Breaking Bad: Face Off (Season Finale)
“I won.” – Walt
Based on the promise of the episode’s title, lots of speculating went on concerning who would be “facing off” in the season finale. I don’t think anyone guessed that it actually meant someone’s face would be coming off. It was a huge finale, with lots of great pay-offs including an assassination scheme by Walter White that finally worked as planned. But in traditional Walt-fashion, it involved someone else doing the dirt – in this case Tio, who sacrifices himself to off Gus and Tyrus. “Face Off” showed another giant leap in the transformation we’ve been gleefully watching for four seasons: Walter White naive chemistry teacher to drug lord El Jefe of Albuquerque.
He’s gone from killing in self-defense to suicide wheelchair bombs and bucking down anyone in his way. He doesn’t flinch at sending his elderly neighbor (played by Vince Gilligan’s mom) into his home to flush out any hitmen. And then there’s the Lily of the Valley… In a bigger shock than seeing Gus straighten his tie with half a face, the episode ended with a slow-zoom on Walt’s potted Lily of the Valley – the plant doctor’s believe poisoned Brock. Walt would have never done something like this back in season one or two, but with his sharp moral decline and smug ego poisoning a child is a logical thing for his character to do. He arguably knew what he was doing and didn’t give Brock a lethal dose and you can see a bit of relief on his face when Jesse tells him Brock’s going to make it, but if Jesse ever finds out the truth, not even Heisenberg will be able to lie has way out of retribution.
The destruction of the Meth Cave, which has been like a prison to Jesse lately, was a brilliant pay off to end the season with. A few times this season I wasn’t sure if Jesse and Walt would ever be a team again. I threw up a silent fist pump when they pulled the fire alarm and walked out of the laundromat, smoke billowing from behind the trap door. Where does the death of Gus leave Walt and Jesse? Jesse might not even want to get back in the meth business – after so much misery, domestic life is probably looking pretty sweet right now. I doubt Walt wants to sit back and run a car wash. His ego and past accomplishments will most likely feed on his current high and establish the Heisenberg Empire. Now is the perfect time to strike too: The cartel and Don Eladio are no longer players. Besides some unnamed muscle that might be kicking around, Mike is the only one left of Gus’s unit. I’m guessing the final 16 episodes will follow Walt’s further rise in the drug world and his stronger decline into moral wickedness.
More than any episode in recent memory, “Face Off” had plenty of comedy. Walt’s grand entrance into Saul’s office was hysterical and watching his secretary squeeze cash out of Walt was satisfying. Tio’s display in the DEA office was even better. I clapped when I realized what he was spelling out and that this was part of a larger plan to off Gus. Having his iconic bell be the detonator was darkly genius as well. When the family was watching the news report on the explosion, all that was missing was a money shot of Hank gloating. He fucking deserves that moment – when all his DEA buddies will have to admit he was right all along.
What do you guys think is in store for the final 16 episodes?
IN BRIEF: The look on Tio’s face right before he starts ringing the bell was fucking terrifying. — I’m a little sad Gus is gone just because we won’t get to see the incredible acting of Giancarlo Esposito. You had a great run, Chicken Man. — The music while Gus walked up to the retirement home, unknowingly to his death, was amazing. The show’s music is something I’ve never really talked about, but I loved this particular piece. Anyone know who it was? — I was pretty bummed Jesse spent most of the episode in an interrogation room, but the somewhat happy ending given to him made up for that. — I love moments when Saul gets to actually do lawyer things. He’s really good at it. — I can’t wait to see Mike’s reaction to all of the mayhem that’s gone down since he’s been recuperating.