Definitely seeing some cracks — or some frayed paint lines, as it were — in the second episode.
The Los Pollos content was sort of botched...
(1) The very dramatic, slow reveal of the "Los Pollos" sign was groan-worthy. Yes we needed to see that sign, but Jesus, that could not have been worse. We knew this was Los Pollos the minute that guy walked into what was obviously a fast food place. Nevermind that most of us knew even before that scene that Los Pollos was Mike's probable destination. I do not like being so far ahead of the show.
(2) They really hammed it up with Jimmy peering around and sticking out as much as possible. It crossed a line that I think violated his character at least a little. Almost saved it with the watch trick, but I don't buy that a seasoned con man was so incompetent for the rest of it. Especially when he has zero emotional investment (which is his weakness).
(3) When that black SUV screeched up to the back of Los Pollos, then peeled away, it was obviously a trap, right? That was completely incongruous with everything Mike had seen beforehand. And yet he fell for it. Seemed excited, even. "Gah, Mike, what are you doing? Don't you get it?" Is something I didn't expect to say at the screen. I don't like it. Why can't Mike remain one step ahead of me, while Fring is yet another step ahead?
One other complaint. "A little crooked"... Wow, they really do like to put a button on things. Happened several times in these first two episodes. I remember when this show would let subtext unfold beautifully. The writing is not quite where it should be. The scene at Mesa Verde last week was pretty badly written, too.
There were still a lot of things I loved about this episode. The shots of Mike among the landscape were breathtaking. I actually liked the out-of-focus reveal of Gus cleaning up in the background. Howard climbing the walls was delightful. The way Jimmy broke in was just perfect and true to his character — an upending of expectations exactly like we might have seen in Breaking Bad.
