Tonight’s Breaking Bad finale was more than a little sad because it always is to say goodbye to such an amazing show. I can’t say this was the best episode (I would say Ozymandias from two weeks back was a better all-around episode) of the series, but it was pretty damn good. And I think you’d have to be a real curmudgeon to say this finale disappointed. [Suck it Dexter, this is how it’s done.] Although I’m a little disappointed that we didn’t get that full flashback to Jesse’s past in Walter’s class, and the show even hinted at it by having Jesse hallucinate a flashback where he was woodworking in that high school shop class.
[Vague spoilers from here on out]
Some of my predictions for the finale came true, and some of them didn’t. I’m tempted not to reveal much because I really do think people should watch it. I think it’s a very populist ending that tried to deliver the most things to the most fans, and maybe some would have wanted it to be a little bit wilder or riskier. I’m just glad that Walter was given not one but two last moments of brilliance (the scene with Gretchen/Elliot and the climactic finale) and a moment of revelation when he finally admits to Skyler that he enjoyed what he was doing the whole time. I’m a little disappointed that Jesse lived, but I can’t say that I ever saw it ending any other way. [Although his ecstatic final moment was almost enough to make me glad he escaped…almost.]
All in all, it wasn’t the hands-down best finale I’ve ever seen (that would be The Shield) but it was better than 99 percent of finale episodes, which is only appropriate for a show that’s been better than anything but a handful of series. So long Breaking Bad, I’m sorry to see you go…
Grade for Series Finale: A-…Grade for Entire Series: A