FILMMAKER REACTS to BREAKING BAD Season 2 Episode 13: ABQ

[@SpellSteal]

I love how saul taking over the role of comedic relief allowed jesse to become dramatic and serious

[@JamesVSCinema]

Great catch! Never thought of it like that

[@mushroomlad6233]

and then scenes of him being funny are made depressing after finishing better call saul.

[@SteveNathn]

Same for Hank as well

[@GimmeJimmy23]

While that's true, he does go on to have some very humorous moments, still. Yeah, b*tch!

[@iminumst7827]

This whole franchise has a very interesting tendency to cast actors from comedic backgrounds for dramatic roles, so that the comedic balance can always shift between characters when appropriate.

[@loganmcleod141]

Mike has entered the chat 🤌🏽 "Saul Goodman sent me" 🤧

[@josh1235]

That was supposed to be Saul but Bob Odenkirk was busy filming something else so they made a new character up. This show has so many moments like that where some of the best characters either stuck around well past when they were going to die or were invented due to outside circumstance.

[@MamadNobari]

@@josh1235 Fun fact: In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), In the scene where Aragorn deflects the throwing blade, that was a real blade that was thrown at actor Viggo Mortensen. The stunt actor couldn't see through his mask and was supposed to throw the blade behind him instead of at him.

[@MamadNobari]

Mike "I broke ma boi" Ehrmantraut has entered the chat.

[@constantine7953]

I love Mike so much hehe

[@chrisellis3797]

Mike is the most relatable mentalist in this. love him and hate him all at once. He wasn't nice to Robocop so I was prejudiced from the start🤣

[@DraylianKaiju]

Emotional trivia: Aaron Paul's crying while giving Jane chest compressions was so impactful that Kristen Ritter couldn't hold back her emotions and started crying during one of the takes. 😭😢😥🥺

[@ankhtahr1401]

This episode feels like the right place to point out what many other comments tried to subtly hint at in earlier episodes: take a look at the titles of all the episodes this season with a B/W introduction scene: Episode 1: Seven-Thirty-Seven Episode 4: Down Episode 10: Over Episode 13: ABQ ABQ being the airport code for Albuquerque. I completely lost it when I saw the NTSB markings on the van at the beginning of this episode, the NTSB being the National Transportation Safety Board, most well known for being the agency to investigate aviation accidents.

[@bigredtlc1828]

Interesting. That's pretty cool.

[@ericmontes4998]

@@neilsun2521 Exactly. It was a reference to the money but also a reference to a 737 plane

[@youngeeneden1594]

Not the first time you watched

[@notmee2388]

@@neilsun2521 In the next episode, if you recall, Walt specifically mentions it was a 737 in the school gym scene. Remember him saying "we should be glad it was a 737 rather than a 747, as those are so much bigger." (not the actual quote, but that is the gist of what he said)

[@pepeshadilay]

Ntsb hoaxed 911

[@tovbyte]

I think Walt started out genuinely doing it for his family. But once he blew up Tuco’s headquarter, it became all about his ego

[@piotrswat169]

Nah his life was a failure and it was going to get worse.

[@llorona7847]

Yes, he got addicted to the power & influence he felt at that point

[@islandboy9381]

@@piotrswat169 bruh he got offered a deal by his former colleagues to take care of himself and his family for good, it was purely pride at that point to refuse that and not family, show's creator said the same.

[@zonastarwars4397]

Nah its both. At the end of the show he still cares about his family but his ego was a distraction.

[@johnbryson1019]

Echoes of Michael Corleone, descending into the Underworld to " protect the family ", liquidates Fredo his own brother.

[@amacuro]

To me, the most tragic scene in the whole of BB and BCS, is Jane's father finding out that morning. The shot of him leaving her a phone message was chilling but then him standing on the door while they zip up her body into that bag was insane.

[@rumham7466]

He was so distraught too distraught and numbed with shock to even be bothered to say anything to Jesse.

[@eighthdoctor]

And the fact that he mentions on his phone call to her about her having her bag packed ready to go, then he turns up to see her being put (packed) into a body bag... 😬

[@dezm0n679]

To me the most tragic scene is 'Jessey in the car, Todd talking to Andrea' scene

[@addiction.5500]

The bag was packed and ready to go. No excuses.

