One of TV's 'most shocking cliffhangers' is still horrifying 15 years later

Metro

18 hours ago

I can count on one hand the number of times that I've been left truly shocked by an episode of television.
Take, for instance, Pedro Pascal's gruesome fight against 'The Mountain' in Game of Thrones season 4, or Adriana being driven into the woods in in The Sopranos season 5's fantastic 'Long Term Parking' – both episodes left me frozen on the spot by the time the credits rolled.
As of today, TV fans have an embarrassment of riches to choose from, as streaming services from Apple TV to Netflix continue to throw enormous budgets at star-studded line-ups.
But despite seemingly endless projects being approved left, right and centre – those hard-hitting, stop-you-in-your-tracks kind of moments are still hard to come by.
That is why today, 15 years after it was originally released on June 13, it is important to highlight 'masterclasses' like Breaking Bad's gut-wrenching 'Full Measure' that has, and continues, to stand the test of time.
Praised by fans and critics alike – what is it that makes this season 3 cliffhanger so special, and why does it deserve its place among the all-time great episodes of television?
If you haven't already seen Breaking Bad, firstly – what is wrong with you? But secondly, you may want to be wary of some upcoming spoilers ahead.
For those who have enjoyed Vince Gilligan's Albuquerque adventure about a cancer-ridden chemistry teacher who turns into a crystal meth drug lord, there are a number of spectacular episodes to enjoy.
Unfortunately for me, that episode with Hank Schrader was ruined for me by my Dad, who randomly watched it while on a flight without ever having seen the programme.
Similarly, I already knew what was going to happen in that other infamous episode involving Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito).
But what I certainly did not see coming was the nail-biting finale of season 3.
The episode starts tamely enough with a flashback to Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Skyler (Anna Gunn) touring their future home.
But soon after, what transcends is one of the most fearsome desert stand-offs in the entire series between Walter and Gus.
Gus chastises Walter for killing two dealers in order to save Jesse (Aaron Paul) and orders him to use a new lab partner, Gale Boetticher, whom Walter had previously used to replace his partner.
Later, Gus tells Gale that Walt has cancer and he may not have long to live. Accordingly, he wants him to be ready to take over the super lab when Walter passes, but in reality he is planning to kill Walter.
As Jesse and Walt start to sniff out this plan, they come to the realisation that they must kill Gale in order for them to both survive.
But, before they can hatch their plan, Mike (Jonathan Banks) lures Walter into the lab to kill him.
As Walter pleads for his life, even offering to give up Jesse, he pulls a complete reversal and tells Jesse through a last-ditch phone call to 'do it' before Mike kills him.
As Mike demands to know what Walt has done, Jesse drives over to Gale, who is at home making tea when he hears a knock on the door.
Fighting back tears, Jesse points the gun at Gale who pleads 'you don't have to do this', before he pulls the trigger.
If the head-pounding tension that's expertly crafted throughout isn't enough, the episode is yet another example where one of its main characters is placed in an impossibly complex situation.
In tune with the message of this series – we as the viewer are forced to question why we want Walter and Jesse to survive, despite them agreeing to kill somebody else.
It's no wonder that the episode has been described as a 'pure adrenaline rush' and 'bone chilling' by fans online.
Speaking on a Reddit page dedicated to the episode, ualreadyknew said: 'Full Measure has always been my favourite episode.'
EvenMeaning8077 added: 'Half measures/full measures together I think were the best episodes of the show.'
Reviewing the episode on IMDb, where it has retained a 9.7 rating, Red_Identity also said: 'An unforgettable conclusion to an unforgettable season.'
And_mikkelsen also said at the time it was released: 'This episode had me on the edge of my seat right up to that shocking final scene!!
'You could feel the tension and suspense! The 'scene' with Mike was incredible! Masterful direction! Once again BB delivers.' More Trending
The corny phrase – 'they just don't make them like this anymore' – did pop into my head when thinking about this episode, but with how strong of a place TV is in today, that just feels unfair to say.
What has always fascinated me about great television is how, despite us knowing what the magic trick is – that it isn't real – it still has the ability to transcend you into a place of wonder.
And with an episode like 'Full Measure' – one that can rip out your heart and dump it right in front of you, whether you're on a train watching through your iPhone or sitting at home on the sofa – that's what makes it so unique.
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Breaking Bad is available to watch on Netflix .
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