Full Measure

I am writing this after watching this episode for the 3rd time over the span of 4 years. Having been in a video production college class, this definitely helped my understanding of the phenomenal performance hat this episode produced. An episode/movie is so much more than just the plot, or what you want to happen as a viewer. It's everything else that goes into the production that makes the difference between the good shows and the great. This episode was one of Breaking Bad's finest examples of pure video production perfection. Each tume I watch this episode I am more impressed due to how every shot/angle/line is analyzed and only approved until the crew knows that it is PERFECT. Phenomenal season finale, and solely the epitome of a perfect entertainment series episode. This episode is just one example of the perfection that this show puts on over it's 5 seasons.

'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.

While all the previous Season 3 episodes are very good to great (even to me the divisive "Fly"), "Full Measure" turned out to be one of the the best episodes and is one of the best of the show too. What a way to conclude a consistently high quality season, this is how to do a season finale. It is one of the most tense and most emotional, not to mention most entertaining, 'Breaking Bad' episodes for me as well, with simmering intensity and a not easy to forget ending.

Visually, "Full Measure" 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 "Full Measure" 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. Giancarlo Esposito is also terrific as Gus, a character that adds a lot to the show. The characters are compelling in their realism and the episode is strongly directed.

In conclusion, amazing. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Like all the other seasons, this one gets a 10. This is perfect television.

I am here now, at the end. For the past 4 months I have been seeing Breaking Bad for the first time by repeats every week on AMC. I have finally caught up to the end, and what an unforgettable conclusion.

Full Measure is just all out an incredible episode. It has really great writing, as expected. I can't really judge the directing and writing any more since all the fans know of what quality they are. I do want to give kudos, as much as I love Mad Men, and thought no show could surpass it, I was wrong. Mad men is perhaps more ambitious because it takes place in the 1960s, and in terms has more characters. However, Breaking Bad's character moments surpass Mad Men's quiet character moments for the simple reason that we feel with Breaking Bad more. Mad Men does have rich characterization, BUT it does feel as if we are just outside looking in. Since we pretty much are taken on a ride with the characters in Breaking Bad, we feel more. Meaningful scenes in Breaking Bad have more effect on me. Also, as great as the ensemble cast is in Mad Men, the actors in Breaking Bad also surpass them as a whole. Cranston and Paul would no doubt have at least Oscar nominations if this was a film.

Overall, this review is for the entire series so far, and for this incredible episode. In a way I am glad I waited to see the AMC reruns, because now I only have to wait around two months for the 4th season, as opposed to more than a year. One can only speculate what can happen, but it will be incredible as always.

This episode had me in the edge of my seat right up to that shocking final scene!! You could feel the tension and suspense! The "scene" with Mike was incredible! Masterfull direction! Once again BB delievers.