"Hermanos" is the eighth episode of the fourth season of Breaking Bad and the forty-first episode altogether.
Summary[]
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In a flashback to the period following Hank's shooting, Walt confronts Gus at the hospital while Mike slips away, unnoticed, after murdering Leonel Salamanca. Later, at the nursing home, a seething Hector is watching news coverage of the shooting when Gus pays a visit. Gus props himself on a chair opposite Hector and details the Cousins' deaths, as well as that of Juan Bolsa, with sadistic glee. Gus leaves a silently raging Hector behind with a patronizing pat on the knee.
Act I[]
In the present, Walt visits an oncology clinic after finishing his PET/CT scan where another patient sitting there tries to commiserate with him. However, Walt cuts him off to leave Jesse a voicemail asking for a status report. When the call ends, the man continues trying to have a conversation, talking about one must learn of control. Walt dismisses the young man's suggestion that cancer has put the man's life on hold, insisting that he should never let go of control and live life on his own terms.
The DEA questions Gus
While at work, Gus is called in by the Albuquerque Police Department for questioning. While waiting, he notices an identikit sketch of Victor on a bulletin board, which alarms him. Just then, he notices Hank with Gomez and ASAC Merkert. Gus is then brought inside a room, where Sgt. Tim Roberts of the APD is present. There, Gus greets Merkert warmly and asks about his wife. Sitting down, he is told that he is allowed to have an attorney present and that their conversation will be recorded, although Gus declines as he claims he hasn't done anything wrong. Roberts asks Gus that he is being investigated because his fingerprints were found at a crime scene, specifically that of a drug-related homicide. To the men's surprise, Gus admits that the crime scene that they're referring to must be Gale Boetticher's apartment. Gus expresses his shock that the murder was drug related as he had read about the murder in the newspaper, although it did not include the specifics.
Gus explains that he established a chemistry scholarship at the University of New Mexico, named after his late friend Max Arciniega, and that Gale was one of those recipients. He tells his interrogators that while he hadn't seen Gale in years, Gale suddenly turned at Los Pollos Hermanos to discuss a financial investment, and that Gale had invited him to his apartment for dinner to discuss it at length. Gus claims Gale wanted money for drug manufacturining but that he did not end up giving Gale any money and left his apartment after dinner, and did not see or hear of Gale until reading about his death. Gus then shares that while he thought Gale was the type of man who often looked for shortcuts and that his habit prevented what might have been a flourishing professional career, he thought Gale was a good man and was someone whom he regarded well.
While Gus answers the questions posed to him smoothly and confidently, he is caught off-guard when Hank asks him if Gustavo Fring is his real name. Stammering, Gus states that it is and wonders why Hank would ask such a question. Hank responds that while Gus is listed as a Chilean national, a background check only shows a record of him living in Mexico in 1986 and then emigrating to United States of America from Mexico, but nothing to indicate that Gus had ever lived in Chile. Gus, regaining some composure, replies that the Pinochet dictatorship of Chile was guilty of poor recordkeeping alongside human rights abuses, and that he is sure that if Hank keeps looking, he would locate the appropriate documentation.
The questioning then comes to an end and Roberts and Merkert dismiss Gus, who shakes their hands and thanks them. He quickly stops Hank from getting up due to his injury and hands him his cane before exiting the room. As he takes the elevator down, Gus nervously begins twitching his fingers with a gaunt look on his face.
Act II[]
Hank, Gomez, Merkert and Roberts remain in the room and begin to discuss whether Gus is telling the truth. Gomez brings up that if he wasn't really from Chile, then the State Department would have noticed that before they granted him citizenship, although Hank retorts that the U.S. did not conduct thorough background checks prior to 9/11. Merkert then declares that he thinks Gus is telling the truth and is not guilty, although he admits he is biased due to Gus being his personal friend and a good friend of the DEA and law enforcement in general. Hank then wonders out loud why Gus, who is a good friend of law enforcement and knows many high-ranking officials personally, never placed a single phone call to them asking for more details when he heard that a man he respected and held in high regard, whom he just had dinner with, was murdered in his own apartment shortly after. Roberts then states that he will follow up on looking into Gus' background and the scholarship but that at the present moment, he believes Gus is innocent.
