# Breaking Bad 5.02 "Madrigal" 7/22/2012 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 23, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089 "2012-07-23T00:09:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![theR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@theR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theR)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/261 "2012-07-26T01:31:18Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > And I think Hank is a GS-13 - that’d be appropriate for a guy in his agency of his age and duties. A friend of mine in his early 30s in a more junior role is at GS-12, for example. And I think Hank’s partner mentioned a promotion to GS-14. A GS-13 at step 1 makes a bit over 80K in that part of the country: [Rest of U.S. - Annual Rates by Grade and Step](http://www.opm.gov/oca/12tables/html/RUS.asp) . If Hank’s been at GS-13 for a while, and he probably has, then he could be in the low nineties. Even if he’s only a GS-12, he’d be making mid-seventies after a few years in grade. > > So, yah - dual-income almost certainly pushes their combined income into the low six figures. Hank and Marie are doing quite well for themselves. He also probably would get LEAP (Law Enforcement Availability Pay), which I think is 25% on top of his regular pay. You usually have to work at least 50 hour weeks, but in both real life and fiction I don’t know of any investigators in federal law enforcement who only work 40 hour weeks. Probably also a government vehicle, including gas and maintenance. Etc. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/262 "2012-07-26T01:52:52Z")
> [@Yeticus\_Rex](#): > > Anything for a Doper… > > My apologies if you have already seen any of these, but if you need a fix…then here are some BB tribute videos…IMHO, these are the top drawer ones, but the list is by no means exclusive… > > [Breaking Bad - The Ecstasy of Gold (tribute video) Seasons 1-4](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYBTX_GmSM8) > [Hurt (Walt/Jessie Breaking Bad)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1XDhMJHC_Q) > [Breaking Bad - DLZ - Tv on the Radio](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR4e19Fc98w) > [Breaking Bad - Fresh Prince of ABQ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbFP8Su8huU) > [Breaking Bad: Requiem for a Dream](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evCS62BFnEE&feature=related) > [Jesse Pinkman: Ever Since I Met You [Breaking Bad]](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzULZKyec-0) > [Breaking Bad | The Transformation of Walter White | Sunshine | Tribute (HD)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=NuN-70bICR4&NR=1) > [Breaking Bad - Ultimate Tribute](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJkIF4umzQI) > [Breaking Bad Tribute - Hans Zimmer - Time [HD] Seasons 1- 4](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79-1ALjuteA) > > [And for something completely different.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjqYlvUgJQ8) God those are awesome. They really highlight just how organic and well paced Walt’s transformation has been. ---
**Author:** ![Concrete\_Slab\_Foundation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Concrete\_Slab\_Foundation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Concrete_Slab_Foundation)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/263 "2012-07-26T04:29:32Z")
> [@jrepka](#): > > It’s been hinted at pretty strongly that Gus might have been gay. Not that there’s anything wrong with that… It’s an interesting, unexplored element in a show whose theme is, “La familia es todo.” ---
**Author:** ![jrepka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee59a6/32.png) [@jrepka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrepka)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/264 "2012-07-26T04:43:31Z")
Does anyone think that the entry way to the DEA office (with the spiral staircase) looks just like the lobby of Beneke Fabrication? ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/265 "2012-07-26T04:52:08Z")
> [@Concrete\_Slab\_Foundation](#): > > It’s an interesting, unexplored element in a show whose theme is, “La familia es todo.” Refresh my memory, or fill in the gap where none exists—do we have _any indication whatsoever_ that Gus was gay other than the sneering remark that Tio made (“les gustan lo que ven”) when he was finished peeing in Don Eladio’s pool? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/266 "2012-07-26T05:03:19Z")
I thought that they were implying that his partner who was killed was his lover. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/267 "2012-07-26T05:19:32Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > Refresh my memory, or fill in the gap where none exists—do we have _any indication whatsoever_ that Gus was gay other than the sneering remark that Tio made (“les gustan lo que ven”) when he was finished peeing in Don Eladio’s pool? Well, when NotGus was pleading for Gus’s life, he kept saying, “He’s my partner; I need him!” Sure, it could also be interpreted as completely non-sexual, but that plus Tio’s homophobic comment certainly leaves open the possibility that the Pollos Hermanos were perhaps amigos con derechos. Edited to add: plus Gus was thin and neat. Don’t you watch Seinfeld? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/268 "2012-07-26T12:32:28Z")
I think his name was Max. I think it was made fairly clear that Gus and Max were lovers. So about Hank’s minerals hobby. What are the chances that this isn’t going ti offer a pivotal plot point in his investigation? I just hope it’s not too much “Masterpiece Mystery.” ---
