Warning to those of you who have yet to watch Break Bad’s series finale “Felina”: Don’t read on. I repeat, don’t read on. Walt and Jesse’s fates will be revealed!
Now that that’s over with, let’s get down to the nitty gritty of cable television’s best drama. It’s the long-awaited episode we Breaking Bad fans have been dying to see. Theories after theories, blogs after blogs have been blowing up the Internet. Why? Sunday night’s finale marked the end of duo Walter White’s (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman’s (Aaron Paul) incredible five-year run. For the past five seasons, we’ve watched Walt transform from devoted high school chemistry teacher to ruthless Meth kingpin, Heisenberg. We’ve seen Jesse recover from the loss of two girlfriends. DEA Agent Hank Schrader (Dean Norris) die pursuing Heisenberg. Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) take on a new identity. Skyler White (Anna Gunn) pull a knife on her husband. The list goes on. After so much despair, how could the series possibly end on a good note?
Yet, producer Vince Gilligan wrapped up the series in what I think most Breaking Bad fans would agree was the most heartbreakingly satisfying way he could. Unlike the finale of The Sopranos, Gilligan didn’t leave any questions unanswered. Predictably, the great Heisenberg’s reign does come to an end, but unpredictably, he saves our beloved Jesse while simultaneously achieving what he originally set out to do: leave behind money for his family.
As the 75 minute finale neared its end, I was worried about one person’s fate more than the rest. Jesse Pinkman. Walt, don’t kill Jesse. Jesse, don’t kill yourself! These thoughts were playing like a broken record during the painfully long 15 minutes he and Walt shared screen time. Going into the show, I was 99.9% sure that Gilligan would kill off every fan’s (or at least every girl’s) favorite character as these deep producers tend to do. Instead, not only did Jesse live, but he received his retribution when he finally got to kill Todd (or as my friends and I like to call him–Todd the Toddler Killer).
From the beginning of season one, I’ve been a Jesse fan all the way. I mean, how can you not love him? He’s sensitive, sexy, and bad all wrapped into one fine package. After killing Todd and his crew, Walt leaves his fate in Jesse’s hands. Let’s be real, this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for, ever since Walt poisoned Brock and manipulated Jesse into doing his dirty work. The two of them are finally one on one with Walt allowing his former protege the upper hand, or quite literally, the gun. Of course, our heartthrob can’t go through with it. “Do it yourself,” Jesse tells him instead. In their last moment together, the two acknowledge each other with a head nod. I think I speak for everyone when I say my heart stopped. Jesse drives off, free at last, and Walt dies somewhat peacefully in the meth lab with his signature “blue stuff.” Ladies and gentlemen, cue the tears.
Five intense seasons wind down to a close. Another brilliant gift from Gilligan. Television’s best drama came to a bittersweet end, but its incredible acting, story line, and humor (kudos to Saul Goodman) will long be remembered. In the next few weeks, while you’re still feeling deprived from your favorite AMC original series, check out some Breaking Bad buzzfeeds. They’ll allow you to reminisce and keep up with TV’s most talented cast. Long live Heisenberg.