The changes in Jesse's personality over the course of Breaking Bad are far more subtle than those we've seen in Walter White. Perhaps it's because Jesse is much younger and had more room to mature and develop a sense of conscience. Or maybe it's just in his nature to maintain some sense of value for human life. Whereas Walt has crossed over into the dark side, and I would be genuinely surprised if there's any turning back for him. As he put it last night, he's in the empire business.
It's unsurprising that Mike and Jesse seem to be prepared to walk away, though I suspect Mike's reasoning is less about being disturbed by the sight of a child being shot as it is realizing this house of cards is teetering and with the hot breathe of the law tickling the back of his neck, it may be time to cash in the chips and move on. Meanwhile, Jesse's had enough. There was a time when asserting dominance and having a bit of authority seemed to appeal to the guy, but now he wants off the ride. But what are Walt's options? If he were to walk away now, he might have more money than he was initially looking to acquire, but can he really go back to being the guy he was before? What's an aspiring emperor without an empire to pursue? Who is he without this game?
There are just two episodes left for the first half of Season 5 of Breaking Bad, after which we have to wait until next summer for the final eight episodes to close out this series, for better or worse. Here's the preview for next week's episode, titled "Say My Name."
There's a raid ahead! I have this dark feeling that something very bad is going to happen soon. We're definitely building up to something. I'm feeling more and more sure that either Hank or Marie will discover Walt's secret at some point in the next few episodes, but I also have this ominous feeling that someone (maybe Mike?) won't make it out of this half of the season alive.
Also, the above promo gives us a glimpse of the scene that's intro'ed in the clip below. Walt's prepped for a face off. And I'm thinking the episode's title ties into that as Walt appears to be prepared to put a face to the name against some of the competition in town. But will they buy into his tough-guy act? Or is Walt going to be knocked down a peg?
This scene could end ugly. Sometimes Walt's way of making a point means something bad has to happen…
Breaking Bad airs Sundays at 10:00 p.m. ET on AMC.
