PRELUDE

January 1st, 2026

"In Which I Watch (and write about) Every Episode of Breaking Bad"

Hello! You've discovered the part of the website where I will write about (hopefully) every episode of breaking bad, and probably better call saul too. I thought it would be fun since I've never seen either show, and people say they're the best shows ever.

Here's everything I know about the show going in:

◘ Walter White is chemistry teacher, has cancer(?) and a wife named Skylar. Jesse Pink Man is his student. Walter ropes Jesse into cooking meth. There is a lawyer named Saul.

◘ Rhea Seehorn (actor) who I know from Pluribus is in it somewhere.

◘ I've seen some assorted memes here and there (walt screaming in the car, walt and jesse high fiving, etc)

◘ From reading the wiki page from Pluribus, it seems like there's some kind of submachine gun in season 5(?)

◘ And finally, most importantly, at some point Jesse hangs out with a girl and plays Sonic and Sega All Stars Racing. This is my most anticipated part of the show.

Season 1 Episode 1:

January 1st, 2026

"Walt Inhales the Phospher Gas That Makes You Good at Sex (or, Walter White and the End-Life Crisis)"

Walt's terminal cancer diagnosis leaves with little to lose and a desire to leave money for his family. He does some underwear meth cooking with an ex-student of his, making the best meth anyone's ever made, killing 1.5 guys in the process.

I'm already fascinated by how much different this show is than what I had imagined, based on what little I knew. This episode puts in so much work to show you just how sad Walt's life is, to the point that he barely reacts when he finds out he doens't have that much of it left. For all I had known about the show going in, I'd assumed that Walt was (and this sounds stupid, but it's true) closer to a typical "Badass Male Dude". Using heavy quotes around that because the people I'm imagining are, like, the joker and the guy from fight club. The kind of people who are probably direct allegories for toxic masculinty but some people still think they're totally cool and awesome.

I'd written in the prelude that Walt ropes Jesse into making meth, which I'd kind of assumed based on my other assumptions about Walt. Funny to see that my assumptions were kind of turned on their head, while still not being technically false. In fact, we've kind of burst through most of my knowledge about the series right here. No need to waste heaps of time on the setup.

Have to leave a note here for my least favorite character so far, Hank. Racist Cop who completely ruins Walt's 50th to watch a bland ass news broadcast of him on the TV. I hope he gets phospher exploded.

Season 1 Episode 2:

January 2nd, 2026

"Walt Sucks at Lying, Muder, Teaching, Disposing of Bodies, and Being a Husband (or, Skyler and the Discovery of MILFs.)"

Walt and Jesse deal with the fallout of the 1.5 guys Walt killed last episode, Skyler discovers something's up and traces a lead to Jesse's house, where she confronts him.

I had to keep adding to my title for this one as the episode went on because Walt kept doing more stupid stuff. To be honest, there's so much going on and he's so bad at it (well, him and Jesse really) that I'm shocked this show can go on for more than one season. Either they've gotta get so good at covering their tracks that they become practically invisible, or they die at the end of season one and it's the greatest plot twist in the history of tv shows.

I honestly have no idea where Walt and Skyler's relationship will develop from here. I can't see Skyler staying in the dark about Walt's dealings for long (unless she just really believes in the weed dealer cover story), so is she still a character later in the show? (I also have a bad feeling that their baby daughter won't live very long.. I hope the bit about the chemicals that cause birth defects wasn't foreshadowing...)

I'm also coming to realise that this show is less about "two guys that cook meth" and more "What if a regular guy got himself caught up in criminal affairs".

Season 1 Episode 3:

January 3rd, 2026

"The Hank and Marie Stupid Hour (or, Murder is BAD)"

After a misunderstanding (and some just plain not listening) between Skyler and Marie, Marie sends Hank to intimidate Walt Jr out of smoking pot. Walt murders a guy in the longest, most drawn out and morally difficult way possible.

