I wholeheartedly agree with Dorkman's comments.

I'll also note that I really am not sure I would have bought into the film as much if it had been Jolie and RDJ -- the two original "goal" cast members. I thought Bullock and Clooney worked amazingly well for the characters.

I was also impressed with how much of a "ride" it was. I, and several people I know, were worried it would get too introspective and "deep" to really just sit back and enjoy. However, there actually was very little of that, all things considered. There was the gratuitous "womb" shot (note to those that haven't seen it, it's not actually a shot of a womb), and clearly some high-concept exposition, but it fit in really fairly seamlessly with the madness that was happening.

This really was a technical and storytelling masterpiece, the likes of which we haven't seen a long while.

Can I also say -- I'm so incredibly thrilled it's doing well at the box office! From opening day to this past Thursday (one calendar week of showing) it's already surpassed it's production budget worldwide. Rumors were that they were hoping for it to clear $40 mil on opening weekend and it did $55 mil domestically and $85 worldwide. Considering the buzz that's been created -- I've yet to see a bad review or hear anyone not tell others to see it -- it might actually have some staying power, as well.

Both Cuaron & original Sci-Fi totally deserve this win. I can't wait to see what his next project is.

Quick note...

'Granite State' was actually 75 minutes with commercials, and the finale is set to be the same length. So, it looks like Gilligan will have a nearly an hour to button things up.

Great great episode.

I got it totally wrong that we would catch up to the flash-forwards with 2 episodes left. Luckily we got the set up for the climax that we needed.

First thoughts:

Walt Fucking Junior! Way to go Flynn. He hasn't been the most dynamic or important character on the series, but I'm kind of glad my prediction that he would kill someone by the end of the series (thus corrupting everyone in the White family) seems as though it won't play out. Granted, there's an episode left, but at this point it seems that his role was to be the one who finally pushed Walter over the edge into suicide-run territory...and that's awesome.

I actually jumped in my seat when Skyler walked in to check on Holly. I was genuinely surprised.

Todd is so crazy. The tiny smile he flashed when everyone found out he gunned down Drew Sharp might have been the creepiest thing anyone has done on the series.

It looks like basically every reason we could come up with about why Walt would come back was there: His family is in danger, revenge for both Hank's killing and the theft of his money, and his old buddies at Grey Matter pissing all over even his old legacy.

I'm wondering if Walter pays Elliot & Gretchen a visit before he goes balls to the walls against Jack's crew. I can't fathom Walt will let that slight go, considering the Grey Matter issue is one of the fundamental seeds of Heisenberg's character. It seems like a large detour to take (don't they live somewhere else?), but I feel like the writers couldn't hit Walter over the head with that so blatantly and then drop it.

Poor Jesse. Despite the fact that he's a fuck up and has made his fair share of bad decisions over the series (he should have just talked to Walter with the wire!)...that kid has just been through so fucking much. I was going "fuck yeah Jesse!" until I saw the camera come into frame, and immediately knew there'd be hell to pay. Still, it was brutal to watch the punishment. This show sure as shit doesn't pull punches.

I wonder if Saul stepping out means that's the last we'll see of him in the series. It'd be fitting, since he's been so utterly fucking terrified of Walter for so long. Walter tried to pull the normal power play and it just fell apart, finally allowing Saul to get out from under his thumb. It seems like a fitting end, much like Hank, if it is indeed the end.

I wish it was a 2-hr finale if only because I don't want there to be a single hour of this left.

Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman (American Psycho)

Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice (Beetlejuice)

Bryan Cranston as Walter White (Breaking Bad)

Tom Hanks as Josh (BIG)

...to start off, at least.

My only theory about how Hank/Gomie/Jesse walk away from this gun battle is that they surrender and Walter bargains with Todd's crew -- saying he'll go back to cooking for them if they let the others live, but if they kill them then Walter will never cook for them again.

That's the only feasible way I can see the situation playing out without all of them dying.

Any other ideas?