Breaking Bad: “Salud” Review
We’re back to that point… the point where I can’t find any criticism about this show. That’s okay, though, I’m more than willing to give out praise when its deserved. If you’ve been reading my reviews this season, I’ve been a bit critical at times (“Cornered” in particular). While, yes, Season 4 had a strange transition at first, these last few episodes have been nothing short of fantastic.
And “Salud” does not disappoint. This is a near-perfect episode that tries something new and pays off tremendously. The biggest risk is taking the action out of Albuquerque and setting Jesse, Gus, and Mike in Mexico. As audience members, we know something’s going to go terribly wrong… that’s the world of Breaking Bad. But Jesse doesn’t screw up (as Walt predicted last week). No, we does really well, impressing the cartel, Gus, and Mike in the process. And then we get the reveal: Jesse needs to stay in Mexico.
Though the central action takes place in Mexico, things are just as intense in New Mexico. How sad was that scene of Skyler giving Walt, Jr. the PT Cruiser? That was a well chosen car from the writer’s standpoint - I could see Skyler picking it out. Though the scene was uncomfortable to watch, what did Skyler expect? She just made him return the Challenger.
But the strongest scenes here occur between Walt and his son. First, Bryan Cranston was great in his drug-induced sob. And to top it off, he called his own son Jesse. That was brutal, and reminds us of how little we see Walter, Jr. But it’s the scene the next morning that’s worth mentioning. Walt’s monologue about his father’s death and memory was so well-written and performed.
It added a layer of humanity to Walt that’s been missing this season. I love how Walter, Jr. turned the story on its head, telling his father that he’d rather see him vulnerable than the way he’s been since the lung cancer diagnosis.
Meanwhile, Skyler tries to resolve Ted’s audit by giving him the money anonymously. Ted spends the money on other goods (as Saul predicted) and Skyler confronts him. I have to say, her choice took me by surprise. She flat out told Ted that she provided the money. It’s hard to know where that’s going… we’ll just have to wait until next week to find out her explanation.
”Salud” ends masterfully with Gus finally getting his revenge against Don Eladio for the events in “Hermanos.” But of course, things don’t go exactly as planned. Though Gus poisons all the central threats (in a scene that reminds me of an episode of The Twilight Zonecalled “The Jeopardy Room”), the poison doesn’t quite leave his system.
Worst of all, Mike is shot, as Gus slowly collapses in the back seat. Things are looking pretty damn grim, and we’ll have to see where Jesse goes. Let’s hope that there’s a friendly hospital or something nearby. With three episodes left, I don’t imagine the momentum slowing down. But that begs the question: how much more intense can things get?
-MP
Note: The review is from Review Hub Central.
