Breaking Bad Season 4 has been one of subtlety. Even at its most insane and intense moments like Jesse’s meth house of fun, the drama has really been what was hiding underneath.
The latest episode, ‘Problem Dog,’ definitely does NOT aspire to follow this methodology.
Here we have Walt. Walt must return a car. Walt has serious issues bubbling up inside him of rage and anger and fear. Walt feels like he’s about to explode. The car goes boom.
I really liked the use of the Challenger as a euphemism for Walt’s conflict. Doing the donuts and driving around with complete reckless abandon is a nice example of a wild ride that could only end one way, in a ditch. But here is where this episode is classic Breaking Bad. Even when you think you have the story mapped out, it goes completely where you least expect it.
Gus’ grip continues to loosen as the Cartel he was hoping to “handle” like he has everyone else not only rebuffs his offer, but does it without any hesitation. His face doesn’t change. In fact nothing about him physically would give you any indication that he is at a loss as to what do next, but this is the brilliance of Giancarlo Esposito. It’s all in his eyes. The slight twitch in the eyelids and a brief arch of an eyebrow is all you need to see. It’s very powerful stuff.
All of this, however, pales with another brilliant plot thread for Jesse. He’s never gotten over the death of Gale and this episode continues with his search for a mentor and with him still trying to come to terms with his deadly actions. The issue that Jesse finds here is something that his character has avoided throughout the series’ run: accountability. He did a completely despicable and unforgivable thing and yet nothing has happened and he has not been punished (well aside from his almost constant self-abuse). What makes Jesse’s situation all the worse is that Walt is completely blind to what is happening to him, sidetracked by his own paranoia and psychosis.
‘Problem Dog’ is a solid Breaking Bad episode which works on all levels. The action and drama wasn’t too over the top, but fantastical enough to be entertaining.
I won’t ruin the cliffhanger that ends the episode, but I will say that I am glad to see Hank officially back in the thick of things setting up one hell of an inevitable confrontation with Walt.
– James Zappie
