Breaking Bad on AMC (4 Viewers)

[mr fancypants]

So, something to think about.

Jessie (and Gus) now know that Walt isn't necessary to cook the meth. What does that prompt Jessie do to with respect to saving Gus/Mike? If he does get them back safe and sound, what does that prompt Gus to do? He doesn't have the cartel to worry about anymore, but he also doesn't have to pay Walt and Jessie now.

That's what I said to my wife at the end of the episode.............Walt is very expendable now.

This is the take home from this episode - well that and Skylar is stupid for giving that guy $600,000.

The Skyler storylines are very boring, imo. I'm sure they are setting up some good stuff, but unless she's on with Saul, I feel like fast forwarding through the scene.

Wonder if Walt will ever find out about his wife banging her boss or not. Certainly if he finds out his wife gave this man 600k this can't end well for her or her boss.

Between the 600K She gave to Ted and her insistence on the car wash which was another cool 800K. Skyler sure doesn't seem to have a problem spending Walt's stash

Don't forget about that badass PT Cruiser

And how can you forget paying all of Hank's medical bills.

 

[Walton Goggins]

The cook was at 96. Walt is at 99. He's not going anywhere.

Yeah, Gale hit 96 and that wasn't enough to kill Walt.Plus, Jesse showed he's just Walt's counterfeit when he couldn't synthesize the phenylacetic acid. He just grabs the barrel with the bee on it.

Actually 96 was enough to kill Walt. Gale actually requested Walt not Gus. Then when Walt proved to be a liability they were going to kill him, until Jessie killed Gale.

this sounds right. Gale was so obsessed with it's perfection he wanted Walt to keep cooking.

Remember 96 was good enough for Gus when it came from Gale, the extra 3% is what set Walt's brew apart; but that extra really did not matter to Gus "96 is good enough".

Why on Earth would Gus want to eliminate Walt? He's NO threat to him. You kill the head of a cartel dealing with Walt doesn't even come close. Plus Gus knows that while Jesse has some positive qualities he could easily slip back into drugs or do something stupid. When you make the best product in the country and if you are smart (like Gus clearly is) the only way you kill off Walt is self defense or you know for a fact that Walt is about to rat you out.

Gus wanted Walt dead just a few weeks ago, Walt even came to his house one night and Mike (or someone else) called him and told him to "Go Home".

You honestly think if Gus wants someone dead they would still be alive many weeks later?

 

[Walton Goggins]

The cook was at 96. Walt is at 99. He's not going anywhere.

Yeah, Gale hit 96 and that wasn't enough to kill Walt.Plus, Jesse showed he's just Walt's counterfeit when he couldn't synthesize the phenylacetic acid. He just grabs the barrel with the bee on it.

Actually 96 was enough to kill Walt. Gale actually requested Walt not Gus. Then when Walt proved to be a liability they were going to kill him, until Jessie killed Gale.

this sounds right. Gale was so obsessed with it's perfection he wanted Walt to keep cooking.

Remember 96 was good enough for Gus when it came from Gale, the extra 3% is what set Walt's brew apart; but that extra really did not matter to Gus "96 is good enough".

Why on Earth would Gus want to eliminate Walt? He's NO threat to him. You kill the head of a cartel dealing with Walt doesn't even come close. Plus Gus knows that while Jesse has some positive qualities he could easily slip back into drugs or do something stupid. When you make the best product in the country and if you are smart (like Gus clearly is) the only way you kill off Walt is self defense or you know for a fact that Walt is about to rat you out.

Because Walt's ego has led him to believe he's more valuable to the organization than even Gus....while Gus's ego doesn't want anyone to think that.

Gus seems like a bright person and knew what Gus was all about from the start. You have to take the good with the bad if you are going to hire the best. If you are in that line of business you expect people to be unstable and have incredible egos. Gus killing the head of a cartel is serious business, dealing with Walt isn't.

 

[Thunderlips]

The cook was at 96. Walt is at 99. He's not going anywhere.

Yeah, Gale hit 96 and that wasn't enough to kill Walt.Plus, Jesse showed he's just Walt's counterfeit when he couldn't synthesize the phenylacetic acid. He just grabs the barrel with the bee on it.

Actually 96 was enough to kill Walt. Gale actually requested Walt not Gus. Then when Walt proved to be a liability they were going to kill him, until Jessie killed Gale.

this sounds right. Gale was so obsessed with it's perfection he wanted Walt to keep cooking.

Remember 96 was good enough for Gus when it came from Gale, the extra 3% is what set Walt's brew apart; but that extra really did not matter to Gus "96 is good enough".

Why on Earth would Gus want to eliminate Walt? He's NO threat to him. You kill the head of a cartel dealing with Walt doesn't even come close. Plus Gus knows that while Jesse has some positive qualities he could easily slip back into drugs or do something stupid. When you make the best product in the country and if you are smart (like Gus clearly is) the only way you kill off Walt is self defense or you know for a fact that Walt is about to rat you out.

Because Walt's ego has led him to believe he's more valuable to the organization than even Gus....while Gus's ego doesn't want anyone to think that.

Gus seems like a bright person and knew what Gus was all about from the start. You have to take the good with the bad if you are going to hire the best. If you are in that line of business you expect people to be unstable and have incredible egos. Gus killing the head of a cartel is serious business, dealing with Walt isn't.

