April Julia
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Breaking Bad Episode 516 "Felina" – The Series Finale
"Just get me home. Just get me home. I'll do the rest."
So much to say that it's hard to know where to start. I'm so full of different emotions. I loved the finale. It was so bittersweet and surprisingly hopeful, and full of sad goodbyes that were heartbreaking but understated and not sentimental. And then there are all the feelings I'm having as a fan. It was actually hard to watch the finale a second time in order to write this post because all the goodbyes hit harder the second time around. It wasn't just Walt saying goodbye in different ways to the people in his life, but us saying goodbye to all these characters we've lived with since we started watching the show, characters who were written and acted so vividly that they seemed almost alive and breathing in the real world.
It's a big loss. No more predicting what Walt or anyone else will do. No more suspense, or shocking surprises. No more crazy, off-the-wall scenarios tossed out during the weeks or years between episodes. No more time with these wonderful awful people who are all so flawed and human. But even this loss puts some sweetness in the bittersweet of it all. The show did go out on top. There are shows I love that have just gone on too long and shown a drop in quality, and it's usually around the fifth of sixth season, sometimes sooner, so that by the end, no one really cares anymore, and just watches out of habit if at all. And there are shows that ended too soon (The Killing, anyone? Don't get me started) with stories unfinished, left on cliffhangers that will never resolve because the writers didn't know the last episode was the last episode.
Vince Gilligan and his brilliant team of writers did know, for a long time, and so they could craft an ending, build up to it. And craft they did.
This entry was posted on October 1, 2013, in TV and tagged Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Breaking Bad, endings, Felina, final 8 episodes, final season, finale, Jack, Jesse Pinkman, Lydia, review, ricin, season 5, season 5 part 2, Series finale, Skyler, summer 2013 episodes, Todd, Vince Gilligan, Walter White.	37 Comments
Breaking Bad Episode 515 "Granite State"
"It's over."
Does anyone remember last year, how episode 507 was originally listed as "Everybody Wins," instead of "Say My Name"? I was thinking that "Granite State" could've been called "Everybody Loses." Every character lost a LOT in "Ozymandias," but in this episode, the fallout really hits. Some characters can see the loss for what it is and accept it, while others can't. I think the crux of this episode is how everyone deals with and reacts to "It's over."
This entry was posted on September 24, 2013, in TV and tagged Andrea, Breaking Bad, final 8 episodes, Granite State, Jesse Pinkman, Lydia, penultimate episode, review, Saul, season 5, season 5 part 2, Skyler, summer 2013 episodes, Todd, Walter White.	3 Comments
Tarot Cards for the Remaining Characters on Breaking Bad
So this was a little fun idea that was inspired by a few people over at the AMC BrBa board–Kathy, Schmeisenberg and Lydia's Shoes–why not try reading tarot cards for the characters who are left and see if that's indication of their fate in the next episode? Of course they aren't real, but their stories are more finite than most things one might attempt to pick up using esoteric tools. I used to read cards all the time, so why the fuck not?
And just in case it's not abundantly clear, this is totally in fun, not serious. Just playing around. So let's do it.
Character Tarot Readings for "Granite State"
MARIE – Victory (Six of Wands)
That was a bit surprising. I don't expect anyone to be feeling victorious in tonight's episode, especially Marie, considering her husband has just died. This could pertain to an "I was right!" type feeling. Maybe in her grief, she is enjoying one-upping Skyler somehow? There is definitely a sense of pride going on here. There could also be some righteous anger. Can't let go of the poisoning idea even though I can't see how it would come into play. But whether it does or not, perhaps Marie will "win" somehow tonight? Or it's all just hogwash.
SKYLER – Knight of Discs
This card actually fits Skyler very well. The knight of discs is pragmatic, steady, solid, concerned with the little details that add up to building a future. The knight of discs is savvy and careful about matters of money, again always focused towards building a future. This indicates acting out of logic and practicality and not so much out of emotion. We might see some calculated moves on Sky's part, that shrewd intellect of hers leading the way. Skysenberg may be at it again. To me this card doesn't necessarily indicate an outcome so much as a mindset. I think she'll be using that big brain of hers to deal with things the best way she can for the long-term benefit. Maybe that will mean playing into what Walt set up in that call, or maybe it will mean fessing up everything she knows if that's what'll be best for the kids, or maybe it could mean floating Walt's false confession (doesn't seem likely though). The point is, if there's anything to this, Sky will be acting out of logic and reasoned thought rather than emotion. And she has that potential in her, big-time.
This entry was posted on September 22, 2013, in Metaphysics, TV and tagged Breaking Bad, Granite State, Holly, Jack, Jesse Pinkman, Junior, Lydia, Marie, Saul, Skyler, Tarot, Todd, Walter White.	1 Comment
Breaking Bad Episode 514 "Ozymandias"
"The reaction has begun."
