Yeah, was really surprised by that. He hasn't had a lot of good material in the show's run, but that was a really great part. You could feel what he was feeling there.

How crazy is it that this was only the halfway point? If they give us this in the middle of the season, I feel like after watching the season finale my head's going to end up like the second twin.

They put a warning message at the beginning of the show.

I thought Hank was done, first the twins were ready to kill him and then Jesse was going to ruin his life forever. That last scene was really well done, this season I've really liked the cinematic directing of the show. Really good camera shots.

Also, from the beginning, it seems Gus is from South America, the uncle called him "Sudaca" an slur name for someone from South America (Colombia and below). And of course he said that he didn't trust him.
Also, he said family is first or the most important thing. My guess is that the "twins" have more family back in Mexico, so are they going for revenge too? against Gus?

I wondered that too. It did seem a little reckless.

I think Walt and Jesse have a very complicated relationship. All at once they are father and son, teacher and student, business partners, friends, criminals, and enemies. There is a level of mutual disrespect and antagonism; Jesse recognizes that they are both the same, but Walt likes to think he is better than Jesse.

Walt has a soft spot for Jesse; they've been through a lot together and Walt doesn't want to be responsible for yet another death. He knows that if Jesse is out on his own he will get caught and rat out Walt. Walt's only options are to let Jesse get back to work and eventually ruin things for Walt, let Gus have Jesse killed, or bring in Jesse to protect Jesse and to protect Walt. Will it be difficult to accomplish that given the heat that is around Jesse now? Yes, but I'm sure they'll figure out a safe way to accomplish his participation.

There's a lot more to it than just Combo dying. It's everything really. The police, losing his girlfriend, losing his house, his friend dying, the stuff he's had to do, the way Walt's treated him, etc. It's all been building toward this meltdown, toward the venting of frustration. Walt has constantly bullied Jesse around, exploited him, insulted him, and controlled him. It was everything and Jesse has finally grown up and realized what he needs to do for himself.

I think they are just as bad-ass as they were trying to appear. These guys shot and killed an entire truck full of illegal immigrants, then burnt the truck; they decapitated Tortuga; they killed the officer with an axe and presumably murdered whoever lived at that house. These aren't good guys; everything they have done has oozed confidence, intimidation, and a complete disregard for human life. Had Hank not been tipped off, they would have successfully killed him. I'm just surprised they did it out in the open, but I suspect they were really growing impatient. They planned for him having a gun (bulletproof vests) and the only reason they failed was because someone tipped him off. If the brother wouldn't have insisted on killing Hank with an axe, Hank wouldn't have survived the episode.

I liked the foreshadowing at the beginning of the GI Joe having his head and legs ripped off.

The family thing was also relating to Walt's situation with Hank. Remember when Skyler said he had to help him cause he's family and Walt said "not currently".

Thanks for pointing that out. I didn't even make the connection.

Holy shit that was some insane television. Those last few minutes....the best. And wow the guy from last thread (forgot who it was) totally called it when he said Hank would take out the brothers.

am i the only one that wants to see Hank get whacked? His character is such an obnoxious blowhard..

Not me.
I don't want to see him whacked, but it seems necessary for the story as things escalate.
I like his character and all of his "blowhard" posturing - and he's played pitch-perfect by Dean Norris.

Damn, that parking lot scene was outstanding...

Afraid it may have just been you, Lokimok. This show blows me away, and this episode was phenomenal. I thought Walt was being careful going to Jesse's room, looking around, etc., and there was no one posted there. Walt is just doing the "keep your friends close and your enemies closer"--it may not be good to have Jesse near him but it's better than having Jesse out for blood for Hank and already saying he'd turn on Walt in a heartbeat.

I liked when Hank was told Jesse wouldn't be pressing charges: He's happy but also the cop in him really wants to know "Why not?"

The final scene was crazy intense, if not just a little contrived with the free bullet (of the same caliber) dropping right next to Hank. Still, that silver axe handle dragging along the parking lot...

Best hour of television so far this year, hands down. Amazing and great to see Aaron Paul get some really emmy worthy scenes. Loved the ending and am glad that Jesse and Walt are back to being partners - partners with a shitload of baggage. The rest of this season is going to be CRAZY. Can't wait.

The twins never struck me as smart. But going to the trunk for an ax seems extraordinarily dumb. They're in public in broad daylight. Police are undoubtedly on their way. He still has to pick up his brother and carry him to the car. Just kill the guy and get the hell out of their while you still have a chance.


There is nothing to lead back to Gus. All that the remaining twin will know is they got into a shootout with a cop and things didnt go so well. Even if Hank mentions in his report that he was tipped off. That wouldn't be public knowledge.

Gus got what he wanted. The Twins are out of his way and his hands are clean.

Hank has to die.

He'll end up learning about Walt, there's no way that doesn't happen, unless they dumb down his character, but being Breaking Bad I don't think they will allow that to happen. Also, the way he has acted the whole series, when he learns about Walt's activities there's no way he becomes a "partner" or something. So yeah, he has to die.

Was brand was that axe? Is that design the standard for all axes? It looked really cool. Yeah, suburbia guy here, don't know anything about axes.

I liked this review: http://www.avclub.com/articles/one-minute,40693/

They have a link there to this flickr album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/2486947...7623732482564/

were the two kids at the beginning a flashback on the twins or just the whacko that possibly raised them?

Incredible episode. Every scene in this show is so carefully crafted. Loved the color selection in the Tio scene, the music all around, and the way the camera followed the axe in the final scene. Great stuff.

So, Gus used to be a South American general? Or was Tio being sarcastic? I'm guessing Gus was just a soldier.

Love this show.

Yep, they were the twins (the Cousins). The AMC website confirms this. And the man was Tio.

Yeah, that's a pretty badass axe.

Suburbia guy here, too, but my axe has a red rubber handle. Not so badass.
(And I have no idea why I even own an axe. I think I once chopped up a bush with it).

That was me.

I had a feeling it would work out that way, and just like with Tuco he'll be an even bigger hero, and even more freaked out with his career.

Great episode. I'm glad Jesse and Walt are back together.

Funny how Skylar looks around in Walt's apartment and says "I guess crime pays..." , but when she is being pampered and banged at Ted's place, she doesn't say "I guess crime pays...." to Ted.

Good point. I also liked how Walt tried to downplay he had any sort of relationship with Jesse. Quick on his feet.

LOL! You guys really hate Skylar.

For me it might also carry over because the actress's character on Deadwood was pretty annoying.