He never wanted to hire Walt. IIRC, he told Walter that he was reckless. It was only after Gale pushed....did Gus give in; and I'm assuming that that was only so Gale could learn how to get that extra 3% and that Walt would have been killed as soon as Gale understood.

 

[corpcow]

Gus wanted Walt dead just a few weeks ago, Walt even came to his house one night and Mike (or someone else) called him and told him to "Go Home".

If Gus wanted Walt dead - or rather, thought he was expendable - he would have been dead already.

Not until he has a replacement cook.

That's my point - Gus does not view Walt as expendable right now.Even though Gus said 96% is "good enough", the conversation with Gale demonstrated that it's not. Gus wants only the best. Remember the big sit down when asking Gale if he was ready? And the similar conversation with Jesse?

If 96% was really good enough, Walt would have been dead a long time ago. It may well be good enough for the junkies, but it's not good enough for Gus. Thus, Walt is alive.

I guess 96% was good enough to prove to the Cartel that Jessie was better than whatever chemist they had down there at the times

Yes. And it was blue. I'll say it again, 96% was good enough for the Cartel, but it was not good enough for Gus. If it was, Walt would have never been brought in in the first place.

 

[corpcow]

He never wanted to hire Walt. IIRC, he told Walter that he was reckless. It was only after Gale pushed....did Gus give in; and I'm assuming that that was only so Gale could learn how to get that extra 3% and that Walt would have been killed as soon as Gale understood.

Gale didn't "push", so much as play to Gus' need to have the best. I'm looking for a link to the video intro there, but re-watch it and you'll see what I mean.

 

[toadstool]

Gus wanted Walt dead just a few weeks ago, Walt even came to his house one night and Mike (or someone else) called him and told him to "Go Home".

If Gus wanted Walt dead - or rather, thought he was expendable - he would have been dead already.

Not until he has a replacement cook.

That's my point - Gus does not view Walt as expendable right now.Even though Gus said 96% is "good enough", the conversation with Gale demonstrated that it's not. Gus wants only the best. Remember the big sit down when asking Gale if he was ready? And the similar conversation with Jesse?

If 96% was really good enough, Walt would have been dead a long time ago. It may well be good enough for the junkies, but it's not good enough for Gus. Thus, Walt is alive.

I guess 96% was good enough to prove to the Cartel that Jessie was better than whatever chemist they had down there at the times

Yes. And it was blue. I'll say it again, 96% was good enough for the Cartel, but it was not good enough for Gus. If it was, Walt would have never been brought in in the first place.

Gus was happy with Gale's leser product. Gus brought in Walt because Gale wanted Walt. You might have missed a show or two that covered this.

 

[toadstool]

He never wanted to hire Walt. IIRC, he told Walter that he was reckless. It was only after Gale pushed....did Gus give in; and I'm assuming that that was only so Gale could learn how to get that extra 3% and that Walt would have been killed as soon as Gale understood.

Gale didn't "push", so much as play to Gus' need to have the best. I'm looking for a link to the video intro there, but re-watch it and you'll see what I mean.

Gale told Gus that because he was spending so much on equipment and getting only the best for Gale's process that they needed Walt. That is why they went and got Walt, because Gale wanted him.

In this flashback scene, Gale is giddy. Receiving top-of-the-line equipment for making hard drugs is like his own personal Christmas morning. His solemn employer and well-connected drug distributor Gus Fring appears from the top floor and asks when everything will be up and running. Gale estimates it’ll take a month. Gus’ enigmatic right-hand man Victor corrects him: two weeks. Gale nervously changes his answer to two weeks. By the way, he thoroughly reviewed a sample of “blue stuff” that Gus gave him. Gale smartly suspects that the sample is that of their competition. The blue product is 99 percent pure, while Gale’s is a hard-earned 96. Gus is just fine with that. “After all, how pure can pure be?” he says. But Gale presses on. He is eager to know who synthesized it. Gus describes the maker as a trained chemist wanting a job. It’ll never happen, because Gus does not consider the unnamed man – our anti-hero Walter White, of course -- to be a professional. “If he’s not, I don’t know what that makes me,” says Gale. “Not trying to talk myself out of a job.”

This part of the flashback episode makes it clear Gale pushed for Walt, not Gus. Gus was ready to write Walt off and was happy with 96%.

 

[Big_Russel]

He never wanted to hire Walt. IIRC, he told Walter that he was reckless. It was only after Gale pushed....did Gus give in; and I'm assuming that that was only so Gale could learn how to get that extra 3% and that Walt would have been killed as soon as Gale understood.

Gale didn't "push", so much as play to Gus' need to have the best. I'm looking for a link to the video intro there, but re-watch it and you'll see what I mean.

Gale told Gus that because he was spending so much on equipment and getting only the best for Gale's process that they needed Walt. That is why they went and got Walt, because Gale wanted him.

