Ep 312

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Sexual ethics in Breaking Bad (blog post from Ep 312)

Ep 312 (36:06) - Marie gives Hank a sponge bath

Ep 312 (36:06) – Marie gives Hank a sponge bath

Season 3 is the season of Hank and Marie, as viewers finally get a closer look into the inner workings of their marriage. It’s also the season of awkward sexual encounters. Already, viewers have seen the show depict sex as awkward duty (Walt’s birthday night in episode 101) or as a means of power (Walt and Skyler in the kitchen in episode 201) rather than a loving and committed act among married couples.

Hank and Marie’s sexual encounters in season 3 seem to continue this pattern of portraying sex as serving other than good and virtuous ends. Continue reading →

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Walt-scores [from fall 2014] for Episodes 311-402

Walt-score question asked of students in fall 2014 for Episodes 311-402:
“How sympathetic are you towards Walt (0=no sympathy and 10=total sympathy) through the most recent episode?”
TEMP4
Mean Walt-score in fall 2014 dropped from 3.8 through Episode 310 to 3 through Episode 402.
Students’ explanations for their Walt-scores (fall 2014):
(0) GALE.
Continue reading →

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Walt-scores for Episodes 311-402

Walt-score question asked of students in fall 2015 for Episodes 311-402:
“How sympathetic are you towards Walt (0=no sympathy and 10=total sympathy) through the most recent episode?”
TEMP3
Mean Walt-score in fall 2015 dropped from 5.3 through Episode 310 to 4.4 through Episode 310.
Students’ explanations for their Walt-scores in fall 2015:
(1) I want to cry every time I think about poor Gale. I have no sympathy for Walt and I hate Gus.
Continue reading →

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Discussion questions on Eps 311-402

  1. Why is the Georgia O’Keeffe painting used in the teaser of Ep 311 (Abiquiu)?
  2. What’s the relationship between Jesse and children in these episodes?
  3. Why does Skyler want to get involved in Walt’s business?
  4. Who is strong/brave and who is weak/scared in Ep 312 (Half Measures)?
  5. What do we learn about Mike, esp. in Ep 312 (Half Measures)? What motivates him?
  6. What do we learn about Gale in Ep 313 (Full Measure)? What kind of person is he?
  7. What are Walt’s, Jesse’s, and Gus’ motivations in Ep 313 (Full Measure)?
  8. Why does Gus kill Victor in Ep 401 (Box Cutter)?
  9. How do Walt and Jesse respond to Victor’s death?
  10. Why does Jesse start partying in Ep 402 (Thirty-Eight Snub)?