quality official. Burr is hands-down, no argument, my favorite comedian and it was so odd seeing him as the mouthpiece for such a strong female character like Skylar.

Jamil: Especially when you consider that routines about the relentlessness of women are his bread-and-butter. The scene as a whole was spectacular and the car wash saga is sure to open up a bunch of new avenues for the writers.

Jason: Finally, Jesse continues his descent. How low can he go? If only Walt had agreed to go go-karting with him, who knows how Jesse might be handled everything! His existential crisis just gets worse, which makes him maybe the most interesting character on the show. Will he end up as the weak link because he just doesn’t care anymore? Could any of us do anything different from what Jesse does?

 

Jamil ScaleseJason SacksNick HanoverShot for Shot

Share On:
Tweet
Mark Tatulli: Humor from the Dark Side that Lives in Me
Diablo III: A Real Money Auction House?

About The Author

<a href="http://comicsbulletin.com/byline/jamil-scalese/" rel="tag">Jamil Scalese</a>, <a href="http://comicsbulletin.com/byline/jason-sacks/" rel="tag">Jason Sacks</a>, <a href="http://comicsbulletin.com/byline/nick-hanover/" rel="tag">Nick Hanover</a>
Jamil Scalese, Jason Sacks, Nick Hanover

Jamil Scalese would rather watch reruns of Frasier than catch up on media he's tragically behind on. Follow his weak tweets @jamilscalese

Related Posts

  • Reliving the Craziest Decade in Comics History: An interview with Jason Sacks

    Mark Stack
    January 2, 2019
  • Top 10 Thoughts About Jack Kirby

    Jason Sacks
    August 28, 2017

Latest Columns

  • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

    Daniel Gehen
    February 8, 2021
  • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

    Daniel Gehen
    December 4, 2020
  • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

    Daniel Gehen
    October 30, 2020
  • Comictober 2020: DRACULA MOTHERF**KER

    Daniel Gehen
    October 27, 2020
  • What Looks Good for the Week of 10/14/2020

    Daniel Gehen
    October 12, 2020
RSSTwitterFacebookgoogleplusinstagramtumblr

Comics Bulletin is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, Comics Bulletin earns from qualifying purchases.

All content on this site (c) 2018 The Respective Copyright Holders