I'm just going to put this out there from the start: I haven't recovered from the episode yet, so writing this has been difficult, much moreso than usual. My thoughts aren't totally settled. That episode could induce post-traumatic stress, yo! How sad is it that I really wish I wasn't single right now just so I could have someone to hold me after these epic, soul-crushing, dream-shattering, gut-wrenching, awe-inspiring final episodes? I'm kind of not okay still.
This episode was the most exquisite hour ever spent on a plummeting descent into the abyss of Hell. I was so calm after the end of "To'hajiilee," but after "Ozymandias," I couldn't sleep again, all wired up and amped, wanting to stress eat or curl into the fetal position and feeling somewhat traumatized by what I'd just watched, but in the best possible way. With Breaking Bad, you get tortured in such a wonderful way you wouldn't give it up for anything. That's sure something. With every episode, even as it all crashes and burns, I'm even more glad that they're taking this story to its awful conclusion.
No one on this show was having an A1 Day, except, perhaps, the writer (literally). What each character dreaded most came to pass. They pleaded to no avail, crumpled, collapsed, fell to their knees. Everybody cried. Just about everyone got dealt a fate worse than death, except of course, the one who actually got to die, and with some dignity. Yeah, Hank might be the best off out of almost anyone.
This entry was posted on September 17, 2013, in TV and tagged Breaking Bad, Breaking Bad predictions, final 8 episodes, final season, Hank, Jesse Pinkman, Ozymandias, predictions, review, season 5, season 5 part 2, Skyler, summer 2013 episodes, Todd, Walter White.	96 Comments
Breaking Bad Episode 507 "Say My Name"
Wow. Can't believe there's only one more to go. What will I do without my weekly fix?
This episode left us with some burning thoughts and questions. First, would you rather eat bacon banana cookies or cake pops? And would you dare to dip either in some Franch?
Okay, that's just gross, but seriously that shit looked pretty tasty in this episode. Is it me or has there been more focus on food this season than most? The dressings at Madrigal, the bacon in 501 and 504, the whole thing about green beans and frozen scabby lasagna, Hank's thing about Miracle Whip, Skyler's whipped potatoes and double chocolate cake, and now Dan's treats for the bank lady.
Also, what's up with Saul's outfits in the last two eps not being as awesomely colorful and eye-catching as usual? I mean really, give him a psychedelic tie next time or I'm out yo.
Okay, okay, for real now.
This entry was posted on August 28, 2012, in TV and tagged Breaking Bad, Hank, Jesse Pinkman, Mike, predictions, review, Say My Name, season 5, Skyler, Todd, Walter White.	5 Comments
Breaking Bad Episode 506 "Buyout"
Only two more to go this season. Time flies.
Speaking of time, the last week was real light on posts–I had an out of town guest for several days–but will now resume the regular schedule. Lots of catching up to do with comments and with adding links.
In other news, I'm taking on writing spec scripts for existing TV series and of course I'm doing Breaking Bad so my head is all full of episode ideas (as of now, planning to do one that would fit between episodes 3 and 4 of this season) and thoughts on the most recent ep.
What a powerful teaser. Wow, that was so well done. It set up the perfect emotional impact by being very understated. They start with the bike, dismantling it with such surgical precision, putting it, piece by piece, into the barrel. There's something slow and sad and beautiful about that sequence, and the music that went with it. And the lack of dialogue. It doesn't let up, the bike seems to have endless parts to be disassembled. Jesse's absence is so present. Then Todd uncovers just the kid's hand in the dirt and you see they've readied another barrel. It's enough to let the viewers know exactly what's going to happen to the kid's body, even though it's never shown, which is just so, so powerful. Difficult to watch, but that speaks to its power.
And then the first line of the episode is Todd to Jesse, "You guys didn't tell me the stuff (hydrofluoric acid) smells like cat piss." You can read everything on Jesse's face. Todd can't. "Shit happens, huh?" And then Jesse hauls off and punches him in the face. I don't know about anyone else, but I found that really satisfying as a viewer.
This entry was posted on August 21, 2012, in TV and tagged Breaking Bad, Buyout, Jesse Pinkman, Mike, review, season 5, Skyler, Todd, Walter White.	4 Comments
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Live Chat for "Felina" (Breaking Bad)
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Breaking Bad Episode 508 "Gliding Over All"
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April Julia is albino, which means her hair and skin are paler than pale, and she's legally blind. She is a writer--of memoir, personal essay, fiction, screenplays and TV scripts--and a music fanatic, a science girl, an occasional dabbler in the metaphysical and a person who watches copious amounts of TV (read: way too much), for writing insights of course.
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