By KATIE BAKAITIS
Staff Writer
WARNING: spoiler alert!
The much anticipated conclusion of television’s finest drama has finally revealed itself from behind Vince Gilligan’s golden script. From the very beginning, we fans have observed with a critical eye Walter White’s noticeable transformation to Heisenberg and then to Mr. Lambert. Though Walter’s transformation into Heisenberg is the cliché and generally accepted character analysis, I believe that Walt had a large part of Heisenberg within himself all along, he was just stuffing him down with a teacher-like politeness and the final episode proves just that.
Before I go onto say any details about the series finale, I just want to say that I totally guessed the very ending! Who could forget that perfect conclusion? The money Walt earned is now secured for his family through Gretchen and Elliott, Marie is now able to find peace knowing where Hank is buried, the Neo-Nazis are dead and so is Lydia, Jesse is free and Walt has died on his own terms (not by cancer). The journey he took to arrive at that outcome was pretty amazing, to say the least. For the finale, Breaking Bad let viewers feast on and appreciate seeing one frail man topple expectations and get out of impossible situations through cunning and know-how. It was a parade of “Yeah, science!” moments, though that science was sometimes a mere understanding of human nature (the Gretchen and Elliott moment- brilliant).
Breaking Bad has proven itself to be a tremendously affecting show, but “Felina” sought to stir additional emotions. Jesse cracking up as he sped away was somewhat liberating. Walt saying goodbye to Walt Jr. (even if it was from a distance) and Holly conveyed some sense of loss. There were some nice, classically moments of humor; the one last dose of Skinny Pete and Badger’s antics. Overall, the episode’s style was solid and no holes were left uncovered; it was as solid as Walt seemed carrying out his clever scheme.
Speaking of clever schemes, let’s discuss the scene where Walt wastes the Neo-Nazis. In this fan-favorite diversion, Walt managed to avenge Hank’s death and free Jesse all while looking dangerously remarkable in the process. Making the machine gun contraption in the trunk was no doubt a Heisenberg moment, but when he dove on top of Jesse (his second “son”) and took a bullet, that was Walt. I think one of my favorite parts was when Jesse took down Todd in a slow, agonizing and fulfilling choke-hold. I think many fans weren’t too sad to see psycho “Meth Damon” meet his maker. Walt even took the time to conceive Lydia’s demise, though I still don’t understand how he pulled it off so accurately. How did he know Lydia was going to sit there and how did he get the ricin in the sugar packet without making it look suspicious?! Heisenberg is too good for logic.
Walter finally admitted to Skyler that he was not doing all of this meth-making for his family’s security. Walt basically said that he needed to cook in order to satisfy his inner self after finding out that his days are numbered. It was kind of like a bucket list; a dark, violent, drug-infested and short bucket list. Walt needed to go out with a bang, knowing that he had done something to reach his full potential, even if it was highly illegal (but you got to find something you’re good at).
The last amazing scene really pulled at the audience’s heartstrings. I couldn’t help but grin when Walt, still bleeding out, strut into Todd’s meth lab, picked up the gas mask and smiled. I was sitting at the edge of my seat thinking there would be one last cook, but, alas, Walt collapsed and died, dragging Heisenberg with him.
This was the perfect ending for a perfect show. Well, nearly perfect. Part of me still expected Walt to go into witness protection, be given a new family and that would be the start of Malcolm in the Middle.
