This episode ultimately reveals, perhaps for the first time, that none of the characters are redeemable. The break to bad has completely broken to evil now, resulting in a strategic race to outlast each other. The actors are at peak performance. Each character arc is fully developed. The story telling is superb. The set up for the masterful season 4 is now accomplished. Enjoy the ride. Well done!
21 Reviews
Like A Boss!
dougmacdonaldburr4 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
When I first watched this episode I was not sure why Gus brutally murdered Victor. Now I think I understand. Victor was seen at the crime scene of Gail's murder. If he was ever identified, the police would have to investigate him, and this could potentially lead back to Gus. So Gus killed him to prevent this from happening. Killing him it in front of Walt, Jesse and Mike also served as a very effective intimidation tactic. I really love this show, it deserves all of the hype surrounding it.
Someone Said Gus Was a Rational Man?!?!
Hitchcoc5 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Perhaps Gus never pulled the trigger himself, but he is responsible for setting up the deaths of countless people. Yes, many are bad guys, but his only interest is in business. His guy screwed up, in his eyes. He didn't prevent Gale from dying, so all he had ever done, every moment of loyalty is out the window. Hey, maybe he could run for President. This is a really tense episode where Gus the practical man simply decides to let the boys continue their work. I mean, what does he have to lose by going along with Walter and Jesse? As long as they cook while he looks for other options, his business goes on.
Breaking Bad is still TV's finest!
Red_Identity17 July 2011
It finally came! Breaking Bad's fourth season premiere! And boy, what a premiere it was!
First off, it was great that a flashback opened the show. It turns out that Gale was a big part in convincing Gus to let Walk cook for him back at the end of the second season. Anyways, back to the conclusion of the finale last year. Well, it certainly wasn't disappointing. In fact, I want to call it perfect but I always hesitate to do that. I just want to point out that this show's tension is unbearable. I don't think I have ever seen this much tension rising in any other show. The writing and directing in this episode are incredible. Also, while I did guess who was the character that was going to be killed (since I read the spoilers about someone getting the axe), the way it happened was a complete shock to me. What's even more incredible is how Gus, the intimidating boss, did not speak even more than five words in the episode.
I also want to point out that the show still has a knack for providing comedy. Anna Gunn (who has gained weight because of a baby) is brilliant in her attempt to get in her husband's apartment. But like always, I will probably see some hate here on IMDb. Overall though. fantastic opener!
First off, it was great that a flashback opened the show. It turns out that Gale was a big part in convincing Gus to let Walk cook for him back at the end of the second season. Anyways, back to the conclusion of the finale last year. Well, it certainly wasn't disappointing. In fact, I want to call it perfect but I always hesitate to do that. I just want to point out that this show's tension is unbearable. I don't think I have ever seen this much tension rising in any other show. The writing and directing in this episode are incredible. Also, while I did guess who was the character that was going to be killed (since I read the spoilers about someone getting the axe), the way it happened was a complete shock to me. What's even more incredible is how Gus, the intimidating boss, did not speak even more than five words in the episode.
I also want to point out that the show still has a knack for providing comedy. Anna Gunn (who has gained weight because of a baby) is brilliant in her attempt to get in her husband's apartment. But like always, I will probably see some hate here on IMDb. Overall though. fantastic opener!
Gus means business
Tweekums27 November 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Shortly after Jesse kills Gale Victor arrives at the scene; after confirming that Gale is definitely dead Victor leaves the apartment and finds Jesse sitting in his car. He then returns to the lab where Mike is holding Walt. Walt starts going on about how Gus needs him and Jesse to make the meth; Victor thinks he has been watching closely enough to do it himself and starts cooking. It looks as though he learnt more than Walt expected so when Gus turns up Walt really starts to panic; especially when Gus picks up a box cutter. Gus doesn't use it on Walt or Jesse though instead he uses it on Victor; something that clearly shocks Walter. Once the dead is done he calmly departs leaving Walt, Jesse and Mike to deal with the mess. Away from the lab we are reminded that Hank's recovery is a slow process and we see Skyler trying to find out where Hank is.
After the death of Gale I expected we would be thrown straight into more imminent danger as this season started; instead they were just sat down; they weren't even explicitly threatened; this allowed the tension to keep rising until the moment Gus killed Victor; that was both surprising and shocking I think it was one of the most disturbing scenes of the series; I'm certainly glad I wasn't eating when I watched it! As always the acting was great; especially from Giancarlo Esposito; he did a great job as Gus; without saying a word he managed to be both calm and menacing and that was before he even killed Victor. This opening episode has certainly pulled me back into the world of 'Breaking Bad' and left me keen to watch the rest of the season.
