Bryan Cranston has ventured back into the theater scene once again, with his latest project, The Power of Sail, expected to intrigue audiences. However, fans of Better Call Saul after series creator Peter Gould confirmed that it's not a rumor but a fact.
As fans wait eagerly, they can rewatch some of the original show's greatest episodes but which ones are they? Given how strong each episode is, the debate about the most outstanding ones never ends. However, things are much more straightforward on Reddit where fans have confidently pointed out the masterpieces.
"Ozymandias" (S5E14)
In "Ozymandias," Hank gets killed by Jack Welker's gang then Walt goes on the run. BreakingGood101 describes it as "the most masterful episode of television." They added, "Every arc, some of which were building since the very first episode, came to a close in the most devastating way possible."
The Redditor is right about it being the greatest episode in TV history because it led to a whopping 3 Emmys and has a strong 10/10 rating on IMDb. What makes "Ozymandias" truly brilliant is that every main character reaches the point of no return. Hank dies, Walt's marriage falls apart, and Flynn learns what his father is truly capable of. From there on, it's all about dealing with the consequences.
"Face Off" (S4E13)
Fearing for his life and his family's safety, Walt makes plans to kill Gus Fring and manages to do just that by conspiring with Hector Salamanca. Redditor thisishardcore feels the episode is "the show at its absolute peak," adding, "all the tension from the previous twelve episodes (and beyond) had been building up to this."
The image of Gus walking out of Hector's room at the Casa Tranquilla with his face half-damaged will always be iconic. It's the major reason the episode is revered. The stakes are high from the start because Walt realizes Gus no longer needs him and is serious about harming him. He thus goes on a frantic mission to protect himself. Given how formidable Gus is, no one expects him to die but it finally happens. Then there's the shocking twist at the end where viewers get to learn that it's Walt who poisoned Brock.
"Better Call Saul" (S2E8)
Hamwizard thinks the episode stands about because it's "a little more comedic and breaks up the serious tone of the show for a brief moment." In it, Saul Goodman makes his first appearance, offering to represent Badger after he gets arrested for selling drugs.
The humor in "Better Call Saul" is of higher quality because viewers are served with some of the best Saul Goodman quotes in Breaking Bad. Among the most notable scenes is one where he claims the police forces higher straight out of kindergarten, given how young the officer who arrested Badger is. There are other extremely uproarious moments between Jesse and the duo of Walt and Jesse too. Additionally, the episode has a cool-enough title that went on to be used in a spinoff.
"Box Cutter"(S4E1)
EnoughItem describes "Box Cutter" as "a master class in tension." In it, Walt and Jesse are brought back to the lab after the death of Gale. They both think they are going to be killed, only for Gus to slice Victor's throat with a box cutter.
Apart from having one of the most extreme acts of violence in the AMC series, "Box Cutter" also cements Gus Fring's place as one of the best Breaking Bad villains. His composure is irable as he keeps viewers waiting for a couple of minutes to find out the kind of punishment he will give to the cooking duo. Instead, it's his own henchman that gets sent to the afterlife.
"Felina" (S5E16)
PalmDry234 says the series finale has "so much action, suspense, and closure." First, Walt arm-twists Gretchen and Elliot into taking the $9.72 million that they're supposed to give Flynn before heading over to Jack Welker's compound where kills all the baddies and dies from his own injuries.
The finale does indeed have one of the most creative action sequences ever where Walt connects an automatic M60 machine gun to the trunk of his car and uses it to massacre Jack Welker's gang on their own turf. He dies a content man too, having rescued Jesse and having ensured the money he worked so hard for gets to benefit his son.
"Crazy Handful Of Nothin" (S1E6)
After Tuco beats up Jesse and keeps the meth, Walt heads over to collect it, something he does in the most intimidating way possible. Redditor balljuggler9 values the episode because of Walt's meeting with Tuco which is "a defining moment in his becoming a true badass."
Before the encounter with Tuco, Walt is the nice cook who won't harm anyone unless he is really forced to. But when he successfully bullies the Juarez cartel member, a realization dawns on him that he has what it takes to be a big player in the drug industry. The bond between Walt and Jesse also gets cemented when the latter realizes the former has cancer.
"Gliding Over All" (S5E8)
Walt hires Jack Welker and his gang to kill Mike's former associates. Later on, Hank also finds out that Walt is Heisenberg. VulcanCitizen thinks the episode is wonderful because it has an "awesome prison killing montage, an awesome crystal blue persuasion montage, and Hank figuring it out."
Apart from the montages, "Gliding Over All" is a beautiful episode because Walt finally comes to the realization that he has become successful beyond his wildest dreams. There is too much money to launder but he still hasn't found peace. There is even more joy when the whole family gets reunited. But that joy becomes short-lived because Hank finds out the truth.
"Crawl Space" (S4E11)
After being threatened by Gus, Walt makes plans to flee only to find out that Skyler took most of his money and gave it to her lover Ted. Redditor dimplepinch says the later Season 4 offering "is the perfect layering of dramatic exposition."
Skyler's action can be classified as one of the greatest Breaking Bad betrayals and it hurts Walt so badly that he laughs maniacally and almost goes insane. Walt fans also get some justice when the stubborn Ted knocks himself out into a coma. And there aren't many TV scenes that top the one where Gus threatens Walt in the desert.
"Bullet Points" (S4E4)
Walt and Sylar come up with a fake gambling story to explain how they are able to pay for Hank's treatment. Redditor everydaystruggle1 is of the opinion that the episode has "one with two all-time great scenes: the absurd comedy of Skyler and Walt “rehearsing” their story, as well as the tense sequence between Walt and Hank at the latter’s house."
"Bullet Points" literally kickstarts Walt's downfall because his ego leads him to suggest to Hank that Gale isn't Heisenberg. From there on, Hank's zeal increases as he looks for the actual culprit. Walt and Skyler are also depicted as a perfect Bonnie and Clyde team, a welcome break from their usual relationship drama.
"Granite State" (S5E15)
Walt and Saul make plans with Ed to disappear. Walt unsuccessfully tries to leave money to his son too and about the penultimate episode, James-Morgan-Mcgill says "everything is perfectly set up for the conclusion, it's all over and you see the characters as real as they can be."
The episode towers above many others because of its emotional moments. Viewers can't help but feel pity for Walt when his son rejects his money and tells him to "die already." Additionally, one of the saddest Breaking Bad deaths happens when Todd shoots Andrea just to punish Jesse. It's the end of the road for Saul Goodman too as he heads off to Nebraska for a new life.