Box Cutter

The guy in the orange suit won't do anything crazy, we promise.

Breaking Bad
Episode 4.1, Originally Aired 17 July 2011

9.5 out of 10 stars

Initial Reactions
Wow. I mean, WOW. What a way to start a season. Walt and Jesse ARE murderers after all, Victor gets slaughtered, Skylar uses her baby to manipulate people, and Denny's sells (hopefully) their first "post-body-liquification" breakfast platter.

Ok, let's break it down:

At the end of the last season, Walt vehemently tells Jesse that they aren't murderers, that everything they've done is fully justified by their situation. Well, if they weren't murderers then, they certainly are now. Gale was the first truly innocent and lovable person they've killed. They have definitely now crossed a line they can't come back from.

I would take a few steps back if I were Victor.

There is a short diversion to show that Marie is struggling with Hank, who is really at his jerkiest in this episode - not without reason, but still. I hope something happens soon to get him out of this funk. It is not fun to watch him being so mean.
Then there's the standout scene of the episode: Walt, Jesse in the lab confronting Gus. There's a telling interplay between Gus and Walt. Panicked Walt can't stop talking, while Gus doesn't say a word for many long minutes. And then the massacre of Victor: I knew something bad was going to happen when the network flashed a special "viewer discretion is advised" warning right before the lab scene. Still, I was completely shocked by what actually did happen.

Nothing else satisfies after body disposal

The real kicker was following all the blood up with ketchup at Denny's. I'll never look at Denny's the same now, that's for sure.


Standout Performances
1. Gus. Gus. Gus. Can anyone else stay SILENT for more than 5 minutes of screen time and keep increasing the tension, second by second? Don't think so.

2. Skylar - used her baby to manipulate the locksmith. She's definitely all-in at this point.

3. Lab scene. Hands down.

4. Denny's scene. Breakfast will never be the same.


Burning Questions
1. Why did Gus kill Victor? Total surprise! I still don't understand.
2. What is Walt & Jesse's relationship with Gus going to be now? With each other?