‘Breaking Bad’ Satisfies Loyal Viewers with Final Episode

One of television’s most beloved and praised series has come to an end; AMC’s smash hit “Breaking Bad” will not be returning for another season. The series, from the mind of Vince Gilligan, ran for five heart-pounding seasons picked up four AFI Awards, nine Primetime Emmys, and even a Screen Actors Guild Award along the way.

Walter White (Bryan Cranston) has the humblest of beginnings as a high school chemistry teacher, but during the span of five seasons rises through the ranks until he reaches the pinnacle of his criminal lordship, spreading his signature blue methamphetamine throughout the country and overseas. He must balance the dangers of his illegal business, his deeply troubled partner Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), and most importantly, his family of four who he is doing it all for.

By the conclusion of the series, Walter has changed drastically from spineless-but-caring family man to the legendary, ruthless and fearless drug overlord Heisenberg. The series is simply brilliant on all fronts, from the poignant acting to the writing that makes it all possible. The final season of “Breaking Bad” was no different and was as combustible, if not more, than past seasons.

Jesse ironically states at the beginning of the series, “Nah, come on man. Some straight like you, giant stick up his ass at like what, sixty, he’s just gonna break bad?”

The final season begins at the height of their success in the drug pushing business, but volatile misfortune and unraveling leaves the empire crumbled by the shows noble finish. It all begins when Walt’s brother-in-law, DEA agent Hank Schrader (Dean Norris), discovers the missing link to the complicated puzzle that pins his trusted family member as the man he has been tirelessly scouring New Mexico for.

“If you don’t know who I am, then maybe your best course would be to tread lightly,” Walter says to Hank in one of the most intense scenes of the series.

Throughout the series, and especially in the final season, the show remains incredibly unpredictable, leaving no character safe and everything at stake. Walter finds himself at odds with Jesse, irreparably destroying their emotionally complex relationship. A series of revelations spurs most of the drama in the final series and no stone goes unturned.

The concluding episode was the final piece to an extraordinary run that succeeded in tying up any loose ends from previous episodes. It was quiet, methodical, but perplexingly perfect; any fan of the series found themselves wholly satisfied. It all fell into place on the smoking desert plains of New Mexico.

Although the magic of “Breaking Bad” televised its final episode, fans of the show are not completely shut out from Vince Gilligan’s world. A spin off of the series will feature popular character Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) before the days of Walter White. The series will most likely follow Goodman’s “upstanding” business as a lawyer, which receives its credibility from corny television commercials and billboards.

“Better Call Saul!”

brocha@ramapo.edu