In this flashback scene, Gale is giddy. Receiving top-of-the-line equipment for making hard drugs is like his own personal Christmas morning. His solemn employer and well-connected drug distributor Gus Fring appears from the top floor and asks when everything will be up and running. Gale estimates it’ll take a month. Gus’ enigmatic right-hand man Victor corrects him: two weeks. Gale nervously changes his answer to two weeks. By the way, he thoroughly reviewed a sample of “blue stuff” that Gus gave him. Gale smartly suspects that the sample is that of their competition. The blue product is 99 percent pure, while Gale’s is a hard-earned 96. Gus is just fine with that. “After all, how pure can pure be?” he says. But Gale presses on. He is eager to know who synthesized it. Gus describes the maker as a trained chemist wanting a job. It’ll never happen, because Gus does not consider the unnamed man – our anti-hero Walter White, of course -- to be a professional. “If he’s not, I don’t know what that makes me,” says Gale. “Not trying to talk myself out of a job.”

This part of the flashback episode makes it clear Gale pushed for Walt, not Gus. Gus was ready to write Walt off and was happy with 96%.

I don’t know where this "Gus only wants the best" nonsense came from, or why it keeps being regurgitated.

 

[Thunderlips]

He never wanted to hire Walt. IIRC, he told Walter that he was reckless. It was only after Gale pushed....did Gus give in; and I'm assuming that that was only so Gale could learn how to get that extra 3% and that Walt would have been killed as soon as Gale understood.

Gale didn't "push", so much as play to Gus' need to have the best. I'm looking for a link to the video intro there, but re-watch it and you'll see what I mean.

Gale told Gus that because he was spending so much on equipment and getting only the best for Gale's process that they needed Walt. That is why they went and got Walt, because Gale wanted him.

In this flashback scene, Gale is giddy. Receiving top-of-the-line equipment for making hard drugs is like his own personal Christmas morning. His solemn employer and well-connected drug distributor Gus Fring appears from the top floor and asks when everything will be up and running. Gale estimates it’ll take a month. Gus’ enigmatic right-hand man Victor corrects him: two weeks. Gale nervously changes his answer to two weeks. By the way, he thoroughly reviewed a sample of “blue stuff” that Gus gave him. Gale smartly suspects that the sample is that of their competition. The blue product is 99 percent pure, while Gale’s is a hard-earned 96. Gus is just fine with that. “After all, how pure can pure be?” he says. But Gale presses on. He is eager to know who synthesized it. Gus describes the maker as a trained chemist wanting a job. It’ll never happen, because Gus does not consider the unnamed man – our anti-hero Walter White, of course -- to be a professional. “If he’s not, I don’t know what that makes me,” says Gale. “Not trying to talk myself out of a job.”

This part of the flashback episode makes it clear Gale pushed for Walt, not Gus. Gus was ready to write Walt off and was happy with 96%.

I don’t know where this "Gus only wants the best" nonsense came from, or why it keeps being regurgitated.

I don't think it's been said, but I can see where it can be inferred from the character.

 

[Sam Quentin]

He never wanted to hire Walt. IIRC, he told Walter that he was reckless. It was only after Gale pushed....did Gus give in; and I'm assuming that that was only so Gale could learn how to get that extra 3% and that Walt would have been killed as soon as Gale understood.

Gale didn't "push", so much as play to Gus' need to have the best. I'm looking for a link to the video intro there, but re-watch it and you'll see what I mean.

Gale told Gus that because he was spending so much on equipment and getting only the best for Gale's process that they needed Walt. That is why they went and got Walt, because Gale wanted him.

In this flashback scene, Gale is giddy. Receiving top-of-the-line equipment for making hard drugs is like his own personal Christmas morning. His solemn employer and well-connected drug distributor Gus Fring appears from the top floor and asks when everything will be up and running. Gale estimates it’ll take a month. Gus’ enigmatic right-hand man Victor corrects him: two weeks. Gale nervously changes his answer to two weeks. By the way, he thoroughly reviewed a sample of “blue stuff” that Gus gave him. Gale smartly suspects that the sample is that of their competition. The blue product is 99 percent pure, while Gale’s is a hard-earned 96. Gus is just fine with that. “After all, how pure can pure be?” he says. But Gale presses on. He is eager to know who synthesized it. Gus describes the maker as a trained chemist wanting a job. It’ll never happen, because Gus does not consider the unnamed man – our anti-hero Walter White, of course -- to be a professional. “If he’s not, I don’t know what that makes me,” says Gale. “Not trying to talk myself out of a job.”

This part of the flashback episode makes it clear Gale pushed for Walt, not Gus. Gus was ready to write Walt off and was happy with 96%.

I don’t know where this "Gus only wants the best" nonsense came from, or why it keeps being regurgitated.

when Gale makes the case for the extra 3%, they show Gus in deep thought.Gus owns the market and that extra 3% is a huge barrier to entry for any would-be competitors.From what has been indicated, that 3% gives a better buzz, and the blue color is also a selling point

 

[Thunderlips]

He never wanted to hire Walt. IIRC, he told Walter that he was reckless. It was only after Gale pushed....did Gus give in; and I'm assuming that that was only so Gale could learn how to get that extra 3% and that Walt would have been killed as soon as Gale understood.

Gale didn't "push", so much as play to Gus' need to have the best. I'm looking for a link to the video intro there, but re-watch it and you'll see what I mean.

Gale told Gus that because he was spending so much on equipment and getting only the best for Gale's process that they needed Walt. That is why they went and got Walt, because Gale wanted him.