[@dezm0n679]

@@addiction.5500 wow, that is crazy, watched 10 times, only got it after your comment 😳

[@kylegacy]

One of the most visually arresting - and very overlooked - scenes in this episode, in my opinion, is the scene where Jane's father, Donald, is looking for a funeral outfit for her, and there's a mural above her bed, which shows the exact same pink bear falling from the sky. It also has an alarm clock set to the time she died, the planet Saturn representing the day she died (Saturday), below that a Moon representing the day of the air crash (Monday), and the 'sleeping' girl posed in the picture, which looks like Jane, is wrapped in a black 'dress', a representation of the black tar heroin that consumed her body. Haunting imagery.

[@leogothisoscar271]

Aaron Paul and the guy that played Jane's father both absolutely killed it in this episode with their depictions of grief.

[@marciahuehn2365]

Jane’s father was portrayed by John De Lancie. who was “Q” in Star Trek, Eugene Bradford in “Days of Our LIves”. My son met him at various Gen Com conventions and was impressed by his friendliness and respect for his fans.

[@jasonvoorhees310]

737, down, over, ABQ. Those four episode titles connecting to the overall story of season 2 and it's finale was brilliant writing and story telling. One of those things were their telling you but not telling you. So crazy how one man's choices effected the world around him to that extent. While also effecting his own life. This show really knows how to treat its audience. Something I've mentioned in the past. Excellent reaction.

[@leonardodecillis]

I'm not gonna tell you what it is but you said something in this reaction that is a wildest forshadowing. Anyways, love your videos as always!

[@JamesVSCinema]

Hahahaha I love this comment! Thank you!

[@TsuFox1]

Yep, I caught that too lol

[@irrelevantandbeyond]

I literally said "wow" when he said it

[@black90210s]

I can't wait until he finishes the show to know what it is cause he was right on the money.

[@Palavalve]

Seriously, that blew my mind

[@taylermurdock909]

Loved your reaction! Btw James, I have a recommendation: "Paris, Texas", (1984) by Win Wenders. It's a beautiful road movie with a deep love story that would touch anyone's heart. The cast is very good and the cinematography is incredibly INSANE and immersive as hell. I think you would love it!

[@henryop7696]

Yeah man, what an underrated masterpiece. It's a shame that it doesn't have the right recognition it deserves! Truly one of the best movies of all time, hands down.

[@SathReacts]

8:52 He wanted her bag packed, and she ended up bag-packed...

[@JamesVSCinema]

LMFAO bro these are bars

[@cooperhurst2639]

Original, Saul was meant to clean up Jesse’s Appartement, but Bob Odenkirk could only appear in a certain number of episodes, so they created Mike for this scene, and I’m glad they did, because Mike is easily one of the best characters in this universe.

[@trevorwhite7314]

That moment with Skylar’s question about the phone almost feels like it came out of a Hitchcock movie, just great filmmaking.

[@vincentlecornu201]

Just when it seems we already have a bucketfull of great characters, we meet Mike Ehrmantraut.

[@cooperhurst2639]

There’s four episodes in this season that open with flash-forwards. If you take the titles of those episodes and put them together you get “747 Down Over ABQ”. I thought that was an interesting detail.

[@goblintwo]

The thing people miss with Walt is that even though his actions benefit his family, ultimately he wants CREDIT. He's pissed that HE isn't the one who is saving the family, it's all charity. He wants to be the hero - so at the end of the day, that really isn't *for his family*, it's for him.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Exactly!

[@chiefhandker9432]

He literally said it in a previous episode.

[@MamadNobari]

It's obvious that he looks with contempt because it's all charity to him and he hates that. I doubt anybody missed that.

[@bkkidd2112]

Agree, what started out as helping his family was quickly out weighed by his pride.

[@islandboy9381]

This is all true but the fact that through all of this, he still has some level of lingering care for his family keeping him constantly shifting/thinking/reflecting instead of turning too bad too quickly makes him remain compelling to watch all the way till he gradually reached the deep end. Any lesser writer would have had Walter kill Hank or something like that by season 3 for shock value lol

[@andromidius]

Walt did do it for his family... for a few episodes. After he met Tuco he was 100% doing it for himself.

