Time Bomb (Breaking Bad 5x8 Gliding Over All Episode Review)

Walter White is, as we all know, is a ticking time bomb. And what's worse about bombs? When you think it will explode, it will not. But when you least expect it... prepare to die.

Disclaimer: If you have not seen the midseason finale of Breaking Bad, do not proceed. If yes, go on! 

When Breaking Bad started five years ago, we were introduced with one of the biggest plots of the show: Hank is an officer of the DEA and his brother in law - Walt - makes meth. We all know that time will come that this secret of Walt will be revealed and a Hank-Walt showdown will take place. Now, this nightmare - yet the most exciting for fans - became a reality. 

'Gliding Over All', in some ways, works as a series finale already. It traced us back to the development of the characters and of the show - from the RV, the fly/bug, the cancer, camaraderie between Jesse and Walt, and the watch that Jesse gave him. In the end, before the shocking twist, everybody was happy. Walt finally decided to get out of his empire. He had enough.. too much actually, as what Skyler pointed out. 

Another strong scene in the episode was during Tod's connections in prison plotting different murders in a hotel room. On that time, our protagonist realized that he's not the only kingpin in the world.. that he's just one of the hundreds of emperors of the meth world... that he's  not so special as he thought he was. 

One of the hilights of Gliding Over All was the montage of a number of prison death scenes. It was creepy, and weird, and just plain horrifying. With scenes of Walt interlocked with the murder scenes, the audience (and Walt) was able to internalize how this man was willing to go all lengths just to get what he wants. 

I also love the Walt-Jesse confrontation. Although we did not see much of Jesse on this first half of the season, it was still nice to see the two of them patching things up and ending their life as meth-manufacturers in peace.  That was a perfect mentor-protege moment!

By the end of the episode, Walt went into a place where we never thought he would be: peace of mind and satisfaction. He is satisfied with what he had done and it's finally time to leave all the past behind. He and Skyler were happy again, Walt Jr. and Holly were finally home. 

But of course, we all know this small amount of happiness and sweetness will end abruptly. I was cringing and afraid of what's going to happen next (since in the previous episodes, a huge blowup will happen before an episode ends). But instead of the usual gun blowing we saw before, this was more of a low subtle moment - but with a huge impact. Hank found out about the real identity of Walt.

Damn, right?

Gliding Over All was such an amazing episode. It's Breaking Bad at its finest. We saw Walt in his point as a mass murderer, a responsible mentor to Jesse, and finally, his much needed realization for closure in the business he loved. Then again, every small action in the past will transcend to the future. And apparently, this small action by Gale (giving the book to Walt and dedicating it to 'WW') a few seasons back hit Walt where it hurts the most. 

I still think that seasons three and four of the show are better than this season. Nonetheless, the first half of season five opened more windows to the mind of Walt. We got to know him more and we saw his development to a mean old killing bald man. 

On the remaining 8 episodes of the final season of Breaking Bad, let's expect more action and a Walt-Hank showdown. Can't wait!

Breaking Bad is set to return on July 2013 for its final eight-episode run. Damn.