Breaking Bad 4x05 Review

Episode Title: Shotgun
Overall Season Rating: A-
Episode Rating: A

FINALLY, far less time is spent talking about the car wash, and Jesse is the focus of the episode. This episode really went back to the things that made the show amazing during the past couple seasons. We have Jesse and Walt doing their thing, and Hank getting ever closer to figuring out his brother-in-law's secret. I loved seeing Jesse and Mike on the road, and was totally surprised about the true reason for the journey. I really think this was one of those moments of the show that will have an impact for a very long time.

There is some talk about the Car Wash, and yes, I was frustrated that they once again are having Skylar be all worried and talk about it like it's the most important moment in human history. You own a car wash, not a nuclear missile silo, calm down. She also knows that Walt has been in some pretty sticky and dangerous situations, he is not going to be phased by a car wash, sorry dear. Walt's "gambling" addiction was mentioned again, and I love that the two other guys in the family think it's cool, and Marie is all protective and worried. Maybe that's a little sexist, but I also think it's true. Hank seems like the kind of guy who would find it pretty bad ass to be a brilliant gambler, and Walt Jr. always has looked up to his dad so it makes sense that he thinks this is cool.

Breaking Bad 4x04 Review

Episode Title: Bullet Points
Overall Season Rating: A-
Episode Rating: A-

Sorry for the late review, but I simply wasn't able to get it done last night. This also is a new style review I'm trying out. This episode is an improvement from last week, but Skylar being involved remains a crutch. The absolute best moments of the episode were Walt and Hank talking, and Mike's run in with Jesse. I found myself bored with Skylar working out a whole story for Hank, and then forces Walt to go over it with her. I'm not sure where that story is going, but she simply seems in the way. The don't care about them owning the car wash, or how careful they have to be around Hank. With the latter, I mainly don't care because I've seen Walt do it brilliantly for 3 seasons. Skylar's little plan will be pointless if Hank ever discovers the truth. With that said, I did love her line to Walt, "maybe lying doesn't come as easy to me as it does to you". BURN.

Breaking Bad 4x03 Review

Episode Title: Open House
Overall Season Rating: A-
Episode Rating: B+

This week was an interesting episode. I'm going to call it a "Walter/Jesse Light" episode. The two are not the focus of the story this week, and the two appear only very briefly in a scene together. The episode follows Skylar and Marie mainly this week as each of them deals with their current situations in very different ways. The rating for this week is not due to either of them, but rather Walter. I will get to that later. Marie's story brings back an old idea from season one that allows her to actually do something for once. Skylar on the other hand continues her bad ass attitude from last week, and adds a little more evil genius.

I'm surprised how little actually happened in this episode, and if you're a fan of the arc involving Walter and Gus, we get only small(and understandable) change on that front. This may be shocking to some, but I think this was a very weak episode for Bryan Cranston. There are several scenes where I don't buy his attitude, and feel it's either his acting, or the writing. More specifics later in the episode recap.

Breaking Bad 4x02 Review

Episode Title: Thirty-Eight Snub
Overall Season Rating: A-
Episode Rating: A-

This episode really highlights the two vastly different paths these two men are taking after their most recent ordeal. It's hard to imagine that these are the same two from the first, or even second season of the show. Walt now is a full on mobster wannabe. He talks to men who have done horrible things with true confidence, and power. That is of course until they sock him in the face. Jesse on the other hand, is totally falling apart. He is understandably having trouble with what has happened during the past couple days, and Aaron Paul once again is showing that he'll have another Emmy in his pocket next year. The most interesting aspect of this for me, is that Walt ran two men over, and shot one in the head. He appears to feel nothing about it. Who would have guessed at the beginning of the series that it was Jesse, not Walt who would be emotionally traumatized by their actions. That just proves why this show is the best on television.

Read on for the episode recap.

Breaking Bad Season 4 Premiere Review

Episode Title: Box Cutter
Overall Season Rating: A
Episode Rating: A

Breaking Bad is finally back! And the first episode does not disappoint. This premiere had everything that makes a great Breaking Bad episode. Walt acting like a bad ass, only to find out what a true bad ass looks like, Jesse clearly showing that he's not just some junkie, plenty of humor, and of course Skyler needs something to do.  I've been reading The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson and it's clear to me that Gus is a psychopath. His stare is enough to send a chill down my spine, and I love how he does it even when he's not angry.

This episode he certainly is angry as the action picks up right where last season's mammoth cliffhanger left us.  I won't spoil it for people who have not watched, at least not yet, but the reveal is done perfectly. There is another scene later in the episode that shows any new viewer why Breaking Bad is the best show on TV. I challenge anyone to find a show that would have a scene anywhere near as brilliant. Aaron Paul though, showing that he was more than deserving of that Emmy last year says almost nothing the entire episode until the end. When he finally does speak, it's clear the day's experience has left him a new way of looking at their predicament.

