"Blood Money" is the ninth episode of the fifth season of Breaking Bad and the fifty-fifth episode altogether. It is also the mid-season premiere.
Summary[]
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In a flashforward, following his purchase of the M60 machine gun, Walt drives up to his former residence, which is now cordoned-off and derelict. He grabs a tire iron from the trunk of his car and breaks into the house. Trash and graffiti are everywhere; a group of skateboarders are skating in the now-empty pool outside. The interior has been wrecked and stripped of everything of value, and Walt notices the word "HEISENBERG" spray-painted on the wall of what used to be his living room. He reaches the bedroom and retrieves the vial of ricin from its hiding spot inside the wall outlet before contemplating his altered reflection in a cracked mirror. After exiting the house, Walt notices that he has been sighted by his neighbor, Carol, who looks at him in fear. When he greets her by name, she drops her groceries in shock.
Act I[]
Hank suffers another panic attack
A stunned Hank leaves the bathroom after discovering the inscription in Walt's copy of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. He places the book inside Marie's bag, then leaves the party early with Marie after feigning stomach trouble. On the drive home, Hank has a panic attack and plows onto the lawn of a nearby house. He stumbles out of his car while Marie yells for the homeowner to call for an ambulance.
Upon returning home from the hospital, Hank assures Marie there is no need for him to see a doctor and makes her promise not to tell Skyler about what happened. He then retrieves the case file from Gale Boetticher's murder and lays out the evidence out on a table in his garage. Hank compares the handwriting from the Leaves of Grass inscription to the "Favorite W.W." inscription from Gale's lab notes; his suspicions are confirmed when he can visually confirm that both are written in Gale's handwriting.
Lydia scolds Walt for the low quality of Blue Sky
Later, at the car wash, Walt suggests that he and Skyler purchase a second car wash to launder their money faster. Lydia visits, ostensibly for a wash, and complains to Walt that the quality of the meth being produced has fallen to 68% since he left the operation. She wants Walt to return to cooking for at least a few days, but he sternly insists that her problems are none of his concern any longer. Skyler, having noticed that Lydia wants to wash a rental car, asks Walt who she is. He admits that Lydia is a "former business associate" interested in seeing him return but reassures her that he will not. Skyler follows Lydia outside, telling her to leave the car wash immediately and never return.
Act II[]
The following morning, Hank tells Marie that he is not going into work as he is not feeling well. However, on her way out, she sees two DEA agents delivering boxes full of case files, which Hank has them bring into the garage. Now alone, Hank pores over evidence related to Gus Fring, Mike Ehrmantraut and Hector Salamanca. He finally comes across a crude illustration of Heisenberg, which Hank now realizes bears an uncanny resemblance to Walt.
Saul attempts to convince Jesse to keep his money
Skinny Pete and Badger visit Jesse's house and get high. Jesse grows tired of their conversation — consisting of Badger detailing his Star Trek fan script — and retrieves the duffel bags containing his #5 million in cash. He takes the bags to Saul's office but has trouble getting in to see him. Since neither Francesca or Huell bother to help see Saul early, he decides to light up a joint to attract attention to himself. Eventually, Saul calls him into the office. Jesse tells Saul that each bag contains $2.5 million: he wants one bag to go to Mike's granddaughter Kaylee and the other to the parents of Drew Sharp. Saul is uncomfortable with the idea, especially since delivering the money to the Sharps is going to draw attention, but Jesse is adamant. After he leaves, Saul calls Walt, who tells him to hold onto the money. He takes the call while taking a course of chemotherapy; his cancer has returned.
Act III[]
Walt shows up at Jesse's house with his two bags of money, having retrieve them from Saul's office, and asks for an explanation as to why he's giving all of his money away. Jesse mutters that Walt was right when he said their money was blood money. Walt states that he was exaggerating to win the argument but that Jesse should keep the money since he earned it. When Jesse remains silent, Walt brings up Drew Sharp's death and how he feels bad about it, but that they cannot dwell on the past. He then asks why Jesse wants to give half of his money to Kaylee Ehrmantraut, to which Jesse responds that she needs someone to support her. Walt replies that Mike is capable of providing for his own family. Jesse then states that if Mike was around, he would have come after Walt for killing his nine guys, and that Walt would've only killed the nine men if Mike was no longer in the picture; looking at Walt, Jesse says that Mike must therefore be dead, and that Walt must already know that.