Absolutely my favorite episode so far. Walt talking to Krazy-8, knowing that he'll need to make a terrible choice that he doesn't like either outcome of, is the most compelling plot here yet. He desperately wants to believe that he's nice, that he can let him go, but he knows he can't trust him for sure. Writing the pro/con list is amazing characterization. Walt is so out of his depth, he's applying his regular thought processes to this absolute horror show like it's a math problem. Him noticing the broken plate shard, then, is almost an excuse. Perfect. Krazy-8 was probably the smarter person in the room, def my favortie character so far.

Hank continues to be awful, a trait that his wife also seems to share a little.

Season 1 Episode 4:

January 3rd, 2026

"Jesse Pinkman and the Almost Most Suburban American Family of All Time (or, 'Everybody Digs The Meth We Cooked')"

Walt finally (involunterily) tells his family about the cancer, and Jesse takes a visit back home because the meth he smoked makes him see mormons in their true form. Walt blows up an evil buisnessman's car.

Jesse's family dynamic is fascinating. I'm not sure how the ages work out on him and his brother, but it seems like maybe his parents had another kid after Jesse turned out to be a bit of a dropout? Insane if true. Even more insane still, then, that the other kid seems to be still on pot behind their back. Genius. (also do they have a maid?)

So much of the stuff that happened in this episode would be impossible in the current day, and it kind of made me jelous. Walt can just blow up a guy's car, in broad daylight, at a gas station, and nobody knows it was him. A million reasons that wouldn't work today, but god would it feel good to do this to a tesla.

Love Jesse coming back to Walt in this episode after he sees that there's opportunities to make even more cash. It feels like the two are in constant cycles of trying to get out of the game > getting pulled back in by the other one.

Season 1 Episode 5:

January 4th, 2026

"The Surprise Intervention Snack Platter (or, Walt refuses money from a rich CEO)"

Skyler & Walt visit a birthday party for Watt's old lab partner (now rich CEO), he offers to pay for the cancer treatment but Walt declines. Jesse doesn't want to work as a sign spinner so he tries making glass from scratch. After an intervention from his family, Walt decides to begin chemo.

I continue to be surprised (and delighted, thought that doesn't feel like exactly the right word to use in this context) about how much more this show is about 'dealing with a terminal cancer diagnosis' than 'cool guys cook meth'. It's been some of the more compelling parts of the show so far. The intervention especially, where Walt lays out his argument against taking the treatment before ultimately deciding to anyway, was very powerful. Fascinated to learn what happened between Walt and the Rich Buisness Couple for Walt to reject both offers so completely.

Season 1 Episode 6:

January 4th, 2026

"Walt Faces Two-Progned Hell: Chemotherapy and a Cop Coming to His Workplace (or, Walt's Really Really Lucky These Cops are Extremely Racist and Dumb As Rocks)"

As the chemo starts showing it's effects on Walt, the police track a discarded respirator back to Walt's School, and end up arresting a cool janitor because they're racist. Jesse fails his speech check with the biggest meth distributor in town and gets beat up, so Walt has to come in and blow them up to get their money.

I'm beginning to see the tramsformation from regular man Walter White to the badass meth cooking bald old man "Heisenberg" from my original conception of this show. Granted, his plan was insane, and none of that should've worked the way it did, but it was badass. ( wonder if there's an explanation as to why he chose Heisenberg? I'm not sure if it's explained later in the series (or earlier and I missed it), but either way I'm scared to google it in case of spoilers.)

Backtracking to a little earlier in the episode, the poker scene was so characterful, especially in how Walt reacts to Hank boasting about arresting Hugo. It's in reaction to this that Walt stares at Hank and says "I'm going all in" and we the audience are like "ah, I see, he's talking about the meth". Also the face Walt makes when Hank says he wouldn't be able to recogise a criminal is so fucking funny.

Season 1 Episode 7:

January 5th, 2026

"Awkward Social Situations Induce Physical Pain in Me, the Viewer (or, Walt and Jesse's Silly Heist)"

Skyler tries to return a baby shower gift from Marie, realizing she shoplifted it. Walt and Jesse come up on some buisness trouble, end up stealing some chemicals and cooking in the basement of Jesse's open home.

