Breaking Bad is a good show but the lack of action and the scattered anticipation that has been leading up to nothing is beginning to wear down the show. However, Cornered, besides the punch of the very first episode, remains yet the finest episode this season. Is this a glitter of hope that Breaking Bad is actually building towards something? I like to think that when it comes down to it, it’s a big bang.
Again and again, Gus’ flawless thinking, clarity of opinion and tactical decisions are a thing to write home about. But, even though his rival seems willing to discuss the impasse that is their war, his stubbornness in ignoring advice from his right hand man, police veteran, Mike, to strike back hard at their enemy is also beginning to wear Mike down. Gus decides to have Mike set up a meeting rather than escalate the war.
In the mean time, Gus is focused on his plan to permanently alienate Jesse from Walt. Walt had desperately tried to plant seeds of doubt in Jesse’s mind over Mike’s real motives regarding their road trip from last week. Jesse reacted angrily, deciding to shake off that small part of him that started to think that Walt was right.
In Gus’ strong counter psychological battle with Walt over Jesse, he gives Jesse words of encouragement that seem to even make the viewer doubt whether Gus is only doing this because of Walt. When Jesse had asked Gus, “why me?” Gus replies, “I like to think I see things in people.” In the battle over Jesse, it’s Gus 1, Walt 0. But, I like to think that Gus really sees more in Jesse than is left to be desired and that it doesn’t have to do with Walt alone.
Obviously, Gus is not the kind that trusts anyone. Mike knows it, Jesse knows it and even Walt knows it. In this game of big business and survival, Gus is keen on making sure each and every one of his workers is one another’s surveillance. Make Jesse the floating man between Walt and Mike, especially now that Victor is dead – if he can kill Gale for Walt, with time, who knows, he could be a trusted servant.
Walt seems cornered by the end of this episode. But he’s not alone. Gus has everyone cornered. No one knows what to think. Not even Mike and certainly not Jesse. Maybe Walt is capable of figuring out something. But it has to be plausible. I am tired and bored stiff with Walt, who seems to have a way of pulling out surprise-survival-skills out of his cap like a magician. This has to stop. It is not believable. The gang world does not thrive on luck. And it seems Jesse and Walt have had a more than fair share of it.
Agreed. Let’s see some action!