Monday, September 30, 2013

Goodbye Breaking Bad. Sundays just won't be the same without you.

SPOILERS AHEAD -- I guess this post is for true fans of the show that tuned into the series finale to watch it along with millions of other people. That doesn't mean that you, my many writer friends, aren't welcome to read it. But I know many of you don't watch television so you may get nothing out of this post at all.

I went to a local tavern/pub last night to watch the series finale of Breaking Bad with other rabid fans. I partook in great conversation while watching a high definition broadcast of it on a 60" screen, eating sandwiches and drinking beer. What a fun time. I told them we should do it again for the Walking Dead.
Anyway, none of my predictions landed where I wanted them. I guess one caveat is that we saw Jesse Pinkman in a flashback to his high school days working on that box I told you about last week. So in keeping with a goodbye dedication, I'm going to reflect on all the ends that got tied up, beginning with...

1) The death of Walter White. I got to hand it to him...pure genius to the end. Rather than succumb to anger over Gretchen and Elliot, he used them and their billion dollar empire to be the best money launderers ever for the 9.5 million dollars that he wants to get to his family. It was great to see Badger and Skinny Pete one last time. I love that Walter finally came clean to Skylar about why he was cooking meth. He admitted that he liked it. He was really good at it, and that it made him feel alive. I think any of us can understand that basic need. When we're really awesome at something, it feels good. RIP Heisenberg/Walter White.

2) The death of Lydia Quayle. She got everything that was coming to her. I loved that she got poisoned by the ricin, and it was perfect that she heard it from Walter White, who tauntingly asked her, "How have you been feeling, Lydia?"

3) Jesse Pinkman lived and got his robot from season 1! It seemed to me that at some point, Jesse had nothing left to live for. However, when he drove away from the compound with Walter White standing alone in his rearview mirror, he seemed glad to be alive. Maybe he can find it within himself to move beyond the swath of death created by cooking meth with his former high school teacher. One thing's for sure: Jesse will never be able to forget his high school chemistry teacher. In that sense, Walter White is immortal. Oh and in season 1, Jesse asked Walt if he was going to build a robot. Walt (at the time) scoffed at him. Well, maybe Walt just needed to be inspired. Embedded in the video below are all the greatest moments when Jesse says "bitch." It'll be Aaron Paul's greatest catchphrase from the show.

4) The death of Todd and his whole murderous family. This was perfect. I thought Jesse might cook a bomb and that turned out to be totally wrong. I found the reality just as satisfying. Walter White rescuing Jesse and then killing Todd's family with a tricked out M60 was awesome. I like how he triggered it to go off when the trunk popped open. I also thought it was great to see Jesse Pinkman strangle Todd to death. Perfect ending to that psychopath.

I wish I could have known Skylar White's fate. Did she go to prison? I kind of think that even with the bargaining chip of knowing where Gomez and Hank are buried that this would not be enough to keep her from jail. I could be wrong though. However using that as a bargaining chip would probably make Marie never speak to her again.

As series' finales go, Breaking Bad's is the best that I've ever seen. I salute Vince Gilligan, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, and of course, Bryan Cranston who made it all possible. It's been one hell of a run over five years and you finished it on top. Breaking Bad is easily one of the greatest stories of all time. So goodbye Breaking Bad. Sundays just won't be the same without you.

18 comments:

  1. I'm your first commenter this time? Very cool. But sadly I again had to only skim your post 'cause of the spoilers because I didn't watch the series and I really wish I had.

    But I just found out this weekend that the Sundance Channel will be running the series from the beginning, So I'm starting this week with the beginning. Breaking Bad really has been something of a phenomenon, hasn't it? And the clips I've seen are pretty awesome.

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  2. @Helena: It's a phenomenon because it deserves to be. The writing has been incredible for every season. It truly is a masterpiece of fiction and noir.

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  3. I watched it and even without being a regular I thought it was awesome. Walter is truly immortal now and I loved seeing Jesse driving away, someone deserves to be happy after all that madness. This series ended extremely well and definitely way better and more plausible than Dexter's finale. Glad you were satisfied Mike.

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  4. Been binge watching this weekend and I'm all caught up. No more spoilers for Moody.

    Thought it was a very satisfying end, liked the way he tied up all the loose ends. Pretty obvious he was going to die, but all in all nicely handled.

    And no stupid open ended vague ending like some series finales.

    Only question is, now what do I watch...

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  5. Told you Walter had to die. There was no other way it could end satisfactory. Was surprised Jesse lived. Thought his death would've been a mercy killing, but he did appear glad to be alive in the end. And the machine gun in the trunk? Nice touch.

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  6. Five years already? Sounds like the perfect ending to a great show, something that isn't common these days.

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  7. He slaughtered them with science. SCIENCE! Hell hath no fury like a chemistry teacher scorned. I'll be blogging about this Thursday so I won't say anything more.

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  8. Another series I've never heard of, but anyway, dropping in to see what's going on with you.

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  9. Hi, Michael,

    Sorry that one of your favorite shows has hit the dust. At least you had a great time enjoying the finale with friends in a fun atmosphere....

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  10. Thanks for the spoiler alert. I plan on watching this program when it appears on On Demand. Have a great week.

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  11. Don't hate me, but I have never watched one iota of Breaking Bad. It's tough to do with kiddos all around all the time. And when they go to bed, it's writing time.

    Hope I can maybe catch up on Netflix or something later.

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  12. I didn't read the post - I just started watching Season 1. I know I'm a little behind. Just wanted to let you know I stopped by to read the first to words of your post! LOL

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  13. Seems like it just started. I see it on Netflix. I'll add it to my queue.

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  14. It was too dark for me, however, I had to find out what happened in the end by reading your blog. I'm glad Jesse lived.

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  15. I've been hearing lots of good things about that finale. Sounds like they hit it out of the park.

    I never did get into the show even though my father urged me to. He loved the show.

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  16. It really was the perfect ending to a nearly perfect show. I couldn't believe I waited so long to watch it (I only saw the last 8 episodes live). I started the series a few months ago and flew through it. The finale wrapped everything up in a way that stayed true to the show. I was so happy for Jesse after being beaten up and knocked down so much throughout the series. Breaking Bad will be a classic.

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  17. I haven't watched every single episode of Breaking Bad. However, I did see part of this episode since my grandparents are fans. I've also seen some other episodes since my boyfriend is currently watching the series. Yesterday, we watched the episode where they steal the methylamine from the train and Todd shoots the little boy at the end. I'm now glad he's dead. -.-

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