Could the Last Episode of Breaking Bad Be a Fantasy?

Has the final episode of Breaking Bad truly come to an end, or is it merely the last chapter in Walt's complex and convoluted mind? The episode, titled Ozymandias, poses intriguing questions about the state of characters within the show. Many viewers wonder if it was Walt or Heisenberg who was orchestrating the events. However, considering the nature of fantasies, it is highly improbable that Walt would have arrived at the dramatic and devastating conclusion we see in the series finale.

Fantasy vs. Reality: An Unlikely Mirage

Fantasies are often idealized and positive, but the return of Walt from the dead is met with numerous troubling scenes: his home defaced, his wife barely speaking to him, and the overall reality of his declining health. Would Walt, in a fantasy, be exposed to these realities? The answer is no. He might fantasize himself standing above the chaos, but the detailed and often unpleasant scenes would be beyond the capacity of a fantasy to predict and recreate. For instance, if Walt had fantasized the events, he would not have known about Jesse being forced to cook for neo-Nazis through Badger and Skinny Pete, as this information was out of his control.

Moreover, a true fantasy would involve the character experiencing things based on their observations or conjecture, not preconceived scenarios. The specific nuances and word choices of the characters, particularly those out of character, would be highly unlikely to be recreated in a fantasy. Consider the scene where Jesse says to Walt, “A banana is just a banana.” This is a perfectly normal and relatable statement, not something a delusional character would overthink or misinterpret.

The Final Episode: A Masterpiece of Tragedy

The last episode of the series was not as glamorous as the earlier episodes, but it provided a much more satisfying and tragic ending than a comedic death in a remote cabin in New Hampshire. While it would be wonderful to continue the story, one might argue that the series ended too soon. However, the confrontation with neo-Nazis in Granite State could not have been any darker. Presenting the full auto .50 cal shooting up the neo-Nazi clubhouse might have gone too far, thus the final episode was a poignant and powerful conclusion to the series.

Ultimately, while the final episode may have lacked the grandeur of earlier episodes, it provided a fitting and bittersweet end to the journey of Walt and Heisenberg. The series could have been extended for one more season, but the integrity and satisfying conclusion of the show dictated that it end at this point. With its powerful narrative and meaningful characters, Breaking Bad remains a classic in the realm of television and continues to captivate viewers long after its initial broadcast.