This week, Gus orchestrates a big coup but remains absent, and all the central male characters are hindered in their masculinity. How does it transpire?
Walter as Impotent Badass:
If there is one thing Walter has wanted to do since the season premiere, it's to get a sit-down with Gus. But Gus is unavailable although he constantly looms over Walt in the form of an invasive security camera our would-be badass chemistry genius seemingly can't escape. With Jesse off with Mike to the desert, ostensibly to get got as the younguns say nowadays, Walt can't take it anymore and takes matters into his own hands. When he forcibly gains access to Gus' office at a Pollos Los Hermanos franchise, the drug kingpin by night is not there. Walter just can't win against Gus.
Jesse as Bratty Sidekick:
Speaking of Jesse's ventures, he has the doubtful pleasure of tagging along with Mike as he picks up bundles and bundles of cash all across the state. At first, our apprentice chemist is under the illusion (delusion?) that he was hired to be Mike's muscle and demands a weapon in order to be able to execute the job more properly. But it soon becomes clear that Mike doesn't want him there with him.
All things considered, Walter isn't That Impotent:
Rather unexpectedly, some hanky panky is to be observed between him and Skyler after they put their signatures on that buying contract for the car wash. Walter even moves back home and can reinstate that manliness of his he prides himself with. He, of course, is the only one to perceive it. Such false pride causes him to mouth off to Hank about the true meth cooking genius still being out there. As Arnold Schwarzenegger circa 1993 would say: "Biiiig mistake!"
Jesse is the New Alpha Male:
The real reason for Jesse's stint as Mike's apprentice is revealed when we finally get a scene with Gus. In his signature passive-aggressive manner, the Los Pollos Hermanos overlord tries to get rid of Walter without having to dirty his own hands. His plan seems to be to turn Jesse on Walt, to break up that doomed but surprisingly sturdy relationship and isolate Walter. How does he do it? By denigrating Walter in the lab, and reinstating a sense of confidence in Jesse. When it appears that Mike and he will be robbed, Jesse takes care of the suspected robbers and later brags to Walt that he "took care of business." Walt against Gus: who will win in the end? What do you think?
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