After the death of Gale I expected we would be thrown straight into more imminent danger as this season started; instead they were just sat down; they weren't even explicitly threatened; this allowed the tension to keep rising until the moment Gus killed Victor; that was both surprising and shocking I think it was one of the most disturbing scenes of the series; I'm certainly glad I wasn't eating when I watched it! As always the acting was great; especially from Giancarlo Esposito; he did a great job as Gus; without saying a word he managed to be both calm and menacing and that was before he even killed Victor. This opening episode has certainly pulled me back into the world of 'Breaking Bad' and left me keen to watch the rest of the season.
Box Cutter (#4.1)
ComedyFan20103 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers
A great beginning.
I knew that Victor will be killed. It got to my attention when Mike asked him if he was seen by Gale's neighbors. And also the fact that Victor was having way more lines and action than he usually did. But this didn't make the scene of the murder any less tense and horrifying.
I also liked the very first scene, makes one feel even sadder for Gale's death. I wonder how it will affect Jesse. He was pretty quiet through the whole episode.
I must say I liked Skylar in this episode. How she got the guy to open the door, I wonder if she is breaking that and ironically with this becoming a more bearable character,
I knew that Victor will be killed. It got to my attention when Mike asked him if he was seen by Gale's neighbors. And also the fact that Victor was having way more lines and action than he usually did. But this didn't make the scene of the murder any less tense and horrifying.
I also liked the very first scene, makes one feel even sadder for Gale's death. I wonder how it will affect Jesse. He was pretty quiet through the whole episode.
I must say I liked Skylar in this episode. How she got the guy to open the door, I wonder if she is breaking that and ironically with this becoming a more bearable character,
Excellent Season Opener!
g-bodyl13 January 2015
This is the first episode of the fourth season of Breaking Bad. It helps that this is yet another fine episode is this ridiculously good television series. There are already blood being spilled and some crazy scenes, and this is only the first episode. The screenplay, once again, serves up some memorable lines. As always, the acting remains very strong as Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul remain as committed as always.
In this episode, "Box Cutter," Walter and Jesse are being held hostage by Mike after Gale was gunned down by Jesse in the last episode of the third season. Meanwhile, Skylar is trying to figure out the reasons of Walt's disappearance and Marie is having trouble keeping up with the rapid depression of Hank, who is still trying to recover from his wounds.
Overall, this is an excellent episode and a table setter for the season, I think. There are some very surprising scenes and one that involves the two words in the episode's title. The tension is once again through the roof, and it seems like I can feel the static in the air. I cannot wait to see what happens next. I rate this episode 9/10.
In this episode, "Box Cutter," Walter and Jesse are being held hostage by Mike after Gale was gunned down by Jesse in the last episode of the third season. Meanwhile, Skylar is trying to figure out the reasons of Walt's disappearance and Marie is having trouble keeping up with the rapid depression of Hank, who is still trying to recover from his wounds.
Overall, this is an excellent episode and a table setter for the season, I think. There are some very surprising scenes and one that involves the two words in the episode's title. The tension is once again through the roof, and it seems like I can feel the static in the air. I cannot wait to see what happens next. I rate this episode 9/10.
Gustavo steals it with intense, chilling silence!
and_mikkelsen18 April 2023
Wow.. this was a amazing episode to continue from the shocking ending of season 3 as well as seting up season 4, which is one of the best seasons of a TV show!
The episode has a very intense vibe throughout as you know their will be consequences! You spend most of the episode, waiting for Gustavos response, and when you finally get it... oh man! One of the most memorable and brutal moments of the show! Thats when you know how cold and ruthless Gus can be! You have no idea what he is gonna do!
Aaron Paul really nailed a natural response for what Jesse went through! Great expretions! Fun moment of editing with that transition to a french frie in ketchup!
The episode has a very intense vibe throughout as you know their will be consequences! You spend most of the episode, waiting for Gustavos response, and when you finally get it... oh man! One of the most memorable and brutal moments of the show! Thats when you know how cold and ruthless Gus can be! You have no idea what he is gonna do!
Aaron Paul really nailed a natural response for what Jesse went through! Great expretions! Fun moment of editing with that transition to a french frie in ketchup!
