How I would rate the seasons:
S1 = 3/5 stars
S2 = 4/5
S3 = 2/5
S4 = 5/5
S5 = 5/5
S6 = 5/5
Huh? I thought Season 3 was when the show went from "Damn, this is really great" to "Holy ####, this is the best show ever!" I give the first two seasons 4/5 and the last four 5/5. And even then, I feel like I am selling the first two seasons short.
Regarding Season 3:
The worst part of the show for me were the wives (Skyler, Marie). They were almost unbearable and I honestly came close to giving up on the show in season 3. Hank was hurt and in bed. Jesse was moping. Walt wasn't doing much more than cooking. Saul kept the thing at least breathing for me while the wives dominated 60% of the show. Skyler and her car wash. Marie and her stealing stuff from homes that were for sale (w.t.f.?). After season 3, the wife storylines died off and the show improved immensly.
I think you are confused.
Them buying the car wash happened at the beginning of Season 4.
The height of Jesse's moping was at the beginning of Season 4 when he was wrecked with guilty over having killed Gale.
Marie stealing from the homes was also in Season 4.
Season 3 had:
-Walt quitting the business and then being pulled back in thanks to Gus' manipulation.
-Gus and Mike both becoming major players in the storyline.
-One Minute.
-The epic scene where Hank was trying to get into the RV when Jesse and Walt were hiding inside.
-The whole arc with the cousins.
-"Run."
What's not to love?