It really shouldn’t come as a surprise to dedicated fans of Breaking Bad that the show could get more intense. Yet, every week, I and other fans of the show find ourselves in complete shock at what happens as the final episodes continue to unfold.
“Confessions” is an appropriate title for this episode – everyone seems to confess something, whether because they felt they desperately had to, or did it to blackmail their family (I’m looking at you, Walt).
The episode begins with Todd, and he gives Walt a phone call and leaves a message telling him that there has been a change in who is in charge of the business. He then goes into a diner with his uncle and his uncle’s associate and begins telling the story of the great train robbery that occurred in season 5. This is not much of a confession as it is a story, but he told it in such an entertaining way, almost a “you had to be there” kind of moment. Todd is telling this story to impress his uncle, and leaves out the fact he killed an innocent child in the process. The terrifying thing about Todd, and why he makes such a threatening character, is that he has no qualms about what he does. He tries to justify his choices with reason, behind his doe eyes that make him look innocent.
The episode then shifts back to the room where Jesse is being questioned by Hank. Hank tries to get Jesse to confess, but to no avail. He even says that he knows his brother-in-law is Heisenberg to see if Jesse confesses. During this time is when Hank confesses something himself, and breaks the character that the audience type casted him as for so long - the jokester, the funny guy. He seems to break down in front of Jesse, saying, “My own brother-in-law, lying to me for over a year. Using me. Maybe you understand that feeling. Help me out here Jesse, and we’ll put him away.” This peak at Hank’s character, how he does feel victimized by Walt, shows how desperate he is to put Walt behind bars. Hank is now telling this to someone he had beaten mercilessly before, and is hoping that there is some kind of olive branch being extended with trying to relate to Jesse in the realist possible way. Yet this doesn’t work, but Hank’s words do have an impact on Jesse when he later is told by Walt to call Saul, have his friend find him a new identity, and disappear forever. Walt comes off as a father figure trying to help Jesse, but Jesse catches on quickly. He finally confronts Walt, and yells at him to tell him the truth, and to stop working him: “Just ask me for a favor. Just tell me you don’t give a shit about me.” He even brings up that he knows Walt killed Mike, and just begs not to be lied to or manipulated any more. Walt, in response, hugs a crying Jesse. At first I thought it was an awkward way to end things, but I think Walt was thanking Jesse for at least being honest.
A family showdown of epic proportions happens when Walt, Skyler, Hank, and Marie agree to meet at a Mexican restaurant. The tension is palpable from the beginning. A poor waiter is subjected to all of this, and realizes that they are not there for the food. “So, how about that guacamole?” is officially going to be my way of breaking an awkward silence, while blackmailing my brother and sister in law or on a terrible first date. Both seem equally horrifying. Originally, they talk about what is best for Walt Jr. and Holly, and then the conversation turns. Fun loving Marie turns to Walt and says, “just kill yourself” since it all ends when Walt dies. Skyler says that they will accomplish nothing by convicting Walt, and they decide to leave. Walt leaves a CD on the table, and walks away. Later on, Marie and Hank stand in shock in front of their television, and as your watching, you feel like you are Marie and Hank in this situation. Walt blackmails Hank in the tape, and says he started the meth business under Hank’s control. Damn, Walt. For someone who previously said, “Hank is family” as a defense, blackmailing isn’t something you do to family.
Jesse decides to take Walt’s advise, and calls Saul. He is waiting to get picked up to start a new life with a new identity, when he has a sudden realization. Jesse realizes that Huell lifted his weed, and then realized that he also pick pocketed the ricin cigarette. Jesse is finally able to connect the dots – Huell stole the cigarette for Walt from Jesse to frame Gus for poisoning Brock, to win Jesse back. Jesse goes back to Saul’s and holds him at gunpoint after beating him mercilessly, and asks him for the truth. Saul said that yes, Walt asked him to get the cigarette, but wouldn’t have done it if he knew he was going to poison Brock. Jesse has finally reached his breaking point, and goes to Walt’s house and begins to douse it in gasoline. The episode ends before he lights the fire, but next episode might start out with Walt’s house engulfed in flames. Their relationship has officially ended. Maybe Jesse will now convict Walt without an ounce of remorse because of this broken trust.