‘Breaking Bad’ Retro Recap: ‘Live Free or Die’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Normally in our lives, when we conquer a bully that’s pestering us or find a way to remove someone from our lives that is causing us great harm, it’s cause for celebration. Because we stood up for ourselves and we fought our family and our safety, and our boundaries, and we should be applauded for our bravery and often times… those closest to us, will do just that. Because there is pride to be found in watching someone we love rise to the occasion and accomplish great wonders. But what’s fascinating about our world, is that there is a flip side to this type of act, for our world has an underbelly. One full of crime and dark notions and dark movements and well… when someone in that part of our world takes part in this kind of act, there is no celebration.

Simply because… they’ve likely killed that offending person or done something awful to them to remove them from the equation and celebrating that with loved ones is a twisted act for certain, one that could also lead to trouble for the ‘hero’ in question. Since that could also mean that law enforcement is going to have to get involved, and that’s a particular problem that no one in this twisted slice of life would like to deal with and well, that uncomfortable aspect of our world is top of mind today, simply because that’s one of many problems that Walter White was dealing with in the season five premiere of Breaking Bad. For when we catch up with him in ‘Live Free or Die’, mere moments after ‘Face Off’, he’s ecstatic over the fact that he defeated Gustavo ‘Gus’ Fring.

But there is no hero’s welcome waiting for him at home. Nor is there any joy. Instead… there is the somber reality that he just killed a man, and since Skyler is fully aware of what’s happened here, she’s mortified and horrified over what Walter has done to keep his family safe and it makes sense as to why. Because he basically indulged in wanton chaos and murder to get what he wanted and to complicate Walt’s desire to celebrate this win further, there’s no time to waste in solving a problem that no one thought of. For the police saw Gus as the kingpin they’d been looking for, and that meant they would investigate every aspect of his business and his dealings, and that meant the laptop he used to carefully watch over his entire operation would be in police custody and well… Walter wasn’t good with that and knew it needed to be retrieved somehow from the evidence locker at Albuquerque PD for destruction.
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Which seemed to be an impossible task since that place would be, as Mike perfectly pointed out, as difficult as Fort Knox to infiltrate. But thanks to Jesse’s genius, they were able to work with their favorite junkyard manager to build a powerful magnet. One that could rip the laptop toward the wall and smash it to pieces and of course, wipe the drive and well, this amazing plan actually worked, and the guys escaped unharmed, making it appear as though… good times were ahead at last. But Walt’s behavior and attitude in this episode, wiped all that good will away. Because taking down Gus and finally being at the top of the hill, changed Walter… and gave him a newfound confidence. One that saw him intimidate Saul Goodman in a manner he’s never done before and he put the fear of God into Skyler over her affair with Ted and her actions.

Acts that make it inherently clear, that we have indeed reached the endgame with this series, and it won’t be long until Walter White leaves his teacher and everyday guy persona behind to finally embrace the darkness that is Heisenberg and of course… that will bring about nothing but tragedy and sorrow and trouble in the end, as evidenced by the fascinating flash forward at the start of this tale. If anything, this was just an incredible way to kick off season five and an equally as incredible way in which to set the stage for a powerhouse series finale and it will be outright fascinating to watch Heisenberg rise and then watch his entire empire and world fall, as we continue our journey through the fifth and final season, of one of the finest televisions shows to ever grace the airwaves. Until next time.  

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