FILMMAKER REACTS to BREAKING BAD Season 5 Episode 7: Say My Name

Hope you enjoy my first reaction to Breaking Bad. :D
Early Access (2 episodes ahead!) & Full length Reactions: / jamesvscinema
Original Show on AMC: Breaking Bad (2008)
Ending Song: / charleycoin
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[@stanlee4ever278]

Mikea death will always be, unironically, one of the most out of pocket "fuck-shits" that Walter pulled. There was no rhyme, no reason: he got told how it is and Walter threw a damn fit and killed him. I'm glad though Mike still went out with dignity, and got to look at the lake before he died in peace. Rest in peace, a true king. 😢

[@lunar3138]

The reason he did that is simple, they were loose ends. You don't want to brush the dirt under a rug, you want to get rid of it

[@graystark240]

@@lunar3138 walt got emotional and threw a fit. Nothing about the situation showed any intelligence just emotion (from Walter). It’s even proven afterwards when he realizes he didn’t even need to kill mike. It’s the apex of Walt being controlled by emotion, with the death of a fan favorite

[@stanlee4ever278]

@@lunar3138 Look man, I hear what you're saying, I do, but Walter even admits five minutes after shooting him that he didn't need to kill him. He says it himself. Walter may be a genius but he didn't kill Mike for an intelligent move, he killed him because of an emotional one, ya know?

[@iCortex1]

​@@lunar3138If you think Mike is a loose end, you seriously misread the show

[@isaiahromero9861]

​​​@@graystark240you're partly right, but as Jesse points out later, Walt would have to look over his shoulder constantly after what he did in episode 8, which he was already planning at this point. Plus he planned on killing Mike before even meeting up with him when he stole his gun from his bag. I'm not defending Walt here, I just think there WAS a reason beyond Walt just getting pissed off. That reason is selfishness and self preservation.

[@dlweiss]

I really appreciate you recognizing the truly unforgivable level of awfulness that Walt has perpetrated onto Jesse. And yet, I'm also always struck by the nagging thought that, if Walt had never come into Jesse's (post-high-school) life, there's a big chance that Jesse would already be dead - either from an overdose, or from some random street-level violence. So it's a strange sort of conundrum: Walt saves Jesse's life, only to ruin it in brand new ways.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Great point honestly!

[@marvelsandals4228]

That dichotomy is on full display in this episode as well. Walt, standing before a gang of violent outlaws, outnumbered, outmatched, corrects himself, he's not the best meth cook, he AND Jesse are the best meth COOKS. He then told Jesse that he was Walt's equal, his work is every bit as good as Walt's. He gives Jesse free reign to be in charge of his own cooks, without Walt's supervision anymore, saying "you've earned it." This is coming from one of the proudest, pettiest, most egotistical people on the face of the planet, yet here he is getting on his hands and knees to eat humble pie, for the sake of lavishing praise and encouragement on Jesse. Jesse in many ways is more of a son to Walt than Walter Jr. Junior has no idea who Walt is, not the way Jesse does, Jesse sees the real Walt, for all his flaws, how truly dark and twisted he is deep down, but Jesse still genuinely cares for him, even when Walt plays his games, manipulates, and lashes out at Jesse in anger. Their relationship may be toxic, but there is something real there, the bond that has formed through all the horrors that they've witnessed as a team. I mean why is Walt so angry about Jesse leaving? If Jesse leaves Walt will be the undisputed kingpin of a meth empire, one he can expand FURTHER than Gus ever did. He will have everything, money, power, respect, etc. Why not let Jesse go and just enjoy his reign as the king? Because Walt WANTS Jesse there by his side, he wants to share it with someone, because he really does care about Jesse, that's why he flies off the handle. It's like his one true love is breaking up with him or something, he can't bear the thought of losing Jesse from his life.

[@sertu1462]

Well after Crazy 8 snitched on his cousin Emilio, used Jesse as a scapegoat. There's a decent chance that Jesse wouldn't have made it past episode 1 if Walter hadn't gotten involved and killed those two.

[@Lone_Wolf91]

@@JamesVSCinemaHey James I know you said you liked how Mike called Walt out. However to be fair Walt didn’t mess things up with Gus. He was doing his job just fine. It wasn’t until Jesse tried to kill the gangbangers working for Gus and Walt had to run them over to save him did everything go downhill from there.

