# Breaking Bad - "ABQ" Season Finale 5/31 (Open Spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 1, 2009, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304 "2009-06-01T01:32:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [June 1, 2009, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/21 "2009-06-01T14:45:47Z")
I think Donald was just not ready to go back to work. He told his coworker that sometimes the time off isn’t helpful so he wanted to get back to work…unfortunately he has a job where his state-of-mind is incredibly important. Did you notice how he accidently said “Jane” instead of “Juliet” when listing the call letters of one of the aircraft? He must have felt incredibly guilty after Jane’s death since he allowed her one more day before taking her to rehab. I really can’t believe that a parent would leave their kid alone once the decision has been made to take them for help, except that it was a convenient plot device. With as much guilt as he felt about Jane, multilpy that by however hundred people were on those planes. I have a feeling he’s going to completely break now and possibly go after Jesse somehow. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/22 "2009-06-01T15:17:45Z")
> [@singular1](#): > > Why would he have a sense of guilt? He has no way of knowing that he is largely responsible for the plane crash. He’s got a lot to be guilty for, but the plane crash will just be another random bummer in his life. It took me all of one second after seeing it to figure out at least one way Walt would find out how he was “responsible” for this major tragedy. I seriously doubt the writers put this much a biggey in there without the intention of Walt finding out. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/23 "2009-06-01T16:34:27Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Now, I’ve never done a background check, but do you really think that when you do so, you find out the occupation of your subject’s wife’s sister’s husband? I could easily see that the connection between Walt and Hank comes as a surprise to Gus. I’ve never done a background check either, but it seems likely that Gus would want to know about **all** of Walt’s connections. Did Saul Goodman know about Hank? In the interview linked to by **cmyk** , Gilligan says that Gus wasn’t surprised to learn that Hank is Walt’s brother-in-law. Another tidbit from the interview is that there’s a pink teddy bear floating in the sky in Jane’s mural. And Gilligan says they’re planning two more seasons. One thing I wondered about was the air traffic control system. There are no audible warnings (bells and whistles and gongs and buzzers) when two planes get too close to each other? ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/24 "2009-06-01T16:34:57Z")
I look forward to the interaction w/ Gus next season. I don’t understand how Jesse could believe he was responsible for her Jane’s death. Yeah, I could see where he’d be upset… but to blame himself? Dumb. I’m curious if the crashing planes will burn up the money, setting up why Walt needs to cook up a batch again. I’m also thinking we haven’t heard the last of Jane’s dad. My big worry is that Skylar will tell her sister and Hank that Walt payed for everything with some unknown source of money. That’ll hank looking into that a little more carefully. Although he’ll still underestimate him. ---
**Author:** ![PeacePlease](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/71c47a/32.png) [@PeacePlease](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PeacePlease)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/25 "2009-06-01T17:23:23Z")
Well…I must admit to being kind of disappointed at the resolution of what we were assuming was something going down at Walt’s house. I mean, that’s what we had been led to believe with the all the opening shots we’d seen. I was still confused when, during the opening shots, they pulled back and in to color and there were people all over with hazmat suits on. I LOVED that Skylar finally had enough. I felt so bad for her for having to make those phone calls and learning all the information that she did and I can’t blame her for her decision to ask Walt to leave. I just can never see him telling her the truth. She’s too law-abiding to be able to handle it. That frickin’ dinging every time the money came in must have been driving Walt out of his mind. The surprise you’re going to be on TV was so tense and such a HUGE mistake. Loved that Gus showed up at the DEA offices. But you put all these pieces together and I think Walt is in a real bind. Should be interesting to see how the next season pans out. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/26 "2009-06-01T17:28:02Z")
Yeah, the ding of the Telltale Heart!! I also hated it that it was such a mislead, the “preview” hazmat scenes. I really, really hope this isn’t a device they come to rely on. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/27 "2009-06-01T17:32:18Z")
> [@PeacePlease](#): > > Well…I must admit to being kind of disappointed at the resolution of what we were assuming was something going down at Walt’s house. I mean, that’s what we had been led to believe with the all the opening shots we’d seen. I was still confused when, during the opening shots, they pulled back and in to color and there were people all over with hazmat suits on. > > . Well, its miles above (heh) above most TV show misdirections. Someone dies next episode! Turns out to be some random never seen before hobo. At least this misdirection made sense with what has happened so far, and in many ways is actually WORSE than what most folks were able to come up with. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/28 "2009-06-01T17:36:46Z")
> [@niblet\_head](#): > > Yeah, the ding of the Telltale Heart!! Well, if this is a refence to Walt finding out his actions caused the crash imagine this: TV new flash. We have inside information that an air traffic controller who was highly distruaght over his daughters recent death “caused” the crash. We tried to talk to Mr. Q to get a comment. Swap to video of Q trying to avoid the tv cameras. DETAILS at 10! viola, Walt knows he is “responsible”. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/29 "2009-06-01T17:43:10Z")
No, it’s a reference to the ding ding ding of the website. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/30 "2009-06-01T17:43:52Z")