[@yayaeyore]

Awesome reaction. I used to be an Air Traffic Controller. Jane's dad worked at a Terminal Radar Approach Control Facility (TRACON). There is no way he did this intentionally. I believe he turned the 2 planes he was talking to into each other by accident. At the beginning of the episode the van that pulled away had NTSB on the roof. National Transportation Safety Board, They investigate all incidents/accidents. The first thing a controller does when an accident happens is take the weather. Investigators want to know the exact atmospheric conditions. Then he/she is relieved of their position and directly pees into a cup. As far as liability, I have no idea,however, I wouldpoint my finger at the supervisor who let him work.

[@brandonthesteele]

I really hope there's enforced bereavement for actual ATC.

[@SolidSnake240]

I thought it was obvious he didn't do it intentionally. The man was still in shock from losing his daughter.

[@tovbyte]

This episode has one of my favourite Jesse and one of my favourite skylar moments. Jesse is just heartbreaking, and skylar finally got all the evidence she needs to know that Walt is lying. Anna Gunn delivers

[@Flaming_penguin]

Great catch about the credits, there’s a few episodes where the show runners argued with AMC to have the credits held off until after the opening scenes. In one episode they don’t come in until about 14 minutes in, they fought really hard for that one

[@Lazrael32]

I always liked the scene with Hank insisting Heisenberg is still out there. a bunch of black and white photos crossed off. and a donation jar with Walts face smiling, also in black and white staring. i never see people talk about it but it's a solid scene.

[@Messierband33]

Jane's Father is using the ICAO code to spell letters correctly during air communication, the correct code for the letter J was *Juliet* but he said Jane 😔😢

[@TiltBrook]

17:39 That’s the dad from the 1980’s sitcom “Small Wonder!”… Ironically, right before they show him here in the break room, you are saying; “Ted, Ted!”…well Ted was his name on that show

[@jond7972]

Damn, James. You called it on Mike's character fr. Hell, I'm sure you know that by now, you're almost finished with the show. But seriously, your understanding of Mike in the first couple minutes is incredible. You never fail to impress

[@JamesVSCinema]

Ayyyy that’s awesome to hear! I’m loving these characters!

[@fredscallietsoundman9701]

John de Lancie (Jane's father) is a wonderful actor. I first saw him as a recurring character in Star Trek TNG then Voyager, and almost all his scenes are just pure joy !

[@peterwale6821]

I feel that it was the mention of the call sign "Jane" that threw him off his ability to traffic control the flights.

[@shotsofpadron]

Fun fact: Saul was supposed to be the one who came to clean up in this episode but Bob Odenkirk had scheduling conflicts with How I Met Your Mother so Vince Gilligan created the character of Mike to replace him in this episode, thus creating one of the most beloved characters in the Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul universe lol

[@TransitOfMarsOfficial]

This is one of my favourite BB episodes of all time. Just the way one thing leads to another, almost near naturally, is frightening, but real. I love when choices in films/tv can have massive consequences people wouldn’t even consider, and this is one of the biggest and most wild consequences in the show that imo, REALLY shows one of the final pegs in the character transformation from Walt, to Heisenberg.

[@liamgallagher3833]

And here we have it. The introduction of hands down my favorite character in this universe.

[@TheXygos]

Breaking Bad broke all other TV shows. It's the kind of relentless tragedy that Shaspeare would've been proud of💔

[@StarsDie88]

Breaking Bad finales are amazing. Each one just gets crazier and crazier.

[@CribNotes]

The Mr. Wolf clean up man is actor Jonathan Banks playing henchman Mike Ermantraut. Saul Goodman was supposed to be the clean up man but actor Bob Odinkirk had a stand up comedy gig which clashed with the Breaking Bad shooting schedule. Jonathan Banks performance and presence made such an impression on Vince Gilligan, his role became an integral character in future Breaking Bad script writing.....leading all the way to a major role in the spinoff "Better Call Saul". Hat's off to Jonathan Banks!!! You may remember him in Beverly Hills Cop back in 1984? He played the henchman Eddie Murphy flipped over the buffet table.

