Episode: ”Felina” (5.16)

Original Air Date: 9/29/13

Written by: Vince Gilligan

Directed by: Vince Gilligan

Line Synopsis: Everything comes to an end.

Episode Thoughts

I’m going to break the usual formula of these posts, because I honestly don’t have a heck of a lot to say. Before the finale aired, nobody knew how it was all going to end. There were theories out the wazoo about what was going to happen. We were so used to the unexpected happening that the most unexpected thing about the finale was how expected it was. There were no major surprises, as everything played out in the most basic way everybody had long ago figured out. So let’s break it down:

-Walt scares his former partners into giving his money to his family through a bank trust.

-Skyler and Walt Jr. presumably get off scott free.

-The ricin went to Lydia, as the focus on her tea paid off.

-Walt used the big gun to kill off Todd’s family.

-Walt saves Jesse.

-Jesse kills Todd.

-Walt and Jesse have one last stand-off, not ending in Jesse killing Walt.

-Walt dies.

Nothing was all that surprising in this episode. But that doesn’t mean it was a bad episode, either. No, it was definitely a great finale for a great show. The emotion was played just right (the goodbye to Holly scene, in particular). The episode was intense (the entire third act where most everybody dies). There were some badass moments (Walt strolling around his partners’ house, or just sitting down next to Todd and Lydia in the diner). And there was one last scene with Skinny Pete and Badger! Of course the real question is, pretending the show is real and their lives continue on after this… what happens to Jesse? How is he going to cope with everything he’s been through? Is he just going to kill himself? I honestly think they should have played out his escape just a little longer and pulled a The Graduate. Have him screaming with glee that he escaped… then have his smile slowly fade away… don’t have him crying, but have his eyes full of emotion and thought… and just stay on this expression for about 10 seconds. The whole moment would take about a minute, one continuous shot. It would have been an amazing sendoff to the character rather than just the screaming glee (which in and of itself wasn’t bad, either).

And… that’s about all I have. I know this wasn’t very in-depth or anything, but it was just wrapping everything up and played out as expected. And like I said, it was a great way to end a great show. So what were your thoughts on the finale?

Tags: Breaking Bad, breaking bad breakdown, TV