Breaking Bad - Season 5, Episode 5 "Dead Freight"

 

Sometimes an ending can really make or break an episode of television.  Game of Thrones and Lost are two shows that mastered the art of the ending that leaves you wanting more.  Breaking Bad is firmly in that category as well.  I was a little lukewarm about this episode at first, but it ended on a great high note to leave me impressed. 

I was initially unimpressed by this episode mostly because there isn't a lot progression of the overall plot.  It felt a little filler-y at times.  The scenes involving Walt, Jr. left me cold.  One thing has been fairly consistent throughout this show and it held true in this episode: if there are scenes with the White family, and Walt himself isn't involved, those scenes will leave something to be desired.

But the last 20 minutes or so are golden.  I'm a sucker for a good heist scene, and this episode nailed it.  The train heist was pulse-pounding and intense.  Clearly, the team of Mike, Walt, and Jesse is a force to be reckoned with.  I loved the triumphant reaction of Walt and Jesse after pulling off the heist.  It makes me all the more sad to think about the inevitable unhappy ending awaiting these characters (all because of Walt, naturally).  I also like how this episode, and all the episodes this season, continue to display the evolution of Jesse Pinkman.  He has truly become the cool-headed thinker of the series, able to come up with solutions when Mike and Walt are too busy arguing to do it themselves.

Not giving myself any genius points for figuring this one out, but it was clear from the moment of Todd's introduction into the series that he would have a fairly major part to play.  That also makes me happy, because I like to see successful Friday Night Lights alums (yes, even Taylor Kitsch).  Now, Todd's actions have landed the crew in hot water.  Of course, Walt is always at his best when cleaning up messes, and I can't wait to see how the crew handles the Todd situation. I also want to know more about this tarantula kid: who is he? where did he come from? what was he doing out there?  Hopefully, those answers will be provided soon.  Either way, the next episode should be an exciting one and I'm really looking forward to it.