I didn’t start watching “The Sopranos” or “The Wire” until long after they were off the air. Blame my mother for never having HBO, or me for preferring to watch a “Seinfeld” episode for the seventh time rather than try a new show. (But mostly my mom.) So, with the possible exception of the “Lost” finale (shut up, Matt), I can pretty safely say I’ve never been more excited for an episode of TV than I am for the fourth season finale of “Breaking Bad,” set to air Sunday at 10 p.m. on AMC.
The episode’s titled “Face Off,” and according to creator Vince Gilligan, that’s a “strangely appropriate” name. Which begs the question: WHOSE FACE IS COMING OFF? Could it be Hank? Walter? Jesse? Skyler? BABY HOLLY?!? Or maybe it’ll just be an hour-long homage to the 1997 action-thriller classic. Either way, I’m content.
On the next two pages, I’m laying out my predictions for the finale: who might die but won’t, and who’s going to the big meth lab in the sky. So, throw a pizza on the roof and let’s get this thing started.
Not Going to Die (of the Characters Who Might)
Walter White
He’s the star of the show. They’re not going to off him.
Jesse Pinkman
While I do think Jesse might meet his demise at some point, I don’t think it’s right now. Although the writers bringing him and Walter back together only to kill him off would catch a lot of viewers off guard… But no, not happening. Side note: I re-watched the “Breaking Bad” pilot last night, and no character has improved as much as Jesse. He’s virtually insufferable in the early episodes, because the writers made him too much of a wigger.
Skyler White
Why did the agents guarding Hank’s family let her smoke a cigarette on a wide-open balcony in last week’s episode? That bugged me a lot, particularly because the agent warned her not to become too exposed, and he evidently forgets what he said seconds later. Skyler’s being hunted by Gus, and I bet she’ll be investigated in I F**ked Ted’s (hilarious, totally deserved) death, but she’s too important to be whacked. For now.
Brock
I’ve read dozens of theories about Brock and the ricin, and I haven’t been satisfied with any of the Walt or Gus theories. I don’t think Walt would intentionally poison a small child (that would make him the most evil Good Guy in the history of TV, and I don’t think Gilligan would, or even should, go there), and the Gus Did It people need too many things to go right to make their conspiracy believable. I think Brock was just being a stupid kid trying to emulate Jesse (not unlike when Jesse’s younger brother, Jake, smoked a joint to impress his older sibling in season one’s “Cancer Man”), and the entire thing’s a total red herring.
That said, he still may die in the episode, but it will be from his own trying-to-look-cool stupidity, not murder.
Hank Schrader
If any of the “good guys” are going to get murdered in “Face Off,” Hank seems the best bet — but I don’t think it’s going to happen. He’s too important for the Who Is Heisenberg? mystery that the show will need to drive its fifth and final season. Which will gain extra traction when…
Going to Die
Steve Gomez
…when Steve Gomez bites the bullet. Gomez is asking questions, too many questions, and getting close, a little TOO close, for Gus’s liking. This entire season Gus has been looking for a reason to take out Hank, and killing Steve is the second best thing. Plus, the murder will also serve as a further threat to Hank’s life. This would also set up season five, with Hank furthering his Heisenberg quest and him (eventually) believing Walt pulled the trigger. But Steve’s not the only character who’s going to go.
Gustavo Fring
Here’s my theory: Walt makes a move to become the new Gus, and convinces Jesse, who is now working with his partner again, to help him out. Jesse, in turn, tracks down Mike, and tells him what’s upcoming, and promises Mike more responsibility, better pay, etc. (Remember, it’s Jesse who shows sympathy to Mike at the doctor’s office-like dungeon in “Salud,” and I don’t think they’d end their budding relationship without a, well, ending.) The three of them come up with a plan to kill Gus, with Mike pulling the trigger. That sets up Walt becoming the new boss in season five, with Jesse and Mike on his side, and Hank trying to discover his identity.
I could also very easily be full of sh*t. Please post what you think is going to…
…in the finale.