> [@PeacePlease](#): > > That frickin’ dinging every time the money came in must have been driving Walt out of his mind. The surprise you’re going to be on TV was so tense and such a HUGE mistake. > > . Hell, even if Walt was a totally average guy with cancer looking at major surgery, that ding would STILL drive such a person mad. Every single damn ding reminds you of several things. You dont have enough money and might not get enough. You are going to have serious surgery and might not survive it. And even if you did, there is the linger threat of cancer (moreso than usual) for the rest of your life. Add to THAT what Walts REAL situation is and god help the poor guy. I figured he was going to have a panic attack during the tv interview. ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/31 "2009-06-01T17:44:02Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Well, its miles above (heh) above most TV show misdirections. Someone dies next episode! Turns out to be some random never seen before hobo. > > At least this misdirection made sense with what has happened so far, and in many ways is actually WORSE than what most folks were able to come up with. I’m just pissed I didn’t call it ahead of time by putting together the episode titles. I mean, they literally spell it out a word a week, and it’s right there in front of us. It should have been obvious. I’m even accustomed to looking for weird hidden clues and symbolism from stuff like The Wire and The Sopranos, but I guess I didn’t expect it here. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/32 "2009-06-01T17:45:48Z")
> [@niblet\_head](#): > > No, it’s a reference to the ding ding ding of the website. Oh okay. That make more sense and is more appropiate ! though my scenario for him putting 2 and 2 together still seems reasonable to me. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/33 "2009-06-01T17:48:28Z")
> [@troub](#): > > . I’m even accustomed to looking for weird hidden clues and symbolism from stuff like The Wire and The Sopranos, but I guess I didn’t expect it here. i just go by Deadwood learnin. If someone says “cocksucker”, bad things have happened or are going to happen. No sopfistercatin tinkin here 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/34 "2009-06-01T17:48:32Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Hell, even if Walt was a totally average guy with cancer looking at major surgery, that ding would STILL drive such a person mad. > > Every single damn ding reminds you of several things. You dont have enough money and might not get enough. You are going to have serious surgery and might not survive it. And even if you did, there is the linger threat of cancer (moreso than usual) for the rest of your life. Add to that his sense of pride in being able to take care of himself. Isn’t that why he had previously refused offers and gifts from his rich former partners? Every ding just reminding you that you’re getting “handouts” from people who mostly just feel sorry for you… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/35 "2009-06-01T17:51:38Z")
> [@PeacePlease](#): > > I LOVED that Skylar finally had enough. I felt so bad for her for having to make those phone calls and learning all the information that she did and I can’t blame her for her decision to ask Walt to leave. I just can never see him telling her the truth. She’s too law-abiding to be able to handle it. Not too law-abiding to turn her boss in for cooking the books, though. I think she probably could’ve handled the truth, goodness knows she’s got to be guessing something pretty close to it. I don’t know that Walt would’ve told her, though. Every time she’s caught him in a lie, he just made up an even flimsier one to cover it. I think Walt overestimates his ability to tell a believable lie, and he might’ve just kept going. Even if Walt does find out that he was indirectly responsible for the plane crash, I don’t think he’ll feel any more guilt than he does now. When Jesse was sobbing in his arms and said, “I loved her more than anything,” I thought I might’ve seen a bit of guilt on Walt’s face, but it was a passing moment. (Meanwhile I was crying myself.) Walt’s distanced himself emotionally from everyone around him. If watching Jesse break down after Jane’s death didn’t make him feel guilty, I don’t think the deaths of strangers will do it, either. From the interview, it sounds like the writers are going to make Walt suffer for the things he’s done: > [@](#): > > The way I see it, if a jet engine fell on his head and crushed him, he’d be getting off too easy. He’s not getting off nearly that easy. I wonder if any of it will make him feel guilty. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/36 "2009-06-01T17:57:31Z")
> [@troub](#): > > Add to that his sense of pride in being able to take care of himself. Isn’t that why he had previously refused offers and gifts from his rich former partners? Every ding just reminding you that you’re getting “handouts” from people who mostly just feel sorry for you… Except they weren’t really “handouts” right? All of the donations up to that point were from Saul’s money laundering scheme of hacking computers and making small donations at a time so that Walt could explain how he got all that money. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/37 "2009-06-01T18:00:12Z")
> [@troub](#): > > Add to that his sense of pride in being able to take care of himself. Isn’t that why he had previously refused offers and gifts from his rich former partners? Every ding just reminding you that you’re getting “handouts” from people who mostly just feel sorry for you… Except that in Walt’s case, it’s reminding him that everything he’s earned for his family is going to be attributed to anonymous donations, and he won’t get the credit for any of it. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/38 "2009-06-01T18:53:53Z")
I really hope Aaron Paul gets Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. He did just such a fantastic job in the episode. ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/39 "2009-06-01T19:28:50Z")
> [@HelloNinja](#): > > Except they weren’t really “handouts” right? All of the donations up to that point were from Saul’s money laundering scheme of hacking computers and making small donations at a time so that Walt could explain how he got all that money. Exactly, you and the **The Weird One** both are dead-on as to these things being _additional_ aggravating factors because it’s Walt. **billfish** proposed a hypothetical that even an “average” person in Walt’s situation (cancer, etc.) would be driven to distraction by that damn dinging noise. And regardless of the drugs and the laundered money, etc., Walt’s pride would still have him wringing Jr.'s (er…Flynn’s) neck over that website with the bell (assuming, of course, that the bell would ever ding without the laundered money). ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304/40 "2009-06-01T19:52:58Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Well, if this is a refence to Walt finding out his actions caused the crash imagine this: > > TV new flash. We have inside information that an air traffic controller who was highly distruaght over his daughters recent death “caused” the crash. We tried to talk to Mr. Q to get a comment. Swap to video of Q trying to avoid the tv cameras. DETAILS at 10! > > viola, Walt knows he is “responsible”. Only Walt doesn’t know that he’s Jane’s father. I don’t think Walt even knew Jane’s last name. I suppose if Jesse sees or reads a news story about him, he might tell Walt, but with him off in rehab, that’s unlikely. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-abq-season-finale-5-31-open-spoilers/498304.md?page=3)