[@Noble_W]

@@marvelsandals4228 Good point, but it's more complicated than what you stated of Walt wanting Jesse by his side. Walt wants him to stay partially because of what you stated, but ultimately for this reason: He wants his empire to continue living after he is dead because after all, what is an empire if it crumbles and falls apart the second you die? He thought of Jesse as a way to pass the torch in a way along with, again, what you said about him having a genuine spot for Jesse, but in the end is then diluted by the same bottomless pit that is his ego in wanting the empire he built to continue to live on and thrive as someone as he sees to be his son

[@SpellSteal]

Mike's last line was a real mike drop.

[@newspooiechannel]

Literally.

[@marvelsandals4228]

I respect the way Mike reacted to it. He lost. He was already screwed, going to run from the law for the rest of his life, only to probably get busted sooner or later, but now he was shot, out here in the middle of nowhere, no witnesses, no medical attention. He must have realized it was over. No point in trying to get his revenge or desperately crawl to civilization. He was probably sick and tired of running anyway. He always seemed like a perpetually tired man, tired of his lifestyle, tired of everything. In his last moments he sat down and rested, no plans, no fighting, no malice. Even when Walt, the guy who shot him, ruined his last moments, he just said be quiet and let me die. That's it.

[@DefenestrateYourself]

mic drop

[@Anemoia22]

​@@DefenestrateYourselfwoooosh

[@michaeltennen5775]

@@Anemoia22😂😂😂

[@JustGeorgeRay]

If you love the build up of Walt and pacing and how that unfolds you're gonna LOVE Better Call Saul!

[@BillyBong]

Can't wait, but it's gonna be like 3 months with 1 episode a week

[@depressedtv]

Suuuuuper slow burn, but the first part of the last season is like perfect, masterful cinematic tv

[@maggotthemadman8142]

@@BillyBong He releases stuff early on his Patreon.

[@BillyBong]

@maggotthemadman8142 I understand that

[@NexX35]

​​​@@depressedtvthe second half is phenomenal aswell

[@Hi_Im_Snoots]

One of my favorite parts of this episode that I feel deserves more attention, just how evil Walt is, is during the scene when Walt is trying to manipulate Jesse into staying in, he says "All the people that *we* killed" then "Gale, and the rest" specifically only naming the one Jesse killed and still has trauma over. Just love Jesse's face, you can see he finally knows what Walt's doing and is fed up.

[@Lukasgate]

"Say my name" what a terrifying line. Really gives you perspective on Walt. He's not just a high school teacher father of two that we once thought he was. He's a force to be reckoned with and is feared. He's a straight villain

[@petergamez9830]

Wait, I thought he was doing this for his family??? ^That was sarcasm. I know someone out there is going to think I was serious. 😂

[@ramudon2428]

I honestly though that was just terrible. Like Bad Dudes level "badass" where it's just so stupid it's funny. Out of all the replies to that I could imagine anyone actually saying, none except actually saying his name makes the line seem cool, so it feels crowbarred and absurd. And him actually saying his name instead of all other options felt super out of character, just giving a response to a call like that when you're in that scenario.

[@canaldoloading]

@@ramudon2428 nah bro, you are trippin

[@ramudon2428]

@@TheRealAhoy I know.

[@ramudon2428]

@@TheRealAhoy No, I do.

[@transformersrevenge9]

Mike was such a damn epic character. To think that they got this character actor, who has been on screen since the 80's, playing both cops and criminals (ironic that he plays a mix of the two here), and had him replace Saul in 2 episodes of season 2. And from there, that man built a legendary character. Mike's actor is actually quite emotional in interviews. The man is clearly so thankful that in the later years of his life, he got to play a role that really mattered, that people really loved, and that made him a household name. As for the character of Mike, there was no world in which Walt was willing to let him live. Of all the people left, Mike was one of those guys who knew that Walt is just a weak and pathetic man, putting on a tough guy act. Mike always hated Walt, called him out, never took him seriously, and so on. But Walt is a man of pride and ego, and I think most of all, it was Mike giving him the ''reasons you suck'' speech, that made Walt impulsively pull the trigger. And in another ironic way, a badass hitman with eyes behind his back, got done in by the one man he despised so much, that he underestimated him. Just like how Gus was done in by Hector, because he dropped his guard due to spite, Mike most likely wasn't on full alert here, because in his mind, that pathetic f*ck won't try anything with him. And yet Walt tried and got lucky. In a battle between the positive and negative mentor/father figure, the worse one won.

