Sunday night kicks off Season 5 of Breaking Bad and Sundown will be hosting watching parties on their rooftop patio at 9 PM for every episode. There will be a “blue ice” cocktail (really) and happy hour specials ($3 texas beers). If you are like us, you are hooked on this show. Below are my 10 favorite episodes. Enjoy and all hail the king!
1. One Minute (Season 3 Episode 7)
My favorite Breaking Bad episode has just about everything. An awesome Jesse monologue when he realizes that he finally has power over Walt, Hank turning into a vulnerable & sympathetic character and of course the incredible, pulse-pounding ending, Even Saul had a couple of awesome zingers “You are now officially the cute one of the group”. Aside from that, I love this episode because of the comparison between Hank & Walt and how they accept the responsibilities of their actions. After Hank brutally assaults Jesse, he takes full blame and accepts whatever the consequences may be. And Hank’s consequences are pretty harsh.
Walt on the other hand takes little to no responsibility and has no fear of the consequences. In fact, it is the people in his life that suffer the most from his actions. In my opinion this is where the series is headed. Director Vince Gilligan has spoke a bunch about consequences for their actions and I think Walt is going to finally get his.
2. Half Measure (Season 3 Episode 12)
The second to last episode for Season 3 had one of the biggest holy shit moments of the entire season. Jesse began to show a new depth to his character in “Peekaboo” with his relationship to the little boy in the meth house. He has a deep sense of protection & caring when it comes to the innocence of children. This episode displays that as well as his loyalty to his fallen homie. Walt is stuck in the middle, trying to talk Jesse off the ledge while looking out for his best interests. It all builds up to one of the most dramatic endings in the series history.
3. Crazy Handful of Nothing (Season 1 Episode 6)
This is when we meet that highly unstable nutjob Tuco and also this is where Walt fully becomes the great Heisenberg, shaved head & all. Walter asks his class “Who can give me an example of rapid chemical reaction?” “Like an explosion?” asks one of his students. A nice not-so-subtle foreshadowing to the episode’s “explosive” ending. Also love the scene when Walt bluffs Hank in a friendly poker game. With 7-2 nonetheless!
4. Box Cutter (Season 4 Episode 1)
Now this is how you start a season! We can only hope the premiere for Season 5 is as intense & shocking at this episode was. My jaw hit the floor when Gus used that box cutter. It is one of the most disturbing & lasting images of the series. The look on Gus’s face is still with me. The entire scene is some of the finest acting. Walt hopelessly pleading with a calm yet angry Gus while Jesse is sitting there in a state of shock. Walt dressing now Victor like a total dick is also kinda hilarious.
5. Grilled (Season 2 Episode 2)
Have you seen this man? This episode has some tense moments. It’s also the first episode with Hector and we learn that one ding means “yes”. Jesse & Walt’s interactions are some great comedy while they are held captive. Jesse’s chili powder and saying that Walt should be “all sacrificial & shit”. The ricin poisoning plot is full of drama. Couldn’t believe it when I first heard that bell ring. DING!
6. Mandala (Season 2 Episode 11)
Jesse’s incompetence is damn near at an all-time high (no pun intended) in this episode. First he blows the meeting with Gus and then is too out-of-his mind to help Walt with their first million dollar score. I love the scene when Jesse & Jane get high and Jesse is shown floating around the room. I also love episodes when Walt is pushed to the edge and is in full panic. This episode has that as he rushes to make his big payday. And the look on Walt’s face when he gets the text “Baby’s coming!” is just priceless. Walt sighs and hesitates for a second but ultimately chooses the score over seeing birth of his daughter.
7. And the Bag’s in the River (Season 1 Episode 3)
The missing plate piece. What great symbolism for the rest of the series. Of course Walt is just about to let Crazy 8 free until he figures out that Crazy 8 intends to kill him with a piece of the broken plate. The murder scene is /about as brutal and hard to watch as it gets.
8. 4 Days Out (Season 2 Episode 9)
I love this episode. It’s kinda like a camping trip between father & son. But actually a marathon meth cooking session with Walt & Jesse. The show is one of the funniest of the series. Jesse in particular with his boneheadedness (is that a term?). Anyway I love how they solve their RV problem. It shows just how brilliant Walter is.
9. Salud (Season 4 Episode 10)
We will have tequila shots at the watching party! Gus gets his long awaited revenge while Jesse steps up. Don Eliado is awesome in this one.
10. Pilot (Season 1 Episode 1)
Where it all began! Walt was a humble chemistry teacher, if not a little pathetic. Nothing more evident of this than him in his whitey-tighties. It was this episode when Walt tells his student that he prefers to see chemistry as the “study of change”. And through the series we have seen all the characters change, most of all Mr. White. “You are not how I remembered you … at all.”
There you have it! Can’t wait for Season 5. What are some of your favorite episodes?