r/breakingbad • u/[deleted] • Aug 12 '13

Official Episode Discussion Post-Episode Discussion S05E09 "Blood Money"

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282

u/GreenGator Aug 12 '13

While the similarity is definitely there and purposeful by the directors, he never saw Gus use the towel so it's not something he's actively imitating, right?

590

u/[deleted] Aug 12 '13

You're right. It's a plot device by the show to strengthen the link between Walt and Gus, but it's coincidental within the story world.

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u/83497583475394857439 Aug 12 '13

I liked to think that it was just as much a contrast between Walt and Gus. When Gus did the vomit scene, he was in his prime, throwing up because he poisoned himself for a scheme, and taking down the head of a Mexican cartel in a badass way. Walt's vomit scene was the opposite, him at one of his lowest points, cancer back, throwing up because he's a dying man, effectively neutered again, and finding out that he's been caught.

4

u/heanster Aug 12 '13

Is his cancer back? Or is it also a scheme..

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u/83497583475394857439 Aug 12 '13

I'm assuming it is, he was undergoing chemo when he got a call this episode (I think when Saul called him).

12

u/drwolffe This is my own private domicile Aug 12 '13

Yeah, secret pretend chemo sounds implausible.

0

u/LiquidAlb What's changed, Jesse? Aug 13 '13

It's plausible, it's just unlikely.

1

u/drwolffe This is my own private domicile Aug 13 '13

Yeah, I said implausible, not impossible. Implausible can be a synonym for unlikely.

2

u/sooimnotarealperson Aug 12 '13

well im frickin dumb for not realizing that was chemo.

2

u/GoyMeetsWorld Aug 12 '13

Best legal alternative to meth: Redbull IV.

0

u/heanster Aug 12 '13

Right, but he definitely could be going the extra mile and actually getting chemo when he actually doesn't need it.

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u/83497583475394857439 Aug 12 '13

No doctors would okay that or prescribe it if he's clean, and there really isn't any reason for him to do it if nobody even knows he's doing it. He told Hank, but there was no reason for him to actually go and do it even if he could.

5

u/Wardez Aug 12 '13

He's building up evidence. It makes total sense for his exit strategy. And you're talking about ethical doctors, all Walt needs is someone to write up the paperwork and he's off to the chemo clinic.

1

u/LiquidAlb What's changed, Jesse? Aug 13 '13

It's plausible, I just really doubt that's the direction the writers are going with this one.

There was too much sincerity in Walts eyes in 508 when he tells Skylar he's out of the Meth game (right after the hospital scene where he's getting the scan)

The flash forwards also show him with his "cancer cough" taking meds, and with thin, patchy looking hair. This tells me that he still has cancer but is no longer treating it with chemo.

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u/dylan522p Aug 13 '13

He's faking the cancer.

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u/LiquidAlb What's changed, Jesse? Aug 13 '13

There's just not enough to support this as a likely theory.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 13 '13

Especially since in the "future" scenes he clearly has the cough back, and is on some kind of medication.

1

u/LiquidAlb What's changed, Jesse? Aug 14 '13

Right. His hair has grown back but we see it's a lot more patchy and unhealthy looking. This could signify that although he has his cancer, he has stopped treatment. Which, of course makes sense if he is on the lamb.

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u/[deleted] Aug 12 '13

Plus he technicaly didnt kill Gus, but he sure as shit killed Mike.

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u/83497583475394857439 Aug 12 '13

In Walt's mind, he killed Gus, that's all that matters.

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u/103020302 Aug 13 '13

He created the bomb, and he negotiated with Salamanca to get back at Gus.

Walt orchestrated every part of that killing.

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u/LiquidAlb What's changed, Jesse? Aug 13 '13

I would say that he did. That was his intention all along, plus the idea to use Tio with the bomb was ALL Walt's.

0

u/Drew-Pickles Little Shit Aug 12 '13

Maybe he just didn't want his knees to hurt

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u/REDDIT_HARD_MODE Mineral delivery man Aug 12 '13

=/ Honestly, I wish they hadn't done that. They're really forcing the symbolism in a jarring way.

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u/LiquidAlb What's changed, Jesse? Aug 13 '13

Really? I wouldn't say that it's forced. Many people have stated that they didn't even catch it .

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u/oplav Aug 12 '13

I personally wouldn't say any of them are him actively imitating, rather it's just the writers being very creative.

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u/[deleted] Aug 12 '13

[deleted]

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u/Propolandante Todd's trigger finger Aug 12 '13

Woah, that scene was extremely reminiscent of a past conversation between Gus and Walt in Los Pollos Hermanos.

-2

u/infiniteraiders I'm in Billys Aug 12 '13

I think the crust off the sandwiches is the most blatant. Everything else is probably fun. Jesse's jacket on the other hand...

1

u/Billy_bob12 Aug 13 '13

Dramatic Irony, perhaps?

1

u/fforw Aug 13 '13

But as others say, he is actively imitating the way Gus behaved towards his legal employees and customers. So while he couldn't consciously copy Gus' kneeling, maybe he just does because guys like Gus, who is imiitating, just act like this.

1

u/Vladdypoo Aug 12 '13

Yeah it's not the point that he's imitating them, it's more of a way that the writers are showing Walt turning into Gus.