In this flashback scene, Gale is giddy. Receiving top-of-the-line equipment for making hard drugs is like his own personal Christmas morning. His solemn employer and well-connected drug distributor Gus Fring appears from the top floor and asks when everything will be up and running. Gale estimates it’ll take a month. Gus’ enigmatic right-hand man Victor corrects him: two weeks. Gale nervously changes his answer to two weeks. By the way, he thoroughly reviewed a sample of “blue stuff” that Gus gave him. Gale smartly suspects that the sample is that of their competition. The blue product is 99 percent pure, while Gale’s is a hard-earned 96. Gus is just fine with that. “After all, how pure can pure be?” he says. But Gale presses on. He is eager to know who synthesized it. Gus describes the maker as a trained chemist wanting a job. It’ll never happen, because Gus does not consider the unnamed man – our anti-hero Walter White, of course -- to be a professional. “If he’s not, I don’t know what that makes me,” says Gale. “Not trying to talk myself out of a job.”

This part of the flashback episode makes it clear Gale pushed for Walt, not Gus. Gus was ready to write Walt off and was happy with 96%.

I don’t know where this "Gus only wants the best" nonsense came from, or why it keeps being regurgitated.

when Gale wakes the case for the extra 3%, they show Gus in deep thought.Gus owns the market and that extra 3% is a huge barrier to entry for any would-be competitors

Yeah.....but it would have been just as easy for Gus to kill Walter and claim the 96% as the top product.

 

[beer 30]

Walt will quietly enlist the help of Mike to get rid of Ted when Skylar comes crying to Walt because Ted starts squeezing her for money. It will build up to the finale and he'll get whacked Soprano style and that story arc will be complete.

I said it earlier in this thread someplace but Walt's meth is what keeps him alive because it's about as pure as it gets and as was mentioned earlier, this is what sets the blue apart from the regular stuff on the street. Remember the beginning of the show when all the meth heads were screaming for the blue? It's better because of the 3%.

 

[Abraham]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

 

[Thunderlips]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

Fair point....

 

[toadstool]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

But it was acceptable, it was Gale who pulled Walt in. Even when Gus knew Gale wasn't making the best he was okay with that. Purity isn't Gus primary concern.

 

[Sam Quentin]

He never wanted to hire Walt. IIRC, he told Walter that he was reckless. It was only after Gale pushed....did Gus give in; and I'm assuming that that was only so Gale could learn how to get that extra 3% and that Walt would have been killed as soon as Gale understood.

Gale didn't "push", so much as play to Gus' need to have the best. I'm looking for a link to the video intro there, but re-watch it and you'll see what I mean.

Gale told Gus that because he was spending so much on equipment and getting only the best for Gale's process that they needed Walt. That is why they went and got Walt, because Gale wanted him.

In this flashback scene, Gale is giddy. Receiving top-of-the-line equipment for making hard drugs is like his own personal Christmas morning. His solemn employer and well-connected drug distributor Gus Fring appears from the top floor and asks when everything will be up and running. Gale estimates it’ll take a month. Gus’ enigmatic right-hand man Victor corrects him: two weeks. Gale nervously changes his answer to two weeks. By the way, he thoroughly reviewed a sample of “blue stuff” that Gus gave him. Gale smartly suspects that the sample is that of their competition. The blue product is 99 percent pure, while Gale’s is a hard-earned 96. Gus is just fine with that. “After all, how pure can pure be?” he says. But Gale presses on. He is eager to know who synthesized it. Gus describes the maker as a trained chemist wanting a job. It’ll never happen, because Gus does not consider the unnamed man – our anti-hero Walter White, of course -- to be a professional. “If he’s not, I don’t know what that makes me,” says Gale. “Not trying to talk myself out of a job.”

This part of the flashback episode makes it clear Gale pushed for Walt, not Gus. Gus was ready to write Walt off and was happy with 96%.

I don’t know where this "Gus only wants the best" nonsense came from, or why it keeps being regurgitated.

when Gale wakes the case for the extra 3%, they show Gus in deep thought.Gus owns the market and that extra 3% is a huge barrier to entry for any would-be competitors

Yeah.....but it would have been just as easy for Gus to kill Walter and claim the 96% as the top product.

With Galle dead, I don't know that Gus would even get 96%....He now knows that Jesse could do it, but Jesse can't troubleshoot and could relapse...

 

[Walton Goggins]

The cook was at 96. Walt is at 99. He's not going anywhere.

Yeah, Gale hit 96 and that wasn't enough to kill Walt.Plus, Jesse showed he's just Walt's counterfeit when he couldn't synthesize the phenylacetic acid. He just grabs the barrel with the bee on it.

Actually 96 was enough to kill Walt. Gale actually requested Walt not Gus. Then when Walt proved to be a liability they were going to kill him, until Jessie killed Gale.

this sounds right. Gale was so obsessed with it's perfection he wanted Walt to keep cooking.

Remember 96 was good enough for Gus when it came from Gale, the extra 3% is what set Walt's brew apart; but that extra really did not matter to Gus "96 is good enough".

