Okay, one aspect of this half-series which has been bugging me since it aired is the fast-paced nature of it. I used to love the slow-burner storylines and how the characters beautifully developed over the course of not just episodes, but series'. Once again, the audience have been shafted from what could have been a great scene when in last night's episode Gomez just appeared on Hank's right-hand side when interrogating Jesse. Seriously? Do they take us for gobshites?
One of the biggest challenges facing Hank when Walt executed his 'confession' card was how/if he was going to broach the subject with the DEA. Many speculated whether he'd go to Gomez, who has had differences with Hank in the past over his hunches, or if he'd go to his old boss Merkert, who had first-hand experience of being at very close quarters with a drug lord unknownst to himself. Merkert would have been a brilliant character to reintroduce as his loyalty to Fring cost him his job and he could have advised Hank without the matter going to the DEA straightaway, which could go against Hank.
Instead we had to settle for Gomez saddling up with Hank to interrogate Jesse with no explanation as to how Hank convinced Gomez Walt was Heisenberg. It's beyond preposterous. The writers have left themselves far too much to wrap up in so little episodes, and it's telling.
I know the Breaking Bad/Vince Gilligan worshippers won't have a bad word said about it, but this half-season has been below par. For all the expectation coming into it, barring one or two excellent scenes, it's only plodded along (in terms of quality; the storyline is careering along to the detriment of the show, in my view). I hope they can get their act together now between now and the finale.