[@kareningram6093]

This episode remains one of the most profound moments in television I've ever seen. This show does not pull punches. Prepare yourself emotionally for more pain, because it's going to keep coming.

[@missk8tie]

I think that what Walt thought was his conscience most of his life was really his fear of having to live with the consequences of his actions. Once he thought he was going to die soon, he was free to do what he wanted, or what was the most expedient path.

[@kingcharming1]

Jessie/Aaron always gets me crying in this episode, I really feel with him

[@SpectrumAnalysis]

Episodes like this are echoes of greater things to come and set up for not just gut punches but shotgun blasts to the chest in future episodes. Can't wait until we get to Ozymandias...

[@FollowTheBeam19]

James, just wanted to say that you are the best reactor on this damn site, your love for the medium is apparent and it is a joy to watch.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Ayyyy this made my day homie, thank you for the love!

[@BB13131313]

There's a pink teddy bear falling from the sky on Jane's wall in her bedroom.. you can see it when Jane's dad is picking out her dress..

[@TropicalHat420]

I see that ending and hear you saying, "This is the end of season 2" and still realize after watching this show like 8 times fully through that that still blows me away. We ain't even halfway through yet...

[@ger.baltav]

After I finished the show it became one of my all time favorites but watching it again from these reactions plus the fan facts people comment on them, it makes me appreciate this series even more.

[@sinnesbild]

when walt walkes into the crackhouse and he sees the woman with the scabs looking at him, it is like she is saying with her eyes: "this is what your cooking does", the wannabe hero destroying people in his life and so many more with drugs.

[@aisling_commoddities]

What a nice coincidence that you released this video today, as it's the birthday of Jonathan Banks, the actor who played the old guy who cleaned up after Jane! On that note, he was never supposed to be in this episode. They created the character as a stand-in for Saul because Bob Odenkirk was busy on another show. Another coincidence!

[@newspooiechannel]

Originally, Raymond Cruz (Tuco) was intended to become the main adversary of the first season, but that was cut short due to the writer's strike. With the back half of the first season unfilmed, the writers scrapped their original plans and re-wrote the new season with Tuco as the main villain. However, his role on The Closer was expanded between seasons and he would only be available to shoot the first two episodes. So everything was scrapped yet again and he was killed off early in the season. Bob Odenkirk was brought in as a new secondary character, Saul Goodman, to replace the gap filled by Raymond Cruz's absence. Then Bob Odenkirk had his own scheduling conflict and could not film this episode. Originally HE was supposed to go to Jesse's apartment to help dispose of the body. The writers talked about he always mentions "he knows a guy" and so forth, so they decided to introduce Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) as Saul's Go-To guy. So you get two new characters that were never planned to be on the show that both appeared because Raymond Cruz wouldn't be available for the season. BTW... this is the only season where everything was planned out from the beginning to end well in advance. The writers said it was too hard and decided to write as they went for the remainder of the show. But you'll notice that if you put together all the titles of the episodes that have the flash forward teasers in black and white, they are "Seven Thirty-Seven" "Down" "Over " "ABQ." They'd been secretly feeding viewers exactly what was going to happen in the final moment of show going all the way back to the first episode of the season.

[@flipsmc8647]

Great reaction video as always mate. The pink sweater Walt is wearing is meant to represent the child like innocence Walt feels when his house of cards starts to collapse in Skylar's eyes, as he truly is confused as to why Skylar feels this way without knowing all the facts, and at the same time representing the blend of white and red, white representing the "purity" of his actions in his mind as he still truly believes he's doing this for his family, mixed with the red of death and destruction that he is actually causing. A very subtle hint of a turning point In his personality and the direction of the show.

[@VinelSeason]

I know Jane’s dad was not in it for that much but I liked his character a lot

[@Spantat]

Too bad he passed the event horizon in his chance meeting with Heisenberg.