Why on Earth would Gus want to eliminate Walt? He's NO threat to him. You kill the head of a cartel dealing with Walt doesn't even come close. Plus Gus knows that while Jesse has some positive qualities he could easily slip back into drugs or do something stupid. When you make the best product in the country and if you are smart (like Gus clearly is) the only way you kill off Walt is self defense or you know for a fact that Walt is about to rat you out.

Because Walt's ego has led him to believe he's more valuable to the organization than even Gus....while Gus's ego doesn't want anyone to think that.

Gus seems like a bright person and knew what Gus was all about from the start. You have to take the good with the bad if you are going to hire the best. If you are in that line of business you expect people to be unstable and have incredible egos. Gus killing the head of a cartel is serious business, dealing with Walt isn't.

He never wanted to hire Walt. IIRC, he told Walter that he was reckless. It was only after Gale pushed....did Gus give in; and I'm assuming that that was only so Gale could learn how to get that extra 3% and that Walt would have been killed as soon as Gale understood.

Gale didn't push Gus. Nobody pushes Gus to do anything he doesn't want to do. Gus having to deal with the head of a cartel who killed off his boyfriend in front of him > dealing with middle age father/teacher, don't you think?

 

[Walton Goggins]

He never wanted to hire Walt. IIRC, he told Walter that he was reckless. It was only after Gale pushed....did Gus give in; and I'm assuming that that was only so Gale could learn how to get that extra 3% and that Walt would have been killed as soon as Gale understood.

Gale didn't "push", so much as play to Gus' need to have the best. I'm looking for a link to the video intro there, but re-watch it and you'll see what I mean.

Gale told Gus that because he was spending so much on equipment and getting only the best for Gale's process that they needed Walt. That is why they went and got Walt, because Gale wanted him.

In this flashback scene, Gale is giddy. Receiving top-of-the-line equipment for making hard drugs is like his own personal Christmas morning. His solemn employer and well-connected drug distributor Gus Fring appears from the top floor and asks when everything will be up and running. Gale estimates it’ll take a month. Gus’ enigmatic right-hand man Victor corrects him: two weeks. Gale nervously changes his answer to two weeks. By the way, he thoroughly reviewed a sample of “blue stuff” that Gus gave him. Gale smartly suspects that the sample is that of their competition. The blue product is 99 percent pure, while Gale’s is a hard-earned 96. Gus is just fine with that. “After all, how pure can pure be?” he says. But Gale presses on. He is eager to know who synthesized it. Gus describes the maker as a trained chemist wanting a job. It’ll never happen, because Gus does not consider the unnamed man – our anti-hero Walter White, of course -- to be a professional. “If he’s not, I don’t know what that makes me,” says Gale. “Not trying to talk myself out of a job.”

This part of the flashback episode makes it clear Gale pushed for Walt, not Gus. Gus was ready to write Walt off and was happy with 96%.

I don’t know where this "Gus only wants the best" nonsense came from, or why it keeps being regurgitated.

I don't know why people think Gus was pushed by Gale. Gus could have killed Walt off as soon as Walt was working for Gus and just had Gale come in and cook an inferior product. If Gus didn't care about purity then he wouldn't have wasted his time to have Gale be trained by Walt.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

Exactly. Gus could have killed Walt off already and had Jesse cook for him instead if he didn't care about having by far the best product available on the market.

 

[toadstool]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

Exactly. Gus could have killed Walt off already and had Jesse cook for him instead if he didn't care about having by far the best product available on the market.

Until Jesse made it for the Cartel there was no way to be sure Jesse could make it good enough. But Gus isn't interested in the best, but I have already covered that sufficiently.

 

[Big_Russel]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

Exactly. Gus could have killed Walt off already and had Jesse cook for him instead if he didn't care about having by far the best product available on the market.

Jesse is an addict and Gale is dead. Thoise are the only things keeping Walt alive right now.

 

[toadstool]

Gale didn't push Gus. Nobody pushes Gus to do anything he doesn't want to do. Gus having to deal with the head of a cartel who killed off his boyfriend in front of him > dealing with middle age father/teacher, don't you think?

Actually for about 20 years the Cartel pushed Gus around.

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

can we stop the bickering over the 96%?

 

[Thunderlips]

The cook was at 96. Walt is at 99. He's not going anywhere.

Yeah, Gale hit 96 and that wasn't enough to kill Walt.Plus, Jesse showed he's just Walt's counterfeit when he couldn't synthesize the phenylacetic acid. He just grabs the barrel with the bee on it.

Actually 96 was enough to kill Walt. Gale actually requested Walt not Gus. Then when Walt proved to be a liability they were going to kill him, until Jessie killed Gale.

this sounds right. Gale was so obsessed with it's perfection he wanted Walt to keep cooking.

Remember 96 was good enough for Gus when it came from Gale, the extra 3% is what set Walt's brew apart; but that extra really did not matter to Gus "96 is good enough".

Why on Earth would Gus want to eliminate Walt? He's NO threat to him. You kill the head of a cartel dealing with Walt doesn't even come close. Plus Gus knows that while Jesse has some positive qualities he could easily slip back into drugs or do something stupid. When you make the best product in the country and if you are smart (like Gus clearly is) the only way you kill off Walt is self defense or you know for a fact that Walt is about to rat you out.

Because Walt's ego has led him to believe he's more valuable to the organization than even Gus....while Gus's ego doesn't want anyone to think that.

