8. One Minute (Season 3, Episode 7)
Lets make one thing clear- Hank totally owns this episode. But so much else happens- for a start, we open with the devious, younger Hector Salamanca teaching his nephews an important life lesson. Even the near-mute murderous twins are given depth and dimension with a sympathetic backstory; thats Breaking Bad for you- theres barely a supporting character that isnt given some sort of complexity. Then theres Walters attempts to bring Jesse into the lab as his assistant, if only to stop him spilling the beans, as he threatens to do whilst he lays beaten to a pulp in a hospital bed. Jesse almost steals the show from Hank, from his understated but chilling threat to Walter that if hes ever caught hell tell all, to his tearful rant at Walter for all hes been through because of him. Funny as Jesse is when hes B***H! this and B***H! that, this is perhaps Jesse at his strongest, when we see what a tragic character he really is. And Hank is the man behind Jesses savage beating- his action are totally understandable, though. Youd be miffed if some little scumbag like Jesse Pinkman lied to you and told you that your wife was in intensive care in order to escape arrest, wouldnt you? Needless to say, this is Hanks darkest hour, from the proceedings into his unlawful assault to the episodes thrilling conclusion, which could merit such a high ranking by itself- The Salamanca Brothers attempted murder of Hank in a supermarket parking lot. Basically, the message here is that every action has consequences, and its far from shown in a schmaltzy fashion. You wouldnt have the bloody massacre of two cartel hitmen in a Sesame Street special now, would you?