Walt begs Jesse to believe he did not kill Mike
Realizing Jesse suspects him of killing Mike, Walt lies to Jesse that he did not kill Mike and that Mike must be alive and well, and that he would face any repercussions of killing Mike's guys should Mike return to town. Walt tells Jesse that he needs him to believe what he's saying, although Jesse remains silent. Walt once again insists that Jesse believe his story, and Jesse echoes the assertion that Mike is alive; while Walt is left believing Jesse believes his tale, Jesse retains his suspicions.
That night at home, Walt excuses himself from dinner and rushes to the bathroom to vomit; he runs the sink to prevent his family from hearing him, as he is hiding his cancer from them. He inadvertently peers above the toilet and notices his copy of Leaves of Grass is missing. He continues to search for the book all over the house. When he turns in for bed, Walt remembers that Hank was in the bathroom and that Hank abruptly left; when he inquires about Hank, Skyler informs him that Hank took the week off due to stomach issues. Now even more suspicious, Walt exits the house and looks around. Initially finding nothing, he prepares to turn around and return inside when he decides to check for tracking devices under his car and finds inside one of the wheel wells.
Act IV[]
Jesse gives away his "blood money"
That same night, Jesse is sleeping inside of his car, parked outside of the Dog House, when a homeless man wakes him up by knocking on the glass. He asks Jesse if he can spare some change, but Jesse dismisses him. As the man walks away, Jesse quickly rolls down the window and asks him to return; reaching into one of his bags, he takes out $10,000 and offers it to the man. The man, confused by this windfall, eventually accepts and Jesse drives off. Jesse then drives through an impoverished neighborhood, tears in his eyes as he frantically tosses bundles of money onto random lawns, desperate to be rid of it all.
The following morning, two DEA agents drop off more case files at Hank's house. As they leave, Walt pulls into the driveway and they chat amicably. Hank nervously clears his files from the table before reminding the DEA agents that they're on the clock in order to dismiss them. After initially feigning normalcy, Walt shows Hank the tracking device and mentions that it looks like the one they used to track Gus and whether Hank knows anything about it. Hank then closes the garage door behind Walt; when it closes, he punches Walt across the face, knocking him onto the ground. As Walt gets up, Hank pins against the garage door, hissing that this entire time, it was Walt whom he was looking for. He mentions Walt driving into traffic to stop him from investigating the laundry and the time when he got a phone call stating Marie was in the hospital and how he assumed it was Jesse's doing at the time, although he now realizes Jesse would not have had his number while Walt did. He mentions with disgust that Walt killed ten men in prison to cover his ass and blew up a nursing home.
Walt menacingly advises Hank to "tread lightly"
Walt initially claims that he has no idea what Hank is talking about and notifies Hank that his cancer has returned. Hank considers this good news, but Walt replies that even if Hank manages to convince anyone that he is Heisenberg, it would take more than six months to prosecute, and that he wouldn't be alive then. No longer hiding the fact that he is Heisenberg, Walt states that both of them should realize that if his identity got out, he would not be alive to see the inside of a jail cell. Wanting to protect the rest of the family, Hank tells Walt to drop Skyler at the kids at his house, although Walt refuses. Looking at Walt, Hank softly utters that he has no idea who Walt really is; Walt quips back that if Hank does not have any idea who he is, then his best course of action would be to "tread lightly."
Official Photos[]
Trivia[]
- The title of the episode refers to Walter White's comment that Jesse Pinkman should not take his share of the money, since it is "blood money." ("Say My Name")
- The episode is dedicated to Kevin Cordasco, a 16 year-old Breaking Bad fan who succumbed to neuroblastoma in March 2013.[1]
- This episode was the series' most-watched episode at the time of its airing with 5.91 million viewers, but was later passed by "Ozymandias", which had 6.37 million.
- This is the last episode where Walt Jr. and Hank Schrader interact.
- While in the bathroom, Walt folds a towel and places it under his knees shortly before vomiting. This is reminiscent of Gustavo Fring's preparation before vomiting in Don Eladio Vuente's bathroom. ("Salud")
- Hank's neighbor's kid plays with a radio-controlled car. ("Seven Thirty-Seven")
- In the Breaking Bad Insider Podcast for the episode, Vince Gilligan revealed that an original idea for the opening scene was to have the White residence completely gone and demolished and only the empty pool in the backyard.
