Walter White’s journey from mild-mannered chemistry teacher to ruthless drug kingpin culminates in “Felina,” the final episode of Breaking Bad, with a bittersweet blend of redemption and retribution, as he returns to Albuquerque to secure his family’s future and settle outstanding scores before succumbing to cancer. He ultimately orchestrates a bloody massacre of the neo-Nazi gang holding Jesse Pinkman captive, ensures his remaining drug money reaches his son, Walt Jr., and finds a semblance of peace before dying in the meth lab he built.
The Reckoning: Walt’s Final Actions
The episode title, “Felina,” holds layers of meaning, referencing an anagram of “finale,” the song “El Paso” (with themes of a returning outlaw), and the chemical symbols Fe (iron, representing blood) and LiNa (lithium and sodium, representing meth). This cleverly foreshadows the episode’s central themes: violence, connection to his past, and the consequences of his choices. Walt’s primary goal in “Felina” is to right the wrongs he has committed, albeit in a highly Walter White-esque manner.
He achieves this through several key actions:
- Securing his family’s financial future: After being rejected by Walt Jr., he discreetly arranges for his remaining $9.7 million to reach his son via Gretchen and Elliott Schwartz, blackmailing them into accepting the responsibility. This ensures his family receives the money without associating him with it directly.
- Freeing Jesse Pinkman: Walt discovers Jesse is being held captive and forced to cook meth for Jack Welker’s neo-Nazi gang. His plan is meticulously calculated, using a remote-controlled machine gun hidden in his car trunk to eliminate the entire gang. This frees Jesse from his captors and provides a measure of closure for their troubled relationship.
- Confessing to Skyler: In a poignant final meeting, Walt finally admits that he didn’t cook meth for his family; he did it for himself, because he enjoyed it. This moment of brutal honesty provides Skyler with some measure of peace and understanding.
- Confronting Lydia Rodarte-Quayle: Walt poisons Lydia with ricin, ensuring her death and removing a crucial connection to his past criminal empire.
- His own death: Walt, weakened by his cancer, dies in the meth lab, surrounded by the tools of his trade. This allows him to die on his own terms, a final act of control in a life increasingly defined by chaos.
The Lingering Questions: FAQs About “Felina”
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the final episode of Breaking Bad, providing further insights and clarifying key details:
1. Did Walter White actually die in the lab?
Yes, Walter White unquestionably dies in the meth lab at the end of “Felina.” The episode shows him collapsing and losing consciousness, and the final shot shows him lifeless on the floor, surrounded by the equipment he used to cook meth.
2. How did Walt know Jesse was being held captive?
Walt learned of Jesse’s captivity from Todd Alquist, the nephew of Jack Welker. Todd accidentally revealed this information during a phone call Walt made pretending to solicit a hitman for Jesse’s murder. This slip-up provided Walt with the motivation and knowledge to return and rescue Jesse.
3. How did Walt afford the machine gun and modify his car?
The episode doesn’t explicitly show how Walt acquired the machine gun or modified his car, but it is implied he used his remaining resources and connections to secure them. Given his ingenuity and resourcefulness throughout the series, it’s reasonable to assume he was able to accomplish this, even in his weakened state. He likely paid cash and remained anonymous to avoid detection.
4. Why did Walt let Jesse live?
Walt initially intended to kill Jesse alongside the neo-Nazi gang, but he ultimately realized that Jesse was a victim and had suffered immensely due to his association with Walt. He allowed Jesse to leave, giving him the freedom to rebuild his life. Their final exchange, a nod indicating that they were even, signals a reluctant respect and a mutual understanding of the damage they inflicted on each other.
5. Why did Walt give the money to Gretchen and Elliott Schwartz?
Walt knew that directly giving the money to Walt Jr. would raise suspicions and likely lead to law enforcement intervention. He chose Gretchen and Elliott Schwartz, his former Gray Matter Technologies partners, because he knew they had a reputation for philanthropy and could discreetly funnel the money to Walt Jr. without drawing unwanted attention. His threat of violence, implied through the laser pointers, ensured their compliance.
6. How did Walt poison Lydia?
Walt replaced Stevia in Lydia’s usual cup of tea with ricin, a potent poison. He informed her of this over the phone, knowing that she would soon experience the debilitating effects and die. This was a calculated and ruthless act, removing a significant threat to Jesse and ensuring she wouldn’t continue her criminal activities.
7. What happened to Skyler after Walt’s confession?
The episode doesn’t explicitly show Skyler’s fate after Walt’s confession, but it implies a degree of closure and acceptance. She now understands the truth about Walt’s motivations, which may allow her to begin the process of healing and moving forward. However, she still faces legal consequences for her involvement in Walt’s criminal enterprise.
8. Was Walt a hero or a villain in the end?
This is a complex question with no easy answer. While Walt performed acts of redemption in “Felina,” such as freeing Jesse and securing his family’s future, he also committed violent acts, including mass murder and poisoning. Ultimately, Walt remains a morally ambiguous character, driven by ego, pride, and a desire for control, even in his final moments. He is neither a pure hero nor a purely evil villain, but a complex and flawed individual. He’s a tragic anti-hero.
9. Did Walt ever truly repent for his actions?
Walt’s confession to Skyler, where he admits he cooked meth for himself, suggests a degree of self-awareness and acknowledgement of his wrongdoing. However, whether he truly repented is debatable. He seemed more concerned with ensuring his legacy and settling scores than with genuine remorse for the harm he caused.
10. What is the significance of the song “El Paso” in the episode?
Marty Robbins’ “El Paso” plays as Walt drives back to Albuquerque. The song tells the story of a cowboy who returns to El Paso after running away, knowing he will likely die. This mirrors Walt’s return to Albuquerque, knowing he is dying of cancer and seeking to resolve unfinished business before his death. The song’s themes of regret, return, and sacrifice resonate deeply with Walt’s journey in the final episode.
11. What was the final meaning of “Heisenberg?”
By the end of “Felina,” the “Heisenberg” persona, representing Walt’s alter ego and embodiment of power and control, is significantly diminished. While Walt still displays his strategic brilliance and ruthlessness, he also shows vulnerability and remorse. The episode suggests that Heisenberg ultimately failed to bring him true happiness or fulfillment, leaving him with only regret and the knowledge of the damage he caused. It showcases the destructive nature of unchecked ambition.
12. Is there a sequel to Breaking Bad that shows what happened to Jesse?
Yes, the film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie follows Jesse Pinkman in the immediate aftermath of “Felina.” It depicts his struggle to escape his past and find a new life, exploring the physical and psychological trauma he endured during his captivity. It provides closure to Jesse’s storyline and offers a hopeful, albeit uncertain, future for him.
Legacy of the Finale
“Felina” is a masterfully crafted conclusion to one of television’s most critically acclaimed dramas. It provides a satisfying resolution to Walt’s arc, blending moments of intense action with poignant reflections on the consequences of his choices. The episode’s lasting impact lies in its exploration of morality, ambition, and the complexities of human nature, solidifying Breaking Bad’s place as a cultural phenomenon and a benchmark for television storytelling. The finale is a testament to the show’s brilliance, leaving viewers to ponder the true cost of Walter White’s transformation and the lingering impact of his actions on those around him. It’s a potent reminder that even the most meticulously planned actions can have unintended and devastating consequences.