Breaking Bad Episode 38: Shotgun

Walter White speeds recklessly through Albuquerque traffic toward Los Pollos Hermanos, convinced that Gus Fring has killed Jesse Pinkman and will kill him next. Before arriving, Walt grabs a "Thirty-Eight Snub" revolver from under his car seat and calls Saul Goodman, ordering him to deliver all of Walt’s money to Skyler if Walt does not return within 24 hours. He also leaves a voicemail for Skyler and his children, telling them only that he loves them.

At the restaurant, Walt demands to see Gus but is told he is not there; Walt refuses to believe this and sits defiantly in the dining area. Mike Ehrmantraut eventually calls Walt, explaining that Jesse is with him, will not be harmed, and that Walt should return to work. Walt barges into Gus’s office but confirms Gus is absent.

Meanwhile, Mike drives Jesse to seven isolated dead-drop locations across New Mexico where Gus’s dealers leave drug money for pickup. Jesse assumes he was brought along to protect Mike’s back, but Mike angrily denies this and repeatedly states he doesn’t know why Jesse was requested. At each stop, Mike retrieves hidden bags of cash while Jesse waits alone in the car. Jesse grows increasingly fearful, at one point preparing to use his keys as a weapon and later demanding to be armed if he is acting as a guard; Mike refuses and even bans Jesse from smoking in the car.

At the final dead drop, while Mike steps away to collect cash, two robbers approach the vehicle, one armed with a shotgun. Jesse slams the car into reverse, rams into the robbers’ car, and speeds away. When Jesse returns, Mike hints that he is impressed. Later, it is revealed that Gus orchestrated the entire robbery attempt to boost Jesse’s low self-esteem and motivate him.

Back at the lab, Walt works alone and struggles without Jesse’s help. Jesse returns to the lab and tells Walt that he will now work in the lab and also assist Mike with pickups.

Elsewhere, Walt and Skyler officially purchase the car wash. After Skyler hears Walt’s voicemail, the two have passionate sex, and she offers to let Walt move back in; Walt leaves for the lab without answering. Later at home, Walter Jr. excitedly tells Walt that Skyler has already set the date for him to move back in, which unnerves Walt.

During dinner at Hank and Marie Schrader’s, a brooding Walt drinks wine and becomes increasingly tipsy. Hank announces that he has stopped investigating Gale Boetticher, having found closure in the death of the man he believed was Heisenberg, though he praises Gale’s genius. Hank, Walt, and Skyler are all present at the dinner.