- When Carol drops her groceries in the opening, oranges are seen rolling down the sidewalk. It could be yet another reference to The Godfather, where oranges are known as a sign of impending violence.
- As of this episode, Skyler drives a 2012 Ford Edge.
- The license plate of Walter's car reads 5BB920X, which may refer to Season 5 of Breaking Bad Episode 9, part 2.
- While discussing Star Trek, Skinny Pete incorrectly refers to the Gamma Quadrant as being from Star Trek: Voyager. Voyager was actually set in the Delta Quadrant, the Gamma Quadrant being featured in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
- Saul Goodman jokingly compares Jesse to Woody Harrelson, an American actor who got arrested in Lee County, Kentucky, after he symbolically planted four hemp seeds to challenge the state law which did not distinguish between industrial hemp and marijuana. This is in reference to Jesse lighting up a joint earlier in Saul's waiting room.
Evidence observed by Hank[]
- A picture of Gustavo Fring making a donation, large novelty check in hand, smiling with a recipient.
- A portrait of Gus.
- Gale Boetticher's napkin notes.
- A picture of Gale's corpse.
- A photo mosaic of items at Combo's murder.
- A photo of Combo's corpse.
- A childhood photo of Combo.
- A black and white picture of Don Eladio Vuente.
- A picture of a chicken farm.
- A receipt from Amazon.com for an International P7050 Mini Bug Detector.
- A photo of the rear of Jesse's first car, "THE CAPN" on the licence plate.
- Photos from the scene of Tuco Salamanca's death, mostly of Hank's 2006 Jeep Commander.
- A photo of Tuco's corpse.
- A mugshot of a younger Hector Salamanca, accompanied by a certificate of baptism.
- Long-distance photos of Mike Ehrmantraut.
- A portrait of Duane Chow, and a photo of his corpse.
- A photo of the gas mask Walt left behind at his first cook.
- A portrait of a young, unshaven Gale.
- A mugshot and sketch, both possilbly of Emilio Koyama and a mugshot of Ron Forenall.
- A portrait of Tyrus Kitt.
- Photos from the scene of Gonzo's death, including one of Hank smiling by his corpse.
- A photo of the charred superlab remains.
- Surveillance footage of Walt and Jesse's first methylamine heist.
- A "Heisenberg" drawing which the Cousins had obtained in order to carry out a hit on him.
Production[]
Credits[]
Starring
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Guest Starring
Co-Starring
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Uncredited
- Taber Cross as Neighbor
- Jyl Murray as Car Wash Patron
Featured Music[]
- "White House Visit" by Dave Porter (as Walt walks around his former home)
- "If I Didn't Love You" by Squeeze (during the barbecue with Hank & Marie)
- "Manhattan (aka NYC Delight)" by The Longo Brothers (feat. Moe Koffman) (in the car wash while Walt talks with Lydia)
- "Wordmule" by Jim White (during Hank's montage)
- "Where Is Santa Claus" by Mr. & Mrs. Yellowman (in the background while Badger enthuses about Star Trek)
- "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic" by Chill Wills (in the background in the reception of Saul's office)
- "Patriotic" by Patricia Cory (Music is heard for a brief moment as Jesse leaves Saul's office)
Memorable Quotes[]
- "It was you. All along, it was you! You son of a bitch. You drove into traffic to keep me from that laundry. That call I got telling me Marie was in the hospital...that wasn't Pinkman. You had my cell number. You killed ten witnesses to save your sorry ass. You bombed a nursing home. Heisenberg. Heisenberg! You lying, two-face sack of shit."
- ―Hank confronting Walt.
- "I'm sorry you feel that way. I want to beat this thing, I do. I'm back on chemo and I'm fighting like hell. But the truth is... in six months you won't have someone to prosecute. Even, even if somehow you were able to convince anyone that I was capable of doing these things. You and I both know I would never see the inside of a jail cell. I'm a dying man who runs a car wash. My right hand to God, that is all that I am. What's the point?"
- ―Walter White to Hank.
- Hank: "I don't even know who I'm talking to."
- Walter: "If that's true, if you don't know who I am, then maybe your best course... would be to tread lightly."
- ―Walter's subtle threat to Hank.