Saul visits Andrea and her son Brock and delivers cash from Jesse. Andrea asks about Jesse, and Saul merely tells her that Jesse is busy. Jesse, who is sitting outside in Saul's car, asks about how Andrea and Brock are doing when Saul returns. Saul tells him that while he doesn't mind delivering money personally every week, Jesse should go see them personally if he wants to know. Meanwhile, at the White residence, Skyler conceals cash in vacuum-sealed bags of clothes and hangs them in her closet. The weight of the bags quickly sags, then snaps, the support rod. Desperate for a solution, she stashes the bags in the house's crawl space.
Over dinner with the Schraders, Walt Jr. asks about the results of the scan, and Walt informs his family that he is still in remission. Marie mentions that Hank met with top DEA's members about something, but that Hank won't tell her what. Hank then asks Walt if he can drive him to a gem and mineral show the next day, and Walt agrees.
Hank and Walter at Los Pollos Hermanos
The next day, Hank admits there's no mineral show and instead directs Walt to the parking lot of Los Pollos Hermanos. Hank tells Walt that he suspects that Gus is a major drug distributor, but adds that no one other than him at the DEA or the APD believe Gus is guilty. In an attempt to prove it, he asks Walt to plant a GPS tracker on Gus' car. Hank claims that all Walt has to do is pretend to tie his shoe near Gus' car and then plant the tracker, which has a magnet, under the car; however, Hank mentions that the tracker does not give live updates and that he has to retrieve the tracker later and plug it into his computer to reveal where Gus' car has been. Mike then pulls up beside Walt's Aztek and stares at Walt, which Walt notices. After failing to dissuade Hank, Walt reluctantly exits his car.
He approaches Gus' vehicle and drops to his knee, seemingly planting the tracker. He then walks inside the restaurant to place an innocuous order. Inside the restaurant, Gus greets him at the counter, and Walt pulls out the tracker and tells him that he didn't plant it like he was asked. Gus tersely tells Walt to do it, then resumes his friendly veneer. Walt then buys a drink and as he walks out, stops near Gus' car and plants the tracker. Hank, who thought Walt had planted the tracker before he went inside Los Pollos, asks him why he stopped by the car again, to which Walt says that he was just checking to see whether the magnet was firmly attached.
Act III[]
Dropping Hank off, Walt returns to the superlab and addresses Gus through the surveillance camera, insisting that he thought he was driving Hank to a gem and mineral show and had no idea what Hank was planning. He declares that Hank has no evidence of their wrongdoings and that despite their differences, he would not do something such as helping Hank implicate Gus, as that would implicate himself as well. Walt adds that no one aside from Hank even suspects Gus, and that he would do what it takes to ensure Hank does not succeed.
Later, Walt visits Jesse's house and notifies him that Hank is looking into Gus. Jesse is unperturbed, merely stating that Hank has nothing on Gus because if he did, Gus would've already had Hank killed. Walt then asks him about progress regarding the assassination mission, although Jesse lies that he has yet to see Gus and has no idea when he would see him. As they're arguing, Jesse remarks that he has to pee and leaves the room. As Walt is left standing, he hears Jesse's phone chime with a notification. He then looks at the phone and sees a text stating that their evening mission has been cancelled as "the Boss" (Gus) is busy. This indicates to Walt that Jesse has not been forthcoming, as Jesse indicated that he had not yet met Gus since Walt gave him the ricin and was unaware of when next they'd meet. When Jesse returns, Walt informs him that he received a message, and when Jesse goes to check it, Walt asks if it's anything important; Jesse nonchalantly replies that it's nothing, confirming Walt's suspicion that Jesse has been lying to him.
