Was this the first episode where "****" was uncensored? Heard it once from Jimmy.

They said **** last week too

I have no idea why, but I agree.

Don't miss this one

BOOM

Wow. That hit hard.

That cinematography of the gunshot scene blew me away.

No pun intended.

What a great show.

That strikes me as one of those scenes where the actors involved spent that whole day on edge and somber. And when it was over they all poured themselves a stiff drink.

We view this show as the transformation of James McGill but in reality, we've seen Mike go from a cynical, hardened survivor to a legitimate gangland assassin and straight up murderer.

Jimmy was always going to be Saul. And frankly, Mike didn't put up much of a fight to becoming Fring's chief killer in his own right, but man - it sure seems more like it didn't really have to be this way for him, doesn't it? Saul's emergence was a fait accompli but Mike's seems to be a genuine tragedy.

I can't say enough about the economic genius of the cold open, and particularly the choice of song.

First off, it was a great ear to recall a song that is both cheesy and totally karaoke appropriate, and yet timeless and emotionally resonant at the same time.

And then it just blossomed all these themes that were simmering under the surface of the narrative. It multi-tasked to take us back and showed us other sides of these characters, and set the table for the resentments that would fester and the pain to come.

Chuck is perfunctorily proud as he vouches for Jimmy at the swearing ceremony, and he even makes a low-key appearance at a scrub/newby party after. To the casual observer, he's just a shy, prim and proper, but proud, older brother. But given the story we know unfolds, you think you might see signs of him straining mightily to bite his tongue.

Then Jimmy cajoles him onto the stage. And here they make full use of 'David St. Hubbins' casting Chuck as a reluctant participant, . . . until the mic is in his hands. Turns out, surprise, not only is Chuck not a shy guy or poor singer, . . . he's a born star!! And he subtly and completely [and by some measures justifiably] steal's Jimmy's moment of joy and triumph by sheer unavoidable superiority.

Then you follow them home, and Chuck is again exceedingly patient as Jimmy makes big talk about firm takeover and immediate plans to put his stamp on his brother's firm. It's left to the ambiguity of the writing and Jimmy's drunkenness whether this big talk is trying to bond with his brother or just plain ego.

Through it all Chuck is not only perfunctory in his care for his drunk brother, but goes the extra mile, joining him in bed to stay and watch over him, and sharing an encore of the karaoke.

In a few short minutes, you see the best and worst of the central Jimmy and Chuck dynamic. It was revisited, summarized and given new perspective all at the same time.

And then, the theme of that cheesy, emotional, karaoke song was revisited when he tells 'Esposito the shoplifter' that the winner takes it all. And we're left with the ambiguity whether this was a lyric that has simmered in his craw for years or just a general cliche that fit his mood of the time.

The mirror scene was just as powerful of shot.

Really amazing television.

Right. It was nice juxtaposition to see Chuck being an outstanding brother with Jimmy delivering that heartfelt speech and turning it around as an obvious con. Pretty much took all doubt that Jimmy is no good guy.

Great writing.

Pretty sure from here on out when I think of Mike that's the first image that'll come to mind.

And the end of the show was a master class in writing. It's always a powerful scene when the passion of the delivery completely masks the ambiguity of the text. Every bit of his inflection and expression was designed to give the strong suggestion that his words have one meaning, but his words tread carefully to provide not only ambiguity but even the right, . . truthful, . . . opposite implication if you knew to look for it.

<iframe width="949" height="534" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Rj5g4gBlso" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Right and Rhea acted her ass off in that scene. Her WTF look when he said that asshole was crying was perfect. And then her standing by herself at the end. ...damn.

And like I said, comparing that with the opening scene is powerful. Where is DJLN? #TeamChuck should ride again.