TV Recap: Breaking Bad – 5×13 “To’hajiilee”

There are only 3 episodes left of AMC’s mega-drama Breaking Bad. The creators, cast, and crew are pulling zero punches with these final episodes, which was evident in tonight’s heart-stopping episode “To’hajiilee”.

The episode starts with a little glimpse into how Todd is doing now that he is in charge of manufacturing the meth. His meth is sub par compared to Walt’s signature blue, a fact Lydia is clear on enunciating. It seems that the mysterious European buyers have gotten a taste for blue and won’t go back to buying colorless meth. Todd promises Lydia that he’ll be able to make blue meth, their interaction reveals that Todd may have some affection for Lydia.

Hank meets up with Gomez with Jesse in tow after the failed meet-up with Walt. Gomez is furious over what had happened but Hank reassures him that Jesse has a plan to take down Walt. Jesse informs the two men that the only evidence that can be used against Walt is the money he earned and hid. On Jesse’s information, Hank has Gomez pick up Saul’s henchman/bodyguard Huell. Using some manipulation and fake photos that would make Catfish: The TV Show’s Nev Schulman proud, Hank lures information out of Huell. He learns about the barrels of money and how the van Walt used came back incredibly filthy, as though the man had traipsed around the desert.

Walt discusses with Todd and Jack, Todd’s uncle, on killing Jesse. Even as he arranges his death Walt still defends Jesse against Todd and Jack’s words. He even demands for a quick and painless death. Jack agrees to take care of Jesse if Walt agrees to tutor Todd and show him how to make purer, better meth. Walt grudgingly agrees to one lesson and he assures Jack that he’ll flush Jesse out of hiding.

Arriving at Andrea’s house, Walt questions whether she had heard from Jesse, which she hasn’t. Walt lies and tells her Jesse has relapsed. Playing the worried friend, Walt convinces Andrea to call Jesse and leave a message saying that she and Walt are worried about him. As Walt leaves the house he calls up Jack and has him watch the house for when Jesse will show up. Walt expects that when Jesse hears that he’s been around Andrea and Brock,he would arrive in order to keep Andrea and Brock out of danger. What Walt doesn’t expect is for Hank to intercept Andrea’s voicemail.

At the car wash Skyler does all she can to keep Walt Jr. from returning home, obviously afraid that Jesse might try to do something to her family. As she’s showing Walt Jr. how to work the cash register Saul Goodman arrives looking thoroughly beat-up. As he’s having his car cleaned out, Walt ambushes him. Saul informs Walt that Huell is missing, he believes Jesse has had something to do with it.

Walt brushes Saul’s fears aside but he soon receives something that ignites his own fears. Jesse sends him picture of a barrel with money inside. Frantically, he calls Jesse and Jesse is adamant that he plans on burning all of Walt’s money and leave his family with nothing. Walt jumps in his car and books it the spot where the money is buried, along the way he tries to reason with Jesse. He talks about the the things he had done for Jesse (Crazy-8, Emilio, Gus, etc). Jesse replies that everything Walt has ever done has only been for himself and he’s through with Walt’s lies and manipulations.

When Walt arrives to the spot where the money is buried he is shocked to find that there is no one there. No Jesse, and no burning money. He canvases the area and finds himself completely alone. As he peers into the distance he spies a car coming his way. Sensing the he had fallen for a trap he calls Jack and gives him the coordinates of where is at. The car pulls up and Walt watches as Hank, Jesse, and Gomez exit the vehicle. Refusing to cause any harm to his brother-in-law,Walt tells Jack not to come. Walt exits his hiding spot and surrenders to Hank. Hank admits that the picture was a ruse and the entire thing was a trick in order to entrap Walt. While Walt is being handcuffed, and read his rights, he looks over at Jesse and calls him a coward. Jesse responds by spitting in Walt’s face and the two have a mini-brawl before Gomez and Hank break them up. Hank and Gomez make plans for delivering Walt and having the whole area swept for the money. Hank also calls Marie to give her the good news of Walt’s capture.

Jack and his crew show up while Hank is on the phone with Marie. Walt spies them and tries to warn Hank but Hank doesn’t listen. Jack, Todd and the rest of their crew exit their vehicles with their guns raised. Walt begins to scream at Jack to call the whole thing off and go home. Unfortunately, Walt is stuck in the back of Hank’s car and can do nothing to help his brother-in-law. The two groups begin to have a shoot-out. Hank and Gomez are horribly outnumbered but put up a good fight. Walt can do nothing but duck for safety as the shooting rages on.

This episode had me gripping my seat out of fear for Hank. To think that phone call between him and Marie may be the last one they ever have is completely devastating. Jack is not going to back down from this fight. He has shown that he has zero remorse for human life and is fueled by greed. Walt’s empire is crumbling around him and for the first time in a long time, he has absolutely no control as to what will happen next.

Rating – 10/10 for amazing “OMG” moments

Here’s a promo for next week’s episode 5×14 “Ozymandias”