[@Saul.2910]

One of my favorite shots of the entire show. Walt wearing the pink sweater and it ends with you seeing the pink bear sinking deeper and deeper

[@TheScorpia12]

Man I swear. Growing a few years older between watching the series, maturing makes you realize how truly heavy this is

[@mmoore0325]

It is such a treat to watch you and @ReelinwithAsiaandBJ react to Breaking Bad at roughly the same pace. Both your channels are very authentic, engaging, and fun; however, the energy and observations and comments vary and still complement, making this such an enriching experience for us viewers. Thank you for what you do.

[@DjDown1984]

Yo, snap, I'm enjoying the same double journey

[@taneshah.1260]

I just came from watching Asia and BJ too!

[@orchidmusic3556]

The episodes that start with the black and white intro are Seven Thirty-Seven, Down, Over and ABQ (Albuquerque), foreshadowing at its best!

[@BillyBong]

I think people said he wasnt doing it for himself is cause the trigger that actually started him wanting to do it for himself was like 3-5 episodes in when his ex friends offered to pay his medical bills at the birthday party.

[@Spantat]

I know this is well over a year old, but I’m rewatching this series vicariously through this reaction. The post episode analysis had me thinking about Walt and Gus’s first meeting where Gus says “Never trust a drug addict.” Little did Gus know he was referring to the wrong addict. The adrenaline junkie proved far worse. Been really enjoying this rewatch.

[@cornellius5897]

Got about two easter eggs for you if you didn't already know. The first one is that the title of every episode with the black and white flashbacks (Seven Thirty Seven - Down - Over - ABQ) gives hints about the plane crash. The second is that the airplane crash was based on a true story of an airplane crash in California in 1986 because an air traffic controller was distracted... The name of the controller was Walter White!

[@RykDavid]

As a a librarian and book junkie who watches little TV and movies, it is so nice to hear someone with cinematic knowledge speak so naturally in a way that elucidates film making so much. Breaking Bad is one of the few TV series I watched, as it is obviously masterwork. The only other drama TV series I loved was David Lynch and Mark Frost's "Twin Peaks". Who knows? Maybe you will delve into that someday? "We're just getting started!" as someone I know says.

[@jealaniash3554]

If y'all also remember, Jesse and Walter couldn't perform CPR on Tuco's worker but they start off the episode with Jesse trying to perform it on Jane!!! DOPE!!

[@trol68419]

I fucking adore Skylar and always had from day one. She's not stupid, and Walter underestimates her again and again. And she's flawed, so beautifully flawed, flawed to perfection.

[@ojpete]

Believe me, no one was expecting that ending. Wonderful reaction, thanks for sharing with us

[@jealaniash3554]

One of the few shows that every character has their own story to tell!!! Dope reaction James az always!!! Peace!!!!

[@MLennholm]

Since approximately 4789345 commenters have already mentioned the episode titles thing, I thought I'd contribute some unique trivia: the mid-air collision that all this led up to was inspired by the real 1986 mid-air collision over Los Angeles between an Aeroméxico DC-9 and a small private propeller airplane. The private airplane had strayed into the airport's controlled airspace just as the Aeroméxico plane was coming in for landing. The name of the air traffic controller who was communicating with the airliner on its approach was:::::::::::: Walter White.......

[@melanie62954]

Anyone who thinks Walt was doing this for his family is just as deceived as Walt was--it's what he told himself to morally justify his choices, but it was never the core reason. It was all to feed his latent egotism. He hadn't lived up to his potential, blamed the universe, and envisioned giving it the finger as he died. If his family was his first concern, he would have told Skylar and the others about the caner right away and explored legal means to care for them. Instead, he sprints down the drug road and alienates everyone he supposedly cares for along the way.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Everyone is this show is imperfect in their own way..love this! Breaking Bad S3 & Always Sunny on Patreon! Click here: www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Much love! Eat some good food today if you can.

[@Tommysimonsen]

The Dad was Q in Start trek, a loki like God messing around with the crew. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ2Vn32Hp9WeqcU

[@CribNotes]

1) Dave Porter's music/sound score for Breaking Bad was revolutionary. As top notch as the screen writing, acting and cinematography.