This is the one where Walt puts on the hat! He also, despite being a fictional character, manages to induce a stress response in me in real life. I have a weakness to awkward situations, so Walt and Jesse cooking at the open home instilled fear in me. Good thing they didn't linger on it too long.

If I'm correct, this is the final episode of Season 1! We end on what very much seems like a 'season 2 hook', Walt and Jesse realising that they're in for good and it's gonna take a lot of effort to get them out. If I keep up a pace like this, I might be finished with the whole show before the end of January...

Season 2 Episode 1:

January 11th, 2026

"Everyone Get An Expressions Upgrade And a Cognitive Downgrade (or, the Green Goo Episode)"

Walt and Jesse panic about the Tuco situation, the family continues to break down as everyone gets more stressed.

First episdode of the second season, they really start shit up. Everyone is kind of only getting worse. Walt is treating Skyler worse and worse, and it's kind of infuriating to watch. I look forward to (hopefully) watch him get better.

Also, Skyler is my new favorite character. She's just kind of trying her best to stay together. I hope she makes it out.

Season 2 Episode 2:

January 11th, 2026

"Tuco Plays With His Food (or, My Arch Enemy, Hank Schrader With A Website)"

Walt and Jesse escape Tuco's kidnapping, and Skyler puts out the missing persons report for Walt.

Absolutely the best episode so far. The kind of television to keep you twisted in a suspenseful pretzel for the entire hour long runtine. They take a lot of care to slowly set up a lot of dominoes, so many possible plot points that could reslove by the end that by the time Hank shows up, I was actually happy. Walt and Jessie bickering about the possible murder methods was also peak. Jesse could not help making murder jokes about the laced crack.

This episode was a rare good showing for Hank. Asside from the first part I think, he really seemed more compitent than he usually did.

I genuiniely don't know how much longer Walt can keep everyone in the dark. He seemed like he was on such thin ice last season, we're on the second out of 5 and he's already gone publicly missing, and now Hank is practically within sniffing distance (though he doesn't know it).

Season 2 Episode 3:

January 11th, 2026

"Walter White's Lying And Truthing and Naked Adventure (or, Tio Shits On The Police)"

Walt pulls a stupid bit to explain away his abscence, and Jesse escapes interrogation thanks to Tio's unwillingness to snitch.

Walter White loves lying to his wife. It's his favorite thing to do. He's terrible at it, and she never believes him, but he does it anyway. I'm not even sure he loves her. He does do a funny bit pretending like he was gonna go to 7/11 naked.

Hank completely un-redeemed himself this episode this time. Mega racist, trying to force confessions out of everyone. Also the police station makes him a cake to celebrate killing a guy in a shootout? jesus.

Season 2 Episode 4:

January 11th, 2026

"Walter Puts on the Mask and it Doesn't Work (or, Skyler White, The Best Character In The Universe)"

Skyler gives Walt a taste of his own medicine, Jesse's parents kick him out of home, so he looks for 'alternative options'

Walt is really laying on thick here, and it's kind of freaky to watch. It feels like Skyler has flipped the roles intentionally on him, and it's kind of fascinating to wtch. It feels like he doesn't know what to do. I love it. She knows exactly what she's doing. Especially at the end.

Jesse's having the no good very bad worst days of his life. He turns sad and blue :(. The final scene was so good. Love it. Starting with them in a looney tunes ass fight cloud and ending with sulking in the kitchen over breakfast...

Season 2 Episode 5:

January 11th, 2026

"Walter White admits to One Mistake (or, Jesse Starts A Pyramid Scheme)"

The Duo get back to cooking, Jesse hires out his goons to move the meth for him. Hank has PTSD and makes beer.

Almost everyone except Skyler continues to be silly in this episode. Walt's lack of self awareness continues to baffle, and Jesse digs himself deeper.