Read on for the episode recap.

What's new for July?

It's officially Summer and TV is about to get crazy. There are a lot of shows starting in July that we'll be covering here on The Flashbacks Podcast Blog. There also are a few big movies that I've been looking forward to for a long time. Let's get started shall we?

Television: 

Torchwood: Miracle Day(July 8 on Starz): The epic Doctor Who spin-off series returns for its fourth season. Now taking place in the United States, and airing Starz. I love Doctor Who, and I LOVE John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness! All I know about the season is that due to some craziness no one on Earth can die. Welcome to Miracle Day! I will be doing regular reviews of this show, and it will hopefully keep me happy while I wait for the 2nd half of Series 6 of Doctor Who to start.

Curb Your Enthusiasm(July 10 on HBO): Larry David is back as everyone's favorite neurotic for an incredible 8th season.. I have no idea how they are going to top last season's "Seinfeld Reunion" arc, but we shall see. I love this show, and if you were a Seinfeld fan you will too. Unlike most shows on TV you can pretty much jump into this show whenever you want. Much like Seinfeld none of the characters have a very long memory, and each episode is just about Larry getting into trouble, and then freaking out. The show also proves that the real comic genius at Seinfeld was in fact Larry David.

Alphas(July 11 on Syfy): This is a new show that is exactly like Heroes, except they actually team up as superheroes instead of "trying to fit in". I might be totally wrong, but the commercials make it seem like there is more of a centralized mission of both the good guys, and the bad. Super hero shows have not been successful over the past few years, but I hope this one changes that trend. Syfy did an outstanding job with Being Human, hopefully the same will be true for Alphas.

Eureka(July 11 on Syfy): Everyone's favorite town of geniuses returns for the 2nd half of its 4th season. I've always been a fan of this show. Every week they take real scientific principles and tweak them just a bit to make it fun, and work in the fictional world they've created. Since I've always been interested in all kinds of sciences, that aspect gets my geeky blood pumping. Plus, who doesn't love Colin Ferguson as Sheriff Jack Carter, and Twitter beast Neil Grayston as Dr. Douglas Fargo. It might be too silly at times, but I love it.

Breaking Bad(July 17 on AMC): The best show on Television finally returns after more than a year for its 4th season. The season 3 finale ended with a spectacular cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to see how it turned out, and what the repercussions will be. I won't be spoilery here at all, but if you are not watching Breaking Bad you are missing out on the best show on TV, period.

If there is a show you want us to cover, just put it in the comments, and we will seriously consider it.

Movies: 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2(July 15): What else is there to say? The EPIC finale of the decade long film series based on the best selling series by J. K. Rowling. I will be watching this at a midnight showing with many many people. Not sure at all when I'll get home, but I'll have the review up sometime early on Friday. Expecto Patronum!!!

Captain America(July 22): Chris Evans(who already played Human Torch in the Fantastic Four) plays Steve Rogers. A skinny and small kid who wants to fight for his nation in World War Two is asked to participate in an experiment. It works, and turns him into one of Marvel's most popular, and well known super heroes, Captain America! Captain America is pretty much the Marvel version of Superman sans all the super human alien powers. The trailers for this movie look outstanding, and I'm a big fan of Chris Evans. This movie is also the main one leading into next year's The Avengers. Can't wait.

Cowboys and Aliens(July 29): It's directed by Jon Favreau, and stars Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, and Olivia Wilde. What else is there to say? This movie looks insane, and I'm not even sure there's a plot. All we know is that aliens attack a group of cowboys, and they fight back. I imagine they were just pulling words out of a hat, and then decided they had to come up with a story. Favreau directed both Iron Mans so we know he can do this type of movie very well. I am definitely looking forward to this silly popcorn movie with a dream cast.


Podcast: 
Due to the influx of TV shows on Monday, the podcast recording is being moved to Tuesdays.

July 5 - The X-Files: Dark of the Moon: On this show we'll discuss the new Transformers movie. Probably make fun of it, and comment on the amazing cameos. Then the main part of the show will be about The X-Files. I'll give a little history lesson, talk about the seasons with as few spoilers as I can, and talk about the two movies. Then maybe talk about the impact it had on the genre, which was fairly large.

July 19 - The Deathly Flashbacks - This show will be almost exclusively about the new Harry Potter movie. Except for the beginning, it will be quite spoilery. This show should have quite a group since several friends of the show are big fans.


Once again, if there is anything you think we should add to the blog, or the podcast please post it in the comments.