Jesse “breaks bad” (blog post from Ep 313)

Ep 313 (46:25) – Jesse with gun

Many viewers claim that Walt “breaks bad” when he lets Jane die in episode 212. So is there a point in the series where Jesse “breaks bad”? I’d say there is. It’s when Jesse kills Gale Boetticher in cold blood in episode 313.

Jesse’s and Gale’s pain (scene analysis from Ep 313)

Ep 313 (46:22) – Gale listens to music before a visitor comes calling (over 張帆’s Man Chang Fei)

The acting in Episode 313’s final scene is phenomenal and shows the deep pain of a person under the stress of believing he has to kill an innocent person to save himself. Jesse looks at Gale, but he’s so caught up in his emotions, he can’t say a single word. The pain on Jesse’s face evokes pity for Jesse from the viewers. However, the viewer also has pity for Gale, who is the pristine picture of innocence. Gale bears no ill will for Jesse, even though Jesse is threatening to kill him. Even when facing death, Gale is still level-headed and does not have a single evil bone in his body.

Teaser: Optimistic Walt, c. 1987 (scene analysis from Ep 313)

Ep 313 (3:30) – Teaser image – 308 Negra Arroyo Lane in years past (over Dave Porter’s 308 Negra Arroyo Lane)

Season 3’s finale (episode 313) could well have been the very last episode of Breaking Bad. The show wasn’t officially renewed for another season until the day after this episode aired. This uncertainty about the show’s future makes the entire episode–including its opening teaser–particularly notable.

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?”

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.

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?”

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.

Episode Resources through Episode 402 are now up:

music, photos, quotes, and summaries.

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)?