# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/101 "2012-07-23T18:07:52Z")
I’m in the “Mike meant to kill her” camp but only at the last minute started looking for reasons not to and figured out the Methlamine thing. She has her eyes closed, yet Mike is still grimacing and clearly fighting with the idea. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/102 "2012-07-23T18:08:06Z")
My impression was that he intended to kill her and changed his mind when she was begging about her daughter. I think it made him think of his granddaughter who he’s crazy about. ---
**Author:** ![Bytegeist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@Bytegeist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bytegeist)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/103 "2012-07-23T18:12:09Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I’m almost certain he planned to kill her. So am I, because I don’t think Mike is much of an “actor”. Mike can say what’s on his mind, or choose not to say it, but he’s not one to put on a big show for some planned effect. ---
**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 23, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/104 "2012-07-23T18:13:29Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I’m almost certain he planned to kill her. He told her she would never be found and then he actually went through the “I’m going to shoot you/no I can’t shoot you” business. His facial expressions (her eyes were closed, I think) made it seem like a genuine moment. Do you think that was all a charade to persuade her to go back into business? I’ll watch for that. > [@](#): > > Also, it seems to me that she must not be one of the names tied to offshore bank accounts. Otherwise, there’s no way she would have been free to start picking off 11 other people without drawing scrutiny. Agreed. She is a very highly paid exec at the German company and was in on the bad stuff. She doesn’t want to lose that and go to jail. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/105 "2012-07-23T18:27:29Z")
You guys are pretty convincing. Mike doesn’t kill unless he has to. He must have known in advance that Lydia had a child, so this was going to be difficult for him. So maybe he was hoping that Lydia would say the right/wrong words, and either give him an out, or make it easier for him to do it. Was it something she said that gave him the idea about using her for the methylamine? ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/106 "2012-07-23T18:39:52Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Madrigal has already been identified as the source of a lot of stuff for Gus’s operation and the head of Madrigal has offered his cooperation in rooting out whatever bad seed is going to be left. Obviously, they’re hoping that Schuler was a bad seed and a wild card, but, realistically, Schuler is going to have had some help in executing his plans, just as Gus did. It takes al ot to set up an operation like there was at the laundry. > > So, the entirety of Madrigal, especially the restaurant division, and any American operations are under scrutiny as it is. Now you’re going to contemplate that if this woman is either Gus’s wife or ex-wife, or just his babymama, the cops and Madrigal aren’t going to have zeroed in on her _already_, especially since she’s obviously in a position to help Gus obtain needed supplies? No way that she’s going to be free to operate like she is if she has such a significant personal relationship with Gus. Well that scenario makes it a lot more likely that she’s a bundle of nerves. And she is. It may be a very well hidden fact that if she’s the baby mama for Gus’ kid, she has the motivation to have a kill list, because it’s not just about herself and getting the hell out of dodge, but there’s the kid and the legacy. Her silly attempt at being clandestine is laughable to Mike because she’s not used to having to do this, assuming Gus always orchestrated the ‘wet work’ but her access to the kill or be killed list of 11 is very interesting. Where did she get this list? Is it something Gus may have left for her? ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/107 "2012-07-23T18:58:49Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Ah, yes, good point. Even more evil geniusy then. > > I wonder if they had this in mind when they introduced the roomba. Rather than just being something that was first seen this episode, we’ve seen the roomba as a significant show element before. > [@Andiethewestie](#): > > I really hate Walt for doing this to his only truly loyal friend. He is one evil bastard, a true narcissist it’s all about Walt..and I agree, unlike the shitty loose ends on the Sopranos, this show really puts in the effort to take the storylines to a logical conclusion. Jesse has been flip-flopping his loyalties over the seasons, and I think Walt planting the cigarette in the Rhoomba was the easiest way that would predictably ensure Jesse’s unquestionable loyalty to Walt from here on out until Jesse does some drywall work on Walt’s house for some unknown reason. > [@Rigamarole](#): > > And they pass the savings on to you! > > Totally unrelated to this episode, but just wanted to mention in case anyone didn’t know: they discussed that scene in the podcast, and while shooting, Cranston actually threw a real pizza on the roof and nailed it on the first try. There was no CGI or anything in that scene. For anyone that hasn’t seen the BB Extra’s: [Here is [URL=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkTDilC-860”]Pizza of Destiny: Cranston’s Greatest Shot](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkTDilC-860) > [@Joey\_P](#): > > The only one I noticed (not that I look for them), was the fly in Chow’s apartment. I noticed it mainly because they sent the buzzing through the surround speakers. [That wasn’t the only fly…](http://images.wikia.com/breakingbad/images/5/52/5x2_Madrigal_%281%29.jpg) > [@davidm](#): > > My impression was that he intended to kill her and changed his mind when she was begging about her daughter. I think it made him think of his granddaughter who he’s crazy about. This scene was very reminiscent of the Half Measure story he told Walt; his gun to her face (but not mouth), the “thinking it over” part, her begging to be shot not in the face nor being not found, etc. ---
