Breaking Bad: Ozymandias
One of the Breaking Bad teasers that was released before this season had Walt reciting the poem “Ozymandias,” and it makes sense that the creators referenced this episode while trying to hook the audience back in for the show’s finale. The poem “Ozymandias” is a famous poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley that talks about the fall of powerful leaders (ironic? Of course not. This is Vince Gilligan we’re talking about) and this is one theme that this episode took to the next level as Heisenberg begins to fall from his reign as the king of meth.
The beginning of the episode, we are hit with a pang of painful nostalgia as they show Walt and Jesse’s first cook in the middle of the New Mexico desert. They also show Walt on the phone with Skyler, where he first starts his routine of a perfectly planned lie as they discuss what to name their baby. The scene dissolves, and we are back to where the last episode ended – a shootout between Jack and his men versus Hank and Gomez. Gomez is dead, and Hank is shot in the leg, but still survives. Walt begs Jack not to kill Hank, offering him 80 million dollars because “he is family.” This reasoning that has gotten Walt to help the survival of his family worked so far, but this time it (or the money offered), wasn’t enough. Jack shoots Hank, and takes most of Walt’s money and leaves him a barrel. Walt says that he owes him Pinkman, and Walt sees Jesse hiding under the car. They pull him out, and as Jesse is about to face his death, Todd says they should figure out what Jesse told Hank, and kill him later. They agree, but not before Walt says his last words to Jesse. He looks Jesse in the eye, and tells him about how he watched Jane die. A later badly beaten Jesse is made to cook by Todd, who is clearly trying to take over the meth business now that Walt is out.
Marie goes to the car wash to talk to Skyler, and ultimately offers her peace. She says she knows that they’re sisters, and wants to help Skyler through Walt’s arrest and conviction. The only thing she asks in return is that they tell Walt, Jr. RJ Mitte does a brilliant reaction as his entire viewpoint is shifted and his world is turned completely upside down. Skyler, Walt Jr, and Holly come home, to find a mysteriously parked pick up truck in the driveway and a frantic Walt inside. Everyone is surprised, and Walt Jr. asks him for the truth about being a drug dealer. Walt begs Skyler to get everything she can and pack up so they can leave and start a new life. Skyler asks Walt what happened to Hank and demands an answer. This is when Skyler finally gives up her patience and her ability to support Walt’s decisions. She pulls a knife on Walt, and tells him to get out. She cuts Walt’s hand, and they start to fight and struggle. Ultimately, Walt Jr. helps Skyler and calls the police. Walt stands there, and repeats, “We’re a family.” In a moment of realization, Walt knows that he no longer has his family after what just happened. He takes Holly, and leaves.
An amber alert is set for Holly, and Walt calls Skyler. In this moment, Walt insults Skyler and his character continues to swim deeper into various points of no return. Skyler asks about Hank, and Walt says, “You’re never going to see Hank again. He crossed me. You think about that. Family or not, you let that sink in.” Walt no longer cares about what the consequences to his actions are, even though the entire episode’s outcomes are due to his actions.
Holly is crying out for her mom, and Walt knows that he has to give her back. He leaves her at a fire station with a note pinned to her. He is then shown getting into the red van of changed identity and no return.
I have no idea what the final two episodes are going to bring, but it seems like it’s going to be mind-blowing. I highly doubt anyone is going to have a happy, nicely tied together ending.