Breaking Bad Episode 35: Thirty-Eight Snub

Walter White illegally purchases a .38-caliber snubnosed revolver to assassinate his boss, Gus Fring, fearing Gus will kill him after the murder of Gale, while Jesse Pinkman attempts to cope with his despair by hosting a massive, multi-day party filled with drugs and strangers.

**Walter’s Plot and the Gun** Walt meets an illicit gun dealer named Lawson in a motel room to buy the weapon, claiming it is for "defense" despite Lawson noting Walt could legally own a firearm. Lawson advises Walt on how to draw the gun quickly, and Walt practices the motion awkwardly. Walt believes he must act first because he fears Gus will kill him if he does not.

**Jesse’s Party** Jesse, still miserable after killing Gale, buys expensive electronics including a sophisticated sound system but remains unable to feel happy. He invites his friends Badger and Skinny Pete to his house to show off the new system and use meth. Although Skinny Pete initially refuses cocaine due to his recovery in rehab, he relents after Badger agrees to use it. To distract himself from his guilt, Jesse impulsively invites dozens of people to his home, turning it into a chaotic, multi-day party with dancing, drinking, and drug use.

**The Lab and Mike’s Discovery** While Walt and Jesse cook meth in the superlab, a new henchman arrives instead of Gus. Walt readies his hidden pistol, expecting Gus, but Mike Ehrmantraut enters and orders the new man to re-weigh the batch. Later, Mike drinks coffee at a bar and discovers dried blood from Victor on his jacket sleeve, realizing the danger Gus poses to his own employees.

**Walt’s Failed Assassination Attempts** Walt waits in the lab for Gus to arrive so he can kill him, but instead, Victor’s replacement, Tyrus, arrives with Mike. Mike informs Walt that he will never see Gus in person again. That night, Walt drives to Gus’s house and approaches the front door, but his phone rings. He receives a call from Tyrus, who delivers a message from Gus: "Go home, Walter".

**The Bar Confrontation** The next day, Walt approaches Mike at the bar, where Mike reveals he observed Walt tailing him there. Mike states he knew Walt was carrying the pistol while they were in the lab. Walt argues that both he and Mike are in danger because Gus could kill Mike just as easily as he killed Victor. Walt asks Mike to put him in a room with Gus so he can kill him. Mike responds by punching Walt, knocking him to the floor, kicking him several times, and then leaving the bar.

**Skyler’s Car Wash Plan** Skyler calls Walt to ask about buying the car wash where he once worked, intending to use it as a front business for his drug money. Walt fails to act on the inquiry, so Skyler conducts her own detailed research into the business’s expenses and revenues. Meanwhile, Marie Strutt tries to maintain a positive attitude to help her husband Hank, who is struggling with depression and spends his time examining minerals.