[@iulia.bianca.b]

Imagine a world where in El Camino, Mike's with Jesse, being the wonderful father figure he actually needed, and Jesse being the son he needed so bad in return to make up for his past mistake. These two riding away into the sunset. Haha! Too rosey for the Breaking Bad universe, I know...

[@WojackToter]

that ending scene was one that made me cry so damn hard when I watched it my first time through, the way it was shot, the pacing, the beautiful lake, mike's expression... it was hauntingly perfect

[@trunklemcjeans]

9:23 Walt spying on them through the window is equal parts hilarious and scary as shit.

[@jayhepta]

absolutely agree - the slow build up and patience/tension is what really sets this show apart from others

[@antbox1992]

It’s so sad that Mikes Granddaughter Is left with no money now so everything Mike did was for nothing

[@ramudon2428]

Let's not pretend Mike was some misunderstood robin hood, some diamond in a coalmine. He was a criminal, fed off of people's misery, and deciding to opt for a high risk high reward monetary system. If he made smarter choices, his granddaughter might have had a pretty cool wise grandfather and gotten a few hundred as a birthday present on her eighteenth birthday. Mike made his choices and played his hand.

[@trev9168]

@@ramudon2428being a criminal and being a bad man are 2 very different things. Was he a saint? No. But he is was the one good man among evil men

[@ramudon2428]

@@trev9168 Sure. I'm not saying he was a bad guy because he was a criminal. I'm saying he was both a criminal and a bad man.

[@trev9168]

@@ramudon2428 you don’t know what a bad man looks like bro. He ain’t one of them

[@ramudon2428]

@@trev9168 that just depends what your definition of bad is, I suppose.

[@beerme8949]

You are absolutely right and I think thats why so many people regard this as the greatest show of all time. They didn't blow it. They didn't hang on to long. They nailed the landing. And when there's so many shows that either go to long or mess up final season or episodes. Makes you appreciate a show like Breaking Bad (and better call sual for that matter)

[@hotsauce69247]

Heartbreaking choice for Mike to make. Let his granddaughter see him arrested and discover he’s a criminal, or just completely vanish from her life out of the blue. From some behind the scenes material, Jonathan Banks and Vince Gillian actually had some conflicting views; Banks didn’t believe that Mike would actually leave her. But ultimately he trusted the writers to do their thing.

[@windsaw151]

I loved how in the "Breaking Bad Pitch Meeting" Scriptwriter Guy told Producer Guy all this extremely cool stuff that happens in this series and it came over like totally mundane. What was it? "He asks someone to say his name and the other one, you know, does it." It's all the context!

[@justinkaldahl3831]

One thing I missed after all these years was when Walt was naming who they killed, he only said Gale. Almost to bring him back to that moment considering that was the only person Jesse has killed that he didn’t want to.

[@iulia.bianca.b]

It was Walt doing his best, being manipulative... Trying to make Jesse feel all these awful feelings of shame and regret for killing a practically innocent person. He knows what Jesse went through after he pulled that trigger. He wanted him to feel like an unworthy killer who doesn't have a choice but to keep being a criminal...

[@justinkaldahl3831]

@@iulia.bianca.bcouldn’t have said it better 👏👏

[@tweets009]

​@@iulia.bianca.bespecially by trying to make a point from him breaking down crying or earlier when he let his house get ruined by a bunch of people and when he just stopped caring because of everything that had happened

[@Bpinardi]

I’ve said it so many times but I can’t wait for better call Saul you’re gonna love it so much

[@ZrankFappaH]

I cannot WAIT for the Better Call Saul first time watch to begin. You’re gonna love it man. Arguably even better cinematography and writting imo. But both are genuine masterpieces.

[@Jared_Wignall]

So much has been building up to this point that even when Walt kills Mike, he’s actually stunned by what he’s done, like he can’t believe it. It’s always good to see you watch this show James, take care and have a great day man!