Act IV[]
The next day, Mike calls Gus and reports to him that neither the DEA or the APD consider him a suspect in Gale's murder and that Hank is operating completely on his own, even confirming that Hank did not obtain a warrant to place a tracking device on his car, making his actions illegal. Gus then asks him if Hank might be able to find anything about his earlier life, although Mike assures him that he himself was unable to find anything on Gus prior to 1989, making it unlikely that Hank ever could. However, Mike mentions that even though they can handle Hank, it would be a struggle fending off Hank at the same time as the Cartel, and that if Hank is surveilling Gus, then there's a chance he could encounter a "perfect storm" and witness Gus meeting with the Cartel. Gus then thanks Mike before ending the call. Gus then removes the tracker and sticks it on the side of a newspaper dispenser in front of the restaurant. He then drives to the nursing home, where he informs Hector that he has defied the Cartel's ultimatum and that Hank is looking into his past.
Gus and Max in 1989
The narrative becomes a flashback to 1989, when Gus and his partner, Max Arciniega, sit next to a pool at a lavish hacienda in Mexico. Hector walks out, urinates in the pool next to them, and otherwise disrespects Gus and Max in front of Bolsa. Don Eladio Vuente—the Cartel boss—strides out and compliments Gus and Max on their delicious chicken, referring to the pair as "Los Pollos Hermanos". Seeming warm, boisterous and welcoming, he begins discussing how they are selling meth at their chicken restaurant, and that he views meth as the poor man's cocaine.
Max explains that the meth he cooks is nearly pure and that unlike cocaine, which cannot be grown in Mexico, meth can be produced artificially anywhere. He also adds that the Mexican cartel only receive a fraction for smuggling and dispersing Colombian cocaine while assuming most of the risk, and that with their meth, Eladio can handle the manufacturing domestically while retaining the bulk of the profits. His demeanor changes, however, when he confronts the men for apparently selling drugs in his territory and for using it as a means to force a meeting with him. Gus apologizes for any disrespect, claiming that he never sold the meth but rather distributed them as free samples to Eladio's men in order to gain a sitdown with him, and once again apologizes for the disrespect, citing that it was unintentional.
Eladio admits that his men do like the meth but wonders why they need Gus if Max is the cook. Max jumps to Gus' defense, claiming Gus is the businessman and the most loyal person he knows, and apologizes for any disrespect Gus' actions may have caused. While Max is talking, Hector suddenly shoots him through the head. Gus then tries to lunge at Hector, although Bolsa pushes Gus to the ground while Hector forces him to look into Max's dead eyes. Eladio tells Gus that the only reason he hasn't killed Gus is because he knows who Gus truly is, but warns him that he's not in Chile anymore. The trio then walk away, leaving a crying Gus to look at Max's dead body.
Back in the present, Gus leans in close to Hector and tells him to look him in the eyes, although Hector refuses. Gus then pats Hector on the shoulder and indicates that they'll meet again before leaving, while Hector sits in his wheelchair fuming.
Official Photos[]
Trivia[]
- The title of this episode refers to Gustavo Fring's chain of restaurants, Los Pollos Hermanos, and his relationship with Max Arciniega, who is the second "hermano" in the restaurant's name.
- The title can also refer to Hank and Walter's relationship, with two of them being brothers-in-law and spending some time together as Hank tries to search for Gustavo's connections in drug trade.
- Additionally, the title may be a reference to The Cousins, whose deaths were mentioned by Gus to their uncle in the cold open, to a person who was responsible for Max's murder.
