5 Scenarios For The End of Breaking Bad

Earlier this week Moreno and I recorded our BREAKING BAD Preview Show and fired through some of the many possibilities for the end of what many consider to be the greatest television show ever aired.  While Jesse has opted out of the meth business, Walt has killed everybody he had to and, after seeing Mount Money, has apparently decided to call it a career and try to save his family. When it all comes down to it, the show is only left with one loose end – Hank’s epic poop. Sure, it’s possible that some new threat introduces itself (Gus’ twin brother shows up with Mike’s twin brother! Vengeance!) but with only eight episodes left I can’t imagine anything else taking center stage. It’s Hank vs. Walt until the final seconds of this show. And somebody is definitely going to lose.

Let’s take a look at some of the possible scenarios and try to figure out the proper way to end a masterpiece. And I’ll go on record now, if the final scene cuts to black without resolving the fate of Walt, leaving it to our imagination, I’m going to destroy every television in North America.

Scenario 1: JESSE IS GOING TO DIE

This is the one I feel most strongly about. If Jesse dies it’s almost a certainty that Walt gets away with everything. Think about this – Walt was going to die and recruited Jesse, a low-life thug with no future, to help him make some fast cash he could leave his family. As much as Walt has transformed into the villain of this show, Jesse has transformed into the most level-headed “hero”. The irony of having Walt walk away unscathed and Jesse die in his place could be too hard to overlook.  We watched Walt consider some of his actions near the end of last season. A lot of those actions include destroying Jesse’s life (letting his girlfriend die, almost killing his new girlfriend’s kid). To watch him die after all they’ve been through together would be the ultimate price to pay.

Scenario 2: JESSE AND/OR SKYLAR WILL TURN ON WALT

We joked on the podcast how the final scene of the series was going to be Skylar closing the door to her new, witness protection services supplied, house in the suburbs – GOODFELLAS style. The more you think about it though, how far from reality could this be? Maybe Jesse moves in with her. Either one can bring down Heisenberg with the flick of a tongue and a sweet deal from the State. We know Jesse is going to be the first person Hank goes after for the truth, and we also know Hank likes to beat the ever-living shit out of Jesse for answers. This, of course, would lead to Walt behind bars by series end. A lot of people can’t believe this will be the case. Anybody I talk to says Walt has to either die or get away with everything. Which leads to…

Scenario 3: WALT IS GOING TO DIE

This one brings up a lot of weird emotion. The whole story exists because Walt WAS going to die. Then he became the lovable hero, thrust into a world he didn’t understand, simply because he was the best at what he does. Then he found out he’s not going to die and started being a dick, only to be overshadowed by bigger dicks, so we still cheered for him. Now he’s kind of a monster. With the hint of a re-found dedication to his family near season’s end, do we believe he can change? Again? In a way, I guess this is the happiest ending we could get. Jesse is free (or continues to make meth, whatever), Skylar is free (to take a nap at the bottom of the pool again), Hank gets promoted (and buys a shit load of minerals), and Walt Jr. gets a new car.

Scenario 4: HANK IS GOING TO DIE

If this happens I think Skylar has to go with him. Otherwise it leads to too many unresolved issues, something I don’t want by the end. Of course we can start mixing some of these scenarios together. Skylar can still turn on Walt which could lead to the death of Jesse, Walt, and Hank (Walt Jr. would probably still get a new car though). If it’s just Hank that goes though, there’s going to be some serious issues between Walt and Skylar. Of course, Moreno thinks Marie will die too if Hank bites it. We’re hoping that she dies in every scenario to be honest. Hank dying is my least favorite outcome. The guy is goofy, brash, and socially retarded but he’s one hell of a cop.

Scenario 5: WALT GETS AWAY WITH EVERYTHING & NOBODY DIES

Well, this isn’t very fun is it? We’ve got to realize that this is a REAL possibility though. Walt can disappear forever. Maybe Jesse takes the fall. Maybe Skylar takes the fall. Maybe Lydia and her super-secret meth distribution association takes the fall. Whatever the case, Walt would be gone with a trunk full of cash and will never be seen again. Unless he shows up on that Saul Goodman spin-off nobody will let die. Let it die, people. This isn’t Cheers, Saul isn’t Frazier, and Walt isn’t Sam. You get the picture.

So it all comes down to three possible outcomes for our favorite anti-hero, Walt. He’s either going to get caught, get away, or get dead. How we get to one of these conclusions is going to be a very long eight weeks. Hold on to your butts.