[@CribNotes]

2) The Mr. Wolf clean up man is actor Jonathan Banks playing henchman Mike Ermantraut. Saul Goodman was supposed to be the clean up man but actor Bob Odinkirk had a stand up comedy gig which clashed with the Breaking Bad shooting schedule. Jonathan Banks performance and presence made such an impression on Vince Gilligan, his role became an integral character in future Breaking Bad script writing.....leading all the way to a major role in the spinoff "Better Call Saul". Hat's off to Jonathan Banks!!! You may remember him in Beverly Hills Cop back in 1984? He played the henchman who Eddie Murphy flipped over the buffet table.

[@headwound]

@@CribNotes Wow I never knew that about Jonathan Banks' casting, that's amazing! He feels like such an integral part of the brba universe.

[@CribNotes]

@@headwound Oh yeah. Jonathan Banks walked on the set and took his place as if Breaking Bad was written for him!! Vince Gilligan's ability to adjust his creative vision on the fly is a big part of Breaking Bad's success. Also note another example. Jesse was originally supposed to DIE at the end of the first season!! LOL. But Aaron Paul's performance combined with his onscreen chemistry alongside Bryan Cranston made Vince Gilligan change his mind and keep Jesse Pinkman in the story. A brilliant and bold move for Vince Gilligan to chuck his original story plan like that.

[@Mister_Belvidere]

That's John de Lancie. He's a fantastic actor. He's probably best known as Q in Star Trek the Next Generation.

[@shaneanigans440]

I just noticed the sweater Walt was wearing is a similar color to the bear in the last scene. Both underwater while everything is on fire.

[@dariodelvoije]

I recently rewatched better call saul, breaking bad and el camino in chronological order. Then I found one of your episodes and loved it. So I started rewatching breaking bad once again through your eyes. Hope you'll watch El Camino and BCS after this. But I'm pretty sure you will, seeing how you're enjoying this. Keep up the great reactions and analysis. Still learned a few things, even though I've watched many BB and BCS videos/analysis/theories on KZbin. (And watched BB 3 times before you started your series)

[@maximotion2316]

Seen the teddy bear on Janes bedroom wall? Same as in the pool. BB has amazing easter eggs, referenced, and how the play with colours is outstanding.

[@vladutmarica3765]

You make this series great again to me which I've seen it 2 times front to back that is how immersed you re in it

[@mikesied]

Every episode in season 2 that opened with the black and white cold open had a title that gave away the finale. Ep 1 "737". Ep 10 "over". Ep 12 "Phoenix". Ep 13 "ABQ"

[@kupoflupo3346]

I just wanna say I appreciate you, your videos and your commentary, man. One of the highlights of my week.

[@rumham7466]

3:38 oh that was cool how everything in the scene is black and white except the bear. I’ve seen this countless times and never noticed that small bit

[@john.c.munoz04]

I never realized until someone mentioned it that he said “disregard” because he said Jane. But it wasn’t on purpose. I don’t know why I used to think he did it on purpose or at least he just couldn’t say anything because he still wasn’t in the right head space.

[@toddjefferson8761]

Love the insane detail of each episode with black and white intros and their titles: SEVEN THIRTY SEVEN DOWN OVER ABQ AND MIKE! One of the best characters

[@JamesVSCinema]

Crazy when putting it together!

[@cliffnewman6390]

Also, $737,000 was the original number Walter needed to quit cooking to support his family.

[@toddjefferson8761]

@@cliffnewman6390 They all have double meanings, that's what is so impressive!

[@timreno72]

One of those secrets that I was dying to say but refrained. Not a spoiler but in TWD the blue meth comes up. Fan theory is that the meth may have caused the zombie apocalypse. Just fun fan theory.

[@ricochetsixtyten]

Been watching BB since 2008 and never noticed that... wow! Props!

[@weirdguy1495]

I like that the episode all about cause and effect also introduces a fan favorite in place of another.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Pacing is on another level!

[@InstrumentalHeaven23]

The 1st, 4th, 10th and 13th episodes of Season 2 all began with black and white teaser scenes, preparing us for the aftermath of the crash. Each of the episode titles put together come out to Seven Thirty-Seven, Down, Over, ABQ.

