Breaking Bad: Rabid Dog - Unfolding Complexities of Jesse's Decision

Jesse Pinkman's Dilemma in Rabid Dog: In the intense final episode, Rabid Dog, of the fifth season of ldquo;Breaking Bad,rdquo; Jesse Pinkman faces a critical decision that redefines his future.

The Consequences

The episode opens with a tense moment when law enforcement breaches Jesse's act of arson in Walt's house. Whether Jesse complies and surrenders to Hank or continues with the arson, both options lead to dire outcomes.

("Either way he was going to be arrested and Hank would have killed him had he not complied and continued to torch the house.")

Jesse's Choices and Consequences

Jesse realizes that by staying in the house, especially with Hank in the room, he risks Hank's lethal action. This realization is highlighted when Hank says, "You don't want to be killed and I don't want to kill you."

The presence of a gun poised at Jesse's head provides further justification for compliance. Jesse must weigh the extreme actions he has taken against his own survival. ("Because Hank had a gun pointed right at him at that exact moment for one thing.")

The Shift in Perspective

The decision to go with Hank is not just about survival; it marks a significant change in Jesse's approach to the situation. Jesse, who has a desire for revenge against Heisenberg, now sees that destroying Walt's house is not enough. He is moved by the realization that he cannot continue to evade justice.

("He wanted to punish Mr. White he wants to destroy him. He probably realized then that burning his house wasn’t going to do any good.")

The Plan and Its Origins

However, the most intriguing part of the episode is the timing. When Walt enters the house, Jesse is not there. He arrives later, suggesting that Jesse had been absent during the critical phase. This timing is deliberately confusing to the audience: (“Walt. The timing was weird because we saw 2 different scenes for the same moment in time but you remember that Jesse was not in the house when Walt went in. He pulled up just after Hank and Jesse pulled away.”)

Jesse's Ambition and Plan

The end of the episode leaves Jesse with a belief in a better plan. Jesse, who is always looking for ways to stick it to Walt (Heisenberg), now plots to hit him where it hurts the most.

("Because he had a gun pointed at him.")

The episode's pivotal moment highlights the complex interplay of fear, revenge, and survival. Jesse, finally, decides to turn himself in, but not out of fear alone. It is a calculated decision to take down the one who has kept him in the shadows of law for so long. The narrative leaves the audience on edge for the next episode, eager to see what Jesse's better plan entails.