'Breaking Bad' Final Episodes Recap - Felina

"That is how you end a TV show."

Those were the first words that came to mind after the closing credits to Breaking Bad's series finale came on screen.

No ambigious ending, no sutle nod to a spinoff series, just a clean, cut and dry 'the end.'

Breaking Bad is a series that I did not watch when it first premiered in January 2008.  In fact, I did not watch my first episode until the Fall of 2011, well past four seasons at that point; however, I knew from the very first episode that this something different.  Not your run-of-the-mill police procedural, or gimmicky genre-filled action spectacle, just a simple story of an ordinary man faced with the harsh reality of the world and how he deals with it.

What we're left with is arguably the greatest television drama in history.  The gold standard that networks - basic, cable, or premium - will try to attain from here on out.  A consistently excellent television show with not a single drop in quality...ever.

So here it goes, for the last time, a recap of this week's series finale of Breaking Bad:

After learning how Walt evades the police up in New Hampshire by stealing a car (gotta love the Vince Gilligan humor in that scene), we find him back in New Mexico at a gas station, ever so cunningly disguising himself via a pay-phone to find out where his former partners, Gretchen and Elliot Schwartz now live.

Walt - practically gliding throughout this entire episode as every action has been strategically planned - gets the last laugh with his once friendly colleagues, blackmailing them to use what's left of his drug money ($9,700,000 I believe), to set up a trust fund for Walt Jr. once he turns 18.  It's the only way he can be sure the money gets to his son, and for safe measures, informs them two hit men are now on to them if they don't oblige by what Walt's asked.

Now onto Lydia, oh you bitch Lydia.  How can you think Walter White would just show up to a meeting with you and Todd in the usual cafe at the usual time, ask to help assist in the empire he built, be turned down, and think he would just go quietly?  No.  That sugar packet or whatever you like to put in your tea, that's ricin, and you're soon to be dead.

Before the big finale, we get our last scene of Walt and Skyler together, a very sad encounter when you think about all that's happened to them over the past two years.  In talking to Skyler one final time, Walt finally admits he never did it for the family...he did it for himself.  He liked it, he was good at it, and it made him feel alive.  The look on Skyler's face is priceless....finally, the truth.  Walt then proceeds to say bye to Holly one last time, but sadly only get to see his son from a distance for a few short moments, and then onto his last stop.

I had to think Walt's plan all along in going to the neo-Nazi camp or whatever you want to call it, was to kill them all, including Jessie.  Walt was in-fact under the assumption Jessie had partnered with the men who killed Hank and stolen all his money, so why wouldn't he want him dead?

To Walt's realization, he find Jessie as a slave, chained up and forced to cook.  This is where Walter White shines through, not Heisenberg, tackling Jessie down before hitting that trunk opener on his car, unleashing that machine gun to mow down all those white trash bastards.  Although, Todd of course survives, leaving him all for Jessie to choke to death before snapping his neck.  Revenge, bitch!

Lastly, we have the final encounter between Walt and Jessie, two very different people, whom come a long way together.  Walt wants Jessie to kill him, but as Jessie exclaims, "I'm done doing what you tell me.  You want it, do it yourself."  Jessie speeds off in a car, escaping the Nazi compound, and the freedom to finally move on with his life.

Walt, for one last time - having inflicted a gun shot wound to the gut from protecting Jessie - takes a moment with the meth lab that changed his life, sees his reflection ever so slightly, then collapses to the ground, dead, just as the police arrive.  The end of Walter White.

Notes:

• I noticed a minority of fans complain that the finale didn't have enough Jessie, which it true, but this was the end of Walter White.  Jessie will go on and live his life, this was Walter's White's last shot at redemption.

• A quick scene with Marie too...a bit dissapointing, but with so much to wrap up, I understand why.
• Jessie's woodworking dream...perfect.

• The most heartbraking scene had to be Walt watching Walt Jr. get off the school bus and walk home.  No goodbye, just seeing your only son one last time...sad.

• Had to love how Walt didn't give a crap about where the rest of the money was, he just wanted to blow Jack's head off.

• Vince Gilligan, you are a genius.

Well, that's it.  The final recap is done.  Thank you to every one whose followed these recaps and I appreciate any comments or compliments you might have.  It was a tough duty doing these every week, but I couldn't have asked for anything better.  Long live Breaking Bad.

Grade: A+