Goodbye to Breaking Bad

And so the journey of Walter White has come to a close. Many tears were shed last Sunday (mostly by me) over the end of “Breaking Bad.” C’mon guys, let’s hug it out; we’ve been through quite a journey these past five seasons. But the real question is: How did it end?

Perfect – that was the word that kept running through my mind during this spectacular episode. Perfectly executed, perfectly acted and perfectly tying up all loose ends. We got a definitive end with no cut to black, no purgatory and no teaser for a new series.

There was no way Walt could fully redeem himself, but he did everything he could. He freed Jesse, supplied for his family and killed those scumbag neo-Nazis. It was both cathartic and satisfying for us to see Walt attain victory in his final moments, but ultimately getting what he deserved. But man, did he go out with a bang.

This was the most badass we have ever seen Walt. He used his Heisenberg abilities to the full extent, turning him into an omnipotent force that could not be stopped. He was in every scene, sometimes hiding in plain sight. He also predicted that everyone would underestimate him and exploited that using his intellect, cunning and MacGyver-esque crafting abilities.

There were so many amazing scenes; I could dedicate an entire article to each one. When Jesse strangled that piece of crap, Todd, I cheered. When Walter put the fear of God in Elliot and Gretchen, I got shivers. When Walt massacred Jack and his thugs with a makeshift gun turret, I cheered again. When Jesse made it out alive not having to kill Walt, I thanked God. When Lydia found out she was poisoned, I laughed out loud. And when Walt said goodbye to Jesse, his family, his passion, and life in the only way he could, I cried shamelessly.

One very key scene I have to note was Walter’s admission to Skyler. For years, he has used his family as a scapegoat for his actions, and it was so refreshing to hear him say that that he did what he did because he liked it. It was the first time in years he told the truth.

There were a lot of great little touches: The shadow forming across half of Walt’s face in the beginning to reveal the duality between him and Heisenberg; Badger and Skinny Pete posing as snipers; the flashback to Jesse making a wooden box, showing how he could have pursued a much nobler craft.

I was initially disappointed that we didn’t get to see where Jesse would end up, but I realized this show has always been about Walter, and that it should end with his death.

And it was truly poetic to see Walt spend the last moments of his life in the presence of his one true love and passion that he alone would be remembered for crafting: his baby blue.

Breaking Bad was already one of the best shows on television, but this episode has solidified it as one of the greatest tales in American fiction. It will be remembered as the story of a man who was knocking at death’s door, and would do anything to create a legacy for himself, no matter the cost. Well the legacy is complete, and the writing is on the walls: All hale the great Heisenberg.