'Breaking Bad' recap: Where's Uncle Hank's Emmy love? *spoilers*

Labor Day unofficially ends the summer, and I'm already looking forward to next summer based on the season finale of "Breaking Bad."

Shit has (almost literally) hit the fan, what with Hank having an epiphany about his brother-in-law while on the toilet. 

 

I must say, I can see why this show is touted as one of the greatest shows on television, and I can see why actors like Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul get Emmy love, but what about brother Hank?

During the first couple of seasons, Hank, played by Dean Norris, was a cliche kind of character, written as Walt's foil and antagonist. At points, you wanted to see him fail because of his bombastic nature and tough exterior, the way he would bust the balls of everyone in his path.

Even when he was shot in the parking lot, the way he treated his doting wife Marie (Betsy Brandt) following the incident was often hard to watch. 

But somewhere along the way, Hank has become the unsung hero of the show, the one you want to see succeed. I think I knew I liked Hank in this moment of season 4, when he pops the case wide open:

 

With Walt being inherently evil, it's Hank that's become the protagonist. He wouldn't have been able to walk again without the drive to catch Heisenberg, after all. While there's been this push and pull between Hank and Walt, with Walt always narrowly escaping being caught by Hank, it's now Hank's time. 

And it's also Dean Norris' time to get recognized. Boyfriend has a serious acting resume, and isn't just a Michael Chiklis look-alike. Obviously, he isn't on the Emmy nominations' list this year, but here's hoping he gets some love in 2013. 

Comments

[The Delicate Place]

it was so good! i can't believe we have to wait a year :( i was so puzzled how walt got that book so i had to read some reviews (vulture.com ones are the most entertaining for me to read but i also look at the av club ones too).

[Mego]

Nate and I were talking about how great Vulture's reviews are today!!!! And the posters are so astute and thoughtful, too!