libraryseraph | Breaking Bad Episode 5: Gray Matter

Jesse can't better himself in society's eyes, because it requires skills he doesn't have and can;t get, until he betters himself. It doesn't come up much, because Breaking Bad is very heavy on personal responsibility as a theme, but there is a thing here, that people end up breaking society because they feel (justified or not) that society broke them first.

Walt and Skyler don;t belong at this fancy party, and they're aware everyone thinks that.

Walt is uncomfortable (playing with glass, frowning) even when being praised. It could just be the "crystallography" thing, but he also just doesn't like being praised by these people. Sort of a mix of resentment and shame that they're successful and he isn't

He does enjoy himself with Elliot later, but it's all when they're talking about the past, and alone, separated from the current context.

Walt is offended by offers of charity, because he thinks it's a sign of weakness to take it. That's why he gets so upset at this, and he gets angry at Skyler, not just for the violation privacy, but also because it reveals his weakness to someone he already thinks sees him as inferior.

It's kind of funny how Badger is so much like that that Jesse becomes the Walt in this dynamic, especially since he's using stuff he picked up from Walt to do it. This also shows that Jesse can learn and take charge, he just doesnt usually have the inclination or have someone who respects him enough.

Hank is stepping into Walt's shoes as Walt Jr's parental figure. Despte Hank being a fucking DEA agent, Walt Jr would rather call him about the underage drinking attempt.

Jesse has trouble getting the RV started. Given future symbolism re: Jesse and cars, this seems worth noting.

The intervention scene is really sad, because nothing anyone says is breaking through to Walt. The closest thing is what Walt Jr says, because he;s shaming Walt for cowardice instead of showing compassion.

Walt does admit some of his own motivations here. He wants power and agency, which he feels he's been denied, even if it's the power to die. SImilarly, he doesn't want to survive without doing anything, because doing, making your mark on the world, is how he measures life. And these feelings will drive him to the drug trade, because there he can REALLY have an effect.

I'm pretty sure Walt only agrees to treatment here because he's already planning to head back to Jesse, so it doesn't feel like giving in.