Coming off of the last masterful episode I didn't expect them to keep the momentum going and they did! This is easily one of the most intense and exciting episodes of the entire show. The way it was executed was excellent and very well done. Jimmy's and Kim's shock and aftermath was still amazingly acted. The talk Lalo wanted to give was so unexpected making Jimmy go to shoot Gus for him, but then even more unexpected is when Jimmy makes Kim go instead! Her reaction was devastating, crying begging to not make her go, but it makes sense Jimmy wanted to get her out of there. Kim walking up to Gus's house was so intense cause we know Gus survives so something must go wrong for Kim. Though of course if you think about it, that wouldn't make sense, and then you realize Lalo's true genius plan is to make more of Gus' men leave and he got Gus and Mike separated! So yeah I really loved most of this episode... However, Lalo's death was quite disappointing. I'm pretty sure most people predicted it since the episode Gus stashed there gun, I even made a review with that prediction, and since we know Gus survives Breaking Bad then there's only one outcome, which kinda ruins the intensity. Other than that though this was an excellent episode, but I wish Lalo had a better send off. There's a theory he would survive being shot so Gus would keep him as a pet like the story he tells Hector of the Coati back in season 4, which actually would've been pretty awesome but not even that, we got the most basic outcome. Loved his creepy bloody smile and laugh though. Howard's send off was better, and man Patrick Fabian's performance was on another level this episode! Jokes aside, I still miss him. I hope the last 5 episodes are amazing and make the first half worth it cause honestly apart from some stand out episodes this season like 3, and 7, this hasn't been up to par for me with at least the last 3 seasons of the show. Regardless, still loved this episode and this is still one of my favorite shows.
A few tidbits I wanted to add:
Absolutely devastating how the most decent and lawful person is buried right next to the most vile and criminal character. Especially since Howard's reputation is going to be ruined and now going to be known as a drug addict. Now let's await Kim's and Gene's fates!
I thought they were going to make the part where Gus kept shooting at Lalo the tic of him pressing his fingers together in Breaking Bad.
Lyle cameo was hilarious, going to have to save that tune. I love how Gus tries to appeal to Lyle by asking him if his absence is acceptable to him after he basically tortured Lyle cleaning last season.
Were some of the shots of Kim driving in the streets CGI? That looked off to me. Apart from that loved the cinematography, especially the longer takes and moments of handheld cam that added more momentum to this episode.
Though I didn't love Lalo's death, Gus' monologue was so great. Interestingly paralleled Nacho's amazing monologue. Giancarlo Esposito's Spanish has improved, though as a Spanish speaker it's still not great. Laughed out loud when Gus called the Salamancas wh*res!
(Censored cause IMDb considers this profanity)
The new episode promo was so lame! I wanted new footage... even after a nearly 2 month break between episodes these weeks are going to go by so slowly.
9/10.
A few tidbits I wanted to add:
Absolutely devastating how the most decent and lawful person is buried right next to the most vile and criminal character. Especially since Howard's reputation is going to be ruined and now going to be known as a drug addict. Now let's await Kim's and Gene's fates!
I thought they were going to make the part where Gus kept shooting at Lalo the tic of him pressing his fingers together in Breaking Bad.
Lyle cameo was hilarious, going to have to save that tune. I love how Gus tries to appeal to Lyle by asking him if his absence is acceptable to him after he basically tortured Lyle cleaning last season.
Were some of the shots of Kim driving in the streets CGI? That looked off to me. Apart from that loved the cinematography, especially the longer takes and moments of handheld cam that added more momentum to this episode.
Though I didn't love Lalo's death, Gus' monologue was so great. Interestingly paralleled Nacho's amazing monologue. Giancarlo Esposito's Spanish has improved, though as a Spanish speaker it's still not great. Laughed out loud when Gus called the Salamancas wh*res!
(Censored cause IMDb considers this profanity)
The new episode promo was so lame! I wanted new footage... even after a nearly 2 month break between episodes these weeks are going to go by so slowly.
9/10.