Also, Hank mas his own beer, with his own custom label? And a theme song he sings while he makes his custom beer? I'm very glad I don't know anyone like him.

Season 2 Episode 6:

January 18th, 2026

"The Missing Money Episode (or, Jesse's Haunted Kid House Experience)"

Jesse goes after his stolen drugs & cash, Walt goes back to work and Skyler starts Discovering stuff about the money that was supposed to come from Gretchen and Eliott.

Walt continues to be bad at everything. He can't keep a class's attention for shit, and his lies just compoounding and getting worse and worse. He sucks at this so bad. I swear, I can't take many more conversations between Skyler and Walt where he lies to her face for minutes on end.

I liked Jesses plot here also. I think he's secretly some kind of chaos god, manipulating chance in his favor.

Season 2 Episode 7:

January 18th, 2026

"Breaking Bad: The Musical (or, Jesse!! You're A Blowfish Jesse!!!)"

The streets feel the ripple effect of that guy's head getting crushed by a vending machine last episode. Walt convinces Jesse he's a blowfish. Hank doesn't fit in with the Big Cops cause he sucks. Jesse's failrizz works on his neighbor.

I'm getting worried for my GOAT Skyler... She doesn't have it good this episode. Jesse has a great time though. Insane that Walt's able to get him out of his depressive funk by calling him a blowfish, and that the lasting confidence from that carries him all the way into getting in with his cool neighbor.

Actually so shocked that Jesse got in here. She likes him so much that she didn't mind his male living space or his failed TV install. Insane. I think this might be the one he plays Sonic Racing with later...

Season 2 Episode 8:

January 18th, 2026

"Hank Can Only Give Real Talks About Meth (or, Saul Goodman Advertisies His New TV Show, Now Out on AMC)"

Badger gets busted, Hank gets traumitized so he goes back to the small leauges, and Saul Sauls all over the place.

Walter can only be real with someone when it's inconvenient for him. I feel like he's turning Hank into his worst enemy., the drugbusting machine.

..I can see why they made a spin off about Saul. He's only been on for half an episode and he immediately steals every scene he's in. Actually insane. As far as his role in he story goes, I'm very glad we have a character who seems competent at doing criminal stuff, I get the feeling he's going to be good to watch.

Season 2 Episode 9:

January 18th, 2026

"A Weekend Out With The Boys In The RV (Crankin it 24/7)"

Walt (pretending to visit his mother) and Jesse go on a meth excursion & get stranded in the midde of nowhere.

I love the breifest glimpse we get here of Walt and Jesse being actually friendly with each other! That high five was cute.

Season 2 Episode 10:

January 18th, 2026

"Heisenberg Comes Out At The Party (or, The Breaking Bad Stupidometer)"

Walt gives Flyn too many drinks and makes him vomit, so he does some housework about it. Jesse has some relationship teething problems.

Been thinking about how I'd rate everyone on a theoretical stupidometer. Cause everyone here's a little stupid. From most to least stupid: Walter, Marie, Hank (rasicim), a big gap , then Jesse, Jane, Skyler, and finally Saul. (feels bad not to give Skyler the #1 spot, but Saul basically talked his way out of being executed a couple episodes ago.)

Season 2 Episode 11:

January 31st, 2026

"Walter And The Telltale Choice (or, Never Trust a Kid)"

One of Jesse's dealers gets shot, so they go to Saul for a new plan. The new plan is Gus Fring.

Skyler had a rough time of it in that workshop. Honestly extremely uncomfortable to watch. < I wrote that before she had to expose her boss's accounting fraud to her boss.

Walter was having a fun time trying to build a mob and (unsucsessfully) meting with Gus for the first time. Giancarlo Espisito is in this show! I forgot. Can't speak much to his character, at least by now, but I'm excited to see more. He faces the telltale games ass choice at the end.. press X to see your daughter's birth, press O to make cash

Season 2 Episode 12:

January 31st, 2026

"NEW ZEALAND REFERENCE!!! (or, The Walter Website)"

Skyler has the baby! Jesse tries to play detective to figure out who took the meth yesterday (it was Walter). He gives Jesse some shit for it. They have a falling out.

