If you asked virtually anyone what the defining television show of the 21st Century was so far, you’d get a variety of answers: “The Sopranos.” “Game of Thrones.” “The Wire.” “Lost.” But I assure you, the most common answer you’d get is Vince Gilligan’s “Breaking Bad.” This show, I would argue, is the peak of all pre-streaming hits, and one that will be known as one of the greatest TV shows of all time, period. Having just finished it for the first time, I thought it would be apt to give a complete ranking of every single “Breaking Bad” season:
*Caution: The following article may contain spoilers.
6. Season 5a
I might be in the minority here, but I am one who truly believes that the first half of the final season is its weakest. But of course, “weak” is relative. This season that I consider to be the worst is still better than most other shows on TV. Coming off of the stellar Season 4 finale, I just think Season 5a needed time to get its bearings.
See, the whole purpose of the showrunners splitting up the season into two parts is to establish the setup (5a) and the payoff (5b). It’s the final season after all, and I’d rather get a weaker first half of a season to set up a superb second half, than a disjointed ending.
Still, I think Season 5a has some pretty large problems. First off, I think many character decisions are completely rushed, like Jesse’s decision to quit the meth business in the span of an episode. After four seasons of meth dealing, theft, and murder, I just don’t believe Jesse’s rash decision to leave. “Breaking Bad” is phenomenal with its characters, but this is the closest thing in the show to character assassination.
Besides that, I just think that this is the most slow-paced season of the show. Not that that’s inherently bad, but after such an exhilarating season before it, I just think it takes some getting used to. While flawed at times, this season provides not only a great precursor to the ending, but also a beautiful death for a main character. So for that, I am grateful.
5. Season 3
Season 3 included some of the most intense moments in the entire show: Hank’s attack, Walt’s final play in the finale, the fly episode. Still, while having a lot of highlights, I think the reason this season suffers a little more than the others is due to its pace. After the heartracing mid-season finale, the pacing grinds down to a halt, spending nearly every episode in the hospital with Hank. Here are some of the most boring parts of a show that is so ordinarily exhilarating. Despite that, we get some truly great Gus moments in this season, and some of the best action this show has to offer.
4. Season 1
The season that truly started it all. Season 1 will always hold a special place in my heart. I’ve always loved any plotline that involves Walter’s cancer, as it adds such an intense family drama that is just as nail-baiting as his meth business. And I think seasons 1 and 2 do that the most. Not to mention that seeing Walt turning from a depressed chemistry teacher to a manufacturer of a small meth business is just so interesting. While I think other seasons improve upon the episodic structure—and even how characters interact—there’s no denying this absolutely breathtaking season changed the television landscape forever.
3. Season 5b
This top three was extremely difficult for me. To be honest, I think they’re all interchangeably good, so the ranking does not particularly matter. The final season of “Breaking Bad” was so climatic, so anxiety-inducing, so phenomenally executed. This is the conclusion that the first half of season 5 so eagerly set up.
I honestly think the last six episodes of this are utterly flawless, wrapping up Walt’s story in a beautiful and melancholy way. The only reason it might rank lower is the execution of Walt’s big secret being let out. Everyone was waiting for the moment where Hank, Marie, and Walt Jr. would find out that their soft-spoken family member was actually the manufacturer of the biggest meth business in the country. But when Hank did find out, it didn’t do that much for me. Sure, there was a three-minute long scene that, don’t get me wrong, is really good, but I wish they upped the drama a little. Hell, Marie’s reaction to Walt had more payoff than Hank’s, which I think is kind of a shame. But besides that, I really have no complaints for this absolute powerhouse of a finale.
2. Season 4
Again, such a tough choice for the number two spot. This is a flawless season. While 5b had some minor problems, I genuinely believe this is a work of art I wouldn’t change a second of. This season doubles down on the focus on Gus, even as much as giving us an entire episode centered around him. It also establishes Giancarlo Esposito’s character as one of the greatest antagonists of all time.
The acting is also especially stellar. Jesse, now getting dragged into the cartel war by Gus and Mike, gives arguably his best performance of the show (only in competition with his acting in 5b, where he’s at his very lowest). And Walt, oh my lord, I think Bryan Cranston is at his best here. In one of my favorite episodes, “Crawl Space,” Cranston’s character desperately tries to start a new life for his family to escape Gus. He’s scrambling, looking for his money, but it’s gone, as Skylar spent it all to bail out the man she’s cheating on Walt with.
The result is a haunting mental breakdown from Walt, as he cackles in the crawl space underneath his house. It’s truly chilling, and one of the most memorable scenes in the entire show. And with an absolute banger of a season finale, Season 4 shines as one of the best “Breaking Bad” stories.
1. Season 2
Season 2 is just pure gold. Not only does this season include lots of Walt’s struggle with cancer, but it also catches Walt and Jesse’s meth business at just the right time. They’re on the come up, still trying to figure out the ins and outs of the system, but with just enough success for their rise to power to be slow and steady.
Not to mention that his has some of the best episodes in the entire show: “Peekaboo”—Jesse’s violent run-in with two meth heads and their son; “4 Days Out”—when Jesse and Walt get stranded in the desert for four entire days, “Better Call Saul”— the introduction of fan-favorite character Saul Goodman, and much more.
I think this season hits the perfect sweet-spot of family drama and crime thriller. While I think this is the strongest season of “Breaking Bad,” each season contributes so much to how television is today, and I am still in awe in how intense, heartbreaking, fear-inducing, and at times, endearing, this show can be.
Do you agree with our picks? Leave a comment in the space below!
Currently, you can stream “Breaking Bad” on AMC Networks, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu.
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