‘Breaking Bad’ Retro Recap: ‘Mandala’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

We all have a particular dream when it comes to the respective career field that each and every one of us want to get into. In that, we hope one day that we will run into someone in said field, that recognizes the passion we carry and the talent we exhibit and gives us one shot to chase our dream. Because we know deep down, that if we get that opportunity, we will stick the landing and impress everyone in that field and finally find the peace and joy we’ve always known our dream job will bring us. But alas, that rarely happens, and we know full well that hard work and dedication is what will get us to the top, someday. But that doesn’t stop us from wondering what that magical moment would look like, to the point where creative minds explore it often in storytelling, even in shows where the dream gig is an unsavory one… such as Breaking Bad.

After all, Walter White’s dream is to become the biggest drug dealer in the great state of New Mexico and oddly enough, he gets that dream opportunity to show off his stuff in the next episode of his storied saga. But not right away. No instead, the opening moments of ‘Mandala’ are filled with a somber reminder that the drug trade is indeed a dangerous and scary affair, as evidenced by the fact that one of Walt and Jesse’s dealers dies while trying to peddle the finest meth in the ABQ in new territory, where Heisenberg isn’t welcome. Thanks to the fact that the truth about the ATM incident is out in the open, robbing Jesse and Walt of any fear they hoped to engender and sadly, this setback leaves Walt and Jesse despondent again and understandably so. For once more, they have run into a major setback into fulfilling their dream of striking it rich.

But a conversation with good ol’ Saul Goodman, allows for Walter to finally get that one shot in question. For Saul knows a guy, who knows a guy, who also knows a guy… that is interested in quietly selling quality product. Something he’s been able to do under the radar for twenty years. Which brings Walt and Jesse to a cozy chicken joint known as Los Pollos Hermanos where… nothing happens. For their contact never shows and eventually tells Saul he wants no part of a deal with the dynamic duo, and well, that pisses Walt right off. Because he knows he has the goods and that a major dealer will make crazy money with his amazing product, and that motivates him to return to the restaurant and seek out the manager of the joint, one Gustavo ‘Gus’ Fring. Because Walter knows in his gut that this is the contact he was waiting for and well, he was right, since Gus eventually fesses up that he's the guy.

Which allowed for Walt to have a powerful and tense conversation with Gus, the kind that eventually motivated Mister Fring to relent on his earlier decision and give Walt the chance he so desperately wanted. But even then, some unfortunate roadblocks popped up in regard to Walt proving his worth. Because Jesse once again coped with the ugly stuff by getting high… to the point where he even sucked Jane back into the world of drugs. Forcing Walt to rip Pinkman’s place to shreds to get the product and to complicate matters further, baby Heisenberg is on the way and well, while this episode made it clear that we would likely do whatever it takes to have the dream come true, since it is clear that Walter had no issue with breaking down a door and ignoring calls from his wife, to be there for the birth of his child… we will have to wait a little longer to see this all-important moment come to its happy conclusion. For this episode ends before Walter can deliver the goods.

Which is a tad frustrating, since we want to see Walt complete this leg of his dark journey. But while we wait to see exactly how Walt impresses Gus, and earns his way into the big time, we can bask in one amazing tale. One that really did show us how dedicated Walter is to the trade and to becoming the biggest dealer in the state, if not the region and this is also another important keystone episode in the franchise as well. For this one features the first ever appearance of Giancarlo Espositio as Gus Fring, a character that would be pivotal in seasons to come, and he would even find his way into Better Call Saul as well, since that series shows us the construction of something that is just around the bend for Walter White and well, all of these elements definitely leave us eager to continue to the journey. So, we can settle in discuss more important and pivotal moments in the tragedy that awaits us. Until next time.  

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