Giancarlo Esposito oh my god
pedrolopes-9888023 February 2023
Giancarlo Esposito. Oh my god!
That scene.
Completely silent until the very end.
His dead and psychotic eyes. He always looks quite menacing, even by say nothing.
His presence is titanic.
Very impressive acting.
The writing is soo good in all of this series.
I only started to watch this in February 2023.
Didn't expect much.
"It's a show about drugs" I thought.
How can I relate to that?
The first season really proved me wrong.
Aaron Paul is such a great actor and before this I had only seen Bryan Cranston doing comedy. I was blown away by his performance.
And the meth cook having a DEA agent in his family... Can't wait to see if his brother in law eventually finds out.
That scene.
Completely silent until the very end.
His dead and psychotic eyes. He always looks quite menacing, even by say nothing.
His presence is titanic.
Very impressive acting.
The writing is soo good in all of this series.
I only started to watch this in February 2023.
Didn't expect much.
"It's a show about drugs" I thought.
How can I relate to that?
The first season really proved me wrong.
Aaron Paul is such a great actor and before this I had only seen Bryan Cranston doing comedy. I was blown away by his performance.
And the meth cook having a DEA agent in his family... Can't wait to see if his brother in law eventually finds out.
A Desolately Harrowing, Breaking Bad Masterpiece of an Experience
juliussimmons11 March 2021
I recently (~4 months ago) viewed Breaking Bad, and there was no reason for me to not enjoy the show. It's undoubtedly one of the most cinematic television shows to exist. The show plays with a viewer's emotions so flawlessly, and I think this episode truly means that. Box Cutter marks as the season 4 opener, and it presents a scene so hand-tightening that I can't even grip anything to feel comfortable when watching this. It's a minimalistic opener that relies on the sole dialogue of certain characters, making a feeling so claustrophobic and questionable, even past its climax. The road to hell's gate even wider on Box Cutter, and it assures the viewer once more that Breaking Bad isn't playing at all
The more I watch BB, the more I appreciate BCS
silverton-3795917 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
BCS lays out the backstory of how everyone got to where they are. Saul's character is more easily understood. Saul, as Jimmy, got rich with one big score in the form of a class action suit settlement, so he's doing what he loves to do, not out of financial necessity, but because he loves the game he set up, though he's trapped in it as well.
We see Saul as a sleazy bus bench/ TV advertising lawyer who games the legal system for his mostly sleazy clients. That allows him to keep playing the game he invented for himself: a criminal attorney, with an emphasis on "criminal". He's complicit in the crimes of his major clients, advising them and providing contacts who help them further their criminal careers, and taking a cut of the proceeds of their crimes.
Without the backstory, Saul just looks like a hand-to-mouth crook, when he's actually a rich man in his own right, living his own dream and liking the thrill. I really needed to watch BB to see what Saul was becoming and why. Watch both series to get the whole picture, especially the journey of Gustavo Fring and Michael.
We see Saul as a sleazy bus bench/ TV advertising lawyer who games the legal system for his mostly sleazy clients. That allows him to keep playing the game he invented for himself: a criminal attorney, with an emphasis on "criminal". He's complicit in the crimes of his major clients, advising them and providing contacts who help them further their criminal careers, and taking a cut of the proceeds of their crimes.
Without the backstory, Saul just looks like a hand-to-mouth crook, when he's actually a rich man in his own right, living his own dream and liking the thrill. I really needed to watch BB to see what Saul was becoming and why. Watch both series to get the whole picture, especially the journey of Gustavo Fring and Michael.
A good episode!
mm-398 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I like the Box cutter episode. One sees how the storyline affects the characters of Gail, White, Jesse, Mike, and Carlos. White and Jesse are given a Message on Carlos' expense. Gail becomes collateral damage in the drug war, and one learns how White is becoming a real criminal while Jesse can no deal with the situation. A good story but I saw the plot twist at the end coming way before it happened. Well acted and directed episode. I give Box cutter seven slices out of ten. I can see Gus causing some serious headaches for Walter this season. What will Guss do next? The mystery of Guss' intentions keeps the viewer watching?
Intense
lewisevans-4773230 January 2021
Cox Butter
Trey_Trebuchet24 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A very satisfying season premiere.
It pretty much had everything. Some feels, some tension, a bit of comedy when it was appropriate, and the usual stellar performances from just about everyone on screen.
I, too, figured Victor would be getting axed. It was still brutal and uncomfortable viewing. Mike and Jesse and Walt's reactions were probably the same as everyone else who watched the episode.
