Recap: Heartstopping 'Breaking Bad' Midpoint Finale 'Gliding Over All' Is The Season's Best Episode

Television

by Cory Everett
September 3, 2012 2:04 PM
19 Comments

Heading into this week’s mid-season finale, we wondered how “Breaking Bad” might try to top last week’s devastating “Say My Name,” which saw fan favorite Mike Ehrmantraut murdered at the hands of the show’s (once) protagonist Walt. Actor Dean Norris slyly teased that this week’s episode would contain an “Oh, shit” moment and fans heads began to spin wondering just how they might top themselves this time. Well, it wasn’t another major death (though there were a record number of deaths) but instead the very beginning of the endgame that the series has been working towards since the pilot: Hank’s realization that his brother-in-law is the same man he’s been hunting down unsuccessfully for over a year. The episode’s title, “Gliding Over All,” is taken from a Walt Whitman poem whose final line reads “Deaths, many deaths I’ll sing.” Oh shit, indeed.

Last week we weren’t sure how Walt would possibly dispatch of Mike and his car before the authorities could find him but it turned out to be no problem at all. With Todd’s help, Walt is able to dispose of body and vehicle without breaking a sweat, it’s practically routine for them now. Much of the episode is punctuated by silence. Walt sits contemplatively and stares into space. Is he feeling any sort of regret for the things he has done or simply continuing to think a few steps ahead whatever still lay in front of him? Creator Vince Gilligan says, “I think Walt is reaping what he has sowed and the wind, so to speak, has gone out of Walt’s sails here. When Walt killed Mike, even he on some level was surprised by his actions. He’s crossed a bridge too far. And he no longer has Jesse and that hits Walt harder than he thinks.” When Jesse shows up, nearly interrupting the dirty work being done to his former friend, Walt ushers him away in a scene that’s played out several times during the series already. Once again, the pair are “broken up” as it were, the tenuous union built on lies had sustained them this half-season is once again severed, perhaps for good.

Walt meets with Lydia to get the names of Mike’s guys in jail. She in turn offers him what appears to be the devil’s deal: Ship to the Czech Republic to start making some real money. During the meeting, Walt seems at a distance with Lydia even though her deal seems like it should appeal to the megalomaniac in Walt. As she leaves we see that he’d brought the ricin capsule and was fully prepared to poison her. His demeanor was simply the result of him re-shifting the plan in his head as her offer rolled across the table. To get the ball rolling quickly, Walt meets with Todd’s connections, some neo-Nazi skinheads and presents them with their impossible mission. “Figure it out. It’s what I’m paying you for,” he bellows.

“Pick Yourself Up” by Nat King Cole begins to play and we enter one of the most bravura sequences in the history of the show as Gus’ 10 former employees are dispatched through truly brutal and shocking violence: stabbings, burnings and head-smashings in a two minute orgy of violence. Director Michelle McClaren says she took inspiration from “The Godfather” for this sequence which would even make Gaspar Noe flinch. Unforgettable. On the other side of this mayhem is Walt with his stopwatch and Hank who’s about to get the worst news of his professional career. Hank is beaten. In a quietly devastating moment, he tells Walt about a summer job concluding sullenly that “Chasing trees is a lot better than chasing monsters.” Our heart breaks for him.

Television

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19 Comments

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Steve | September 17, 2012 1:54 PMReply

There was a shot a few episodes back from what looked like a high corner of Hank's office, right after Walt removed the bug in the picture frame. I wonder if there is video surveillance in Hank's office? If so, and Hank pulls the tapes, that would totally bust Walt, regardless of any finessing the inscription in the book.
Aidimu | September 5, 2012 9:20 AMReply

I wouldn't be surprised if the Gretchen Black thing could pass for true . . . until handwriting analysis proves otherwise. Although, early on it was implied that she and Walt had a romantic relationship and that note seems too formal. On the other hand, from the few scenes we saw with Walt and Gael, you didn't get the feeling they were close enough to be exchanging gifts. Yet the wording in the note probably is characteristic of Gael's persona.

