ABQ (Breaking Bad)
"ABQ" | |
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Breaking Bad episode | |
Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 13 |
Directed by | Adam Bernstein |
Written by | Vince Gilligan |
Featured music |
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Cinematography by | Michael Slovis |
Editing by | Lynne Willingham |
Original air date | May 31, 2009 |
Running time | 47 minutes |
Guest appearances | |
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"ABQ" is the thirteenth and final episode of the
This episode introduces
Plot
In a
clinic.Walt is preparing to undergo surgery to remove his cancer. The website that Walter Jr. made to bring in anonymous donations—in reality being used by Saul to launder Walt's drug money—garners media attention due to its apparent success; Walt is uncomfortable in the spotlight due to the pity instilled upon him and the potential of someone in the drug trade recognizing him on television. On the day of Walt's operation, as he is put under anesthetics, he groggily reveals the existence of a second cell phone he uses, making Skyler White suspicious of his activities. When Walt is released from the hospital six weeks later, Skyler reveals that she has investigated his behavior over the past several months and found he has lied to her many times. Her discoveries include Gretchen never sending any money and Walt not visiting his mother. Walt offers to tell her everything, but she is too afraid to know and drives away.
Donald, still grieving his daughter's death, returns to work as an
Production
The episode was written by Vince Gilligan, and directed by Adam Bernstein. It aired on AMC in the United States and Canada on May 31, 2009. The plane crash at the end of the episode was inspired by the 1986 Cerritos mid-air collision, in which the air-traffic controller who was directing air traffic at the time of the real-life accident shares the name of the lead character of Breaking Bad, Walter White.
This episode introduced the character of Mike as played by
Critical reception
Donna Bowman, writing for The A.V. Club, commented that the episode "was horrific perfection".[4]
In 2019 The Ringer ranked "ABQ" as the 28th best out of the 62 total Breaking Bad episodes.[5]
For her work on this episode,
Notes
References
- ^ a b Hiatt, Brian (March 16, 2015). "Bob Odenkirk on Saul and Mr. Show's Non-Reunion". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- Vulture. Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ Makuch, Eddie (March 9, 2023). "Breaking Bad's Mike Ehrmantraut Was Not Originally Planned For The Series". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ^ Bowman, Donna (May 31, 2009). "Breaking Bad: "ABQ"". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ Siegel, Alan (September 30, 2019). "The Ringer's Definitive 'Breaking Bad' Episodes Ranking". The Ringer. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.