Good stories end. Bad stories wither away. It seems to be an almost universal experience in entertainment, that the longer a TV show, film, video game, book or comic series lasts the more likely it is to falter, seemingly squandering all the love and time we had invested in it and leaving us with only that most caustic of human emotions, disappointment. We wish that there were only two “Terminator” movies, and pretend that “The Cursed Child” is just some random fanfiction we all accidentally read. We find ourselves unable to enjoy the early years of “Game of Thrones” as season eight rots the show from the branches down. In recent years, disappointment and the anguish that follows seems to be a mathematical inevitability. Thank God that Vince Gilligan’s “Breaking Bad” is the rare exception.
“Breaking Bad” is a singular enclosed diamond of a show. It started great and continued to accelerate to ever higher heights, so well realized and cohesive and masterful in its story, characters, theming and world that I am not entirely sure if it didn’t spring forth from the story ether. It is pretty ding dang flipping good and seems to exist to be the elemental opposite of “The Walking Dead,” bringing balance to the universe. But what’s more inexplicable is that despite all the build up, expectation and treacherous investment attached to the show, it managed to end perfectly. Walter White’s (Bryan Cranston) story concluded in the most satisfying way possible. It was both unpredictable and flawlessly set up, tragic and triumphant, closing the series in a way that somehow left fans without the dull pain of wanting more nor the poisonous pain of disappointment. That’s a needle I didn’t think you could thread. I didn’t even think that needle existed.
The only loose end was the fate of Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), and even then, watching him hurtling off into the night, screaming laughter at his newfound freedom, was an ending to his story that felt fitting in its ambiguity. “Breaking Bad” ended when it needed to. And yes, I know the prequel series “Better Call Saul” exists and has yet to be finished but that show is very self contained despite its shared characters and world. It’s also brilliant and somehow manages to make the entire “Breaking Bad” saga shine even brighter (but that’s another matter entirely). “Breaking Bad” proper was done.
And then “El Camino” was announced and we all lost our minds. Old expectations were dug up and shot into the stratosphere and we all held our breath as the series finish line was moved just a little bit farther away. I tried to keep my expectations low for my own safety. After all, it’s never too late to ruin everything. But as “El Camino” proved, it’s never too late to make everything just a little more perfect.
“El Camino” cronicles the story of Jesse after he escapes in the finale of Breaking Bad, finally a free man after a year of slavery and imprisonment by Todd Alquist (Jesse Plemons) and the White Supremisists. Unfortunately for our sweet tortured Jesse, he was still a meth cook and is now one of the most wanted men in America. Jesse must evade being put back in chains for just a little bit longer, as he searches for the money he needs to finally buy himself the new life, the new identity and the new start he so desperately needs. I can’t really tell you anything else about the plot without ruining the movie, but I will say that “El Camino” does for the character and story of Jesse what the finale of the show did for Walter. Jesse exits the world of “Breaking Bad” on a high note and I am left embarrassed for my wavering confidence that Gilligan would be able to pull it off.
Basically everything about this movie is perfect. Acting, story, characters, cinematography, soundtrack, all superb. There are flashbacks to unseen events that took place in the main series and while I had worried that “El Camino” would rely too heavily on nostalgia for effect, these scenes are poignant and both flesh out the events of this film and retroactively color the personalities of characters from the show. Jesse is obviously the best part of the movie as Aaron Paul is a fantastic actor. There is a supreme satisfaction to watching a character who we’ve seen broken down and manipulated so many times finally become the best and most emotionally complete version of themselves. While some fans might complain that this film lacks the action and epic confrontations we saw from the series finale, they just don’t get it. The finale was the end to Walter’s story and Walter’s story was one of destruction. Jesse’s story is one of escape: from his past and from his life. It’s more than enough to have Jesse’s final foes be nameless cops and low-level crooks.
Besides, “El Camino” resurrects the razor wire tension that “Breaking Bad” was known so well for, creating scenes of such suspense and emotional impact that the best moments of the show are given a run for their money. Every possible remaining event, confrontation, interaction or character progression I could have wanted is here, and pulled off with mastery and grace. I am content. Gilligan has proven himself a crowned storyteller, executing a perfect ending to his series twice in a row, two unicorns amidst a hoard of leper mules. Hopefully “Better Call Saul” wraps up nicely so we can have a set. Until then we should all marvel at Gilligan and this sung little capstone to his masterpiece.
