It's only fitting that the long-awaited Walt and Jesse appearances happen in an episode titled "Breaking Bad". Not only is it a reference to the parent show, but it also brings Saul's first appearance from the Breaking Bad episode "Better Call Saul" full circle. But the episode's title isn't just a nod towards the show that started it all. It represents the final turning point for Jimmy McGill, who proves he still has some way to fall even after all that has happened to him.
Fresh off of the department store heist, Gene calls Francesca for information on what has happened since leaving Albuquerque. Upon learning that Kim called Francesca and is currently working in Florida, Gene calls her place and asks to speak to her. What follows is a wordless sequence that ends with Gene destroying the phone booth and falling back on old habits, recruiting Jeff and his friend Buddy for a new scheme that involves drugging rich men and stealing their identities. It's here that a fourth persona of Jimmy McGill emerges named "Viktor", the same name he came up with when and Kim were running scams. When their latest mark turns out to have cancer, Buddy refuses to go through with the crime, leading to Gene to break into the man's house to finish the job.
We get an extended look at the scene where Walt and Jesse took Saul out into the desert, with him connecting the dots and realizing that Walt is Heisenberg after taking a look inside the RV. Jesse asks about Lalo and it's clear how the man still haunts Jimmy years after their last confrontation. Later, Mike brings information on Walt to Saul, including the fact that he has lung cancer, and cautions against getting involved with him. The final scene intercuts Saul walking into the high school where Walt worked at to Gene breaking into the mark's house. Similar to how getting involved with Walter White ruined Saul Goodman, Viktor's determination to pull off schemes is destined to ruin Gene Takovic.
Notes and observations:
* There's a nice reference to the Breaking Bad episode "Four Days Out" when the RV overheats, forcing the trio to wait for the engine to cool down.
* Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston look noticeably older than they were back in Breaking Bad Season 2, but it's still electrifying to watch the duo slip back into the characters.
* Through Francesca, we get some closure on Skylar (who got a plea deal with the DEA after all) and Huell (who went home to New Orleans after leaving the safehouse). We also find out that Bill Oakley, the slovenly lawyer who butted heads with Jimmy, is now a defense attorney.
* An interview with Thomas Schnauz confirms that the Breaking Bad scenes weren't shot on film like the one back in Season 4's "Quite a Ride", but were shot digitally with grain added to them.
* Gene's first mark Alfred is played by none other than Devin Ratray from Home Alone.
* Marion's joy at discovering funny cat videos on the Internet is infectious.
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