‘Breaking Bad’ Retro Recap: ‘Bullet Points’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There are a great many reasons as to why fans and critics hold the AMC series, Breaking Bad, in such high regard. Because not only was this story a modern great American tragedy, one that truly showed us how the American Dream can corrupt us as much as inspire us, but it also told its harrowing tale in an unconventional and fresh manner. One that felt painfully real at times, since it was complete with the ebbs and flows of everyday life and it remains one of the few shows out there, that was able to change its pacing on a moment’s notice and still satisfy its audience. Which is a testament to its writing and its character building and well, the show’s ability to shift gears on a moment’s notice is of note today, simply because the next episode in this series utilized that storytelling tool once again.
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For ‘Bullet Points’ is a story that is one-half character study and one-half crime drama, and it pulls off this particular feat by once again immersing us in the strange life that Walter and Skyler White now lead. Because with the purchase of the car wash nearing completion, questions were quickly going to arise about how the White family managed to pony up the dough for such an item when Walt was out of work and recovering from major surgery and that motivated Skyler to put together one epic backstory. One that answered any and all questions people might have and well, the plan was to try this routine out in front of Hank and Marie at dinner… since they would notice such a big transaction first and really, this was just a fascinating sequence to watch. Since it took a drug dealer’s conundrum and normalized it and made it mundane, creating a strange sense of realism. 

Plus, it really spoke to how far Skyler and Walter have transformed themselves as characters. Since they now have no problems with breaking the law and getting theirs, provided of course they can do it without any scrutiny and that just goes to show that a transition to ‘evil’, for lack of a better word, is quick in nature once someone makes the choice to embrace it and well, while we could have watched more of that for an entire hour, there was mention of a crime drama twist to this tale. Which oddly enough, came about at dinner with the Schraders. Because Hank couldn’t resist showing Walter his new side project, and no… we’re not talking about the minerals (rocks) in his bedroom, although he did show those off, we’re talking about Gale’s notebook. Because it was a damn blueprint to the superlab and it had a hint that Walter was involved in all this. A clue he thankfully was able to deflect and well, that motivated Walt to speak with Jesse right away.

Because he had to know if there were any clues left behind at Gale’s, that might bring this wondrous wall of money crashing down around everyone and sadly… Walt was unable to get anything out of him. For Jesse was still in his dark place, where drugs and sex and partying were the only cure to his blues and that in turn… led to some trouble for certain. For Gus has been watching closely for some time now, and Jesse’s detachment left him quite concerned. To the point where he had Mike step in and handle a thief that stole all of Jesse’s drug money, and when Mike’s attempts to get through to Jesse didn’t work… well, he took some extra steps to show him how important discretion and care are in this job, by taking Jesse into the desert. Hopefully to have a little heart to heart, and really, in the end, all of these elements make this another great episode from a truly iconic franchise. Simply because everything here, keeps your attention from start to finish by way of compelling and intimate and powerful moments and, as an added bonus… it’s a keystone episode as well.

Because Walt’s long talk with Saul Goodman about how everything is falling to pieces because no one wants to be a professional, brings up mention of a man that helps people to permanently ‘disappear’ without a trace, in a positive manner of course. And that mention sets the stage for some big moments down the line, the kind that start in the climax of this tragedy and wrap up in season five of Better Call Saul, and that’s just epic and huge and a fine reminder that things are going to get very ugly in the days and weeks to come. But even if this episode didn’t have that welcome bit of connective tissue, it would still stand on its own as quite the powerhouse tale, one that has some fine cliffhangers for us to chew upon. For what Mike wants with Jesse remains unresolved and of course, one must be quite curious as to why other criminals are eager to attack Los Pollos Hermanos shipments and well, the only way to resolve those mysteries… is to continue the journey, post haste. Until next time.  

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