It’s been nearly six years since Breaking Bad aired its final episode, since then there have been countless references in pop culture, talks of a movie in the works, and near-endless watches on Netflix. Now that Heisenberg and Pinkman seem to be on the march to the big screen it seems like a great time to run through some of the best (and worst) episodes of the series.
In a series known as one of the greatest things to ever hit television screens, there are sure to be some truly profound and awe-inspiring moments. However, even in a series as great as Breaking Bad, there are bound to be a few episodes that just don’t quite hit the mark. Let’s dive in and find out where a nearly flawless series took a few missteps.
Greenlight - Worst
Season three is a bit of a turning point for both Walt and the rest of the White family. Walt, having recently outed himself to Skyler as a meth cook, is living on his own, away from his family. Skyler is on a very different journey. As she comes to terms with the man her husband has become, she turns to Ted Beneke (we all know how that works out). However, while Walt may not currently be allowed near his family, he certainly hasn’t let go of them. In Greenlight, Walt reaches a tipping point at causes a scene at Skyler’s place of work, while there isn’t much going on this episode it is an essential pitstop to understanding Walt and Skyler’s ever-changing dynamic.
Face-Off - Best
After nearly two full seasons of dealing with Gustavo Fring’s threats and orders and presence, Walt finally manages to take out his biggest antagonist yet. But when all is said and done, was it really worth all the trouble he went through for his emancipation from the incredibly organized and incredibly dangerous Gustavo Fring?
While Heisenberg has been making quite a name for himself both on the streets for his cook and his tendency towards violence, this is when Walt truly takes his Heisenberg persona to the next level. Heisenberg, or as Walt would later refer to himself as, the man who killed Gustavo Fring.
A No Rough-Stuff Type Of Deal - Worst
As the first season closes, audiences get a long and unflinching look at the effects that this new lifestyle has had on both Jesse and Walt. While Walt seems more comfortable, eager even, to embrace his new and dangerous lifestyle. Audiences begin to see how Walt gets off on both the danger and power he’s faced and wielded. Jesse, on the other hand, is in a very different place.
While Walt revels in his new lifestyle, Jesse is truly feeling the effects of the lives that they’ve taken. As Jesse struggles to sell his house while Walt prepares a cook in the basement, it creates a stunning metaphor for how their dynamic has and will continue to grow. Walt, ever-focused on the business, the Meth. Jesse, just trying to keep his life and mental fortitude intact. Not as powerful as the season finales that would follow, but still respectable.
The Fly - Best
While it’s certainly possible to find this episode on many “Worst of” type lists, it’s been included among the best her for just how incredibly well it delves into the psychosis and paranoia that Walt is beginning to experience under Gustavo’s employ. While Walt has never been more regimented, safer, or well-supplied and stocked, he has been robbed of all the control, all of the power he felt he had while working on his own with Jesse. Walt begins to realize that the money is no longer the issue, no longer the goal. Walt is incredibly well-paid, but Heisenberg doesn’t have the time, space, or ability to flex or assert his power of anyone. Like any well-funded lab, Heisenberg has to answer to the person funding his lab.
Cancer Man - Worst
While "Cancer Man" is still very early on in the first season of Breaking Bad, it gives fans a nice little glance at the man, Heisenberg, that Walt will eventually become. Throughout the early seasons, audiences will notice that Walt slowly becomes more and more comfortable with taking the risks associated with breaking the law. In this episode specifically, Heisenberg peers his little head out during his second run-in with Ken, the man who had previously stolen his parking spot. Heisenberg shorts the man's car with a squeegee before driving away after causing it to explode. Conversely, Jesse is taking time to reacquaint himself with the family he had left behind. Another slow episode meant to dive into the psychology and background of the characters that we would follow throughout the series.
Felina - Best
Felina, at least until El Camino comes out later this week, is the last glance that audiences get at the journey of Walter White and Jess Pinkman. Some might call it Heisenberg’s last stand. While Jesse has been struggling with his enslavement at the hands of Jack, Todd and their band of merry meth-heads, Walt has been plotting his greatest play to date.
Heisenberg, at this point, is no stranger to taking out multiple opponents at once, but as he moves to take out all of his remaining adversaries, it seems he’s got more than just death on his mind. Felina released to critical acclaim and was touted by many as one of the greatest finales to ever hit television screens.
Mas - Worst
Another episode coming in from Breaking Bad’s third season, “Mas” takes us back to the pilot episode, this time viewed through Jesse’s experience. Having taken all of Walt’s life savings, Jesse again finds himself in another predicament. With a night of partying finally wearing off, Jesse struggles to pull together a last-minute plan to get Walt a vehicle worthy of their new mobile meth lab.
Luckily Combo has a “no paperwork-type deal” that manages to spare Jesse the wrath of a budding Heisenberg. Meanwhile, in the present, Skyler begins to explore life with someone other than her newly-outed meth cook husband and Gustavo tries to lure Walt back into the game.
Say My Name - Best
Walt has been working on his name, his brand, his appearance, and his moniker, Heisenberg, for a very long time at this point. At this point in the series, Heisenberg is not only a name taken seriously in the meth game, but it is also a name that is feared. Having taken Gustavo Fring out, Walt has become a fully-formed version of his alter ego. Heisenberg is a name that carries weight. A name that causes a reaction that Walt not only enjoys but lives for. Walt has truly separated himself from his actions as Heisenberg, or perhaps he has become the man he always strived to become. The man who knocks. Perhaps it is this confidence, this detachment that causes him to fatally shoot Mike.
Breakage - Worst
While there aren’t many important or action-packed moments in the fifth episode of Breaking Bad’s second season, there are a few important things that happen in this episode. The most consequential being, of course, Jesse rents an apartment from his new landlord. Jane Margolis. This seemingly inconsequential event will shape much of the remaining seasons. It will tear Jesse and Walt apart. It will lead Walt to commit some of his most horrendous acts. And with will lead to the deaths of many, many people. Moving can often be a struggle, but when it involves the likes of Heisenberg and Jesse Pinkman-- What are you gonna do?
Ozymandius - Best
As the fifth and final season begins to draw near to it’s close, Walt (and therefore Heisenberg) experiences a true and resounding loss for the first time in their career in the drug trade. While Walt has lost his wife’s affections, his son’s loyalty, and his future with his family, they are all still alive. But as Jack, Todd, and the rest of their crew permanently take Hank out of the picture, Walt begins to realize that his best-laid plans will not always have the outcome he desires. Walt dove headfirst into an illegal career in order to spare his family a tough life after his death, however, with Hank’s death, Walt’s career has officially brought death to his family’s door. This action is not something that Walt or Heisenberg can take back or fix.