Good on Flyn for making a website! Walter is actually crazy about this cash. "My family can't know I got all this money from meth, but they also need to know that it was Me who made the cash". World's most stubborn man.

I feel sorry for Jane and Jesse. Her dad is really not making it easy on her relationship with drugs. Hopefully some good things can come to Jesse out of it though, and things get better for him. Surely nothing gets worse in the three seasons that follow, right?
(I'm later in the episode now. I really like that Jane is making moves, she seems smart and I hope it doesn't turn out bad for the two of them)

(end of the episode) GOOOOODDDDDD DAMN ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Season 2 Finale:

January 31st, 2026

"I AM SO CONFUSED (or, SKYLER WHITE: ACE INVESTIGATOR)"

Jesse is reeling from Jane's death, so he goes and hangs out in a den about it. Walts website catches on thanks to some Saul-y interference. Walter and Jesse take a Spa Day!! The teddy bear is from a random plane crash.

Someone get walter out of the TV interview!! He's gonna throw up hearning his son say nice things about him!!!

The ending of this episode made me genuinely speechless. Babbling incoherrently at the tv as the credits played. Up until this point, the show has been really good at setting things up and paying them off. The episodes in the first season that set up future plot points (I'm thinking of the pilot in particular) take effort in introducing a lot of confusing details, and then paying them off in a satisfying way. This fucking payoff. With the bear. Hit me so out of left field. They set up the bear so early in the season, they take a lot of care in it. They show the bear multiple times, in black and white, they show investigators taking bodies away from the house and the whole season you're thinking ok.. who dies here. which two major characters are dying at the household. And while the season goes on you start thinking 'huh... thought I woulda seen that bear by now. The opener makes it really important'. By the time they bring it out again for the start of the finale you're really cofused, but as the episode goes on you kind of forget about it. And then, as we start rounding off the episdoe, you're riding high off of the confrotation between Skyler and Walter. This is really making it feel like a finale, things are getting resolved. Awesome. Then, we keep cutting back to Jane's dad. He's having a tough time dealing with Jane's death, that's sad to watch. He's distracting himself with his work. He works in.. air traffic control? ok... then he causes a plane crash?? why did they write that? What narrative purpose does this plane crash serve other than getting the bear in the pool, a plot point that they CAME UP WITH. Seriously, was it planned to be this way from the beginning? I have a hard time believing so, since it wasn't foreshadowed even slightly in previous episodes, but if it wasn't planned then why the hell did they foreshadow the bear in the first place???? I am so confused.

Season 3 Episode 1:

February 6th, 2026

"I Am Grabbing Walter By The Neck And Shaking Him (or, The Crawlers in the Yellow Planet)"

Walter & Skyler have a divorce about it all. Jesse has a tough time at his peaceful retreat. Walt has a tough time because he sucks, and he gets a new offer from Gus.

This show is officially silly. I have decided this. So many parts of this episode read as super funny to me. The crawling twins. The extremely obnoxious yellow screen filter. Walter's big gym speech about how the plane crash actually wasn't that bad. Hank being extremely oblivious.

I'm still baffled by the direction they're taking to follow this plane crash. It's clear that, to some degree, both Jesse and Walt blame themselves for it. And I still think that's a stupid way to try and introduce concequences for their actions. Walt even raises the point to Jesse in the episode that he's not really to blame, and I have to agree. Sure, technically without Jesse it wouldn'tve happened, but he can't really be blamed for Jane's dad being bad at his job because of it. Not to say it's dumb that he feels guilty of course, but I just think there'd be a better way to write in some concequences than having him inadvertently cause a plane crash.

