Bad Breaks

Different sort of episode of Breaking Bad, "Peekaboo." First, it concentrated on the two lead characters, Walt and Jesse (not even a hint of the sister and brother-in-law).

Also, the two leads each had their own story, and the hour was equally split between them.

And whereas they usually have the characters is serious, even mortal danger due to the drug world they're in, the threat was (relatively) low this episode.

It gave a chance to deepen Walt and Jesse, yet the show was as dramatic as any.

One of the things I've always had trouble with was Walt refusal to take money from his hugely successful old friend and partner Elliot. This episode helped explain what's going on.

Walt has been lying to his wife Skyler (so what else is new?) about where he's getting the money for his treatments. He's claimed Elliot and his wife (and Walt's old flame) Gretchen are the suppliers. Gretchen comes back in the picture and, while not telling Skyler the truth, demands to know from Walt what's going on.

We've alread seen Walt teaching again, bitterly telling the story of the man who invented artificial diamonds for GE and got nothing. When he secretly meets Gretchen, he apologizes for getting her involved in his deceit, but refused to give her answers. When she demands more, he starts going into how he and Elliott screwed him over, and he snarls and swears at her.

Up till now, we figured the one-two combo of terminal cancer and cooking meth is what changed Walt, but now we see it might just be what's allowing his true nature to come out. He's always been seething inside from past hurts, and being a drug dealer and discovering freedom (because he's got nothing left to lose) allows him to turn into what he'd like to be.

At the end, he once again lies to Skyler, and does a better job as usual. Telling her the funds have been cut off because Elliot and Gretchen are actually broke is not only buyable these days, but is the kind of info that is great gossip and brings the two closer together. (It also cover itself since Sklyer won't ask questions, and even if she did she's attribute counter-information as a cover-up).

Jesse story was even stronger. He had to prove he's a tough guy by punishing some "clients" who didn't pay up. He goes out, packing, and breaks into the couple's house. There he's confronted by the wages of addiction. A house in disarray, with a young child not being taken care of properly.

Jesse waits for the couple to return home, and threatens them once they do. They have no money, but do have at ATM machine they've stolen. The tables are turned when Jesse, playing with the kid, gets knocked out. (It's the biggest conventional menace in the show, but the drama is strong enough even without it.)

Ultimately, no thanks to Jesse, the wife-addict kills the husband-addict, and Jesse steals his money and calls the cops to save the kid. It shows he's essentially got a good heart. So how can he continue in this business? He's not tough enough or harsh enough.

Jesse and Walt are safe for now, but it can't last much longer. Though since the show has been picked up for a third season, it'll last at least a little longer. The question is will someone major be killed, and will Walt's secret come out to anyone close to him.