Rabid Dog
| "Rabid Dog" | |
|---|---|
| Breaking Bad episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 12 |
| Directed by | Sam Catlin |
| Written by | Sam Catlin |
| Cinematography by | Michael Slovis |
| Editing by | Skip Macdonald |
| Original air date | September 1, 2013 |
| Running time | 47 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Rabid Dog" is the twelfth episode of the fifth season of the American television drama series Breaking Bad, and the 58th overall episode of the series. Written and directed by Sam Catlin, it aired on AMC in the United States and Canada on September 1, 2013.
Plot
After seeing Saul's car crashed in his yard, Walter White cautiously creeps through his house in search of Jesse Pinkman, who broke in and doused it in gasoline. Jesse is nowhere to be found, but Walt finds a compact disc smeared with white powder in Saul's car, indicating Jesse is likely high on meth. After a cleaning crew cannot fully remove the gasoline scent, Walt douses his clothing and the seats of his car with it. He tells a doubtful Skyler White and Walter White Jr. a complicated fabrication about a pump malfunction at the gas station. Walt moves the family into a hotel until the carpet and flooring can be replaced.
Walt secretly meets with Saul Goodman and Patrick Kuby in the hotel's parking lot, asking for an update on Jesse's whereabouts. Saul hints at the possibility of killing Jesse, but Walt rejects the idea and warns him to never bring it up again. Back in their hotel room, Skyler confronts Walt over his lies, having just seen him with Saul. Walt confesses that Jesse is upset and tried to burn down their house, but says he is not concerned because Jesse decided against it. A shocked Skyler presses Walt to kill Jesse, who she views as a threat to their safety, saying "We've come this far ... What's one more?"
A flashback reveals that Jesse did not simply change his mind: Hank Schrader, having trailed Jesse to Walt's residence after Jesse assaulted Saul, managed to talk Jesse out of torching the house and convinced him to work together to bring Walt down. Hank and Jesse left the house seconds before Walt arrived. Marie talks to her therapist about her issues with Walt but stops short of revealing the true extent of his criminality. Hank keeps Jesse at their house because he believes that he will be more protected there; Marie agrees because Hank assures her that things will turn out badly for Walt. Hank and Steve Gomez tape Jesse as he recounts his history with Walt. However, because there is no physical evidence and Walt has left the meth business, Hank has nothing sufficiently incriminating to take to the authorities.
Walt leaves a voicemail for Jesse, asking to meet in a public plaza in Downtown Albuquerque to discuss Brock Cantillo's poisoning and to reconcile. Hank coerces the reluctant Jesse to comply, despite Jesse's fear for his own safety. Hank reassures Jesse by recounting Walt's previous attempts to protect him at his own expense and states that since the meeting is in a public place, he will be safe. However, privately with Gomez, Hank indicates his dislike of Jesse and indifference to risking his death; if Jesse is killed on camera, it can be used as potential evidence against Walt.
Wired for sound, Jesse goes to meet with Walt but backs down after mistaking a nearby pedestrian for a hitman. Angered, Jesse goes to a pay phone to call Walt and threatens him, telling him that he will "get him where he really lives." A furious Hank berates Jesse for blowing the plan, but Jesse calmly informs him that he has a better strategy in mind. Meanwhile, Walt calls Todd, requesting another job for his uncle, Jack.
Reception
Viewership
The episode was viewed by 4.41 million people on its original broadcast,[1] which was a decrease from the 4.85 million of the previous episode.
Reviews
The episode received positive reviews from critics.[2]
In 2019 The Ringer ranked "Rabid Dog" 38th out of the 62 total Breaking Bad episodes.[3]
References
- ^ Bibel, Sara (September 4, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Breaking Bad' Wins Night, NASCAR, 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians', 'Total Divas', 'Sister Wives' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 7, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
- ^ "Episode Review: Breaking Bad, "Rabid Dog"". Metacritic. September 1, 2013. Archived from the original on September 5, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
- ^ Jason Gallagher (September 30, 2019). "The Ringer's Definitive 'Breaking Bad' Episodes Ranking". The Ringer. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
External links
- "Rabid Dog" at the official Breaking Bad site
- "Rabid Dog" at IMDb
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