**Author:** ![Bytegeist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@Bytegeist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bytegeist)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/269 "2012-07-26T14:10:45Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > So about Hank’s minerals hobby. What are the chances that this isn’t going ti offer a pivotal plot point in his investigation? That’s a good possibility. But was there any specific bit of mineral knowledge he learned (that we also heard about) that could turn out to be useful? I vaguely recall Hank and Walt talking about what gives a certain kind of quartz its color, or something like that. There was probably a lot more that I’ve forgotten. [QUOTE=Acsenray] I just hope it’s not too much “Masterpiece Mystery.” [/QUOTE] Some blending in the other direction might be good though. Let’s see how detectives Lewis and Hathaway react when they encounter a tortoise ambling through an Oxford college courtyard, carrying a severed head. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/270 "2012-07-26T14:22:58Z")
It’s certainly easy to draw the conclusion that Gus was gay and that he had a relationship with Maximino, but there was nothing definitive. I did not remember the comment about children in his first episode, though. And yes, I considered the possibility that he was identifying lovers as well as meth chemists through that scholarship, using the scholarship to identify talented and financially needy people he could form a connection with and use the personal bond and their gratitude to rope them into his business. Then again maybe he kept his personal and professional lives separate. I’m not sure we’ll ever find out. I don’t think we need to know much more about Gus for purposes of the show. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/271 "2012-07-26T14:53:26Z")
True. There are no real remaining questions about Gus so far as the story is concerned. His arc seems to be complete. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/272 "2012-07-26T15:23:42Z")
It’s been strongly hinted that gus will be back in flashbacks. Plus he was a popular character, showing him in the next weeks previews will invariably be good for ratings. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/273 "2012-07-26T15:58:50Z")
> [@Bytegeist](#): > > That’s a good possibility. But was there any specific bit of mineral knowledge he learned (that we also heard about) that could turn out to be useful? I vaguely recall Hank and Walt talking about what gives a certain kind of quartz its color, or something like that. There was probably a lot more that I’ve forgotten. > Some blending in the other direction might be good though. Let’s see how detectives Lewis and Hathaway react when they encounter a tortoise ambling through an Oxford college courtyard, carrying a severed head. La Tortuga was sleeping with various Oxford dons and the message on the turtle would be written in Latin, so that only DS Hathaway would recognize the allusion to Venerable Bede. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/274 "2012-07-26T16:04:33Z")
When does AMC put up the previously aired episodes on its website? IIRC, they put up the premiere pretty quickly but I still have not seen “Madrigal” make an appearance yet. I almost always need to watch the episodes more than once to get a full grip on matters, because I’m generally drunk the first go-round. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/275 "2012-07-26T16:11:36Z")
> [@jrepka](#): > > Does anyone think that the entry way to the DEA office (with the spiral staircase) looks just like the lobby of Beneke Fabrication? I did. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/276 "2012-07-26T16:45:28Z")
> [@Yeticus\_Rex](#): > > [And for something completely different.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjqYlvUgJQ8) Holy crap! Those guys can really toss a bowling ball, even RJ! ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/277 "2012-07-26T17:45:07Z")
> [@jrepka](#): > > Does anyone think that the entry way to the DEA office (with the spiral staircase) looks just like the lobby of Beneke Fabrication? Yep, and when I saw a bald guy who had trouble walking, I thought it was Ted. My first thought was “Wow, that was a fast recovery.” ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/278 "2012-07-26T17:58:31Z")
re Gus in the military… what was the question/uncertainty?? Don’t I recall a photo of him in uniform? re Lydia… can somebody summarize what we know about her? Was she in Germany in the first scene? What was the whole thing with the tea in the diner? Was that part of her cover-story to make her seem to be from somewhere other than NM? Or might she actually live in Europe most of the time even though she has a place in NM? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/279 "2012-07-26T18:23:58Z")
> [@What\_the](#): > > re Lydia… can somebody summarize what we know about her? Was she in Germany in the first scene? I don’t think so. She’s part of the American branch of Madrigal. > [@](#): > > What was the whole thing with the tea in the diner? Was that part of her cover-story to make her seem to be from somewhere other than NM? Or might she actually live in Europe most of the time even though she has a place in NM? I think it’s just to show that she’s a high-strung, neurotic East Coast/yuppie/hipster type. I don’t think it was an act. It did emphasize how bad she was at being inconspicuous and how out-of-place she was in an Albuquerque diner. ---
**Author:** ![jrepka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee59a6/32.png) [@jrepka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrepka)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/280 "2012-07-26T18:27:53Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > When does AMC put up the previously aired episodes on its website? IIRC, they put up the premiere pretty quickly but I still have not seen “Madrigal” make an appearance yet. I almost always need to watch the episodes more than once to get a full grip on matters, because I’m generally drunk the first go-round. They don’t. You can buy them on iTunes or Amazon, I think. They only put up “Live Free or Die” so that BB fans who have Dish Network would have an extra week to change services if they so desired. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089.md?page=15)