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Breaking Bad
S5.E4
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IMDbPro

Fifty-One

  • Episode aired Aug 5, 2012
  • TV-14
  • 47m
IMDb RATING
8.8/10
34K
YOUR RATING
Anna Gunn in Breaking Bad (2008)
Breaking Bad: Fifty-One
Play trailer1:55
1 Video
37 Photos
Drug CrimeTragedyCrimeDramaThriller

On Walt's 51st birthday, Skyler weighs her options as home tensions rise, while a jittery associate complicates Walt and Jesse's growing operation.On Walt's 51st birthday, Skyler weighs her options as home tensions rise, while a jittery associate complicates Walt and Jesse's growing operation.On Walt's 51st birthday, Skyler weighs her options as home tensions rise, while a jittery associate complicates Walt and Jesse's growing operation.

  • Director
    • Rian Johnson
  • Writers
    • Vince Gilligan
    • Sam Catlin
  • Stars
    • Bryan Cranston
    • Anna Gunn
    • Aaron Paul
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.8/10
    34K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Rian Johnson
    • Writers
      • Vince Gilligan
      • Sam Catlin
    • Stars
      • Bryan Cranston
      • Anna Gunn
      • Aaron Paul
    • 38User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Breaking Bad: Fifty-One
    Trailer 1:55
    Breaking Bad: Fifty-One

    Photos37

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    Top cast13

    Edit
    Bryan Cranston
    Bryan Cranston
    • Walter White
    Anna Gunn
    Anna Gunn
    • Skyler White
    Aaron Paul
    Aaron Paul
    • Jesse Pinkman
    Dean Norris
    Dean Norris
    • Hank Schrader
    Betsy Brandt
    Betsy Brandt
    • Marie Schrader
    RJ Mitte
    RJ Mitte
    • Walter White, Jr.
    Bob Odenkirk
    Bob Odenkirk
    • Saul Goodman
    • (credit only)
    Jonathan Banks
    Jonathan Banks
    • Mike Ehrmantraut
    Laura Fraser
    Laura Fraser
    • Lydia Rodarte-Quayle
    Steven Michael Quezada
    Steven Michael Quezada
    • Steven Gomez
    Todd Terry
    Todd Terry
    • SAC Ramey
    Russ Dillen
    • Ron Forenall
    Melissa McCurley
    Melissa McCurley
    • Secretary
    • Director
      • Rian Johnson
    • Writers
      • Vince Gilligan
      • Sam Catlin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews38

    8.834.4K
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    Featured reviews

    9TheLittleSongbird

    Birthdays, drugs and depression

    '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.

    "Fifty-One" may not have the tight pace, being more of a slow burner (nothing wrong with that, 'Breaking Bad' does slow burners well), and red-hot intensity of the best episodes or the Season 5 opener, but everything that makes 'Breaking Bad' as a show so great is present. It may be something of a "filler" episode, with other episodes doing better in story and character advancing, but it's a great one. Skylar is written a little too neurotically at times, making it not always easy to root for her situation, but there is really not much to complain about.

    Visually, "Fifty-One" 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 "Fifty-One" 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 supporting cast are both intriguing and entertaining, especially Dean Norris. The characters are compelling in their realism, likewise with their chemistry, and the episode is superbly directed.
    10isaacmhglmf

    Best of Anna Gunn

    I really don't understand why so much hate on Skyler's character. I think all of the actors and actresses are brilliant on this show but on this episode Anna's acting is just amazing to watch. I feel like I'm living exactly what Skyler is feeling. Her words and reactions fits perfectly with the situation she's in. As an actress I think she deserves more recognition and respect because we don't see many like her lately.
    9g-bodyl

    Walt Turns 51!

    This is the fourth episode of the fifth episode of Breaking Bad. I thought this episode was a meaningful filler episode that features outstanding dialogue and great acting. The episode finally has Skylar getting out of her funk in a big way. The action may be limited, but the the main focus of this episode is the exposition and characterization.

    In this episode, "Fifty-One," Walt turns 51 years old and he requests a birthday party, in which turns out to be a somber affair. Walt tells Hank and Marie about Skylar's affair with Ted. Skylar is horrified when she finds out Walt is back in the drug business and she wants to send the children away. Meanwhile, Jesse discovers a GPS tracker on one of the main ingredients, prompting the anger of Mike.

    Overall, this is a solid episode. It's a little on the slow side, but it's far from uneventful. The ending is very promising and I gather we are in for a treat next episode. I rate this episode 9/10.
    8scott677

    The Zombie and the Pupet Master

    This episode is a slow one. I was never a great fan of Skyler, as i suspect other fans of the show must feel; she must have been written to annoy people as i cannot imagine anyone that likes Walt and Jesse also liking the neurotic/complaining/moody Skyler. Every other character in the show has either grown on me or i liked from the start, even her crazy sister now seems more normal somehow. Although i realize she may need more story time now and again to push the story along, but, in the end i think every episode that focuses on Skyler ends up a neurotic boring drudgery; although i still gave it an 8 because i felt it had enough pushing it along apart from the crazy woman.

    We are also left to wonder exactly what extent Walt runs his life and how much time Hiezenburg is spending running the show; is he an alter ego or has he become a split personality, or even scarier, is he now Hiezenburg? One thing is for sure, Walt seems to like running the show now, and he doesn't like taking no for an answer. There doesn't seem to be any more Mr Nice Guy, and even though Walt was always an "ends justifies the means" kind of guy he always seemed to have a bit of nice guy underneath.
    10arun-31096

    CRAZY

    Bro the scene with Skyler is crazy. I love it bro omg it's the best tv series omgyattt I love the show so much and I love the way you guys are doing this with the characters and the characters and the characters and the characters and the characters and the characters and characters are amazing I can't stop laughing so hard at the fact they were all amazing I can't believe how amazing this is this was a good idea for a new game I have a few ideas on what I would do if we had to get rid off the old game but the game was a little more fun to do with a little more of the old game.jjb.fjjfjdjsdlfkd.

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Related interests

    Wendell Pierce and Dominic West in The Wire (2002)
    Drug Crime
    Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea (2016)
    Tragedy
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Within this episode Walter replaces both his calculator watch and 2004 Pontiac Aztec, which were integral parts of his representation as a mild-mannered suburban school teacher. The respectively sleeker models they are replaced with, and the recovery of his signature pork pie hat, symbolize his final consumption by the Heisenberg persona.
    • Goofs
      The 30-day tag on Walter's new car expires on August 12, 2012; this episode is set in 2009, exactly one year after Walter White was introduced on his 50th birthday in 2008.
    • Quotes

      Hank Schrader: [all of sudden Skyler goes to the pool] Hey, pool party.

    • Crazy credits
      Bryan Cranston is credited both as an actor and a producer. For his actor credits (Br) is highlighted and for his producer credits (Y) is highlighted for chemical elements Bromine and Yttrium from periodic table.
    • Connections
      Featured in The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Breaking Bad Main Title Theme
      (uncredited)

      Written by Dave Porter

      Performed by Dave Porter

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 5, 2012 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Instagram
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • USA
    • Production companies
      • High Bridge Productions
      • Gran Via Productions
      • Sony Pictures Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 47m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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