[@JamesVSCinema]

I was SHOOKETH. I’m glad y’all are digging it. Been difficult to keep up on the replies since I’m traveling, but I truly enjoy reading the comments!

[@codypavy]

RIP to one of the best characters in the Breaking Bad/Better call Saul universe. This death never gets any easier to watch

[@cvcorvus]

mike's death is still one of the most frustrating scenes in the series lol, still makes me angry to this day just thinking about it - it's an important moment though. once again loving the intros, especially the longer ones! 💪

[@cherizar1854]

I think when Mike came into the picture, Jesse became torn between two father figures: Walter, who loves Jessie in a very twisted, manipulative "i-own-you" kind of way, and Mike who grew to genuinely love Jesse in a selfless way, and just wanted Jessie to do ok (as a good father would). As time went on, Mike's influence on Jesse grew stronger, which Walter resented because now he had to "share" Jesse with someone else (which we know he hates doing, judging how he's gotten in the way of every single significant relationship Jesse has tried to build with others like Jane, Andrea and Brock). Mike became a direct threat over the control he had so carefully curated over Jesse for years. I think that's what that scene with Walt looking at Jesse and Mike through the window was all about. I think that strangely, it was that moment more than anything else that sealed Mike's fate as another one of Walter's victims: the fact that he had become an actual loving, and nurturing influence on Jesse that might GOD FORBID encourage him to make decisions conducive to his own wellbeing, rather than anyone else's purposes. And Walt couldnt take that. That was Mike's great sin. How fucked up is that?

[@LoneCloudHopper]

Everyone jumps onboard with Walter as the anti-hero. I always saw him as a villain and wanted to see his downfall this season.

[@themourningstar338]

I figured from the start that Walt was going to go darkside through the course of the show. But when he let Jane die (and it's not so much the letting her die part, it's the leaving her dead corpse there in bed with Jesse for him to find when he woke up part) is when I realized that Walter was going to be the ultimate super villain of the series. I was looking forward to seeing it all come crashing down on him too.

[@LoneCloudHopper]

@@themourningstar338 Same. I thought the last season would have been an explosive family drama where it all comes crashing down. Maybe Walter really cracks and takes a bunch of people hostage and Hank takes him down (redeeming himself after it comes out that Heisenberg was right under his nose.) It would have been the most powerful season of any series in TV history.

[@matthewjaco847]

The ending to this episode is so perfect. The initial tension of Mike and Walter’s argument, the shock of Walter shooting him, and Mike’s final badass line before a (relatively) peaceful passing. It’s made even better when you realize the sequence is also paying homage to “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid” (a film totally worth watching if you ever get around to it).

[@helvete_ingres4717]

Walter telling him he knows how to get to the men he was trying to protect and making sure he hears that before he dies is actually maybe the most evil shit I've seen in any media (nevermind actually murdering mike for hurting his fee-fees)

[@matthewjaco847]

@@helvete_ingres4717 Agreed. There’s the power play type move like he did at the beginning of the episode, and then there’s Walter being just plain petty.

[@ZrankFappaH]

“Shut the fuck up and let me die in peace.” Even in death, Mike had a way with words.

[@jasonvoorhees310]

R.I.P. Mike. Fantastic character. I mean that as both a written character and the character of Mike as a man. Truly one of a kind, brilliantly morally grey character. Good or bad, I think we all wish we had the integrity of Mike Ermantrout. Fantastic reaction as always James. Thank you. 603 the area code in New Hampshire. It's all connected.😂

[@LDNRABIN]

When he said 'I could have got the names from Lydia' I burst into tears. 😢

[@BobTheSkull]

also yeah the people who skip the beginning intro to your videos are insane. your kind of unique in reaction channels where the beginning of your episodes are just as much a discussion of the previous episode as the endings to them are. people are missing like half the commentary. like why watch a reaction channel if you arent going to see the reaction/discussion on it???

[@JamesVSCinema]

You get the vibes! I recognize some people want to get right into it, hahaha all I can do is simply give them an opportunity and let ‘em know 🤘🏽 thanks for tuning in Bob!

[@BobTheSkull]

@James VS Cinema always my man. One of my favorite reactors channels since you really appreciate the cinematography more than most I ever see.

