Breaking Bad Episode 50: Fifty-One

On Walter White’s 51st birthday, his attempt to celebrate with a family party collapses into open hostility as his wife Skyler reveals she is fighting back against his control, culminating in a suicide attempt and a terrifying confrontation where she admits she hopes his cancer returns to kill him.

**Walt’s Birthday and the Cars** The episode opens with Walt selling the car he previously crashed, then returning home early from a cook to find no surprise party; Skyler has only brought a pre-cooked dinner. Disappointed but insistent on celebrating, Walt demands a party, which Skyler reluctantly arranges with Hank and Marie joining them. During the somber gathering, Walt gives a speech thanking Skyler for her support during his cancer year and reveals to Hank and Marie that Skyler had an affair with Ted Beneke. Skyler is horrified by this disclosure. Later, Skyler returns home to find two expensive sports cars on the driveway, realizing Walt bought one for himself and one for Walt Jr.. Walt Jr. immediately takes his new car and drives off, leaving the adults to finish a meager birthday dinner.

**Skyler’s Suicide Attempt and Confrontation** After Walt Jr. leaves, Walt notes it has been exactly one year since his cancer diagnosis. As he reflects, Skyler, fully clothed, steps into the swimming pool and slowly submerges herself. Marie Schrader panics, and Walt jumps in to pull her out. Walt then learns that Skyler has asked Marie and Hank to take the children away until her issues with Walt are resolved. Skyler insists she will not have her children living in a house where dangerous events are shrugged off. She threatens to harm herself further if Walt brings the kids back, but Walt belittles her plans, threatening to have her institutionalized. Breaking down and realizing she has no way out without hurting her family, Skyler relents to his arguments but admits her only remaining option is to hope Walt’s cancer comes back and kills him.

**The Methylamine Complication** At a warehouse in Houston, Lydia Rodarte-Quayle leads Jesse Pinkman to a barrel of methylamine. They discover a GPS tracker on the bottom of the barrel, which compromises the shipment. Earlier, Hank and the DEA had arrived at Lydia’s office after a warning from Mike, arresting her inside man, Ron Forenall, and cutting off the methylamine transport. Lydia calls Mike to report the transport is cut off. When Jesse informs Mike that Lydia spotted the tracker first, Mike concludes Lydia planted it herself to escape their deal and vows to kill her. Jesse pleads for mercy and asks for Walt’s opinion. Walt votes to keep Lydia alive to avoid losing time finding a new precursor supplier.

**The Birthday Gift** Later, Jesse gives Walt a TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 12 wristwatch as a birthday present, which pleases Walt. The episode ends with Walt sitting in his office staring at his Heisenberg hat, noticing a loose thread, and zoning out as Mike and Jesse discuss Lydia’s fate, revealing his plan to stubbornly push forward and continue cooking.