So where do they normally work? And what do they do? I imagine they give medical care for Gus' operatives as needed.

I've been confused about the chicken farm vs. the laundry. I originally thought the laundry was at a different location than the chicken farm and it seems that is true. So why were they so worried that Hank would see something at the chicken farm? What is going on there?

When Skyler visited at the beginning and Ted tripped over the carpet I remember thinking that was an odd camera linger ... interesting direction to take that storyline.

Walt has been trying to be threatening this season, but he's been running around, acting insane, and only being a threat to himself. I wonder if, now that he's truly stepped in it, he'll finally use his brain for a way to rationally go after Gus instead of running off half-cocked.

It is definitely a convenient time to have Mike taken out of the equation. He was the ruthless, smart muscle who I would never buy either Walt or Jesse besting. With him out of the way, Gus and his operation has to be at least a bit more vulnerable.

I think the chicken farm, besides being where they have brokered major deals, is the distribution point. It was taken from the lab to the farm so that it could go out in the barrels of batter (unless that is a third area). That is why, I think, they showed them cleaning the place a few episodes ago ... it was probably also where it was measured and packed.

I'm a huge fan of BB, but no this episode (while fantastic) was not better than "The Suitcase." For that episode to really register though, you had to have seen every season of Mad Men. It was an amazing hour of dramatic television.

Holy fuck that was the tensest final ten minutes of a show ever! I'm almost at a loss for words that was just incredible but those last ten or fifteen minutes were just amazingly good. I can't even begin to think how this show is going to go into next season. Gus is such an evil bastard and Walt has really dug himself and his family into a grave. The one person that he could trust he mistreated for so long and if Jesse comes back to save his ass is about the only chance he's got at this point. It's going to be very interesting to see how this all plays out. Best damn show on television.

To repeat what others have said, the last bit of the show was amazing. The laugh, the music, the cinematography...I'd have to say it reminded me of the best moments of movies by Kubrick & Lynch. Vince Gilligan is a genius, I hope he has more opportunities in TV when this is done.

I was really afraid that Walt was going to kill Skyler when she didn't immediately explain why she gave away the money.

Esposito is a credited member of the cast. He was even in the promotion photo for this season that's usually at the top of these threads. While Lithgow was in every season 4 episode of Dexter, he was always billed as a guest star.

I knew as soon as Ted tripped over the carpet that by the end of the episode he was going to die b/c of that carpet. It's like that scene in the movie Out of Sight.

I would agree with the sentiment that knowing there are 18 more episodes has in some lessoned the tension on these. I can't imagine what it would be like if they were still vague about the possibility of season 5.

He truly is. I can't wait to see what else he comes up with.

Like others have said, this show keeps getting better. This episode was amazing. I don't want this show to end.

Walt was supposed to take Hank to the farm to show him nothing illegal was going on there so it would throw off his suspicions. That is why they showed them cleaning the place up there before. Hank ruined those plans now with his laundry suspicions.

Wow. I almost felt sorry for Walt; he's in huge hole (of his own making) now. I don't know how they can continue the show without Gus getting killed. Can't wait to see what Vince Gilligan & Co. have in store for the rest of the series.

Holy shit, that was good!

I figured the initial trip over the carpet would be significant, but I didn't imagine it would be to quite that extent.

The scene with Gus tormenting Hector was absolutely brutal. Mark Margolis gave an award worthy performance conveying his emotions without saying a word.

Interesting framing on the last shot with Walt on/in the ground.

Wow. It's all gonna come down to Walt v. Gus.

Is Mike really dead though? They did not make that clear.

What the...? No, he's not dead. Gus said he would come back for Mike later. The doctor said that Mike was too injured to travel. Why in the world would you think he's dead?

Are you talking about Ted or did you actually somehow miss the fact that Mike is quite clearly alive?

I love the plot synopsis in the OP. "Skyler's efforts to solve Ted's financial problems hit a wall."

I wasn't the only one that laughed when Ted tripped and hit his head, right?

I didn't get Ted's reasoning for not paying the IRS. He said if he paid , his life would be ruined anyways since he would be bankrupt and his business gone. But the 600K was money he didn't have before. If he gives the money back to Skylar, he's in the same boat anyways. He thought it was wrong to pay the IRS with illegal gambling money, but it's ok to spend it on his business? I would take going bankrupt over going to prison any day.

It's interesting that Jesse is still defending Walt to Gus, but he is furious when Walt dares to show up at his door again. I think Gus is right and he can eventually turn Jesse to where killing Walt is no problem.

The only thing I don't like about this show is it leaves me craving more! Cant wait for next week.

My bet is that Jesse already poisoned Gus, and he is simply on Gus' side until the poison kicks in. Having Mike out of the picture will help Walt and Jesse, and by the time Mike wakes up, Gus will be dead and maybe Mike will work with them. They spent far too much time with Jesse going over the blood types.

Why would the blood type matter in regards to the ricin?

Nothing. He simply poisoned Gus at some point and time.

I think he was shaking down Skyler for more, but it was very subtle. I mean, Skylar picked up on it, but Ted was being very careful to try and make it seem like it would be her idea. I'm sure he would have been cool if the Whites had sold the car wash and given all the money to him.

He was definitely extorting her...his premise was I'm totally fucked but your not yet, YOU have more to lose so pony up, Bitch

I doubt it. Gus went through some heavy duty dialysis to cleanse his body of the poison he ingested. My guess is it would have taken care of Walt's poison too.

But we didn't see what happened afterwards. Jesse is in Gus' good grace. He will likely put his guard down (if he hasn't already). At some point, after he was out of the 'hospital', I think Jesse poisoned him. The next episode seems to be about a day worth of time, so the 3 day thing is very possible.

Amazing episode. I rofl'd when Ted slipped on the rug.

I have skimmed through the tread because I didn't get a chance to watch it last night. I have it waiting for me right when I get home. But from some of the comments I can't wait!!!!