[@B0bCat11]

I'm completely out of my mind

[@SteveNathn]

I like how 14:13 Walt mentions the singular important character that Jesse killed and having realized there’s nobody else to guilt trip him on, just says “the rest”

[@LP-qe2ti]

I swear you always post these when I’m on my lunch break and I’m looking for something to watch. James coming through per usual 🥹

[@AManIsNoOne67]

I didn't even think about it the first time I watched this but that has to be the Rio Grande. What a poetic place to die. Watch, someone will say, no it's Australia.

[@maggotthemadman8142]

Can't wait for next episode's classic montage. One of the best if not the best of the series, so damn good.

[@Casper50002]

I absolutely love the aesthetics of "Breaking Bad." The various filmography departments excel, particularly with their masterful use of lighting that adds depth and mood to every scene. The dialogue is another standout feature-it's not just the dramatic exchanges that shine but also the pleasant, amusing conversations in everyday settings.

[@calvinpayne3438]

I always thought it was an interesting scene when Walt and Todd were cooking and Walt seemed almost proud that Todd was actually listening and taking notes. Its like deep down Walt is still a teacher.

[@ger.baltav]

"Shut the f up and let me die in peace"Mike is a g

I could never forgive Walter for killing Mike. Walter was so mean and jealous. And that would happen sooner or later because he would never get to cohabit with Mike. Mike was what Walter always wanted to be, brave, respected and feared. And he had a genuine relationship with Jessie without having to manipulate him. And I don't think Walter is on a villain's journey, I think he's rediscovering himself, that teacher from the beginning wasn't him, this one was and he knows it. Mike ❤️💔

[@MunchthatCrunch]

"Mike is such a great character" *me sweating*

[@PhilPastor]

Great reaction as always, James. So, weird "ah-hah" moment for me... I just watched Beverly Hills Cop again, for the first time in 20 years, and there was Johnathon Banks (Mike). He was the heavy (hit man) in BHC. I never put it together that they were the same guy!

[@kayden2119]

Great last episode for mike although I think the fanbase underlooks his hypocrisy here. Walt actually at first did not blow it up for his ego but to completely save jesse from getting himself killed. After that they were going to kill walt. Walt has a huge ego but mike is pretty much getting mad because walt decided to save jesse and then save himself and his whole family. The only way it was not blown up is if walt just let jesse die and I feel like mike does not see that here.

[@BigMoore1232]

We had a breaking bad watch party with dudes I worked with every Sunday and this episode we just sat there for like 5 minutes collecting our thoughts lol

[@d.s.6268]

I was so mad at Walter the first time I saw this episode. Still pissed it happened. That being said, I should have remembered that Mike was going to kill Walter if not for Jesse killing Gale so honestly - it makes it easier to swallow if you remember that.

[@TheRoyalFino]

Also, Jesse is one the one that caused the issues between Walt and Gus/Mike. Walt's actions that led to them wanting him dead was to protect Jesse. Mike is selectively ignoring Jesse's involvement. Jesse was stealing from Gus and going after dealers. What Walt did was protect Jesse.

[@bensneb360]

Walt telling Mike how pointless his death is really it’s just rubbing salt in the wound. Lol.

[@jamo8378]

"Ah man I hope he doesn't do anything slimy to Mike...." .............😳🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 you poor soul. RIP Mike. He was the GOAT

[@BB13131313]

I don't think Walt went there with intentions to kill Mike, but once Mike held a mirror up to Walt and read him like a book, Walt just saw red and lost it..

[@ratedr7845]

He took the gun from the suitcase before he went to give the suitcase to Mike, he had intention

[@BB13131313]

@@ratedr7845 but he kept the gun in the car.. if he really had intentions of killing him he would've kept the gun on him.. what if the first thing Mike did was open the bag and saw that his gun was missing? Mike had a gun on him and would've instantly pulled it and Walt would've been fucked..

[@ratedr7845]

@@BB13131313 yh, it was probably a "just in case" method, okay, you cool

[@pants6951]

Its funny rewatching this after better call saul because Walt seems like a side character.

[@Anemoia22]

The way Walt always tries to find reasons not to pay Jesse his fair share. "There is no 'your half'" "If I gave you that money, you would be dead within a week" "If you walk away now, you get nothing" Three separate instances, with three separate payouts Jesse was owed.