You know, I was engrossed with the divorce papers scene. I (foolish) thought that this might be a chance for him to realise that maybe he doens't live his family as much as he thought, and that some space is nice. Of course, this is not the Walter White Way. Instead he just complains about Skyler and ignore anything bad is happening. Skyler has to come in clutch with the brainpower to conned the dots re: drug dealing. And she gives him honestly a really good deal. He declines cause he's stupid.

Season 3 Episode 2:

February 6th, 2026

"Saul Plays An Angle (or, Restrain These Nuts)"

Jesse uses his cash (and a little Saul encouragement) to buy back his old house. Walt gets angry at Skyler and creates roof pizza. Mike Mikes around a little bit, and prevents the twins from killing Walter by Better Calling Gus.

An all time classic episode. I love new Jesse. He's not over the top, he's just filled with silent rage.

On the other hand, Walt gets harder and harder to watch, and I mean that as a compliment to the show. He pulls so much wacky bullshit. Cleaning the random pool, enacting roof pizza, crawling into Skyler's house through the floorboards to have a shower. Almost getting axed to death by the mystery twins.

It's also anoter episode with lots of Saul, which is always fun.

Season 3 Episode 3:

February 6th, 2026

"World's Most Reasonable Police Officers (or, The Boys Have Lady Troubles)"

Skyler calls the cops on Walt for breaking and entering, but the charges don't stick. Jesse's still hung up over Jane. The mob stirs around Heisenberg. Also Hank does some barfighting.

Skyler I'm sorry it turned out like this. I truly am. I think as soom as she started to call the cops she realised that, despite wanting to turn him in, she kinda has nothing concrete on Walt. So she just has to endure the cop visit without sounding like a crazy person.
(edit post ted kiss)... Ok this is hard to defend. I do love how she immediately told him. A clear shot of his own medicine straight to the heart.

Hank's got the Harcourt from Peacemaker desease that makes you depressed unless you fight someone it seems like? A real police officer move, that one.

Walter has One(1) moment of being reasonable this episode. His speech to Skyler about the money almost seemed genuine. (he proceeded to completely ruin it.)

Season 3 Episode 4:

February 8th, 2026

"Lesson Of The Day: Being A Dick Is Bad (or, Walt Goes For The Ted Talk)"

Mike has to intervene when Walter goes to harass Ted. Walter then responds by getting fired from his job for sexual assault. Jesse goes on a meth adventure, while Hank tries to track him down.

Jesse's trying his best here. I hope nothing bad happems to him.

I remarked during this epsidoe that neither Hank nor Walt are emotionally fit to be in a relationship. They need some break time to figure things out (and probabbly a lot of therapy)

Season 3 Episode 5:

February 8th, 2026

"Hank Becomes The Roof Pizza (or, Drive By Cash N' Run)"

Walt gets an un-wanted cut of Jesse's Meth. Hank turns down the El Paso job to perv on RVs. We spend the rest of the episode hashing it out.

Hank's on his asshole ark. Both him and Jesse are in their bad full bad guy mode.

(I'm running out of stuff to say, this show's just excellent)

Season 3 Episode 6:

February 8th, 2026

"Walter Plays Toys With His New Friend (or, Hank Issues)"

Gus gets Walter a new lab partner, and they nerd out together. Walt finds out about Hank finding out about the RV, and tries to dispose of it before they can find it. He catches up, and Walt and Jesse have to get bailed out by Saul.

A nail biter of an episode. Also, shoutouts to junkyard man. Realest dude out here.

Season 3 Episode 7:

February 8th, 2026

"10: The Worst Possible Pain (or, Hank Issues II: Breaking Hank)"

Hank goest straight to Jesse's house to beat the shit out of him, and continues to face myriad concequences. Walter convinces Jesse to re-unite the boys after getting frustrated with Gale. The twins catch up with Hank.

Marie is so purple. All her clothes and her house is purple. And Hank...! He might be giving up his badge! Character growth!

Is Gus trying to train up a replacement Walter? Is that why Walter hates Gale so much?
(we have reched the point in the season where the boys are back in town.)