Is Walt going to use his ricin and his giant gun to take on the Nazis? Or the Schwartzes? Or both?
I do not think Walter White will kill the Elliott Schwartz in tonight’s series finale of “Breaking Bad,” but I am hopeful the Schwartzes will appear.
I predict:
1) Walt will make the Nazis explain to Walt Jr. (perhaps via television) that Walt did not kill Uncle Hank; and
2) Walt will die in Skyler’s arms.
Last week. On “Breaking Bad.”
* We learned that Saul’s “disappearer” is Ed, played by Robert Forster of “Medium Cool,” “Jackie Brown” and “Karen Sisco” fame. Ed, whose merits include smarts and patience, may be the last of the great characters we get to meet in this series. Ed made last week’s episode for me. Forster brought a lot to this table.
* Saul learned he was headed to Nebraska, perhaps to manage a Cinnebon. (Did he not squirrel away any of that money he handled for Gus and Walt and Jesse over the years? I do hope we get to see Saul watching Walt’s last stand on TV tonight.)
* Todd’s Nazi collaborators retrieved from Hank Schrader’s home the Jesse Pinkman videos. The ones implicating Todd in -- among many other things -- the slaying of an unlucky preteen cyclist.
* Todd convinced his uncle that Walt’s $65 million was not enough, and that they should continue risking their lives for millions more by forcing Jesse Pinkman to create purer, bluer methamphetamine.
* We learned Jesse now lives in a cage beneath the Nazi compound. (Did they always have that, or did they have it built just for Jesse?)
* We learned Todd can get to Skyler even with cops parked in front of her home.
* Todd advised Lydia not to kill Skyler and told her about the 92 percent purity that categorized his latest 50-pound batch. (The final shot of the scene, with restaurant customers going about their business as Lydia considered her options, was masterful.)
* Walt learned he was the proud owner of two copies of “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium.”
* Walt also learned his magical Heisenberg Hat did not give him enough power to get him down eight miles of snowy road. He wears a blue knitted cap on his second attempt much, much later. (Interesting that producers gave their central character a new look for this final season – more hair than ever, and plastic glasses – as if he’s no longer Heisenberg or Mr. White now but a third being forged from both!)
* Todd figured out how to keep Jesse in his cage.
* The shrinking Walter White’s wedding ring fell off much the same way Scott Carey’s did.
* “Why don’t you just die already?” Walt Jr. asked the man trying to ship him $100,000.
* As Walt waited for the DEA to take him into custody, a Charlie Rose interview publicizing a $28 million grant from the Elliott and Gretchen Schwartz Foundation precipitated a change of heart. (Jessica Hecht hadn’t played Walt’s ex-girlfriend Gretchen since 2009, but it was an especially nice touch to see the return of Adam Godley, who had only played Elliott Schwartz in one other episode, 1.5, “Gray Matters,” broadcast way back in February 2008.)
AMC says of tonight’s “Felina”:
The story concludes.
On last Sunday’s “Talking Bad” series mastermind Vince Gilligan offered a one-word hint regarding tonight’s episode: “Woodworking.”
Texas chainsaw woodworking?
“Felina” is, of course, an anagram for “finale.”
“Felina” is also a key character in Marty Robbins’ awesome 1959 country-western ballad “El Paso.”
Those following FX’s “The Bridge” know the West Texas town of El Paso borders Old Mexico, but it’s perhaps less well known that El Paso also borders New Mexico. 270 miles of I-25 connect El Paso to the Whites’ longtime Albuquerque abode.
The Robbins song describes a man who gets away with murder by fleeing El Paso (to New Mexico!), but finds himself driven by obsession and unfinished business to return.
Lyrics:
Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl.
Night-time would find me in Rosa's cantina;
Music would play and Felina would whirl.
Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina,
Wicked and evil while casting a spell.
My love was deep for this Mexican maiden;
I was in love but in vain, I could tell.
One night a wild young cowboy came in,
Wild as the West Texas wind.
Dashing and daring,
A drink he was sharing
With wicked Felina,
The girl that I loved.
So in anger I
Challenged his right for the love of this maiden.
Down went his hand for the gun that he wore.
My challenge was answered in less than a heart-beat;
The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor.
Just for a moment I stood there in silence,
Shocked by the foul evil deed I had done.
Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there;
I had but one chance and that was to run.
Out through the back door of Rosa's I ran,
Out where the horses were tied.
I caught a good one.
It looked like it could run.
Up on its back
And away I did ride,
Just as fast as I
Could from the West Texas town of El Paso
Out to the bad-lands of New Mexico.
Back in El Paso my life would be worthless.
Everything's gone in life; nothing is left.
It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden
My love is stronger than my fear of death.
I saddled up and away I did go,
Riding alone in the dark.
Maybe tomorrow
A bullet may find me.
Tonight nothing's worse than this
Pain in my heart.
And at last here I
Am on the hill overlooking El Paso;
I can see Rosa's cantina below.
My love is strong and it pushes me onward.
Down off the hill to Felina I go.
Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys;
Off to my left ride a dozen or more.
Shouting and shooting I can't let them catch me.
I have to make it to Rosa's back door.
Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel
A deep burning pain in my side.
Though I am trying
To stay in the saddle,
I'm getting weary,
Unable to ride.
But my love for
Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen,
Though I am weary I can't stop to rest.
I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle.
I feel the bullet go deep in my chest.
From out of nowhere Felina has found me,
Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side.
Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for,
One little kiss and Felina, good-bye.
9 p.m. Sunday. AMC.
