They finally brought back Gray Matter Technologies tonight, Walter's old company with Elliott and Gretchen. There is some unexplained love triangle that caused Walter to back out ... and left Elliott and Gretchen not only together, but also millionaires. Meanwhile Walt is stuck with Skyler (presumably a compromise on his part, as he still seethes over Elliott and Gretchen together) and has to work as a high school teacher, washing cars (often of his own students) to make ends meet. He is totally emasculated in the first couple of episodes by all this, but has apparently accepted the situation.
Until he comes down with cancer and suddenly has nothing to lose, and that's when everything starts. He says he does it for his family, but that's BS ... he does it because he wants to reclaim what he sees as his right, that is, lots of respect and money, just like Elliott.
