I'm glad everyone's finally on the same 'Wtf is going how why is there so much filler do they just don't know how to end all of this it' bandwagon I've been on for like 5 episodes now.
My problem with this is it literally is just filler, or barely more than filler. It has a couple moments that redeem it somewhat above "Fly" level, like the ridiculous pratfall that was set up in early in the episode (except I had thought it would involve Jeffy encountering a dude with one of those floor buffers), and the painfully awkward weeping act, and of course, just seeing Carol Burnett at all.
And the show can't just be one climax at all. It's almost always a climax followed by something relatively low-tension, followed by a slow build of seemingly nothing happening, followed by a victory for the protagonist, followed nearly immediately by something absolutely fucking horrible happening, usually the instant afterward.
This was more or less a bottle episode, and I just don't like those in this show. It did (barely) advance the greater story line, so not a complete loss, it just isn't what I expected from a Gene episode, or wanted. I'm not sure if they were caught off-guard by having to change the actor and then changed the episode to fit him, but I don't think it's really the actor's fault that he just isn't as creepy and menacing as the first guy.
That's why it feels like a letdown, people have been worrying about this guy since he showed up years ago, and then he turns out to be a complete clown.
And it also fails as comic relief. The only genuinely funny part is the really convincing looking slip and fall (that with Saul Goodman as a lawyer he would have made more money on than the heist he was trying even if he got caught). Gene's pathetic speech to distract the guard could have been funny, but it more or less accurately describes his current life and that's just depressing.
Also, they still need to show how Jimmy/ Gene got those diamonds they showed way back in the very first episode I think.
I always assume he just liquidated whatever he could and bought diamonds with it so he could bring them along with him. Personally I'd prefer something like Krugerrands for that, but whatever. It isn't like diamonds aren't just as traceable, plus they're a terrible store of value. Anyway, a nitpick, unless he actually did get them in some kind of heist we don't know about.
I also notice Marco's pinky ring showed up in the episode again. Another reminder that he has no real friends and everyone he ever cared about is dead or otherwise gone forever, another reason that it's really hard to do anything like comic relief (if that was even the intention) at this point in the story.
Nothing about Gene's life right now is enviable at all. It's not quite as bad as Walt paying $10K just to hang out for an hour with a guy who despises him, while dying of cancer, but it certainly isn't good. He's working a shitty job in a shitty mall, then going home and drinking while being so paranoid he constantly listens to the police scanner, and losing his mind if he's recognized.
Meanwhile, is there anything in the story that indicates anyone is even looking for him? Anyone who would want to kill him is dead and buried (or dissolved or blown up). Anyone important he knew anything about is also dead. Unless they found Howard and connected Saul to his death, who is even looking for him? The DEA? The network Walter White started is dead at this point, along with its principals.