[@xCPTxNEMO]

Been watching your vids on this and I felt the need to revisit Breaking Bad again for perhaps maybe the third time. It really is a show worth rewatching, especially when it comes to looking at the other characters as they aren’t just there for the background.

[@n4rf645]

It's a red herring with a twist because while it's not what you expect at all, it's the consequences of Walt's actions that quite literally rain down on him.

[@MarcusLB1998]

“Jesse needs to go somewhere like Alaska”🤐🤫

[@derps0n839]

Jonathan Banks has been in a lot of TV and movies since the mid 1970s. Mostly just bit parts, but he would be well known to these showrunners who are experts at making side characters.

[@cherizar1854]

I feel like the plane crash is a great way for the writers to portray the reach of Walt's actions. Walt keeps trying to rationalize all the evil things he does, telling himself (and at times, other characters) that it was the only choice he had, or somehow trying to minimize the impact of his actions. But there's no escaping the fact that it was him watching Jane die and refusing to do anything about it (which Im sure he rationalized as "if i dont do this, ill loose Jesse. Either to an overdose, or because he'll leave me, and we cant have that. What's one more dead junkie in the world?") that lead to his father's distress, which lead to the horrible mistake he made costing hundreds of people's lives. I always felt it was a way the show was condemning Walt's way of thinking and actions and telling the audience "No, you can't just do things like this and tell yourself it's ok because you had reasons. Each action has consequence. Each person--even a drug addict like Jane--has value because they have people who love them, and whether you decide to be a force of good or evil can quite literally change the world for the better or the worse."

[@colin72]

Get over that some people said he did it for his family at the start. That’s why he initially did it. I assume the people saying that have seen the series. They/we know more than you. We know how this plays out. We know what happens and what is said. You don’t need to lecture anyone who has seen BB on Walt’s motives.

[@roybernaljr921]

Just realized something crazy about this episode. Correct me if I’m wrong. Remember Skylar’s first day at her job she had on a blue dress, and Walter asked if she was going to a funeral. This episode Jane’s father picks out almost the exact blue dress for Jane’s funeral.

[@JohnSmith-wh2ob]

Btw he did do it for his family it 100% started that way and it can still exist though it’s not even close to the main reason anymore it’s more of a residual effect of him just wanting to do it if that makes sense I’ve watched this show 5 times and I’ve picked up more nuance and ways to interpret each time I watch we can talk about it cuz I love talking about this show lol

[@ObscureOutlaw]

he def didnt do it for his family. Why would he decline gretchen and elliots offer in season 1?

[@owenyoung9915]

Hard disagree. He thought he was going to die so he wanted to prove his genius, and raise hell and feel big. He was just telling himself he did it for the family as an excuse to rationalize his actions.

[@Pir-o]

@@ObscureOutlaw Because of his ego, because he wasted his whole life and felt unappreciated, like he never lived up to his potential. The show started with him being a pushover even on his own birthday party. That plus Gretchen and her husband fucked him over. Still doesn't change the fact that the reason he started doing it was for his family. But later he got addicted to it. He continued to do it cause it made him feel powerful.

[@Pir-o]

@@lainwakura First of all, watch out with those spoilers. James is reading those comments you know? Also way to ignore the whole show and focusing only on the last episode lol. Its like you guys are trying to dumb down the show. Sure, eventually at some point he realized he was doing it for himself but the thing that pushed him to do it was because he was scared of living his family without money.

[@ObscureOutlaw]

@@Pir-o I disagree, even Vince gilligan has talked about how Walter doing it for his family from the start has always been a lie that even HE believed. Walter basically had something snap with that pilot and launched him onto the journey of becoming Heisenberg. I’m sure there is truth to him wanting to give money to his family but it 100% stemmed from his need of control and power, and providing money to his family was the lie to help him start. He believed it up until the end until he admitted, it was all for him.

[@trevorwhite7314]

Mike is great, another reason to see the spin-off if you have the chance, he really gets more time to shine

[@Mokoflama]

ABQ is Albuquerque. The 1st episode of this season is called “Seven Thirty-Seven” which was the amount of $ Walt calculated he needed. The plane most likely a 737 Boeing, everything tied together

[@bigredtlc1828]

Such great storytelling. They played the long game with the snippets of the crash aftermath throughout the season. Really well done. When you see so much dreck out there in media, this really shines through.