Gus seems like a bright person and knew what Gus was all about from the start. You have to take the good with the bad if you are going to hire the best. If you are in that line of business you expect people to be unstable and have incredible egos. Gus killing the head of a cartel is serious business, dealing with Walt isn't.

He never wanted to hire Walt. IIRC, he told Walter that he was reckless. It was only after Gale pushed....did Gus give in; and I'm assuming that that was only so Gale could learn how to get that extra 3% and that Walt would have been killed as soon as Gale understood.

Gale didn't push Gus. Nobody pushes Gus to do anything he doesn't want to do. Gus having to deal with the head of a cartel who killed off his boyfriend in front of him > dealing with middle age father/teacher, don't you think?

I'm sorry. I didn't mean push in the dominating sense. Gale brought to Gus's attention the difference.

 

[Thunderlips]

Gale didn't push Gus. Nobody pushes Gus to do anything he doesn't want to do. Gus having to deal with the head of a cartel who killed off his boyfriend in front of him > dealing with middle age father/teacher, don't you think?

Actually for about 20 years the Cartel pushed Gus around.

Was Gus killing the Don personal or business?

 

[Walton Goggins]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

Exactly. Gus could have killed Walt off already and had Jesse cook for him instead if he didn't care about having by far the best product available on the market.

Until Jesse made it for the Cartel there was no way to be sure Jesse could make it good enough. But Gus isn't interested in the best, but I have already covered that sufficiently.

You really haven't at all. Gale doesn't run Gus and tell Gus what to do. Gus could have had Jesse cook many months prior.Gus calls the shot, period and nobody tells him what to do.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

Exactly. Gus could have killed Walt off already and had Jesse cook for him instead if he didn't care about having by far the best product available on the market.

Jesse is an addict and Gale is dead. Thoise are the only things keeping Walt alive right now.

For a long time that wasn't the case. Gale couldn't tell a 5th grader what to do and if Gus wanted Gale and didn't care about the lower grade then Walt would have been hired by Gus.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Gale didn't push Gus. Nobody pushes Gus to do anything he doesn't want to do. Gus having to deal with the head of a cartel who killed off his boyfriend in front of him > dealing with middle age father/teacher, don't you think?

Actually for about 20 years the Cartel pushed Gus around.

That's not true.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Gale didn't push Gus. Nobody pushes Gus to do anything he doesn't want to do. Gus having to deal with the head of a cartel who killed off his boyfriend in front of him > dealing with middle age father/teacher, don't you think?

Actually for about 20 years the Cartel pushed Gus around.

Was Gus killing the Don personal or business?

Both

 

[beer 30]

Was Gus killing the Don personal or business?

My answer to that would be yes.

 

[Big_Russel]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

Exactly. Gus could have killed Walt off already and had Jesse cook for him instead if he didn't care about having by far the best product available on the market.

Jesse is an addict and Gale is dead. Thoise are the only things keeping Walt alive right now.

For a long time that wasn't the case. Gale couldn't tell a 5th grader what to do and if Gus wanted Gale and didn't care about the lower grade then Walt would have been hired by Gus.

But it is right now. That's my only point. If Gale were alive or if Gus had another reliable cook that could make it @ 96%, Walt would be dead. The only thing keeping him alive right now, is Jesse's addiction.

 

[McJose]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

Exactly. Gus could have killed Walt off already and had Jesse cook for him instead if he didn't care about having by far the best product available on the market.

Jesse is an addict and Gale is dead. Thoise are the only things keeping Walt alive right now.

For a long time that wasn't the case. Gale couldn't tell a 5th grader what to do and if Gus wanted Gale and didn't care about the lower grade then Walt would have been hired by Gus.

But it is right now. That's my only point. If Gale were alive or if Gus had another reliable cook that could make it @ 96%, Walt would be dead. The only thing keeping him alive right now, is Jesse's addiction.

Your link is broken.

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

Exactly. Gus could have killed Walt off already and had Jesse cook for him instead if he didn't care about having by far the best product available on the market.

Jesse is an addict and Gale is dead. Thoise are the only things keeping Walt alive right now.

For a long time that wasn't the case. Gale couldn't tell a 5th grader what to do and if Gus wanted Gale and didn't care about the lower grade then Walt would have been hired by Gus.

But it is right now. That's my only point. If Gale were alive or if Gus had another reliable cook that could make it @ 96%, Walt would be dead. The only thing keeping him alive right now, is Jesse's addiction.

 

[Big_Russel]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

Exactly. Gus could have killed Walt off already and had Jesse cook for him instead if he didn't care about having by far the best product available on the market.

Jesse is an addict and Gale is dead. Thoise are the only things keeping Walt alive right now.

For a long time that wasn't the case. Gale couldn't tell a 5th grader what to do and if Gus wanted Gale and didn't care about the lower grade then Walt would have been hired by Gus.

But it is right now. That's my only point. If Gale were alive or if Gus had another reliable cook that could make it @ 96%, Walt would be dead. The only thing keeping him alive right now, is Jesse's addiction.

Your link is broken.

It was the Van Halen video.

 

[Walton Goggins]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

Exactly. Gus could have killed Walt off already and had Jesse cook for him instead if he didn't care about having by far the best product available on the market.

