The Origin of Gray Matter | Problem Dog | Breaking Bad

As Walt cleans up the mess that was left following his first drug deal, Skyler’s getting too close to the truth about his double life forces him to consider telling her the truth about his illness.

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Season One - Episode Three: "...And the Bag's in the River"

Episode Description:
Walt and Jesse clean up last week's mess and Walt must face holding up his end of the deal. Walt's DEA agent brother-in-law, Hank (Dean Norris), warns Walt, Jr. (RJ Mitte) about the dangers of drugs.

Episode Overview:
As Walt is hard at work helping Jesse clean up the mess that was once Emilio, Skyler’s cryptic inquiries lead Marie to conclude that Walt, Jr. is smoking pot. Though Skyler insists that her questions are just research for a story she is writing, her sister doesn’t believe it and asks Hank to have a talk with Walt, Jr. As the clean up proceeds, Krazy-8 tells Walt that Jesse has revealed some potentially compromising details about his life. But when Walt complains about his lack of discretion, Jesse angrily reminds him that he is responsible for seeing that Krazy-8 disappears for good.

Reluctantly agreeing to scare his nephew straight, Hank takes Walt, Jr. for a firsthand view of the drug culture. While Walt, Jr.’s reaction isn’t quite what Hank had been hoping for, their ride-along comes close to exposing Jesse and his meth-addict prostitute/girlfriend. Meanwhile, forced to admit that he’s been living a lie, Walt puts off any further discussion with Skyler so he can deal with Krazy-8. But after Krazy-8 tries taking advantage of his compassion in order to escape, Walt has no choice but to kill him.

As Walt calls in sick at school and Jesse heads home to see what ever became of their hostage, Hank’s search for a missing informant guide him and his partner to evidence that could lead them to the mobile drug lab. So, as his DEA agent brother-in-law gets close to uncovering the truth about what happened to Krazy-8 and Emilio, Walt heads home to tell Skyler that he is dying of cancer.

[muffinman]

incredible how much you can do with hairstyle, acting and lighting to make someone look 20 years younger without any CGI

[highwayxj]

This scene basically personifies Walt’s love and passion for science that he once had. After whatever fallout there was between Gretchen and Elliot, he forgot about how important chemistry was to him until he became desperate

[loljonasfail]

There's more chemistry here than in any scene that involves Walt and Skylar.

Also, I kinda figured Walt and Gretchen had a falling out after their human transmutation went awry.

[zatchbell]

This scene always makes me incredibly sad. The music is absolutely beautiful and the cinematography almost makes this scene dreamlike. It’s even sadder when you realize that Walt’s true love was always Gretchen. It desperately makes me want to rewrite both their destinies.

[MadamFoogie]

It all adds up to a miserable pile of secrets.

[MuhammadIbrahim-chvo]

Just realized an amazing parallel between Gray Matter and Gus
Both made billions out of Walt's genius. While Walt was making money, he resented them because they were getting credit for his work

[romilrh]

The juxtaposition in this scene is brilliant. Walt and Gretchen carefully mapping out the percent composition of a human body cutting between Walt and Jesse scooping up the half-melted remains of a carcass and disposing of it all.

And this was season 1 episode 3. Breaking Bad was an amazing show from start to finish

[robbo_]

The entire series is genius but there's something so uniquely captivating about Season 1. It feels more like a character study, and with slow burn pacing so like Walt we gradually immerse ourselves deeper in this world but just enough to lay the foundations for what's to come

[heisenberg]

Breaking Bad makes me want to study chemistry

[manicqlatt]

This scene is incredibly beautiful and perfect.

[atanatokosmiki]

This shots tries to show a depresive context, but that is the magic of Breaking Bad, first a depression, then a monster of thriller and black comedy

[tjyoyo]

walt literally broke down every molecule in the human body and organized the % of elements from them, solidifying gray matter as a business, all to just meet gretchen's family and his ego tells him to break up with her and leave the company.

[cpassehl]

How does that not clog the toilet? Can you imagine the plumber asking, “what did you try and flush here?” Ummm...

[animaniacjokerman]

Think about this scene next time you watch the scene where Walt has Skinny Pete and Badger hold up the laser pointers.

[epolat]

-What about the soul?
+There is nothing but chemistry here

[randomavenger]

I love this subplot, probably my favorite of the show. Gretchen is Walter's true love. One of the things that make him a frustated person was losting her 'cause of his ego.
And I love the 80's top gum aesthetic of their scenes.

[kippert]

0:15 cool detail: Jesse is wearing a proper respirator but Walt isn't, because they left one of them in the desert

[Erik-gpil]

I miss when they had flashbacks and used Walter explaining parts of chemistry as a parallel metaphor for what's currently happening in the episode. Season 1 had such a unique feel. I recently watched Breaking Bad for the first time (I'm halfway through Season 5) and I don't get people who say Season 1 is the worst. It's scenes like this that make it my favourite season.

[mylifeisfunny]

i like how they look young with proper make up shading and angles

[supermom]

I wish the series would have more scenes like this. The music, lighting, background, cinematography, it’s all perfect.