[@cooperlittle3859]

Never noticed how similar mr wolf and finger are. Perfect comparison

[@Attelocin217]

It did start off with him doing it for his family. They weren't wrong about that. It just transformed between then and now.

[@OpenMawProductions]

8:32 He was, but over the course of the first season and a half his motive changed. When he realized it gave him control, and power, and confidence, and when he realized that his primary motive for doing it was "destroyed" visa vi the cancer going into remission, then it became nothing but ego. He was poisoned by the sense of control.

[@arshvirpannu3780]

A little cool thing that Vince added was that every episode’s title of a black n white foreshadow are: “737, down, over, ABQ” this hints that a Boeing 737 falls down over abq.

[@DragonIsNotASlave]

Oh Sweet Summer Child, what do you know of how one can break bad. Just to say that each season gets better and better. It’s a rollercoaster ride for sure.

[@ToneLone69]

9:57 they also did that with hank when he showed Walt Tucos grill, he held it up and the camera lined it up with Walt’s mouth👀🔥

[@derbydriver]

I love that the donation website notification is a bell, which sounds identical to the one used by Tio.

[@artao5]

~2:20 - You talk about the lack of caring and the lengths people get pushed to. For some reason the song You Ain't Seen Nothin Yet started running thru my head after you said that.

[@Neat0_o]

James, brother. Man, you’ve always been the best at this genre on YT but here lately you’ve been killing more than usual I feel. If you’re ever in SC I’d love to hike and talk filmmaking my man. Stay blessed my friend.

[@wildmoose3979]

Its so sick that throughout the seasons the major plot episodes were all named in sequence to spell out the words "747 Down Over ABQ" in reference to the plane crash in this episode

[@jaydead863]

i think this is a story abt drugs and addiction. walt starts out committing crimes in order to help his family. but with that he gets a taste of power and being in charge(this being his high from doing his drug of choice which is committing crimes). and like most drug users the initial reason for using the first time changes as you become addicted. he quickly loses focus on why he started and begins the wreck less journey of chasing that dragon(his need for more power and control). the further he goes down the rabbit hole of committing crimes the faster he falls into more serious and deadly acts. while losing bit by bit what made him walt(a teacher, father, husband, productive member of society) the sickness of addiction clouds his mind and consumes his identity with his heisenberg alter ego. much like most drug addictions it has become a runaway train plowing thru any and all that crosses his tracks until an obvious conclusion comes to a head. with the only thing left is too look back at the carnage he has left behind him and to see what if anything can be salvaged in the end.

[@debbyemerson3877]

Oh man James! Never heard anyone else even hint that the crash was deliberate. That's dark, which I think shows you're in tune w the show!

[@seukfuhi]

2:00 (James about Jesse) "... he's such a tragic character, and it's heartbreaking to watch...". Indeed. It's even... heartbreaking bad !!

[@triskelionchi3747]

Walter swings between his heart and his ego. He's so smart he fools himself, strung along by his fear and repressed unconscious self

[@koko4620]

I do believe that, in the first episode, when Walter first said that he was only doing it for his family, he wasn't lying. However, the taste of chaos was liberation for him and very quickly spawned a monster that was doing it for his own power. The further he isolates from his identity of life before cancer, especially family, the worse he gets.. Also as someone who works in the operating room every day, it very much feels like being a mechanic 😂

[@dreamcoyote]

I think maybe the factor is: this is what Walter thinks would be best for his family: money and prestige. It's like however you choose to describe what is important to Walter, that's the "currency" that he thinks he needs to provide his family. Someone else might think the most important thing is reputation or just cash. Instead of spending time and love on their family, they sacrifice those things entirely to provide cash or build a reputation. I guess I'm saying that's how Walter expresses "doing it for his family" but, from the outside, we can see it's actually for him, because that's not what his family wants.

[@melanie62954]

@@dreamcoyote Not only money and prestige, but dirty money that they would be ashamed of if they knew!

[@alexhailes4944]

To lose a child is incompressible. But that sells it really well. Life is a gift and make the most of it