Walt receives test results from his oncologist indicating that his tumor has shrunk significantly — the chemotherapy is working, and he is in remission. Rather than relief, Walt feels an unsettling emptiness, as the cancer diagnosis had been the justification for his criminal life. He calculates his finances and realizes that after expenses, he has far less money saved than he expected. His chemotherapy, the costs of the operation, and Saul Goodman's fees have consumed most of the profits. Walt determines that he and Jesse need to cook a massive quantity — enough to secure his family's financial future in case the cancer returns. He proposes a marathon cook session in the desert using the RV. Jesse agrees reluctantly, noting that they are low on methylamine, a key precursor. Walt purchases all the supplies they can afford and they drive the RV deep into the desert, far from any roads or settlements, planning to cook nonstop for four days. The cook proceeds efficiently at first, with Walt and Jesse falling into their established routine. On the second day, Jesse accidentally drains the RV's battery by leaving the key in the ignition to power the radio. They are stranded in the desert with no cell signal, no water supply beyond what they brought, and temperatures climbing. Walt attempts multiple solutions: he tries to jump-start the battery using a hand-cranked generator they do not have, he considers siphoning gasoline to walk to a highway, and he and Jesse argue bitterly about whose fault the situation is. Jesse blames Walt for choosing such a remote location. As dehydration sets in over the following days, Walt collapses from a combination of heat, exhaustion, and his weakened post-chemo condition. Jesse, desperate, nearly gives up. Walt, even in his weakened state, engineers a solution: he builds a makeshift battery using coins, galvanized metal, and potassium hydroxide from their chemical supplies, generating just enough current to turn the engine over. The RV starts and they drive back to Albuquerque with a full batch of meth and their lives barely intact. Walt returns home and tells Skyler nothing of the ordeal. Jesse delivers the product, and they now have enough meth to make a significant deal — but still no large-scale distributor to sell it to.