As of this week, there are only 13 episodes left in AMC’s freakishly addictive, devilishly brilliant Breaking Bad, and while it won’t be winding up for a little over a year yet – with the 16-episode season being split in half – we are already seeing the cogs of destiny turning for Walter White and co. One can expect that by the time episode 8 rolls around, we are going to be fully aware of the trajectory things are likely to take, and here are 10 things that Vince Gilligan should be steering towards in that time.
Skyler’s moral compass has slowly been heading south over the course of the show, initially demonstrating repulsion at Walt’s behaviour – even threatening to report him to the authorities – but now acting as what would legally be termed an accessory, her silent acceptance of his actions implying a tacit approval, as she helps operate the car wash that serves as a means of laundering Walt’s sizable funds. The most telling scene, however, came during the season five premiere, as Skyler learns that Ted is still alive. Upon visiting him, she observes the extent of the assault she ordered – albeit not expecting such excessive results – and though initially horrified, quickly puts up a defensive, callous and cold exterior once Ted assures her that he won’t be turning her in. It isn’t clear how exactly she would break bad, but I imagine it would be in the name of her family, and likely directed towards Walt.
2. No More Ted Beneke
After what appeared to be a hilariously apt – not to mention Coen Brothers-esque – departure for Ted Beneke at the end of season four, oranges and all, it was somewhat disappointing that he proved to be alive in season five. What was a humourous situation – in which a weaselly, overly proud man essentially gets killed by his own carpet – is considerably less funny when that same man survives and languishes around in agony in a hospital. While Vince Gilligan could very well continue to explore Beneke’s post-accident life, and specifically his murky financial issues that could, if probed deeply enough, provide problems for Skyler, the feeling is that his “arc” is finished. If the point of his survival was to prove that Skyler is herself getting dangerously close to breaking bad, then mission accomplished.
Read on: What Culture
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