How great was it to see Jesse burst through that gate that he didn’t quite get over before? We also get to taste his happy, which tastes a lot like sad, but is probably the most deeply satisfying part of the episode, maybe the whole series. For a character who gets put through wringer the way Jesse was, seeing his ecstatic escape was wonderful. Walt, on the other hand, meets an equally satisfying end. It might be more satisfying than a lot of people would hope for our anti-hero, but I would maintain that it’s not as clear and conclusive as some are saying. There’s no certainty in Walt’s post-death plans pertaining to Skyler’s freedom or Flynn receiving his money. What there is certainty of is that Walt did as well as he could in trying to make up for the horrible choices he made. And like Mike before him, he gets to die in peace, on his own terms, in his beloved lab. As Mr. Magorium says, quoting King Lear, “He dies.”
The show has sort of always been a series built upon moments. It doesn’t always feel like more than the sum of its parts at first, and this is because its parts are so damn good. Fully appreciating the finished product, the amalgamation of all these terrific parts, requires a bit of time to allow things to settle into place. I remember feeling like the conclusion of season 4 with Gus was crazy, but slightly unsatisfying. Now, I see it as one of the most incredible moments in dramatic television history. So I think it’s best to let these reactions breathe for a bit before offering anything too conclusive about where the episode and series stand on a historical, evaluative level. The series ended in the most appropriate way possible: an episode packed with memorable moments that felt true to the vision Vince Gilligan had for Breaking Bad every step of the way.
Be sure to check out our full review of the finale for even more insight and analysis.
Published: Sep 30, 2013 10:31 am