Lilly of the Valley: This Week on Breaking Bad (Episode 3 / July 29, 2012)

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EPISODE 3: Hazard Pay

THE HOOK:

There's a gaping hole in the Meth distribution market. Walter White has crowned himself king, but this kingdom comes with a cost and those close to Walt are starting to realize a dark change is coming.

THE LOWDOWN:

Alright, tonight I feel like a lot happened and it was all good. I loved the opening with Mike going out of his way to not only cover their asses but uphold the "honor amongst thieves" criminal code of integrity. I like that. There's nothing cooler than being able to say, "you have my word" and that's that. It's like when Marsellus Wallace told Jules he was sending the Wolf and Jules was like, "That's all you had to say." Gus was honorable, hell even Tuco's crazy ass was honorable to a point and that's what I like to see. People helping people baby. They're not as easy going as the OCEAN'S ELEVEN crew, but whatever works.

I have to say that beyond a doubt four heads are better than three when it comes to Mike, Saul and the boys. Their portable lab idea is ingenious, you just can't ask for a cooler idea. It looks like a royal pain in the ass to execute, but I can't argue the logic. On that note, it's damn good to see Walt and Jesse suit back up and do what they do best. Their talk about trust was moving, and further fuels my thoughts toward and emotional showdown between the two later on. And talk about a powerful scene, Walt coming face to face with Brock. Damn. I can't help but wonder if he was trying to plant seeds in Jesse's mind simply because his guilty conscience couldn't bear to see Brock on a regular basis. Who knows, but it's a bit of a raw deal for Jesse. Dude just can't seem to win with the ladies.

Speaking of ladies, that was quite a meltdown from Skyler. Don't get me wrong, Marie is one of the most annoying chicks on the planet. She got off lucky with a verbal scolding. I'd have done the same thing only with a chair. Walt earns extra points for being a smooth navigator as he definitely guided his plane out of the danger zone with that misdirecting story of adultery. Well played sir, well played. I wouldn't let it go to your head though brother, because Hank won't be so easily fooled.

BREAKING BAD SEASON 5's third episode gets the ball rolling and sets some ground rules that you know are going to get broken. Mike and Walt are constantly issuing silent challenges to one another, but both know they need each other...for now. The second that changes, you can bet your ass sparks will fly. And what about that SCARFACE scene? For my money, you can't get much better than Al Pacino's Tony Montana. The look on Skyler's face when she walks in to find Walt, Walt Jr. and their little baby all watching the epic finale was intense. That look coupled with Walt saying, "yeah, everybody dies in this movie" really hit home with Skyler and you know she was thinking the same thing we all are: Is that what's in store for them?

DRUG RELATED PROTIP:

Beware fumigation companies as they could very well be cooking more than just vermin in your house. Oh, and inflation is still a bitch even if you own the business.

BEST LINE:

I know the trailer I posted last week ruined the surprise but Mike saying to Walt, "Just because you shot Jesse James, don't make you Jesse James." That's pure gold right there.

BITCH-O-METER:

Damn it Jesse, I rack my brain trying to come up with a witty extra for this column and you stop using your catchphrase. Badger said it once tonight, does that count?

COOLEST SCENE:

I don't know peeps you might disagree with me here, but I have to say this one goes to Walt and Brock sitting on the couch in silence. Brock's playing video games and Walt's brooding only to look over at him in awe, guilt and no doubt many other mixed emotions.

FINAL VERDICT:

TELL US WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF THIS EPISODE BELOW!