Gliding Over All

So, where to start? First of all i have seen this episode, it was good enough, but i unfortunately think it is overrated. Ya'know it has good acting and the story is... WOW. But Really? It has (currently) 9,6/10? Thats almost all full stars. It doesn't happened THAT much in the episode, it had a weak ago 8,5/10. Thats what i think it should have instead of 9,6. If you compare this with for example the episode "Confessions" which also (currently) has 9,6/10 (which in my opinion it should have) you'll see that its a BIG difference and that this episode should have lower rating than it. Its more than one star higher since its last rating. Confessions had some action in it, but in this episode it only has that prison scene which is more ridiculous than action-full. Rest of it they are just talking (what I remember). I don't know about you but in my opinion, it is a very overrated episode. Ratings like 9,6 should be watched over and over again.

All what happens is that they are talking, cook, cries almost like every episodes. Walt quits his meth-making, Gives Jesse his 5 million dollars in cash, and thats just about it.

8,5/10

When I first heard they were doing a fifth and final season to conclude this show I was overjoyed. Not because I want the show to end but because if the journey getting there is this damn good, then the ending is going to completely melt my mind. But after watching this episode, my emotions about this show ending have dramatically changed. I now extremely loath the idea of this show ending because there is not a doubt in my mind that there is never going to be another television show that can come close to the greatness and perfection that is Breaking Bad. At least not in my lifetime. And even if you don't agree with me 100% about the show being so phenomenal, you can't deny that this mid-season finale kept you on the edge of your seat and then falling off it during the last minute of the episode. And then you were probably as angry as I was when you remembered that we have to wait until next year for the next episode.

'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.

"Gliding Over All" is another incredible 'Breaking Bad' episode, one of the best of Season 5. The sizzling tension and emotional impact are only a couple of truly great things and even more the rich subtlety and a cliffhanger that will make one's jaw drop to the floor in amazement and shock, really is one for the ages.

Visually, "Gliding Over All" 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 "Gliding Over All" 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. The characters are compelling in their realism, likewise with their chemistry, and the episode is superbly directed.

All in all, another episode that is difficult to find fault with. 10/10 Bethany Cox

All of Walt's hard work finally pays off and he is all set to happily retire. This would have been a good ending because Walt worked so hard during the series. I hope in the end he prevails and is able to live in peace.

I think Gliding Over All is one of the best episodes of Breaking Bad for numerous reasons.

There are character moments involving Walt, Skyler, Hank, Marie, Jesse, and Lydia that all work brilliantly. Some of the more ironic moments, particularly the final shot are very memorable. The writers display constant awareness of previous episodes and keep great consistency with certain callbacks.

The evolution of Walter White is one of the main reasons to watch Breaking Bad and this is another classic depiction of how far down that road from Mr Chips to Scarface his has moved. Bryan Cranston is brilliant as always, but the cinematographers do for his physical appearance what Gordon Willis did for Al Pacino and make him an intimidating force of nature.

Speaking of The Godfather, there are some particularly well made tributes to some of its most famous moments in this episode. Plus it is generally visually stunning in most scenes, particularly the montages and transitions. I love the cut from Walt sitting down whilst leaning forward to him sitting back up in a different situation. The White family house drenched in shadowy darkness is incredibly effective.

Cranston, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Aaron Paul, and Laura Fraser are all perfect in their scenes.