As a devoted fan of Breaking Bad who’s seen every episode multiple times, I can confidently say that “Ozymandias” is the most heart-wrenching and impactful episode in the series. The raw emotions, the dramatic twists, and the profound themes make it a masterpiece that I still analyze to this day.
The TV series “Breaking Bad” contains many heart-wrenching scenes, such as Mike being shot and Jane’s overdose death. One particularly poignant episode is “Ozymandias,” which serves as a deeply moving exploration of relationships and their repercussions. Abounding in revelations and surprises, this episode offers a profound examination of the consequences of our actions.
In this scenario, Hank Schrader, a DEA agent, gets fatally shot by Jack Welker, the Neo-Nazi gang leader, during an attempt to apprehend Walt. Jesse is subsequently captured by Todd, who inflicts numerous tortures on him later. The television audience witnesses what could be the most intense domestic dispute, as Walt tries to escape with Baby Holly despite Skyler’s strong objections.
Drawing inspiration from a sonnet titled similarly by the renowned English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, this episode stands unique with a perfect 10/10 rating on IMDb and continues to be extensively studied for its deep themes and concealed symbols. It served as an ideal platform for Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn at the zenith of their acting prowess. Their performances earned them Emmys, while the scriptwriting by Walley-Beckett was recognized with the award for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series. Remarkably, the most poignant scene wasn’t originally written in the script.
Baby Holly Shouts “Mama!” While Walt Is Trying to Bond with Her
Following the events in the desert, Walt hastily returns home, gathering his possessions in a frenzy, but encounters Skyler’s smoldering anger instead. Swiftly piecing together that Hank has met his end, her suspicions prove accurate and she is devastated by the news. In the ensuing moments, they air long-suppressed feelings, hurling bitter accusations at each other.
At this juncture, spectators are anticipating that letting out all the pent-up anger will lead to a truce and better relations for the family. However, Skyler brandishes a kitchen knife at Walt, leading to a brief altercation which Walter Jr. interrupts by tackling his father to the ground and calling emergency services. Rather than waiting for arrest, Walt snatches Baby Holly and escapes, leaving an hysterical Skyler on the street.
In a while, Walt attempts to change his baby’s diaper within a public restroom, but she cries out “Mama!”, which nearly brings tears to his eyes. This incident makes him understand that he can’t flee with his child at this moment due to the fact that he is unable to provide her with proper care and safety at present. Consequently, he decides to leave her at a fire station, providing them with a note containing their home address.
In my opinion, as a movie reviewer, Baby Holly didn’t utter “Mama!” out of preference for Skyler or due to training; instead, she was simply expressing her natural longing for her mother who was nearby. Director Rian Johnson clarified that the baby’s real mother was on set, keeping a close eye on proceedings. When Cranston was holding her, the baby, understandably, yearned for her mother’s presence, which is why she called out. Fortunately, Bryan Cranston, in character, gracefully adapted to this unexpected turn of events, resulting in a moving and emotionally intense scene that added depth to the narrative.
Series creator, Vince Gilligan, enjoyed the scene too:
“One of the most outstanding acts in the entire series just took place. The little one on screen appeared incredibly sorrowful. I assure you, absolutely no infants were injured during that episode.
Well, an Emmy for the baby would have been fair.
“Ozymandias” Marks the Beginning of the End for Walter White
In the end, it was clear that Walter White could not escape the consequences of his actions. The events in “Ozymandias,” particularly the Baby Holly moment, made this evident. He had alienated his family, caused the death of his brother-in-law (indirectly), and lost Jesse Pinkman as an ally. This led him to become a fugitive. He moved to a cabin in New Hampshire, set up a scheme to leave $9.72 million for his son, and sought revenge on Jack Welker in a dramatic manner, marking the end of his journey.
Regarding the episode where Walt leaves money for his son and takes down Jack Welker’s gang, this moment signifies a transformation in his character. Previously, he was undeniably a villain, but following these actions, he starts acting selflessly. He reunites Holly, shields Skyler from legal troubles, and makes efforts to rescue Jesse from captivity, despite their past conflicts. He even contemplates surrendering himself for a moment, which the old Walt never would have done. In the end, when Walt passes away, he dies as a hero, a man who recognized his mistakes (though it was too late) and tried to rectify the situation as much as possible.
From a cinephile’s perspective, I must say that this episode resonates profoundly with Percy Bysshe Shelley’s sonnet “Ozymandias.” Just as the once-mighty pharaoh in the poem experiences a catastrophic fall from grace, our protagonist, Walt, finds himself in similar straits. He strived to accumulate wealth for his loved ones and aimed to create an empire, but alas, his actions led to its swift undoing. The parallels between Walt’s predicament and that of the pharaoh are striking: both have little left to show for their efforts, leaving them desolate and filled with regret.
It’s a tragic story, but fans would never have wanted it any other way.
Breaking Bad
is available to stream on Netflix in the US.
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2024-09-29 03:34