Breaking Bad

WARNING: This review contains spoilers of the events in this episode.

The last two episodes of “Breaking Bad” (“To’hajiilee” and “Ozymandias”) have pushed the series’ central storyline to its breaking point, creating two of the greatest hours in television history.

“Granite State” couldn’t be more different from last week’s heart-racer. It wields a slower pacing, and while it provides some poignant moments, it feels more like a set-up episode for the finale.

As the episode aired live, “Breaking Bad” was winning Emmys, including the show’s first for Outstanding Drama Series.

Anna Gunn, one of the program’s underappreciated talents, finally won a much-deserved Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Skyler White.

Gunn is excellent in “Granite State” as well. Her confrontation with Todd delivers one of the episode’s most intriguing moments.

Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston were each nominated for Emmys for their respective portrayals of Jesse Pinkman and Walter White, but both surprisingly left empty-handed this year.

Bryan Cranston’s loss was particularly shocking, and “Granite State” provides even more sample footage of Cranston’s immaculate work in the role.

Walt lives alone in a cabin for the majority of the episode, his solitude apparent.  

In the episode’s most powerful moment, Walt calls his son, Walt Jr. (R.J. Mitte), pleading with him to accept the money he’s thrown his life away to collect.

The series has always loved playing with the dynamic between Walt’s lies and Walt Jr.’s gullibility.

For what may be the first time in the series, Walt is completely honest with his son, but it’s too late.

The damage has been done, and the White family wants nothing more to do with Walt.

Surprisingly, about half of “Granite State” is spent on Todd (Jesse Plemons), who has developed into the show’s final antagonist.

This season has attempted to flesh out Todd’s motivations (family respect, Lydia), but he still remains one of the show’s most mysterious personalities.

If one character is likely to die in the finale, my money is on Todd.

With Emmy in hand, it appears “Breaking Bad” is ready to go out at the top of its game. Not since “Lost” has there been a finale with this much attention and hype. There’s only one episode remaining until “Breaking Bad” is over forever. Just be sure to keep some anxiety medicine close at hand Sunday night.

Something tells me things are about to get messy.