Gliding Over All

Lore & Background

The episode's narrative arc centers on Walt's ruthless consolidation of power following Mike Ehrmantraut's death. Walt and Todd prepare hydrofluoric acid to dispose of Mike's body at Vamonos Pest, while Walt coldly informs Jesse that he has quit the business. To eliminate the threat of Mike's nine henchmen, Walt meets with Lydia Rodarte-Quayle in a coffee shop. Suspecting Walt intends to kill her, she proposes expanding their distribution to the Czech Republic. After agreeing and receiving the names of the men, Walt reveals a hidden vial of ricin he intended for her. He then enlists Jack Welker and his Aryan Brotherhood gang to execute Mike's incarcerated associates simultaneously across three prisons in under two minutes. As Walt's empire runs profitably for months, raking in millions, Skyler struggles with the sheer volume of cash—estimated at a pile measuring 6 ft × 3 ft × 2 ft—which she keeps in a storage unit. The episode concludes with the White family seemingly reconciled, only for Hank to discover Gale Boetticher's copy of Leaves of Grass in the bathroom, revealing the inscription that identifies Walter as Heisenberg.

In Their Own Story

The story begins at Vamonos Pest where Walt and Todd prepare a barrel of hydrofluoric acid. Jesse arrives, learning Mike is gone; when asked about the nine remaining men, Walt dismisses them as no longer involved. Later, Walt meets Lydia at a coffee shop, where she offers a partnership for overseas distribution to the Czech Republic to save herself from being killed. Walt accepts, receives the names of Mike's henchmen, and hides a vial of ricin he had prepared for her in his house. He instructs Todd to contact Jack Welker, ordering him to kill the ten men simultaneously despite logistical difficulties. The hit is executed across three prisons in less than two minutes. Meanwhile, Hank reminisces about tagging trees while visiting Walt's home. Months pass as Walt's empire thrives. Skyler shows Walt a massive pile of money in a storage unit, questioning when it will be enough to return her former life. Walt tells her he will quit and visits Jesse, leaving behind bags of cash that cause Jesse to dispose of a concealed gun. Finally, during lunch by the pool, Hank finds Gale's copy of Leaves of Grass under magazines, sees an inscription referring to Walter as his "other favorite W.W.," and realizes the truth.

Reader's Guide

This episode features specific production nods: a fly at the start (referencing "Fly"), a painting from "Bit by a Dead Bee," a damaged paper towel dispenser from "4 Days Out," and Lydia's line "We're gonna make a lot of money together," echoing Tuco Salamanca. Walt tells Lydia, "Learn to take yes for an answer," repeating advice Mike gave in "Thirty-Eight Snub." Vince Gilligan noted the ending as Gale's "poetic justice from beyond the grave." The money pile was estimated at 6 ft × 3 ft × 2 ft; prop master Mark Hansen guessed it could be $80–$90 million, though Gilligan doubted Walt could make that much so quickly. A cut scene would have confirmed Walt's cancer remission, leaving his health ambiguous. Reception included a 4.8/5 rating from TV Fanatic and praise from Alan Sepinwall for its visual beauty. The episode received three Primetime Emmy nominations: Michelle MacLaren for Directing, Kelley Dixon for Editing (which she won), and Michael Slovis for Cinematography. In 2019, The Ringer ranked it the 13th best of 62 episodes.

Did You Know?

• The episode title comes from poem 271 in Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass.
• Walt's hidden ricin vial was placed on the coffee shop table before he removed his hat to reveal it.
• The prison hits killed ten men across three prisons in less than two minutes.
• Skyler's storage unit money pile was estimated by prop master Mark Hansen to be worth between $80 and $90 million.
• A scene confirming Walt's cancer remission was cut to keep his health status ambiguous.