[@defnotatroll]

Jesse said he was clean, walter said "prove youre clean and i'll give you every last dime", that was fair imo, also don't think Walter owed him half HIS money after the DEA took Jesse's

[@needsomezzz]

This was a perfect series imo. Vince Gillian is a true master at his craft as well as everyone else involved. It’s a show that has you continuously saying “what else could happen?” without getting bored. I can’t wait for you to start BCS! It’s even better than BD imo.

[@michael_m38]

the intro scene still makes me smile so hard its such good acting

[@alwayzchillin0714]

RIP Mike, a real one! 🙏

[@craigmerryfull7704]

"say my name...ur god dam right" that line game me adrenalin chills.

[@ItDoesntMatterReally]

Mike was always the voice of reason and rationality. No way that can survive under the weight of Walter's ego. Mike should've been the sole survivor of this show just based on how well he navigated everything and everyone. He was a pro.

[@blunt2416]

I blame Jessie for mikes death. There were 2 instances where mike was going to kill walt & skip town, but jessie got in the way. The instance where he 1st found out about Gus death. 2nd time at the end of the buy out episode. Then jessie didn't insist on bringing walt the bag. Walt was treating Jessie like crap by not giving him his money why would he listen to anything walt would say.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Top Tier Episode right here. Better Call Saul & Barry S4 on Patreon! Click here: www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Much love!

[@davidcase8635]

@JamesVSCinema Walter killed Mike for nothing. That hypocritical, egotistical psychopath killed Mike all because he told him off. Despite all the bad things he's done while working for Gus Fring, Mike didn't deserve to die like this. What's even sadder is that his granddaughter Kaylee will never know what happened to him. And Walter/Heisenberg killed him because he hurt his deluded pride. Walt would blot out the Sun for insulting him. R.I.P. Mike Ehrmantraut. I hope you're resting in peace with your son.

[@BIGKILLAJ]

@@davidcase8635I was more like “hell yea you go Walt”

[@ar1029]

stop plating bro The best movies you probably never saw. Thank me later. These are all 10/10 La Haine The Devil's Advocate BATMAN: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 & 2(Must watch)(anime) Kung Fu Hustle No country for old men Hulk (2003) The Thing (2011) 30 Days of Night Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust (anime) Kids Astartes Project by Syama Pedersen - Original Version - Full Edit - All Parts The Manchurian candidate (2004) Justice League - The Flashpoint Paradox Ninja Scroll (anime) From Dusk till dawn Hanna The Fugitive The Fourth kind (crazy underrated) Daybreakers Planet of the Ape 2001 Elite Squad (Trapa De Elite) Lucky number Slevin Revolver Zombieland Superbad District 9 Blade Iron Sky 1&2 (must watch) The Book of Eli Training day Blood the Last Vampire (anime) Heat 300 Sin City Law Abiding Citizen Eyes Wide Shut Red Nope Reign of Fire The Equalizer The Witch Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters Constantine The Prestige Intouchables Behibd enemy lines The Fugitive Zack Snyder's Justice League movie Ex machina Lord of War The Abyss Gran Torino Justice League Dark: Apokolips War The Thing (Original and remake) Ghost in the Shell (anime) Kill Bill Vol 1&2 The Hatefull 8 V for Vendetta Amelie A man named Ove OZ 1982 The Chronicles of Riddick: Pitch Black Hellboy (1&2) Series: Marvel: What If The Strain The Boys Invincible

[@ar1029]

Astartes Project by Syama Pedersen - Original Version - Full Edit - All Parts kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWjLmJ2re8uhaaM

[@justin-md4xm]

I thought the 4th season was kind of superfluous. The Gus arc could have been sped up. I don't ever want to see a series milk episodes just to extend its life.

[@magnolt]

this is the toughest death in this show especially considering things to come later

[@sean437]

The location, btw, is the Bosque by the Rio Grande in ABQ.

