Ep 11. Abiquiu

In season 3 episode 11 of Breaking Bad, titled Abiquiu, the focus is on the complex and fractured relationship between Walter White and his wife Skyler. As the series progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that the two are deeply estranged from one another, with Skyler struggling to come to terms with Walter's criminal activities and the secrets he's kept from her.

The episode begins with Skyler visiting an art show featuring the work of a former lover, Ted Beneke. As she looks at his paintings, she's struck by the beauty and depth of his work, and begins to feel drawn to him once again. But when Ted approaches her and tries to apologize for their past, Skyler is visibly uncomfortable and insists that they're past the point of reconciling.

Meanwhile, Walter continues to find himself in difficult situations with his drug cartel associates. In a tense scene, he's forced to prove his loyalty to the group by participating in a brutal killing, which he does with a cold detachment that's becoming more and more characteristic of his character.

As the episode progresses, tensions between Walter and Skyler only escalate. They attend an awkward and uncomfortably silent dinner party with Hank and Marie, where Skyler's apparent disinterest in Walter leads Hank to make a number of crude jokes at his expense. Later, when Skyler tries to talk to Walter about her artwork and her renewed interest in painting, he shuts her down and makes it clear that he's not interested in hearing about her passions.

Despite all of this, there are moments in the episode where it's clear that there's still a deep sense of love and longing between Walter and Skyler. In one scene, Walter creates a beautiful painting of the desert for Skyler, which he presents to her in a scene that's both touching and poignant. And in another, Skyler takes steps to start her own business, which could potentially get her out of her own rut and bring her and Walter closer together.

Ultimately, the episode ends on a deeply ominous note, with Walter's relationship to the cartel becoming more and more strained. As he becomes increasingly enmeshed in the world of drug dealing, it seems like only a matter of time before his double life catches up with him. But amidst all the tension and danger, there are still moments of humor, warmth, and pathos that make the show such a compelling watch. Whether viewers have been avidly following along since the beginning or are just starting to discover the series, Abiquiu is a must-watch episode that exemplifies all the things that make Breaking Bad such a masterpiece of modern television.