Talking Big

This is an amazing episode. Just a masterpiece of thematic writing and visuals, mixed. The motel Hank brings Walter, Jr. to is called the Crystal Palace, according to Hank, but the sign on the roof says Crossroads. This is the master image of the episode. First, we’re at a genre crossroads, since this errand on which Marie has sent Hank with Walter, Jr. is based on a misunderstanding. Misunderstandings and the hijinks of lying-to-your-wife are the hallmarks of sitcoms. Even Jesse’s mistake with the acid in Episode 2 leads to a hilarious shot and reaction by Walt. We are about to enter territory, though, that no laugh track will make funny. We are about to find out this is a situation tragedy.

Walt is at a crossroads in his moral posture to the universe. Both Krazy 8 and Jesse tell him things about himself. “This line of work doesn’t suit you,” Krazy 8 says. And Jesse indirectly pegs Walt as a man of integrity by demanding he honor the coin flip. “Coin flips is sacred.” “As per the coin…” And, well, he is. Walt does a moral calculus on a yellow pad. He’s wearing yellow as he does it, by the way. There are several reasons not to do it. On the other side of the ledger, the reason to do the killing is stark and urgent. Walt tells Krazy, “You gotta convince me.” He only needs 1 good reason not to kill him.

We’re at the genre crossroads when the camera pulls out enough to see Walt is doing the calculus on the shitter. Yet, it’s the shitter where chunks of body got flushed. “Get out before it’s too late,” Krazy warns. Another crossroads moment. By the way, Krazy incepts in Walt’s brain the idea to be a poisoner.

They bought Walter Junior’s crib at Krazy’s father’s furniture store. This is a crossroads moment in the locality of the story. We are as local as local gets. We know the story will spread out. But Domingo, although probably Mexican, is a local kid. Born and raised in ABQ. Later, Hank says to Gomez, “You people used to be conquistadores for Christsakes.” We won’t be staying home.