Abiquiu

'Breaking Bad' is one of the most popular rated shows on IMDb, is one of those rarities where every season has either been very positively received or near-universally acclaimed critically and where all of my friends have said nothing but great things about.

Very few shows in recent memory had me so hooked from the very start that before the week was over the whole show had been watched, especially when for a lot of shows now airing watching one episode all the way through can be an endeavour. 'Breaking Bad' had that effect on me, and its reputation as one of the best, consistently brilliant and most addictive shows in many years (maybe even ever) is more than deserved in my eyes. Its weakest season is perhaps the first season, understandable as any show's first season is the one where things are still settling.

Actually everything is established remarkably from the very start, but once the writing and characterisation becomes even meatier the show reaches even higher levels.

"Abiquiu" is not a Season 3, or 'Breaking Bad, high-point, it is not a "taut" episode strictly speaking and other episodes of the season and show have more intensity. All that aside, "Abiquiu" is still a great episode that in no way disgraces the show at all (far from it).

Visually, "Abiquiu" is both stylish and beautiful, with photography and editing that are cinematic quality and put a lot of films today to shame, where there are a lot of visually beautiful ones but also some painfully amateurish looking ones. The music always has the appropriate mood, never too intrusive, never too muted.

The writing in "Abiquiu" is a fine example of how to have a lot of style but also to have a lot of substance. The dialogue throughout is thought-provoking and tense, while also have a darkly wicked sense of humour, nail-biting tension and heart-tugging pathos. The story is texturally rich, intimate, tense and layered, with the pace of it consistently deliberate but taut.

Can't say anything bad about the acting. Bryan Cranston is phenomenal as one of the most fascinating anti-heroes, or even of any kind of character, in either film or television. Aaron Paul has never been better and Anna Gunn is affecting. Bob Odenkirk is once again terrific, he and the character of Saul add a good deal. The characters are compelling in their realism and the episode is strongly directed.

Overall, great as expected. 9/10 Bethany Cox

When the episode begins we see Jesse Pinkman and his former girlfriend's museum visit when they discussed about a painting of a door, then we cut to the present. Hank Schrader is starting rehabilitation while Walter White checks on the meth doses produced by Jesse, and Jesse and his friends try to sell meth among the members of the support group without success: during this time Jesse starts going out with a woman of the support group named Andrea but when he discovers that she has a child and is already married he leaves her. Gus Fring will give Walter some advice on how to spend the gained money and Hank has a possibility of leaving the hospital but doesn't want to leave it unless he does it on his own legs.

This was an ordinary episode in the sense that continues the events of the previous episodes, and the writing and acting are good. Not surprises but still good.

"Abiquiu" is Breaking Bad's third filler episode in a row, so I guess you can't even call it that anymore, can you? Anyway, this weirdly titled episode seems more concerned with the introduction of an unnecessary character than with actually getting the series in the direction of a good series finale. Here's why I continued to not like Breaking Bad at that point:

As Skyler unexpectedly interferes in Walt's business, she meets his lawyer Saul Goodman which serves for an amusing five minutes. Besides that though, her involvement seems a bit out of the blue and changed some character traits of hers. Walt is the complete background man this time around and has inexplicably lost the paranoid side of his he had just one episode ago, while Bob Odenkirk did a great job as Saul as always, but still couldn't make me enjoy the scenes they shared. The more interesting part for a lot of people was Jesse's arc, in which he encounters a new girl and starts a strange relationship with her, following from his initial attempt to sell meth to her. I personally was very bored by these scenes and not even the aha moment at the end could really impress me.

The only parts I considered to be outstanding in "Abiquiu" were the short but well-filmed meth cooking and, more importantly, Walt visiting his boss Gus at his nicely decorated bourgeois home and the two sharing the most homo-erotic moment in the series together. Giancarlo Esposito is Emmy-worthy as always and was even more fun to watch than usual, while their conversation topic could've been a tad more appealing.

First Jane, now Andrea, tempting them into using his meth. Both ladies cleaned up before they meet him. No mercy for Jesse.

I think this is generally a strong episode, but there are a few aspects that standout for me.

I love Saul's banter with the Whites which is very funny and incredibly well delivered by Odenkirk as always. Having a certain third character in one scene adds another layer of humour as the premise of them meeting him for the first time funny enough. It works right from the opening shot of the waiting room to the end. Plus the follow up scene and resulting "Danny" and "Kevin Costner" related dialogue is great.

On the theme of humour, I also think the concept of what happens with Badger and Skinny Pete is also funny and quite ironic. Their "steps" related banter with Jesse is hilarious.

It has plenty of drama, with the scenes involving Jesse and a newly introduced character being the strongest material for me. The writers cleverly link back to previous episodes and finish it on a pretty tense moment.

All actors excellent as always, with Odenkirk, Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris and Aaron Paul standing out for me.

I think it's an 8.5/10, but round upwards.