# Breaking Bad 5.14 "Ozymandias" 9/15/13 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 15, 2013, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893 "2013-09-15T06:43:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/281 "2013-09-16T17:21:57Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I think you have this backwards. > [@twickster](#): > > See my note above telling people to knock off the personal attacks? You are included amongst the “everyone” addressed. > > I’m perfectly willing to start issuing warnings for ignoring a moderator’s instructions. > > **twickster** , Cafe Society moderator I thought it was a compliment, saying she’s smarter than the show. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/282 "2013-09-16T17:25:47Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > What did Hank lie to Skyler about? > > And yeah the meaning of the prologue is something I was interested on hearing views on. Was it that Walt is seen rehearsing his lies? I meant Walt. D’oh! ---
**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:** [September 16, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/283 "2013-09-16T17:27:23Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > I find it interesting that the fact they are Nazis is actually irrelevant. The only reason we know they are neo-Nazis is because of their tattoos. I’ve yet to hear them do or say anything white-supremacisty. They are part of the Aryan Brotherhood which is a prison gang, not a neo-Nazi organization. They aren’t actual ideological Nazis. Yes, it’s a Caucasian gang but the Nazi imagery is more to look bad ass than about politics. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/284 "2013-09-16T17:28:23Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Couple of things. I don’t think Walt was too emotionally invested in Hank as much as he was emotionally invested in the thought that this was all justified for his family. But with Hank dying that is the first true casualty in his mind and therefore pretty much nullifies any justification he had. I think it’s both. Those two ideas are tied together. > [@Acsenray](#): > > And yeah the meaning of the prologue is something I was interested on hearing views on. Was it that Walt is seen rehearsing his lies? I’ve seen some people explain that it was Walt’s first lie to Skyler. His first lie related to making meth, anyway. And you could see how much effort went into that lie. That comes effortlessly now. It also gives us an origin story for the roof pizza. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/285 "2013-09-16T17:29:45Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Remember: _Someone_ is going to scrawl “Heisenberg” on the wall of his house, which is clearly abandoned in the flash forward to the future. Something really, really bad is going to happen there. That could’ve just been teenage vandals, not a sign of anything bad. In retrospect I doubt Walt uses the ricin for suicide now. It is probably to poison Todd. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/286 "2013-09-16T17:32:27Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I thought it was a compliment, saying she’s smarter than the show. Could be. If so, I withdraw the admonition. ---
**Author:** ![SecretaryofEvil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SecretaryofEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecretaryofEvil)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/287 "2013-09-16T17:41:26Z")
I find it interesting that Uncle Jack and Todd decided to be so magnanimous with Walt. Is it because Walt reminds them of Hitler? Born in a different time and place, Walt would have made a fantastic Nazi. I can just seem him in some secret bunker cackling over the plans for his latest ingenious Vengeance Weapon. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/288 "2013-09-16T17:46:46Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > One interesting speculation: did Walt take Holly with him when he left deliberately to ensure that the police would have to come just so that his phone call would work? Why else would he take her? His cancer makes “I’m going to take this child and barrel of money and go start a new life” a less likely plan. I’ve been thinking that myself, but I just realized, Walt didn’t have to ensure the police would come. Flynn’s phone call to the police – which he made right in front of Walt – should have done the job. I think he took her because that was the last family member who hadn’t outright rejected him yet, but that is obviously only because Holly is pre-verbal. ---
**Author:** ![Cognoscant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Cognoscant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cognoscant)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/289 "2013-09-16T17:46:46Z")
Originally Posted by Siam Sam View Post Remember: Someone is going to scrawl “Heisenberg” on the wall of his house, which is clearly abandoned in the flash forward to the future. Something really, really bad is going to happen there. > [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > That could’ve just been teenage vandals, not a sign of anything bad. I’m not sure “Heisenberg” is a common thing for teenage vandals to scrawl on someone’s wall, especially on the wall of the abandoned house where someone nicknamed “Heisenberg” used to live. It’s either one of two things: 1. Walt dies, Skyler and family leave the house, and the name “Heisenberg” becomes something of a local legend. 2. Something really, really bad is going to happen there. ---
**Author:** ![edwards\_beard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@edwards\_beard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwards_beard)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/290 "2013-09-16T17:48:50Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’ve seen some people explain that it was Walt’s first lie to Skyler. His first lie related to making meth, anyway. And you could see how much effort went into that lie. That comes effortlessly now. It also gives us an origin story for the roof pizza. 😉 I watched the show with the AMC Story Sync for the first time last night. When this scene was ending the story sync displayed a picture with the phrase “Walt’s First Lie” along with it. This was reiterated in the Insider Podcast. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/291 "2013-09-16T17:57:42Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I thought it was a compliment, saying she’s smarter than the show. It was. I quoted this from around page 3, not wanting to miss the perfect chance to dis the show, then went back and finished reading the thread. I didn’t see the Mod post till way later. In case anyone hasn’t noticed, I think this show is **Ass**. I only re-started watching it to spend time with my wife on Sunday night, otherwise, I’d be drinking beer alone in the garage. > [@twickster](#): > > Could be. If so, I withdraw the admonition. Okay, then! 😉 You know who I feel sorry for from the last episode? The old Indian guy. The cops are gonna find that truck, trace it back to him, come out and question him and end up confiscating the money since its related to drugs/crime/murder etc. They will undoubtably have to keep the truck as evidence also. Poor guy gets screwed all the way around. Oh, wait! The only 2 cops in ABQ are dead, so I guess he’ll be alright. :rolleyes: Please. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/292 "2013-09-16T17:58:07Z")
> [@Cognoscant](#): > > I’m not sure “Heisenberg” is a common thing for teenage vandals to scrawl on someone’s wall, especially on the wall of the abandoned house where someone nicknamed “Heisenberg” used to live. It’s either one of two things: > > 1. Walt dies, Skyler and family leave the house, and the name “Heisenberg” becomes something of a local legend. > > 2. Something really, really bad is going to happen there. The graffiti appears before Walt dies. He goes back to the house and sees it. The tag implies that Walt’s identity as a drug manufacturer has been disclosed to the general public, but I guess it’s possible Jesse does the spraypainting himself. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/293 "2013-09-16T17:59:10Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > In case anyone hasn’t noticed, I think this show is **Ass**. I only re-started watching it to spend time with my wife on Sunday night, otherwise, I’d be drinking beer alone in the garage. Then consider it a note for threadshitting instead. ---
**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:** [September 16, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/294 "2013-09-16T18:03:14Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Have \*you \* > > I’m curious for those who didn’t get that Walt phone call was a ruse for the police - why did you think he was crying? He could barely get the words out, they were such anathema to him. It is so brilliantly edited that when the phone call starts, the viewer thinks Walt has completely broken and that what he is saying is real, but then in the middle of his tirade, we twinge onto what he is really doing, right when Skyler herself understands. After that moment, when we see how painful it is for him to say what he is saying, I’m sorry but how can anyone have not understood what was really going on? Serously? I’ll tell you what; next time I watch a TV show I’ll take notes on my every thought and emotion so I can report that back to you. Would that be to your satisfaction? Maybe people were distracted by other things. Maybe, as in my case, they had it DVRed and were watching it late and trying to stay awake. Maybe, as some people here seem to think, we’re all idiots or emotional dunces. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/295 "2013-09-16T18:05:09Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I think we’re supposed to believe he took her because it was his last chance to have any relationship with anyone in his family. He didn’t seem to be thinking rationally for most of that scene: his excuses were desperate and implausible and then he wound up grappling with Skyler for the knife. When he heard Holly crying for her mother he realized he had to give her up. That’s how I took it, too. He really seemed devastated when she was crying and calling “mama” (frankly, as was I), and he realized what he had done will never work out. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/296 "2013-09-16T18:07:38Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Then consider it a note for threadshitting instead. > [@Gatopescado](#): > > Okay, then! 😉 So, I can only participate if I think _“Its the GREATEST TV SHOW EVER!”?_ Okay, then. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/297 "2013-09-16T18:07:52Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I’m curious for those who didn’t get that Walt phone call was a ruse for the police - why did you think he was crying? He could barely get the words out, they were such anathema to him. It is so brilliantly edited that when the phone call starts, the viewer thinks Walt has completely broken and that what he is saying is real, but then in the middle of his tirade, we twinge onto what he is really doing, right when Skyler herself understands. After that moment, when we see how painful it is for him to say what he is saying, I’m sorry but how can anyone have not understood what was really going on? I thought the tears were from abject frustration at having lost everything and he was lashing out at her (like he had done before to Jesse when he wouldn’t comply). This wasn’t the first time he got downright mean and nasty when he desperately needed people to listen and they wouldn’t go along. Frankly- I wasn’t analyzing every thought- I was rolling with the emotion of the moment and simply had thought Walt had finally cracked. That’s it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/298 "2013-09-16T18:09:39Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > So, I can only participate if I think _“Its the GREATEST TV SHOW EVER!”?_ > > Okay, then. If you think the only options are “this is the greatest show ever!” and “this show is ass/this is stupid,” then yes, you cannot participate. ---
**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:** [September 16, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/299 "2013-09-16T18:10:08Z")
I was thinking about how the gang is going to spend $60 million and I realized that it’s a really good time to be selling diamond-encrusted swastikas in the Albuquerque area. Ditto running a tattoo parlor or selling authentic Nazi memorabilia. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893/300 "2013-09-16T18:10:50Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > IN fact, he sees himself as a selfless hero, willing to do what it takes for his family The scene a few episodes back where he was breaking down crying on the bathroom floor and telling Skyler she has to keep the money because if she loses the money, then everything he did was for nothing, seems to argue against that. If Walt believed in Hell, he would think he was going there. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-14-ozymandias-9-15-13/668893.md?page=16)