[@dmgallibond469]

Mike's death was one of the saddest of the entire series. Vince Gilligan has a sort of Shakespearean sensibility when it comes to tragedies--the more bodies that litter the stage when the final curtain falls, the better. As a true student of cinema, your introductions are among the best parts of your videos--as a viewer it's obvious that everyone involved with this series understands how to build the tension and draw out the drama without ever having it feel dull, and it's nice to see the mechanics of that through the eyes of another filmmaker. I always like to ask myself why something works well, and I usually come up with a simple answer--but when you deal with a multi-season story arc, you really have to craft and plan every action and reaction so that the conclusion you build to feels earned. I love that you contrasted the final season of Breaking Bad with the final season of Game of Thrones, which was in my estimation among the best things ever on TV for its first six seasons. Something that you may or may not have thought about is that the final season of Breaking Bad was in the world for nearly six years before the final season of Game of Thrones. Vince Gilligan should be held up as one of the greats when it comes to tying up the loose ends of a long story arc to bring it home to a satisfying conclusion. GoT's show runners and writers did have the handicap that once they caught up to George R.R. Martin's written words, he basically gave them Cliff Notes of how he planned to end the series. And if he ever does get around to finishing the books, I wonder if he will change his mind and craft a different ending for his saga now that he's seen how the ending he told them was received by the fans.

[@l2kickflip65]

Just got home from work and tapped the first video I saw since it was this. I remember when the patreons name scroll wasn't as fast lmao gg

[@josephclay7315]

Thanks for the dope upload as always, James! It's always a pleasure to come home after class and see your thumbnails pop up in my home feed. much love!

[@elwyndude]

I think you had hope like all of us that Mike would get free and clear. No matter how many times I watch it, I strangely still have that hope.

[@ewanholme1687]

I've always said this, but I would literally watch an entire show of Mike just living his life with his daughter-in-law and granddaughter. No crime, nada, just Mike living an average life as a father and grandfather. Johnathan Banks is just THAT captivating.

[@Casper50002]

6:20 I'm unsure if Walt knew he could be easily killed before going to meet Declan, but I know Mike understood this very well and probably thought whatever.

[@manuelalejandrooviedorodrigues]

This episode yes, what an episode, and OH boy! I want to see your reaction to the next one, keep the good job going James.

[@robtintelnot9107]

Mike is so butt hurt over Gus. Hank was about to blow it all up anyways.

[@andrewkim6037]

James, I've been dreading you seeing this episode for a long time. I knew the death scene with Mike would be such a bummer for you.

[@patriotismxkills]

I been binge watching better call saul this week cuz i havr covid (currently on season 4) and man i cant wait to see you dive into it.

[@JonH611]

Dead Freight and Say My Name are my two favorite episodes, seeing them almost back to back when they came out was amazing

[@eclecticdog2k901]

This episode hit me harder than any other in the show. Mike is one of my favorite characters in anything and I thought I’d seen that he survived into El Camino, so this ending for him really shocked me.

[@danwilliams2551]

The fact that people were still saying Walt was in the right after this episode is insanity

[@williamdavis8076]

“What if Mike is just an older version of Jesse?” This comment cracks me up, as there’s an actual fan theory that Mike is Jesse from the future! Great reaction as usual James.

[@JamesVSCinema]

LMFAO no way!

[@Seissmo]

Dude hired Todd after Jesse left. 😂

[@dariodelvoije]

I still stay up late every tuesday to watch your reactions. Can't wait for you to react to the final episodes. You said you like these montages, well there is one coming up you'll love. You've already seen it probably, so you'll know which one I'm talking about.

[@porkwop9171]

It is crazy how the name heisenberg became like this mythical legend almost. And even for these hardened criminals, they were completely star struck almost when they realised who they were dealing with.

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

We're getting closer and closer to ep. 8 and 9, I am so excited!

[@TerdFerguson1000]

If you're a big Mike fan then you MUST watch Better Call Saul Mike's story is fucking incredible!!!!

[@mustafamustafa-jp1pr]

I'm very excited that we're getting close to the end. There's another KZbinr called It's Primit who finished Breaking Bad a month ago and I watched it with him, and so do you!

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

James about Walt at the beginning: Yo this dude is owning every meeting he's in :D James at the end: I cannot believe he iced Mike ):O Pointing this out cuz, to my great entertainment, you're not the first viewer to react like that

[@thomaseggle8886]

I always felt that when walt was trying to scare Jesse into staying with the "what are you going to do then..." speech. Walt probably has had that same conversation with himself....that he's afraid to go back to being the old Walt. Part of why he keeps cooking is because he's afraid of being old Walt. He hated the old Walt.

