ABQ

The teddybear teases at the beginning of the season and the reveal at the end of the season... genius.

'Breaking Bad' is one of the most popular rated shows on IMDb, is one of those rarities where every season has either been very positively received or near-universally acclaimed critically and where all of my friends have said nothing but great things about.

Very few shows in recent memory had me so hooked from the very start that before the week was over the whole show had been watched, especially when for a lot of shows now airing watching one episode all the way through can be an endeavour. 'Breaking Bad' had that effect on me, and its reputation as one of the best, consistently brilliant and most addictive shows in many years (maybe even ever) is more than deserved in my eyes. Its weakest season is perhaps the first season, understandable as any show's first season is the one where things are still settling.

Actually everything is established remarkably from the very start, but once the writing and characterisation becomes even meatier the show reaches even higher levels.

"ABQ" is yet another amazing episode of a consistently great season, for me it's in the top three of Season 2 along with "Grilled" and "Phoenix" and couldn't have been a better season finale. It has intensity but is also one of the show's most emotionally devastating episodes.

Visually, "ABQ" is both stylish and beautiful, with photography and editing that are cinematic quality and put a lot of films today to shame, where there are a lot of visually beautiful ones but also some painfully amateurish looking ones. The music always has the appropriate mood, never too intrusive, never too muted.

The writing in "ABQ" is a fine example of how to have a lot of style but also to have a lot of substance. The dialogue throughout is thought-provoking and tense, while also have a darkly wicked sense of humour, nail-biting tension and heart-tugging pathos. The story is texturally rich, intimate, tense and layered, with the pace of it consistently deliberate but taut.

Can't say anything bad about the acting. Bryan Cranston is phenomenal as one of the most fascinating anti-heroes, or even of any kind of character, in either film or television. Aaron Paul has never been better and Anna Gunn is affecting. The characters are compelling in their realism.

Overall, amazing and powerful. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Acting: 9/10 Pace: 9/10 Story: 10/10 Writing: 10/10 End: 8.5/10

Without spoiling anything, a great episode:

The foreshadowing since episode 1 finally pays off and we know what happened at Walt's house. New characters are introduced that will play a pivotal role in the rest of the series.

We have the aftermath effect on Jessie from the the previous episode. Such good acting from both Arron Paul and Bryan Cranston.

Regarding the end of the episode and of the entire season, i found this finale a little underwelming to the previous 2 episodes but regardless a just fine ending for the season in general. I dont know what will happenn from now on with Skyler and Walt but lets hope for the best.

I rated this episode a 9/10 but would give the season something around a 8.4-8.6/10 I prefered it than the previous one because of the enormous amount of character and story development. While having a slow and mediocre start, the season delivered with those 3 last episodes.

Goof= 7:56 Mike stares at the camera.

This had to happen. Walter had been able to keep all the balls in the air for just about everyone. But when a single lie got under Skyler's hide, she became suspicious and began to check on things. Once Columbo suspects you did it, he would be relentless. It's easy to find evidence when you are sure of the conclusion. Two focuses here. Jesse is inconsolable and Walter feels responsible for it (actually he is but wouldn't have had to worry if the girl wasn't bad news). Then Junior starts with the Pay Pal thing, exposing Walter visually. Then, of course, there is the surgery to make Walter White well again. What a great conclusion to the season!

This was an amazing way to conclude season two! Everything that happened through-out the season, clashed in this episode! Now the actions commited has consequences as everything collides with reality!

Aaron Paul was great in this episode and we really see how great an actor he was! Walt was equally great as we really see what is going on inside him and how is getting more and more cold, but still showing us that his familly matters the most!

This episode also shows us the link between Saul and Gus as well as showing us Gus level of influence and how good he is to hide in plain sight!

The final scene was expertly made and shot! Now we get the answer to the pool scenes with the teddy bear!