"Thirty-Eight Snub" is the second episode of the fourth season of the American television drama series Breaking Bad, and the 35th overall episode of the series. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on July 24, 2011. In the episode, Walter plots to kill Gus for fear of repercussions from him, while Jesse holds wild parties to try to forget his despair. Meanwhile, Skyler tries to purchase a car wash business, while Marie struggles to deal with Hank's growing depression problems.
Written by George Mastras and directed by Michelle MacLaren, "Thirty-Eight Snub" featured guest appearances by Emily Rios as Andrea, Jim Beaver as black market gun vendor Lawson, and the first appearance by Ray Campbell in the recurring role of Gus' henchman Tyrus Kitt. Due to filming commitments with the television series Supernatural, Beaver had only a half-day to film his scene, which was set on a constructed set resembling a motel room. "Thirty-Eight Snub" included several unusual camera angles, including a shot from the point of view of a Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner, and an extremely high crane shot of Walter from 180 feet in the air.
Jesse's party scenes, which symbolized the character's internal guilt and fragile state of mind, included background songs by rapper Flavor Flav and the band Honey Claws. "Thirty-Eight Snub" was seen by an estimated 1.97 million household viewers according to Nielsen Media Research, making it the second most-watched episode of Breaking Bad by the fourth season, although it marked a significant decline in viewership compared to the previous episode, season premiere "Box Cutter".
Plot
Walter illegally purchases a .38-caliber snubnosed revolver, which he intends to use to kill Gus, because he believes Gus will kill him if he does not act first. Mike drinks coffee at a bar and discovers Victor's dried blood on his jacket sleeve. Jesse has purchased expensive electronics, including a sophisticated sound system, but remains miserable after having murdered Gale. In an attempt to get over Gale's death, Jesse has Badger and Skinny Pete arrange a multi-day party with dozens of people dancing, drinking, and doing drugs.
While cooking meth at the lab, Walt waits for Gus to arrive so he can kill him. Instead, Victor's replacement Tyrus arrives with Mike, and Mike informs Walt he will never see Gus in person again. That night, Walt drives to Gus' house, but before he can approach, he receives a call from Tyrus, who says simply, "Go home, Walter." The next day, Walt approaches Mike at the bar, and Mike says he observed Walter tailing him there. Mike reveals that in the lab, he could tell Walt was carrying the pistol. Walt suggests Mike and he are in the same danger because Gus could easily kill Mike the same way he killed Victor. Walt asks Mike to put him in a room with Gus so Walt can kill him. Mike punches Walt, knocks him to the floor, kicks him several times, then leaves the bar.
Skyler calls Walt to inquire about buying the car wash where he once worked, which they plan to use as a front business for Walt's drug money. Walt fails to act, so Skyler does her own detailed research about the business's expenses and revenues. She later approaches Bogdan about buying it, but he angrily rejects her and condemns Walt for insulting him when Walt quit working there.
Marie struggles with Hank's deepening depression as he continues his post-shooting physical therapy. The bedridden and bitter Hank constantly ignores or insults Marie and even after he celebrates a successful session with his physical therapist, he refuses to share the excitement with Marie.
After three straight days of partying, Badger and Skinny Pete are exhausted and go home, as do all the other partiers at Jesse's house. Alone with his thoughts, a depressed Jesse breaks down while sitting less than an inch away from his sound system's speakers, which are turned to high volume.