[@66RainySuper]

Well worth watching the making of this episode it’s on KZbin its pretty emotional

[@hipp0_yt]

your channel is the best

[@CapraDemon101]

Walt was never cut out for this world. He was a megalomaniacal during that scene with Mike. That is what's kept him relatively afloat...until now.

[@ChappieCrosby]

Nothing will ever make me more angry in TV than Mike meeting his end at the hands of an absolute clown like Walter

[@alexa.english174]

Its episodes like these that remind me not to overstep my mark in life

[@MM-hi]

I remember finishing this episode the first time, I hated Walter so much, he was so despicable the entire episode

[@edtheman28]

Getting close to the end!

[@karabomasibi2331]

Walter has opened his domain. You're goddamn right

[@larryleyba6496]

Not Australia, a part of the Rio Grande called the Bosque pronounced like the words Boss Key. It's a beautiful wildlife refuge where many species of birds use to navigate north in the Summer and south in the Winter. Unfortunately, it is seriously drying up.

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

Aw yeah.

[@matiasberto5684]

RIP Mike, the goat

[@andrewpinto7904]

My favorite part of the end scene is Walter’s panicked run over to Mike after he shoots him. As soon as he pulls the trigger he realizes that he never had to kill him, and for a brief moment he returns to being that scared and timid man from season 1, almost completely out of his element. You can see it in the way that he runs, he knows he did the wrong thing

[@Benzzo3000]

I'm gonna say it again.... Prepare to have your heart BROOOOOOKEN!

[@ev1Lsect]

Thats why I prefer to use the word, chemistry, to describe Walts change. It fits this idea that change happens, regardless of good or bad. Cause and effect. You don't have any evolution without the chemical reactions on a smaller scale that build to bigger mutations.

[@blueshell4859]

Season 1 James: Not sure what I'm getting into, but I know this show is widely regarded as one of the best. Let's see how I like it. 🧐 Season 5 James: 16:24 Montage! Montage! Montage! Montage! METH MONTAGE! 😀

[@barrybigdog3406]

BOOM. And there goes Mike 😮. R.I.P to the trout, one of the best characters in anything EVER 👊🏼

[@corvuslight]

I got a "good luck" for my 18th birthday... Well, not really, but it was implied.

[@PodyTheCirate]

“He’s gonna poison mikes granddaughter” LMAO best line ever

[@blackswan7568]

R.I.P. the true gigachad known as Mike Ehrmantraut😥

[@traceyreid4585]

We all LOVE Mike 🙏

[@TylerClear]

RIP Pop Pop

[@BertonMelch]

RIP Mike 😢❤

[@badprotocol1105]

The crew wore black arm bands on Mike's last day of shooting

[@kareningram6093]

This episode makes me so sad, for obvious reasons, but you gotta hand it to Mike, he knows how to drop a memorable line on his exit. Never forget. ✊ On the plus side, it's almost time for Better Call Saul and more Mike! I can't wait for you to learn more about his backstory in Philly.

[@callumcowan7047]

I'm not a Walt apologist by any means, I wanted the guy to pay big time for all his manipulative crap. But I did feel Mike was off base here. There was no way Walt being quiet and well behaved was going to stop Gus killing Jesse, and there was no way Walt was going to let Jesse die in that situation. Also Mike likes Jesse, so how does he logically square away this fact? Is he saying he'd be fine with Gus killing Jesse since they had a good thing going? I feel Mike was a bit contradictory here. The question is was it intentional by the writers, as a way to show Mike's character and biases, or was it a writer messing up?

[@saulgoneman]

It does FEEL like Mike is a writer's mouthpiece in that scene, expounding all the flaws of Walt. But like you say, it doesn't make sense. Walt's feud with Gus came from the best impulses of Walt (protecting Jesse), not the worst, and he finally killed him in self defence.

[@saulgoneman]

Skipped through the Insider Podcast for this episode, and Vince and Tom Schauz (the writer for this episode) do make it clear that Mike is "selectively forgetting" about how things went: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2StdGmdqa6Cnsk