Jesse is an addict and Gale is dead. Thoise are the only things keeping Walt alive right now.

For a long time that wasn't the case. Gale couldn't tell a 5th grader what to do and if Gus wanted Gale and didn't care about the lower grade then Walt would have been hired by Gus.

But it is right now. That's my only point. If Gale were alive or if Gus had another reliable cook that could make it @ 96%, Walt would be dead. The only thing keeping him alive right now, is Jesse's addiction.

That wasn't the point of this thread though. We weren't talking about now.

 

[Big_Russel]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

Exactly. Gus could have killed Walt off already and had Jesse cook for him instead if he didn't care about having by far the best product available on the market.

Jesse is an addict and Gale is dead. Thoise are the only things keeping Walt alive right now.

For a long time that wasn't the case. Gale couldn't tell a 5th grader what to do and if Gus wanted Gale and didn't care about the lower grade then Walt would have been hired by Gus.

But it is right now. That's my only point. If Gale were alive or if Gus had another reliable cook that could make it @ 96%, Walt would be dead. The only thing keeping him alive right now, is Jesse's addiction.

That wasn't the point of this thread though. We weren't talking about now.

We were debating whether or not Gus was keeping Walt alive for the extra 3% (rooted in his desire to "only want the best"). The answer is (imo) no.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

It was the Van Halen video.

 

[McJose]

It was the Van Halen video.

Nicely played.

 

[Sebowski]

Holy ####. I want the last 10 minutes of my life back.

 

[pantherclub]

These episodes just keep getting better and better.

 

[corpcow]

He never wanted to hire Walt. IIRC, he told Walter that he was reckless. It was only after Gale pushed....did Gus give in; and I'm assuming that that was only so Gale could learn how to get that extra 3% and that Walt would have been killed as soon as Gale understood.

Gale didn't "push", so much as play to Gus' need to have the best. I'm looking for a link to the video intro there, but re-watch it and you'll see what I mean.

Gale told Gus that because he was spending so much on equipment and getting only the best for Gale's process that they needed Walt. That is why they went and got Walt, because Gale wanted him.

In this flashback scene, Gale is giddy. Receiving top-of-the-line equipment for making hard drugs is like his own personal Christmas morning. His solemn employer and well-connected drug distributor Gus Fring appears from the top floor and asks when everything will be up and running. Gale estimates it’ll take a month. Gus’ enigmatic right-hand man Victor corrects him: two weeks. Gale nervously changes his answer to two weeks. By the way, he thoroughly reviewed a sample of “blue stuff” that Gus gave him.

Gale smartly suspects that the sample is that of their competition. The blue product is 99 percent pure, while Gale’s is a hard-earned 96. Gus is just fine with that. “After all, how pure can pure be?” he says.

But Gale presses on. He is eager to know who synthesized it. Gus describes the maker as a trained chemist wanting a job. It’ll never happen, because Gus does not consider the unnamed man – our anti-hero Walter White, of course -- to be a professional.

“If he’s not, I don’t know what that makes me,” says Gale. “Not trying to talk myself out of a job.”

This part of the flashback episode makes it clear Gale pushed for Walt, not Gus. Gus was ready to write Walt off and was happy with 96%.

I don’t know where this "Gus only wants the best" nonsense came from, or why it keeps being regurgitated.

I don't know why people think Gus was pushed by Gale. Gus could have killed Walt off as soon as Walt was working for Gus and just had Gale come in and cook an inferior product. If Gus didn't care about purity then he wouldn't have wasted his time to have Gale be trained by Walt.

Exactly. As I said repeatedly, Gale didn't "push" Gus. If Gus EVER though 96% was acceptable when 99% was achievable - or if he was really content to have an "inferior" product - he would have killed Walt before this ever happened. Gale may have "initiated", but Gus didn't need much pushing. Gus is a professional and serious and he does indeed want the best.

 

[dude]

you gotta respect the chemistry. Gus does...

 

[wildbill]

The cook was at 96. Walt is at 99. He's not going anywhere.

Yeah, Gale hit 96 and that wasn't enough to kill Walt.Plus, Jesse showed he's just Walt's counterfeit when he couldn't synthesize the phenylacetic acid. He just grabs the barrel with the bee on it.

Actually 96 was enough to kill Walt. Gale actually requested Walt not Gus. Then when Walt proved to be a liability they were going to kill him, until Jessie killed Gale.

this sounds right. Gale was so obsessed with it's perfection he wanted Walt to keep cooking.

Remember 96 was good enough for Gus when it came from Gale, the extra 3% is what set Walt's brew apart; but that extra really did not matter to Gus "96 is good enough".

Why on Earth would Gus want to eliminate Walt? He's NO threat to him. You kill the head of a cartel dealing with Walt doesn't even come close. Plus Gus knows that while Jesse has some positive qualities he could easily slip back into drugs or do something stupid. When you make the best product in the country and if you are smart (like Gus clearly is) the only way you kill off Walt is self defense or you know for a fact that Walt is about to rat you out.

Gus wanted Walt dead just a few weeks ago, Walt even came to his house one night and Mike (or someone else) called him and told him to "Go Home".

You honestly think if Gus wants someone dead they would still be alive many weeks later?