**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 23, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/108 "2012-07-23T19:02:57Z")
> [@Andiethewestie](#): > > Well that scenario makes it a lot more likely that she’s a bundle of nerves. And she is. It may be a very well hidden fact that if she’s the baby mama for Gus’ kid, she has the motivation to have a kill list, because it’s not just about herself and getting the hell out of dodge, but there’s the kid and the legacy. Her silly attempt at being clandestine is laughable to Mike because she’s not used to having to do this, assuming Gus always orchestrated the ‘wet work’ but her access to the kill or be killed list of 11 is very interesting. Where did she get this list? Is it something Gus may have left for her? I get the feeling that she made the list herself from memory. She would have met or known of these guys from her extra curricular work. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/109 "2012-07-23T19:05:04Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > You guys are pretty convincing. Mike doesn’t kill unless he has to. He must have known in advance that Lydia had a child, so this was going to be difficult for him. So maybe he was hoping that Lydia would say the right/wrong words, and either give him an out, or make it easier for him to do it. > > Was it something she said that gave him the idea about using her for the methylamine? Walt’s offer that Mike refused at first, then losing (freezing) the $2M by the DEA and his previous knowledge of her connections is what gave him the idea go get some money back. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/110 "2012-07-23T19:08:56Z")
What did the nanny say when Lydia got home? I thought she implied that Lydia was a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/111 "2012-07-23T19:11:16Z")
> [@Yeticus\_Rex](#): > > [That wasn’t the only fly…](http://images.wikia.com/breakingbad/images/5/52/5x2_Madrigal_%281%29.jpg) Is that a whoosh or is there an insect in that picture I’m not seeing. I only asked because when I first noticed the fly I was wondering if there was some symbolism to it other then the dead body since 2 hours seemed a bit soon for flies to show up. But if there’s one in the picture when Chow is still alive then it must mean something. Also, he’s holding the gun wrong. You don’t put a hand under the grip with a semi-auto. It’s a good way to slice your palm open if it misfires and sends the magazine out. But it’s comfortable and you see it on TV a lot (I believe it’s the correct way for a revolver) and most new people, myself included, will naturally grab it that way if they’ve never held one before. Now…everyone come tell me I’m wrong 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/112 "2012-07-23T19:17:25Z")
There’s no misfire that’s going to eject the magazine forcefully and mags generally have a padded butt, there’s no way he’s going to get injured firing that way. ---
**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 23, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/113 "2012-07-23T19:19:13Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > What did the nanny say when Lydia got home? I thought she implied that Lydia was a doctor. Probably PhD in chemistry or something. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/114 "2012-07-23T19:19:58Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > One strange thing about this episode is that when they were discussing acquiring Methlamine, Jesse proposed they go back to using a psuedo cook, and Walt just immediately dismissed it. Now if he feels like it would be impossible to obtain in the necesary quantities, that’s one thing - but it made it seem like he was unwilling to go back to an inferior product. But the methlamine originally was a workaround due to their psuedo limitations - the show never suggested it was a superior product, but rather equal (or good enough). I looked at it like actual cooking. You are following an established and popular recipe but you need to make a substitution, so you do. People like your version better and that’s what they want. Why would you go back to the original recipe by choice? It also has to do with Walt’s pride–he likes having an identifiable product. > [@Acsenray](#): > > I’m almost certain he planned to kill her. He told her she would never be found and then he actually went through the “I’m going to shoot you/no I can’t shoot you” business. His facial expressions (her eyes were closed, I think) made it seem like a genuine moment. Do you think that was all a charade to persuade her to go back into business? I’m certain he was going to kill her. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/115 "2012-07-23T19:21:42Z")
[Emmy nominations for 2012:](http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/emmys/la-et-st-emmy-nominations-2012-list-20120718,0,521498.htmlstory) Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Bryan Cranston as Walter White in “Breaking Bad” Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Anna Gunn as Skyler White in “Breaking Bad” Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman in “Breaking Bad” Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Giancarlo Esposito as Gustavo ‘Gus’ Fring in “Breaking Bad” Guest Actor in a Drama Series: Mark Margolis as Tio Salamanca in “Breaking Bad” Directing for a Drama Series: Vince Gilligan, “Breaking Bad” ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/116 "2012-07-23T19:25:12Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Is that a whoosh or is there an insect in that picture I’m not seeing. I only asked because when I first noticed the fly I was wondering if there was some symbolism to it other then the dead body since 2 hours seemed a bit soon for flies to show up. But if there’s one in the picture when Chow is still alive then it must mean something. The second fly is not an insect…😉 ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/117 "2012-07-23T19:42:02Z")
> [@Yeticus\_Rex](#): > > For anyone that hasn’t seen the BB Extra’s: [Here is [URL=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkTDilC-860”]Pizza of Destiny: Cranston’s Greatest Shot](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkTDilC-860) All they need is the theme from NFL Films and you have the greatest documentary mankind has ever created. ---
**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 23, 2012, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/118 "2012-07-23T19:44:09Z")
> [@Andiethewestie](#): > > but her access to the kill or be killed list of 11 is very interesting. Where did she get this list? Is it something Gus may have left for her? > [@hajario](#): > > I get the feeling that she made the list herself from memory. She would have met or known of these guys from her extra curricular work. Yes, at the diner, she told Mike that she had come up with a list of 11 names. These are the people she has worked with herself in order to funnel supplies to the laundry. At this point, there’s no reason to believe she had any personal relationship with Gus. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/119 "2012-07-23T19:46:22Z")
You know, I just looked, and while Cranston is going to win every emmy he’s eligible for, the show has never won the Emmy. Mad Men for 4 years. The show should really win the best drama Emmy this year. OR ELSE. I just wonder how the split season thing will work as far as eligibility. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089/120 "2012-07-23T19:57:28Z")
A show needs to air between June 1 and May 31 to be eligible for the Emmy Awards. So if the second half of the fifth season doesn’t air until next summer, they could compete for the Emmys twice more (once for the current eight episodes and again for the last eight). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-02-madrigal-7-22-2012/629089.md?page=7)