"Breaking Bad:" The Finale (The TV Zone)

A call for nomination: Anna Gunn for best actress (Doug Hyun/AMC)

I'm not in the habit of doing this and am pretty certain I have no intention of getting in the habit of doing this, but some things merit an exception to the rule.

This one exception: My immediate, visceral reaction to the finale of "Breaking Bad," airing this Sunday.

I've seen a lot of TV the last few weeks - finales mostly, or voting mishaps on "American Idol," and the like.

But this finale - yes, this one, entitled "ABQ" - quite literally made me double up in pain in the closing seconds. I drew in my breath, held it, then released it. I then posted this blog.

A promise, sworn on any book of faith you would wish me to swear this promise upon: This Sunday's "Breaking Bad," coupled with with last Sunday's "Phoenix," is the most extraordinary finale of the season. This is like nothing you have ever seen.

And once again, a prediction: "Breaking Bad" will be nominated for a best drama Emmy this July. If there is any justice, and often there is not, "Breaking Bad" will win in September. This is the best program on television, commercial or pay.

Plus, this prediction: Anna Gunn will be nominated and - justice, please - win as well.

My newspaper review, in Saturday's Newsday, on the jump...

"Breaking Bad," AMC, 10.

Reason to watch: The second season finale is a heart-thumper, from beginning to end.

"Breaking Bad" primer: For those of you who have never even heard of the show, this quick primer, which may help those who want to dive in Sunday. Starring Bryan Cranston as Walter H. White, the lead character is a high school chemistry teacher who, along with former student Jesse (Aaron Paul) became a meth kingpin in Albuquerque. He's also dying of lung cancer, is (or was) up to and beyond his eyeballs in debt, and his wife, Sklyer (Anna Gunn) is due any day with their second.

Catching up: OK, on the assumption the foregoing helped, here's where we stand going into tomorrow's finale, entitled "ABQ." At last week's close, Walter is standing in the bedroom of Jesse and girlfriend, Jane Margolis (Krysten Ritter), as she chokes to death on her own vomit. He considers saving her, then pauses: She did, after all, get him to fork over the $480,000, as part of Jesse's share of their biggest grab to date. Will Jane's addiction to heroin grease Jesse's descent into that particular hell as well? Will she blackmail him again? He decides "yes" to both questions, and let's her die. Earlier in last week's episode - and it's best to consider both "Phoenix" and Sunday's "ABQ" as a two-parter - Walter and Skyler's new baby is born.

What tomorrow night's about: Walter's profoundly crooked lawyer/fixer, Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) has sent a "specialist" to Jesse's apartment to clean up the drug paraphernalia and offer some counsel before the cops and medical personnel get there. Jane's distraught father, Donald (John de Lancie), arrives just as they are bagging his only daughter's body. Meanwhile, Walter Jr. (RJ Mitte) launches a web site for his father - facing a huge bill for his impending surgery - which suddenly, magically, begins to collect dollar donations from strangers around the world. They are, of course, the "zombies" - fictitious on-line donors used in money laundering schemes - that Saul set in motion. There is much, much more, but just prior to surgery, a dazed and medicated Walter utters two words, just two, which will change the entire series.

Bottom line: At this moment, you are hopefully reading this review as the sun is shining, and as your garden beckons. So, let's not waste your valuable time. This is TV's best finale of the season, and - not incidentally - this is also the best show on TV as well. But, I should warn you as well: "ABQ" packs a tremendous emotional wallop. Some viewers may also find some of this especially painful. (I did.) Of the second season, there was genuine magic in "Breaking Bad," much of it culminating in the final four episodes. But beyond writing, editing, casting, and myriad other production elements - all masterfully rendered - there was the acting. We know how great Cranston, Gunn, Paul and other regulars are. But howabout Odenkirk’s Goodman or the tragically star-crossed Margolis' - played by veteran John de Lancie and Krysten Ritter (she of "Gilmore Girls") ? Just stunning.

Grade: A +

Search TV Zone

Bloggers

Latest Headlines

Blogroll

Entertainment News

Subscribe

The TV Zone

"Breaking Bad:" The Finale

Tags:

Comments (159)

Post a comment

Search TV Zone

Recent Posts

Popular Tags

Video

Categories