Watch last season's finale again. Once Gus believed Gale could make Walt's cook he had Victor and Mike take him to the lab to kill him. The only thing that saved Walt's life was that phone call to Jesse, and Jesse getting to Gale before Victor did.

 

[wildbill]

The cook was at 96. Walt is at 99. He's not going anywhere.

Yeah, Gale hit 96 and that wasn't enough to kill Walt.Plus, Jesse showed he's just Walt's counterfeit when he couldn't synthesize the phenylacetic acid. He just grabs the barrel with the bee on it.

Actually 96 was enough to kill Walt. Gale actually requested Walt not Gus. Then when Walt proved to be a liability they were going to kill him, until Jessie killed Gale.

this sounds right. Gale was so obsessed with it's perfection he wanted Walt to keep cooking.

Remember 96 was good enough for Gus when it came from Gale, the extra 3% is what set Walt's brew apart; but that extra really did not matter to Gus "96 is good enough".

Why on Earth would Gus want to eliminate Walt? He's NO threat to him. You kill the head of a cartel dealing with Walt doesn't even come close. Plus Gus knows that while Jesse has some positive qualities he could easily slip back into drugs or do something stupid. When you make the best product in the country and if you are smart (like Gus clearly is) the only way you kill off Walt is self defense or you know for a fact that Walt is about to rat you out.

Because Walt's ego has led him to believe he's more valuable to the organization than even Gus....while Gus's ego doesn't want anyone to think that.

Gus seems like a bright person and knew what Gus was all about from the start. You have to take the good with the bad if you are going to hire the best. If you are in that line of business you expect people to be unstable and have incredible egos. Gus killing the head of a cartel is serious business, dealing with Walt isn't.

He never wanted to hire Walt. IIRC, he told Walter that he was reckless. It was only after Gale pushed....did Gus give in; and I'm assuming that that was only so Gale could learn how to get that extra 3% and that Walt would have been killed as soon as Gale understood.

I wouldn't say Gale pushed Gus to hire Walt, but he did convince him to do it. Gus asked Gale "How pure can pure be?" and Gale explained just how big that 3% difference was.

 

[corpcow]

Don't forget that we know Gus has a passion for chemistry and (as much as can be) operates methodically and specifically in everything he does. He put a towel on the floor for comfort while puking even though he was in the process of killing a dozen cartel heads outside. I think this action shows that Gus does not compromise in his standards for anything. Its how he built a great chicken business. He KNOWS Walter's is better. he could kill him and call the 96% cook "the best" but in his own mind, he would know it's not. That would be unacceptable.

Precisely. Anyone who's been watching the show should know how methodical Gus is, and the care and diligence he puts into everything. People laughed when talking about how he carefully folded his jacket before puking, and then folded a towel for his knees, but that's perfectly in character for him. He is precise, methodical, and demanding. He doesn't tolerate even the smallest imperfections like a slightly wrinkled jacket in that scenario... So to pretend like someone like GALE "pushed" him into this is ludicrous. Gale highlighted the imperfection, but it played perfectly to Gus' character as I've said before. As someone said previously, simply knowing that it's NOT as pure as can be was unacceptable to Gus so much so that Walt is brought in despite "not being a professional" and kept around after.

 

[McJose]

Can we get back to more important things like bagging on fat people and handicapped kids?

 

[Big_Russel]

Can we get back to more important things like bagging on fat people and handicapped kids?

Wayyyyyy too much Flynn last night for my liking.

 

[Walton Goggins]

The cook was at 96. Walt is at 99. He's not going anywhere.

Yeah, Gale hit 96 and that wasn't enough to kill Walt.Plus, Jesse showed he's just Walt's counterfeit when he couldn't synthesize the phenylacetic acid. He just grabs the barrel with the bee on it.

Actually 96 was enough to kill Walt. Gale actually requested Walt not Gus. Then when Walt proved to be a liability they were going to kill him, until Jessie killed Gale.

this sounds right. Gale was so obsessed with it's perfection he wanted Walt to keep cooking.

Remember 96 was good enough for Gus when it came from Gale, the extra 3% is what set Walt's brew apart; but that extra really did not matter to Gus "96 is good enough".

Why on Earth would Gus want to eliminate Walt? He's NO threat to him. You kill the head of a cartel dealing with Walt doesn't even come close. Plus Gus knows that while Jesse has some positive qualities he could easily slip back into drugs or do something stupid. When you make the best product in the country and if you are smart (like Gus clearly is) the only way you kill off Walt is self defense or you know for a fact that Walt is about to rat you out.

Gus wanted Walt dead just a few weeks ago, Walt even came to his house one night and Mike (or someone else) called him and told him to "Go Home".

You honestly think if Gus wants someone dead they would still be alive many weeks later?

Watch last season's finale again. Once Gus believed Gale could make Walt's cook he had Victor and Mike take him to the lab to kill him. The only thing that saved Walt's life was that phone call to Jesse, and Jesse getting to Gale before Victor did.

Stay focused and look at the bolded part above again. If Gus wanted Walt dead a few weeks ago he would have been dead already. Walt, his wife and his children all dead.

 

[Charlie Frown]

It would have been funny if when Flynn was backing out he got t-boned all Tom Smykowski-like.