# Breaking Bad 5.15 "Granite State" 9/22/13 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 22, 2013, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429 "2013-09-22T09:43:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/501 "2013-09-26T21:52:19Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > I have to say, in a show as tightly plotted as this, I’ll be disappointed if they just forgot when Walt’s b-day was. Agreed, but that sure [appears](http://www.vulture.com/2013/09/breaking-bad-peter-gould-granite-state-interview.html) to be the case, based on the hemming and hawing from Gould: > [@](#): > > I hate to say it: I don’t have a good answer for you. I’ve forgotten. When I was writing the script, I would have been able to tell you, but that was six months ago. I don’t remember what month it is. I do remember we were thinking that it was toward the end of the winter there. Our justification for the snow was just the high altitude. That’s how we justified it. Don’t these shows have someone who’s in charge of continuity? Sheesh, weak. And I mean, it’s not like his birthday’s time of year was ancient history people wouldn’t still be thinking about, because with this show like few others, a lot of people have recently re-watched the pilot. I know I did just this past weekend, and I had also re-watched it a few months before that. Then there are all the people who saw it for the first time within the past few months in a Netflix binge-watch. > [@Erdosain](#): > > Normally, I don’t think anyone would even notice, let alone care, but the show has consistently used Walt’s birthday as a milestone. We got the contrast between the surprise 50th party and the frosty 51st pool party. We got Walt’s speech about what a tough year it had been between the two birthdays. We got the bacon numbers, for heaven’s sake! After all that, for the writers to say, “Fuck it, it’s his birthday in the finale, timeline be damned!” would be annoying. Plus, it screws up how much time has elapsed since Walt quit cooking and he got caught. Personally, I don’t care at all about tiny anachronisms like the Bin Laden thing. I do care about stuff that messes with the timeline. Agreed. And you reminded me that his birthday was shown again not to be in the winter by having the other one be at a pool party. I appreciate that some people will say they have so much goodwill built up towards the writing team that they will forgive this or that. And I am somewhat willing to do that when looking back at some rough edges in the pilot. People at that stage can never be totally clear on where the characterisations are going and so on. But I think by the time you are several seasons in and it is widely understood that you are still finishing work on a work of art that is seen as a national treasure, you have a responsibility to not taint it at all with needless sloppiness. And they have known for over a year now that the finale was building towards his 52nd birthday. Just inexcusable IMO. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/502 "2013-09-26T22:02:55Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > I appreciate that some people will say they have so much goodwill built up towards the writing team that they will forgive this or that. And I am somewhat willing to do that when looking back at some rough edges in the pilot. People at that stage can never be totally clear on where the characterisations are going and so on. But I think by the time you are several seasons in and it is widely understood that you are still finishing work on a work of art that is seen as a national treasure, you have a responsibility to not taint it at all with needless sloppiness. And they have known for over a year now that the finale was building towards his 52nd birthday. Just inexcusable IMO. How about waiting until Sunday night to call things inexcusable. And “national treasure”? Come on… It’s a TV show. A really really great TV show, but let’s not get carried away. It’s not like Nicolas Cage is going to try and steal it from underneath the Smithsonian or anything. ETA: Plus it’s very possible it took Walt awhile to end up at that Denny’s on his birthday. We don’t know what happens to him after he leaves that NH bar, but he’s certainly not going to be able to just hop in a car and drive off. It’s going to take some work (and time) to get out of there without being caught. ---
**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 26, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/503 "2013-09-26T22:18:39Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Agreed. And you reminded me that his birthday was shown again not to be in the winter by having the other one be at a pool party. Today in ABQ it was 81F. Plenty warm for a pool party. So probably not winter but certainly late fall would work. A misstep, perhaps, but one of only a few over so many seasons. A show as complex as this will probably many people disappointed that their favorite plot point, backstory, characterization, etc wasn’t handled quite right. My guess is that there’s going to be way more good stuff in the finale than dissapointment. We binged watched this over the summer and its been a delight. Enjoy it for the marvelous piece of TV entertainment it has been. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/504 "2013-09-26T22:23:36Z")
Holly’s birth must have taken place around three or four months after Walt’s 50th birthday. Her age is given as 18 months when Walt runs off with her in “Ozymandias”. Add about three more months to that for the time Walt spends in New Hampshire, for a total of 24. So, his 52nd birthday must be around the end of “Granite State”, no matter how you shake it. Month-wise, it adds up, but seasons are obviously weird in the BB universe. I blame global warming. (None of it fits with April as the date given for Jane’s birthday, and her turning “27 next month” according to her dad at the time of her death, which happens shortly after Holly is born. But maybe we can overlook that.) ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/505 "2013-09-26T22:36:59Z")
> [@LinusK](#): > > I guess he’ll have to steal a car in town and leave the barrel behind. A hundred K is enough to get him back to ABQ, and to buy that Big Ass Gun. In the interests of further over-analyzing, New Hampshire is one of a few states where you don’t need a title on an older car. So, provided it’s a car older than 15 years (say, an '80’s Volvo 240) it would be extremely easy for Walt to walk up to someone on the street, give them a pile of cash, and drive away with their car without anyone verifying who he really is. You’re eventually expected to report the sale to the state, but if he was willing to fake the dates, Walt could drive around more or less indefinitely with a bill of sale made out to his alias and it should hold up to casual scrutiny at a traffic stop. Of course, he did the exact same thing with the truck back in New Mexico, presumably ignoring the legal niceties of the situation. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/506 "2013-09-26T22:57:20Z")
It seems to me that the only possible way that Walt could have made it out of that bar as fast as he did was to buy the bartender’s car or the one belonging to the woman who helped him with the phone call. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/507 "2013-09-26T23:22:27Z")
Maybe Walt will take a left turn _before_ he gets to Albuquerque and get lost for a few months. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/508 "2013-09-26T23:54:16Z")
If you want to laugh about the wonky seasons in Breaking Bad’a ABQ, check out the last scenes of 5a (the lunch with Hank when Hank finds the book) and the continuation of that scene in the first episode of 5b. In one the trees in the background of the backyard are full and lushly green and then when Hank leaves the bathroom, the trees are suddenly bare. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/509 "2013-09-26T23:59:12Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > If you want to laugh about the wonky seasons in Breaking Bad’a ABQ, check out the last scenes of 5a (the lunch with Hank when Hank finds the book) and the continuation of that scene in the first episode of 5b. In one the trees in the background of the backyard are full and lushly green and then when Hank leaves the bathroom, the trees are suddenly bare. That was one loooong dump… ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/510 "2013-09-27T00:03:33Z")
Fall doesn’t last too long around here. In other words: Autumn Leaves… in a hurry. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/511 "2013-09-27T00:21:32Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Don’t these shows have someone who’s in charge of continuity? No. You do see continuity credits in TV and movies, but that’s not what it means. They sometimes have show bibles that list all the characters and important facts, but ultimately almost every single fact takes a back seat to coming up with a story that will keep people interested. In fact from what I’ve seen, fans usually keep tighter track of this stuff than the people making the shows do. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/512 "2013-09-27T00:35:59Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Agreed, but that sure [appears](http://www.vulture.com/2013/09/breaking-bad-peter-gould-granite-state-interview.html) to be the case, based on the hemming and hawing from Gould: Unrelated to the birthday, but concerning everyone’s fears/hopes regarding Gray Matter, Gould says in that interview: > [@](#): > > With Gretchen and Elliott we always knew that we wanted to have them back. They were so key to Walt’s past that it only felt right that we would see them again. **The scene we shot with Charlie Rose was actually the last piece that was ever shot for Breaking Bad.** (My emphasis.) I know from the podcast that it apparently was a tight squeeze getting that scene shot because of the actors’ schedules, so I think this makes it increasingly unlikely that they will show up again in the finale. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/513 "2013-09-27T00:40:12Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > Not written by Payne. Is that a first? Can’t wait for this (if it’s better than Election…). Yes, I believe it is, though you wouldn’t necessarily tell. Still dry wit, acerbic observations, real humanity on display. Charming, funny, meditative but shot in B&W. Payne is himself from Omaha, so he’s back to his roots after _Sideways, The Descendants_, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/514 "2013-09-27T00:43:18Z")
