3.07 One Minute

Summary and spoilers

We get a glimpse into what shaped the Snake Brothers. As tweens, they were encouraged to tolerate each other no matter what they did, because family comes first. To prove this point, when the younger brother is persecuted by the older one and says he wishes his brother was dead, Don Salamanca almost drowns the older brother, and forces the younger one to save him. The familial bonds are strengthened, and everything else is secondary. In the present, the Salamanca Brothers light their shrine candles; the photo of Heisenberg has been replaced by one of Hank Schrader.

Jesse arrives home, followed closely by Hank. Jesse tells him that he has nothing to say, and foolishly assumes that Hank is going to abide by the normal rules of law enforcement officers. Instead, Hank sucker punches Jesse, knocking him to the floor, and then proceeds to pummel his face, asking how he got his cell phone number and scammed him about Marie. Hank’s strategy is cruel and illegal, but it just might elicit some key information from Jesse – namely, the Walt connection. Just how much is Jesse willing to put up with to protect this man? But Jesse says nothing, because Hank has knocked him unconscious.

Hank is going to have some ‘splainin’ to do – even his commander officer suggests that he may want to get a lawyer. Meanwhile, Jesse’s lawyer Saul is hovering over his bruised face in the hospital, taking unhappy snaps and trying to make jokes. Jesse may be in pain, but Saul is very happy to tell him that he will never face trial now, as the cops will not want Jesse’s face to be seen in public. Walt creeps into the hospital to visit Jesse and apologize. Jesse is not in the mood for forgiveness; he reveals that he is bent on destroying Hank for what he did. What’s more, Jesse plans on cooking again as soon as he leaves the hospital, knowing that he has a get out of jail free card – he’s plea bargain by giving up the great Heisenberg.

Outside Jesse’s room, Walt assures Saul that Jesse will never give him up. Saul is sure that Jesse will give him up, and mentions having a contingency plan for that situation.

Hank sits before an enquiry and tells his side of the RV / Jesse story, including how he was tricked into believing that Marie had been injured in a car accident. He tells the truth to a point but pleads the 5^th when he gets to the part about driving to Jesse’s house. The investigators inform everyone that Jesse is pressing charges, and that he is a clean, credible witness, despite his history. The investigators photograph Hank’s bruised hands and leave.

In his darkened office, Hank packs a few essentials, removes his security passes, and leaves. Marie is waiting in the elevator, and he breaks down when he embraces her. In the lobby, Hank asks her not to talk to anyone about it. Of course, she has already spoken to Skyler.

Skyler visits Walt to find out if Hank’s investigation of Jesse could lead back to Walt. Walt lies and says there is no danger for him – or her – because of that. Skyler is also there to talk about Hank, to ask Walt to help Hank by talking to Jesse and getting him to drop the charges. Skyler reminds Walt that Hank is family; Walt reminds Skyler, with hurt and anger in his voice, that currently Hank is no longer family. He dismisses Skyler and seemingly turns his back on her and her request. Walt goes into work, still carrying the upset of his previous encounter, but Gale is already there, buoyant, organized, oblivious, and one could say, in love. But the honeymoon is over when Gale sets the wrong temperature (or perhaps Walt told Gale the wrong temperature) and a batch is ruined. Walt asks Gus to get rid of Gale and hire Jesse. Gus is resistant but gives in. Walt then asks Jesse to be his lab assistant. When Jesse says no, Walt ups the stakes and offers him a 50-50 partnership. Jesse still turns him down, and makes sure Walt understands it is personal. And Jesse is smart enough to know that Walt is there to try to save his (former) brother-in-law. Jesse is passionate in his professed hatred of Walt, but behind that there is still the glimmer of the need for approval from a father figure. Before leaving, Walt admits (or lies) that Jesse’s meth is as good as his. A short time later, Walt gets a call from Jesse who agrees to the 50-50 deal.

The Salamanca Brothers are in the market to buy a couple of Kevlar bullet-proof vests from a flamboyant arms dealer who works out of the back of a semi-trailer. To test out the vest’s efficiency, they shoot the arms dealer, who foolishly brags that he is wearing one. The vest holds, although the dealer breaks a rib taking the bullet. The Brothers take their vests and dump a pile of money on the ground. This is about as nice as these guys get.

All dressed up for his interrogation, Hank finally sits down with Marie and admits he has been unraveling. He says he will not lie about what he did to Jesse. He admits that he did the wrong thing. He is about to give up and quit the force. True to his word, Hank writes a statement and admits to everything. He is suspended without pay, but then finds out that Jesse is not pressing charges. Things are looking good – Hank’s guardian angel has arrived. But as he gets into his car, he gets a scrambled cell phone call warning him that two men are coming to kill him. In a panic, he half-hopes it is a scam by Gomez, and he cannot move until a bullet shatters the rear window. Hank moves again and disables one brother by reversing and crushing him, but the other brother begins firing. Hank escapes and fires first shots, but they bounce off the vest. Shot twice, Hank falls, but he is graced by the brother’s need to finish the kill more brutally with an axe. Hank has fallen next to a hollow point bullet, and is able to load his gun and shoot the brother before being cut down.

Comments

That was a very intense and violent episode! It was impossible to stop watching or to escape from the feeling of suspense and terror. Not only was the final shootout spectacular, but Jesse’s highly charged hatred and Hank and Walt was also spellbinding.

Memorable Moments

Hank holds his composure as he enters the elevator where Marie is waiting, alone. He makes minimal or no eye contact and stands next to her. Once the doors close, he breaks down in her arms. When the doors open again, he has composed himself and is once again standing next to her.

Breaking Bad Quotes

Walt [re Jesse]: He’ll come around.
Saul: And if he doesn’t, there may come a time to talk options.
Walt: Options?

Skyler: There must be something you can say. Isn’t it even worth a try? Hank is your family.
Walt: [mumbles]
Skyler: What?
Walt: I said, ‘not currently.’ I’m late; I have to go.