- Although Gus and Max's deep relationship was never outright confirmed by the show as being a homosexual one, astute viewers could interpret it as such. The flashback to the Cartel meeting in Mexico is a telling example. When Hector disrespects Gus and Max by urinating in Eladio's pool, Bolsa begins to chastise him, telling him the Don would be upset at this behavior. Hector is dismissive by implying that Bolsa would never tell Eladio. Hector then makes a point of turning towards Gus and Max (ostensibly with his genitals exposed as he finishes urinating) and implies they wouldn't tell either, because "They like what they see." Shortly after, Gus is visibly overwhelmed with emotion when Max is delivering an impassioned monologue to Eladio about how much Gus means to him. Series creator Vince Gilligan has stated that he decided against the show officially confirming or denying whether or not Max and Gus were, in fact, a couple; however, he's also said that they "probably were lovers." Even Esposito himself (i.e. Giancarlo Esposito — the actor who portrayed Gus) interpreted the character as probably being gay.
- Gus' homosexuality and his relationship with Max were later made more solidly clear in Better Call Saul.
- Vince Gilligan has said Gus Fring was likely involved with former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet's government somewhere. However, the writers had deliberately not determined his entire back story in order to keep the character not only more interesting/mysterious but also allow them some greater flexibility for future episodes' story/character development. The two instances that demonstrate this likely involvement in said government, is 1) the fact that Gus apparently left Chile in 1986 - the very year of Pinochet's attempted assassination (by the Manuel Rodriguez Patriotic Front) and 2) The fact that Hector Salamanca has referred to Gus as "Grand Generalissimo". The added tidbit that Don Eladio tells Gus that he knew who Gus was but he's "not in Chile anymore," hints at the probability that Gus held some sort of clout back home that he no longer holds.
- The first article of clothing that Skyler places along with the money in the vacuum bags is the pink sweater that Walt wore in the episode "ABQ". The sweater is the same shade of pink as the pink teddy bear from the Wayfarer 515 crash.
- Max Arciniega is named after the actor who played Krazy-8.
- Eladio Vuente and Hector Salamanca's actors, Steven Bauer and Mark Margolis, appear together in this episode after playing Tony Montana's friend Manny Ribera and Alberto "The Shadow", one of Sosa's henchmen, in the 1983 film Scarface.
- Additionally, both Breaking Bad and Scarface feature a similar topic: a person who turns into a ruthless drug kingpin; however, while Scarface is based around cocaine, Breaking Bad's characters manufacture and sold methamphetamine.
- Ironically, both Gus and Max present methamphetamine to Don Eladio, but the latter turns down the idea, calling it "poor man's cocaine."
Goofs[]
- During the questioning, Hank reveals that a background check shows that Gus emigrated to Mexico in 1986. The probing into his background worries Gus, who later calls Mike. However, Mike replies that he himself could not find any information on Gus prior to 1989, and therefore believes someone like Hank wouldn't either. However, the earlier interrogation scene clearly indicated that Hank had discovered information on Gus from 1986, making Mike's line about him not being able to find anything on Gus before 1989 an inconsistency.
Production[]
Credits[]
Starring
Guest Starring
Co-Starring
Uncredited
Featured Music[]
- '"Concerto for Flute, Harp & Orchestra in C major, K.299, Second movement, Andant'ino by W.A. Mozart" by Richard Edlinger and the Capella Istroplitana Ensemble with Hana Mullerova (Harp) and Jiri Valek (Flute) (in the waiting room before Walt's scan)
- "Crickets Sing for Anamaria (Os Grilos)" by Walter Wanderley (while Skyler hides the money around the house)
- "Grandparent's Polka [From "The Big Joe Polka Show"]" by Fritz's Polka Band (at Casa Tranquila when Gus visits Hector)
Filming Locations[]
- The scene shot near a warehouse area with railway tracks is located between buildings. The location is between 7th & 8th Street near Haines Ave.
Memorable Quotes[]
- "Oh, to hell with your cancer. I’ve been living with cancer for the better part of a year. Right from the start, it’s a death sentence. It’s what they keep telling me. Well, guess what? Every life comes with a death sentence. So every few months, I come in here for my regular scan, knowing full well that one of these times– hell, maybe even today–I’m going to hear some bad news. But until then, who’s in charge? Me. That’s how I live my life."
- ―Walter to a patient whose cancer has just been diagnosed.