Skyler's plot here wasn't as interesting, but Anna Gunn was still quite good!
Another highlight for me was the diner scene between Walter and Jesse toward the end. Sad, true reality has finally hit them.
Also, Gale's opening scene is made so much sadder by the time you realize he really is gone. That man did not deserve it!
Amazng closing scene as well.
A phenomenal episode!
It pretty much had everything. Some feels, some tension, a bit of comedy when it was appropriate, and the usual stellar performances from just about everyone on screen.
I, too, figured Victor would be getting axed. It was still brutal and uncomfortable viewing. Mike and Jesse and Walt's reactions were probably the same as everyone else who watched the episode.
Skyler's plot here wasn't as interesting, but Anna Gunn was still quite good!
Another highlight for me was the diner scene between Walter and Jesse toward the end. Sad, true reality has finally hit them.
Also, Gale's opening scene is made so much sadder by the time you realize he really is gone. That man did not deserve it!
Amazng closing scene as well.
A phenomenal episode!
And I thought Walter wasn't the chatty type...
pintaxandre22 April 2020
An episode that begins slowly to culminate with an absoutely amazing scene where you wonder what could happen. Even though it is not possible that Walter dies, you still have that feeling that 45 different things could happen and cause just about the same amount of damage. Astonishing how well written this series is!
Incredible power
Leofwine_draca16 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
An incredible episode and opener to season four and my favourite episode yet. The power is incredible. The whole episode is expertly made but inevitably the stand out is the fifteen-minute set-piece in the drugs lab. I figured out what was going to happen in advance but it still loses none of its power to shock and harrow the viewer. An incredible piece of television.
The un-remorseful day
TheLittleSongbird10 June 2018
'Breaking Bad' is one of the most popular rated shows on IMDb, is one of those rarities where every season has either been very positively received or near-universally acclaimed critically and where all of my friends have said nothing but great things about.
Very few shows in recent memory had me so hooked from the very start that before the week was over the whole show had been watched, especially when for a lot of shows now airing watching one episode all the way through can be an endeavour. 'Breaking Bad' had that effect on me, and its reputation as one of the best, consistently brilliant and most addictive shows in many years (maybe even ever) is more than deserved in my eyes. Its weakest season is perhaps the first season, understandable as any show's first season is the one where things are still settling.
Actually everything is established remarkably from the very start, but once the writing and characterisation becomes even meatier the show reaches even higher levels.
Was really impressed by Season 3 and thought that Season 4 had a daunting task following on from it. Something that was achieved truly impressively and more, if the incredible season opener that was "Box Cutter" is anything to go by.
Visually, "Box Cutter" is both stylish and beautiful, with photography and editing that are cinematic quality and put a lot of films today to shame, where there are a lot of visually beautiful ones but also some painfully amateurish looking ones. The music always has the appropriate mood, never too intrusive, never too muted.
The writing in "Box Cutter" is a fine example of how to have a lot of style but also to have a lot of substance. The dialogue throughout is thought-provoking and tense, while also have a darkly wicked sense of humour, nail-biting tension and heart-tugging pathos. The story is texturally rich, intimate, tense and layered, with the pace of it consistently deliberate but taut.
Can't say anything bad about the acting. Bryan Cranston is phenomenal as one of the most fascinating anti-heroes, or even of any kind of character, in either film or television. Aaron Paul has never been better and Anna Gunn is affecting. Giancarlo Esposito is also terrific as Gus, a character that adds a lot to the show. The characters are compelling in their realism and the episode is strongly directed.
In conclusion, incredible. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Very few shows in recent memory had me so hooked from the very start that before the week was over the whole show had been watched, especially when for a lot of shows now airing watching one episode all the way through can be an endeavour. 'Breaking Bad' had that effect on me, and its reputation as one of the best, consistently brilliant and most addictive shows in many years (maybe even ever) is more than deserved in my eyes. Its weakest season is perhaps the first season, understandable as any show's first season is the one where things are still settling.
Actually everything is established remarkably from the very start, but once the writing and characterisation becomes even meatier the show reaches even higher levels.
Was really impressed by Season 3 and thought that Season 4 had a daunting task following on from it. Something that was achieved truly impressively and more, if the incredible season opener that was "Box Cutter" is anything to go by.
