10 - Walt reunites with Jesse (Season 1 / Episode 1)
This marked the very first time we met Jesse Pinkman, and what an appropriate introduction it was. Walt sat outside a drug-bust, waiting for the all clear to go in and have a look, and suddenly a young man falls from the roof. After closer inspection, he soon realises it's his former pupil Jesse whom the DEA are currently looking for, under the alias "Captain Cook". This hilarious scene was accompanied by an even funnier music choice, making this one of the most light-hearted and comical scenes in a very dark show.
9 - "Stay out of my territory" (Season 2 / Episode 10)
Very different in tone from the previous scene, this moment marked the point where Walt truly embraced his inner demons and took control. Following a man into the car-park, Walt discovers another man who is clearly a bigger build than him, but disregards this when he walks straight up to him and intimidates him through the power he has achieved by selling his superior meth. And, yet again, this scene is backed by a memorable song.
8 - Hank shoots Tuco (Season 2 / Episode 2)
When Breaking Bad began, Hank was meant to be quite a comical character who would be comparable to a 'Jock' stereotype. This scene showed that he was to be taken seriously and respected, as after tracking down notorious distributor Tuco to a secluded house in the desert, Hank engages him in a shoot-out. After many bullets are exchanged, Hank finally manages to line up the killer blow, and kill the first major antagonist of the show.
7 - Mike's final words (Season 5 / Episode 7)
Mike became a key part of the show throughout Season 5, becoming in charge of the business side of Walt's operations after the death of Gustavo Fring. Quickly becoming a very likeable character, his death was the first time I personally felt resentment for Walt, as Mike's death was something that, unlike many others, didn't specifically need to happen. His final words sum him up as a character perfectly: "Shut the f**k up, and let me die in peace". (This video is a compilation of Mike due to unavailability of the clip).
6 - Walt runs over two criminals (Season 3 / Episode 12)
Jesse had prepared himself to eliminate two of Gus' men after they killed a child due to him being an inconvenience. If he goes through with this, all of Walt's work to keep him out of trouble would be for nothing, and Gustavo Fring would have the both of them murdered. So what does Walt do? He saves Jesse by mowing down both men in his car: disregarding all the advice he has been given by Mike and Gus, and then finishing one of the men off with a bullet to the head. This shows just how important protecting Jesse was to him, and put a set of events in to motion which would completely change the course of Series 4. The final word Walt utters completed this scene perfectly: "Run."
5 - Hank Vs The Twins (Season 3 / Episode 7)
From the beginning of Season three, the Salamanca twins hung over the show like a dark, intimidating cloud; murdering anybody who got in their path. Gustavo Fring had managed to divert their attention from Walt to his brother-in-law Hank, and this eventually led to one of the best shoot-outs on the show. Almost murdered by a chrome axe, Hank managed to reach for a gun and end the fight with a single shot to the head, with amazing cinematography capturing every moment.
4 - Gustavo Fring's final walk (Season 4 / Episode 13)
Arguably one of the most tense walks in history, the music alone allowed the audience to know this would be the last time they saw Gustavo Fring alive. Of course, the moment we see him walk out with half of his body burned to cinders is memorable, but the music whilst he is walking towards his fate is chilling and incredibly daunting. This is by far one of the best deaths on the show, and a great way to end such an iconic character.
3A - "I AM THE ONE WHO KNOCKS" (Season 4 / Episode 6)
Now we're down to the most iconic moments of Breaking Bad that will no doubt go down in television history. This quote by Walter White is so iconic, even those who have not seen the show can most likely identify one with the other. It's hard to put into words how effective this is, especially if you haven't seen the episodes leading up to it, but there's just so much right about Bryan Cranston's acting in this scene, from the delivery of the line itself, to his despair at revealing his true self to his wife immediately afterwards.
3B - "Say my name." (Season 5 / Episode 7)
Tied with "I am the one who knocks" as my favourite Walter White line, "Say my name" is even more important as it symbolises the point at which Walt truly embraces his alter-ego of Heisenberg as part of who he is. The episode that this line features in itself is titled "Say my name", showing how pivitol it truly is.
2 - The death of Hank Schrader
(Season 5 / Episode 14)
By far the most emotional death in the entire programme, Hank died solely because of Walt, and this is shown through Walt's collapse to the ground after the murder takes place. Hank had the slim chance of letting everything go in exchange for his life, but this is simply not how he operates, and this is shown through his bold response to Uncle Jack. Hank's death set the final events of Breaking Bad in motion, and wrapped up the story of a beloved character.
1 - The End (Season 5 / Episode 16)
And so we've come to the end. After 5 incredible seasons and 62 breath-taking episodes, the conclusion to the story of Walter H. White has finally arrived. Tying up all loose ends, Walt saves Jesse from a life of slavery but takes a bullet in the process. He allows Jesse to drive off to freedom, and instead of doing the same, chooses to go and die by what he loves most: the chemistry. The final scene of Breaking Bad is more emotional than any other, and successfully wrapped up the greatest television show I have ever seen (being accompanied by a phenomenal and uplifting song). Here it is in all of it's glory:
And there we have it: my top 10 moments from Breaking Bad. These will each stick with me forever, but the very ending scene is especially memorable as it marks not only the end of Walt's life, but the end of the single greatest character ever created. If you haven't yet seen Breaking Bad, don't allow these spoilers to deter you. Watch it from start to finish, and experience the finest entertainment ever created.
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