Ep 1. Box Cutter

With exceptional writing, top-notch performances, and a tense atmosphere, Breaking Bad season 4 picks up where the previous season ended, and the premiere episode "Box Cutter" immediately sets an ominous tone. As the season opens, we see Walter White (Bryan Cranston) standing outside of the Superlab, the secret underground meth lab where he and his partner, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), have been cooking up their famous blue meth. The two of them, along with Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito), the head of the drug syndicate, are the only ones who know about this lab's location.

As the camera shifts inside the lab, things begin to get tense. Gus arrives with a sense of foreboding surrounding him. When Gus calls Walter and Jesse into the lab, they immediately start to get nervous. Before they know what's happening, Gus grabs an innocent worker named Victor (Jeremiah Bitsui) and slashes his throat with a box cutter, all the while keeping a cold-eyed stare at Walter and Jesse. With the scene set, the episode unfolds, exploring the fallout of Gus' violent act and the ramifications it has on the show's characters.

Throughout the episode, the three main characters - Walter, Jesse, and Gus - are pushed to their limits in different ways. Walter is increasingly erratic, as he grapples with the fact that he is slowly losing control of his partnership with Jesse. Jesse is affected deeply by Victor's death and struggles with depression and panic attacks. Meanwhile, Gus remains cold and unyielding, unfazed by the death of one of his employees.

The tension between the three characters is brilliantly executed through the dialogue and subtle actions in the episode. There is a constant feeling of unease that permeates every scene, and every character interaction feels charged with meaning. As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that there are bigger stakes at play than just the machinations of this particular drug syndicate. Something bigger is brewing, and the characters seem to be hurtling towards a reckoning.

The cinematography in "Box Cutter" is also exceptional. The use of lighting and shadow creates a palpable sense of dread, and the shots of the Superlab with its glowing blue lights lend an otherworldly quality to what is essentially a dark, underground factory. There are also a few moments of stunning visual flair, such as a tense confrontation between Gus and Walter in a hospital room that takes place entirely in silhouette.

Perhaps one of the most notable aspects of "Box Cutter" is the way in which it sets the tone for the rest of the season. It's clear from this first episode that the show is not shying away from its darker, more intense tone. This season will be about consequences, and the ramifications of the characters' actions will be felt in a more powerful way than ever before.

In conclusion, "Box Cutter" is an excellent start to Breaking Bad's fourth season. It is tense, well-written, and sets up an overarching sense of unease that will carry through the entire season. By the time the episode ends, you'll be on the edge of your seat, eager to see what happens next.