Alright, I’ll start right off with that one thing that disappointed me: the cliffhanger. I’m not necessarily opposed to a cliffhanger ending, but with the way this episode was going down, and especially that incredibly intense final five minutes or so, I had hopes for something more … final, in the finale. I don’t want to be teased with whether Jesse shot Gale or not — I wanted to see what he decided. Wouldn’t that have made for a more dramatic and non-cliche ending? Either show Jesse drop Gale on the spot, or have him purposely miss.
If there was one tiny thing that I wished was brought to more resolution, it would be Hank’s condition. I guess that was rather wrapped up with him going home last week, so I can’t really complain there much. I’d grown to like his story this season, because I wouldn’t have thought twice about him in the first two seasons. Now I want to see if his position with the DEA will work its way to hurt or help Walter, once he’s brought back into the picture again.
A lot of people originally thought Gale was brought in to knowingly steal Walter’s recipe and process, but then he was ousted so Walter could have Jesse back in the picture. It turns out that Gale was never in on that plan, though was it the plan from the start? Did Walter know this could be a possibility, so he had Jesse brought back to help ruin Gus’s plans?
In the end, I actually really felt bad for Gale. In the end, he was forced into the position of taking over Walter’s process, and now he’s looking down the barrel of a loaded gun. He seemed like a nice, nerdy and clean dude, who likely couldn’t find work in his field, much like Walter. It’s a shame he’s now wrapped up in such a terrible position. But what did he think when he took this job?
So, what do you think Jesse decided? Did he waste Gale, or did he miss? If he missed, was it on purpose? Or was the gunshot not his own? I’m going with Jesse missing on purpose. Or maybe he grazes him, leaving a decent amount of blood around for Mike and company to discover. Gale is in an apartment, so the sound alerts neighbors and, in the ensuing panic, Jesse grabs Gale and drags him to his car. He drives off into the desert to think things over, maybe grabbing a few of his homeys to help tie him up. Maybe Jesse and Walt convince Gale to work with them on their own, and they assist in taking down Gus? Maybe Walter comes and finished Gale off himself?
Obviously I was wrong about Gus’s plans for Walter, so it’s going to be interesting to see how Walter takes him down. Because that’s really the only option here, if Walter’s going to survive and, with him, Breaking Bad. UPDATE: It’s officially getting a fourth season!
Oh, one final thing: how incredible was that job by makeup people of making a young Walter White in that flashback?
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Jun 13, 2010 @ 23:23 EST5EDT
Okay, I gotta give it to you for getting this up so quickly. Nice synopsis and a great vote. BTW, I voted 3.
I have to vote one. If he doesn’t kill Gayle, Mr. White is dead. What a great finale.
*POST AUTHOR*
Well I gave a possible scenario if Jesse didn’t kill Gayle and instead wounded him. He could drag him out of there before Mike shows up. They see blood and assume Gayle’s dead, so Walt is safe for the time being.
Just finished the episode now. Rewatching that last scene, it seems clear that Jesse was pointing the gun straight at Gayle and then deliberately moves the gun before firing. I will be shocked if Jesse shot him.
*POST AUTHOR*
I noticed that, too, but just figured it was supposed to be the actor moving it into the center of the camera’s POV.
i think he shot gus and gus and gale are lovers!
*POST AUTHOR*
syrric — At first I thought you were completely nuts, but then I thought it’s not totally out of the question that Gus could be there in the apartment, meaning that’s why Jesse turned the gun away from Gayle and instead toward Gus. I wouldn’t go so far as to say they were lovers, since Gus appearing at Gayle’s apartment the first time sure looked like it was a big surprise to him.
Jesse killing Gus in that apartment would certainly kick off the fourth season with a bigger bang, that’s for sure. Who does Gus answer to, if anyone?
Gus is at Gail’s house informing him that Walt passed away from cancer and that he (Gail) is now in charge of production.
Gus played a nice role so it will be a let down to see him go.
Clearly, Jesse is moving the gun to a new target in the last scene.
Jesse did shoot Gale. Vince Gilligan confirmed it:
https://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/interview-breaking-bad-creator-vince-gilligan-post-mortems-season-three
no Vince Gillgan did not say he actually was dead.
I think Jesse misses on purpose and Season 4 starts with Jesse and Gale on the run to Mexico — that would be a good story line.
Gale is too interesting character to just have killed off – I think he becomes a good part of Season 4 – he has many things not known about him… he will surprise people on who he ‘really’ is.
when does season 4 begin? and what will become of Walter if gale is dead? will he work for Gus again or will they find another chemist?