Regardless, I could see Walt coming up with some contrived account like; he some how met Gael or was introduced to Gael, who wanted to pick his brain about some chemistry processes for something he was working on or related to his Masters thesis or even a PhD project he was contemplating. The way Walt so often feigns tears, he could claim he was too scared to say anything when Hank showed him the notebook for fear he would be implicated. Remember after having too much wine at dinner one night, he told Hank the notes in the notebook looked like copying, as he had seen plenty of student's notes, after Hank's gushing over Gael's genius finally got to his ego. He could claim the "work" was simply instructing Gael on particular chemical processes that could be used in many applications, although he "pondered" whether it could be for meth synthesis or âsomething illegal". He was just so caught up in the mental challenge of solving this chemistry project and flattered at being so respected for his expertise, especially with the looming cancer diagnosis making him feel like he had wasted his talents. So he got carried away with âhelpingâ Gael figure out his chemistry dilemma, even though he had concerns that his coaching could be getting him too involved in âsomethingâ he shouldn't be doing!

I could see him coming up with an elaborate fabrication like that to explain his association with Gael, as implied by the note in the book. Hank won't believe it but it could be a plausible explanation that Hank probably couldnât prove otherwise . . . although there is the âgamblingâ money. Also, referring to the comment about Walt being family and right under Hank's nose, once it comes to light that Walt's money paid for his therapy, Hank might decide he likes Walt's fairytale version. At any rate itâs fun to speculate on the various scenarios that might play out.
Jabs69 | September 5, 2012 7:31 AMReply

Gretchen's maiden name is indeed "Black".
gdragon | September 7, 2012 5:13 PM

Initially 3 Parts of the Company right = Elliot, Gretchen, and Walter = Gray Matter.

At Elliot's Birthday party (season 1 or 2?) Elliot was explaining the name Gray Matter as this "Schwartz, Black, Walter White..... Gray Matter".

Unfortunately Walt sold his stake holding in the company.
David | September 6, 2012 4:32 PM

No it's not. Where do you get this? There's nothing anywhere that proves this.
Jerry | September 4, 2012 10:16 AMReply

I can't believe this show has me empathizing with DEA agent.
Christopher Bell | September 3, 2012 10:31 PMReply

This episode put to rest the "Hank Knows About Walt" theories that have been going around since, I dunno, season 2. I always thought that was an interesting theory without a lot of concrete evidence to back it up.
Jimmy | September 3, 2012 7:51 PMReply

Ummm Walt is still the protagonist of the show. Even though he has become despicable he is still the main character.
Adam L | September 3, 2012 4:06 PMReply

I've been watching Breaking Bad since episode 1 first aired. I can't even describe to you how yesterdays last scene felt to me, INSANE!!!!! I cant believe we have to wait a whole year!!
DG | September 3, 2012 3:29 PMReply

A good episode but not the best of the season (that being the train heist). I sort of thought it felt like too much was happening too fast and that they relied too much on montage but whatever thats just nit picking, it was good and the show seems to be heading to a satisfying conclusion. Good point about the inverse of his plan with the entry into the meth game thing. I wonder if Hank is going to go after Skyler too now?
Eightandahalf | September 4, 2012 9:32 AM

We saw the "Leaves of Grass" book back in season 3. Not sure of the episodes, but after Gale and Walter discuss Whitman in the lab, there is a scene where Walt is reading the book in his apartment. Also, it will be interesting to see how Hank handles the situation. He is so connected to Walt (his therapy was even paid for with meth money) that it is going to be difficult for him to prove that he didn't know anything. By going after Walt, he will have to completely destroy the entire family.
SM | September 4, 2012 12:35 AM

I agree. Though the montage bit was flashy and fun, I felt it wasn't in true brba fashion as the show has been a day to day (or couple days) kid of show.
Plus I felt the addition of a object we've never seen was a bit lame.
AS | September 3, 2012 2:53 PMReply

"this sequence which would even make Gaspar Noe flinch" - Really? I didn't think it was THAT brutal. The stabbings did look kinda fake.
Josh | September 4, 2012 6:45 PM

Funnily enough they probably looked quite accurate. If you see any real life murders caught on camera they look quite far from the way Hollywood depicts them.
EVILNIK | September 3, 2012 2:39 PMReply

epic episode with a epic ending
P | September 3, 2012 2:15 PMReply

Correction: The inscription in the Walt Whitman book is actually from "G.B."-- Gale Boetticher, not Gus Fring.
The Fanciful Norwegian | September 4, 2012 12:57 AM

Gale's handwriting matches the inscription in the book (http://imgur.com/i5f7t). This "G.B. = Gretchen" theory needs to go away.
GHOST OF GUS FRING | September 3, 2012 11:23 PM

Gretchin's last name is SCHWARTZ (which I guess means black in german), but isn't actually Gretchin Black, bro, nice try.
Jack zach | September 3, 2012 5:51 PM

Correction: G.B. stands for Gretchin Black