Has it been mentioned yet that the registration year sticker on Walt’s Volvo says 2013? ---
**Author:** ![Krazy-8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Krazy-8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krazy-8)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/515 "2013-09-27T00:49:38Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > BB has a history of this. Almost all the events of series 5a came about because Hank happened to find the account number of Gus Caribbean bank account behind a picture frame from blind luck. I guess they get away with it because the acting, cinematography and pacing is so good that we overlook the incredibly unlikely plot devices. Ah but the bank accounts were revealed when Walt and Jesse destroyed the laptop evidence. Every action on this show has an equal and opposite reaction. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/516 "2013-09-27T02:56:17Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Today in ABQ it was 81F. Plenty warm for a pool party. So probably not winter but certainly late fall would work. A misstep, perhaps, but one of only a few over so many seasons. I recall there were still plenty of warm days left in Albuquerque during September, although it was starting to get a little chilly at night. A pool party in early September would be completely believable. Maybe a last gasp before autumn settles in. ---
**Author:** ![Krazy-8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Krazy-8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krazy-8)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/517 "2013-09-27T03:03:16Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > For what it’s worth, the hockey game I the background was a 1998 game between the University of Wisconsin and the University of Denver.It is potentially notable because Wisconsin was down 2-1 in the third period and came back with six goals to win. Of course there may be significance in the fact they changed stations before the comeback. I think you are messing with us, no one would change the channel when the Badgers are playing hockey, even in New Hampshire. Wow, you are correct, way to go Bucky!!! [http://extramustard.si.com/2013/09/23/last-nights-breaking-bad-featured-a-classic-college-hockey-game-from-1998/](http://extramustard.si.com/2013/09/23/last-nights-breaking-bad-featured-a-classic-college-hockey-game-from-1998/) Hmmm, will Walt score 6 goals in the final period? ---
**Author:** ![Krazy-8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Krazy-8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krazy-8)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/518 "2013-09-27T03:39:46Z")
> [@LinusK](#): > > It was a straight-up love triangle. Walt’s friend and co-founder stole his girlfriend. After that, Walt didn’t want to stick around. (Would you?) So he sold out and went - wherever he went after that. Since it was Gretchen’s family that was bringing the money to the table, there was nothing else for Walt to do. How could he continue to work with the two people who’d so intimately betrayed him? > > Of course, at the time there was no way to know the company would be worth billions, but I’m sure in Walt’s mind, in hindsight, it looks inevitable. > > Anyway, they know why he left. They may not say why publicly, but they know. I don’t think this is correct, while I think all three were close, something happened over the 4th of July where Walt left Gretchen without saying a word. She probably then moved her love interests to Elliott. When Walt took the $5000 buyout, patents were pending, those patents probably hit paydirt. The Gray Matter fallout and later switch from successful research scientist to school teacher/car wash worker are keys to Walt’s background that need to come to light so we know what drove him to break bad. ---
**Author:** ![Krazy-8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Krazy-8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krazy-8)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/519 "2013-09-27T04:49:17Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > To sort-of answer my own question, that class is when Walter made the speech about chemistry being the study of change. Again, I can’t remember the scene exactly, but it sounds like the kind of thing one might say on the first day of school. And the birthday party is shortly after that. Yes, it did sound like a first day of class speech but then he told them to open their books to chapter 6. It could be the start of second semester. Also, maybe Mr. Lambert’s DL doesn’t use Walt’s b-day. It did get him a free breakfast at Dennys at least. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2013, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429/520 "2013-09-27T13:23:29Z")
The name “Holly” is traditionally given to babies born around Christmas. She was born around three or four months after Walt’s birthday, so a September birthday for Walt fits with that, too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-5-15-granite-state-9-22-13/669429.md?page=27)