Visually, "Box Cutter" is both stylish and beautiful, with photography and editing that are cinematic quality and put a lot of films today to shame, where there are a lot of visually beautiful ones but also some painfully amateurish looking ones. The music always has the appropriate mood, never too intrusive, never too muted.
The writing in "Box Cutter" is a fine example of how to have a lot of style but also to have a lot of substance. The dialogue throughout is thought-provoking and tense, while also have a darkly wicked sense of humour, nail-biting tension and heart-tugging pathos. The story is texturally rich, intimate, tense and layered, with the pace of it consistently deliberate but taut.
Can't say anything bad about the acting. Bryan Cranston is phenomenal as one of the most fascinating anti-heroes, or even of any kind of character, in either film or television. Aaron Paul has never been better and Anna Gunn is affecting. Giancarlo Esposito is also terrific as Gus, a character that adds a lot to the show. The characters are compelling in their realism and the episode is strongly directed.
In conclusion, incredible. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Tuco "He'll Kill Us Unless We Kill Him" Recycled
TheFearmakers11 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This series is perfect and this episode is great, but lacks originality as what happens here is exactly what happened in the Tuco situation: he kills one of his cold-blooded henchamn in a cold-blooded manner...
And then Walt and Jesse realize they have to kill Tuco before he... or wait, that is... they have to kill GUS before he kills them...
Which is a total recycle of formula, but then again, so is the greatest movie ever, The Godfather 2... And so was Better Call Saul for that matter, which recycled pretty much everything:...
Hank going after Gus in this season would become Lalo going after Gus on BCS... Etc... So recycling works I guess but at least Gus has an entire season (this one) to remain the villain while in Tuco's case... or in the case of the actor... it was written for him to bow out because he had another acting job.
And then Walt and Jesse realize they have to kill Tuco before he... or wait, that is... they have to kill GUS before he kills them...
Which is a total recycle of formula, but then again, so is the greatest movie ever, The Godfather 2... And so was Better Call Saul for that matter, which recycled pretty much everything:...
Hank going after Gus in this season would become Lalo going after Gus on BCS... Etc... So recycling works I guess but at least Gus has an entire season (this one) to remain the villain while in Tuco's case... or in the case of the actor... it was written for him to bow out because he had another acting job.
Just good, not much more.
stillworkingfortheknife8 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Just as the show as a whole, "Box Cutter" is somewhat overrated. The season four opener was entertaining and I was definitely excited to see the aftermath of season three's outstanding final scene, yet that didn't diminish the slowness and uneventfulness of it.
There were two big things happening in "Box Cutter", which I both expected to happen: first, Gale's death, which was doubted by an awful lot of people and second, Gus killing his sidekick Victor, which was utterly predictable considering the latter being seen at a crime scene just before and Mr. Fring being extraordinarily intolerant with such things. Granted, the unusually graphic murder scene that gives the episode its title is staged laudably well and offers the hitherto best performance of the ever magnificent Giancarlo Esposito. Nevertheless, it's overly long (I didn't look on my watch, but I'm reckoning ten minutes upwards) and, besides the oh-so-unexpected surprise Vince Gilligan appears to be so proud of, doesn't really present anything special.
After a phenomenal match cut going from Walt and Jesse cleaning up the bloody mess that Gus respectively Victor have left to some man at a diner dipping his fries into ketchup, there's another conversation worth mentioning, but that's about it for "Box Cutter". That's my opinion about Breaking Bad's return and – call me pessimistic – I'm already suspecting episodes as slow as season three's from this point on.
There were two big things happening in "Box Cutter", which I both expected to happen: first, Gale's death, which was doubted by an awful lot of people and second, Gus killing his sidekick Victor, which was utterly predictable considering the latter being seen at a crime scene just before and Mr. Fring being extraordinarily intolerant with such things. Granted, the unusually graphic murder scene that gives the episode its title is staged laudably well and offers the hitherto best performance of the ever magnificent Giancarlo Esposito. Nevertheless, it's overly long (I didn't look on my watch, but I'm reckoning ten minutes upwards) and, besides the oh-so-unexpected surprise Vince Gilligan appears to be so proud of, doesn't really present anything special.
After a phenomenal match cut going from Walt and Jesse cleaning up the bloody mess that Gus respectively Victor have left to some man at a diner dipping his fries into ketchup, there's another conversation worth mentioning, but that's about it for "Box Cutter". That's my opinion about Breaking Bad's return and – call me pessimistic – I'm already suspecting episodes as slow as season three's from this point on.
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