The Study of Change

The story of Walter White ended several days ago, and from time to time I still find myself wanting a little fix from Heisenburg. I'm getting better, it's not every day that I think about it. I've enjoyed reading several blogs on this series en lieu of new episodes and have found some very insightful thoughts. I'll share those as well as some of my own.
Breaking Bad is a bad show, so bad that it is good. Each episode kept propelling the story forward; illustrating the rise of a most unlikely villain. It is a fantastic depiction of the result of one's prideful actions, as well as a ripple effect of how one's actions affect so many others. As the finale episode approached, my expectations soared high as to how the writers were going to end this saga, tie up all the loose ends, and bid farewell to all of these characters they'd introduced us to. In my opinion, they hit the ball out of the park.
I like to think the series had two endings: the one where Walt ties all the loose ends himself and he dies in the center of his meth lab backdrop, or the idea where he freezes to death in a stolen car in New Hampshire. This was written about in the New Yorker the day after the finale. I agree, the last episode in some ways was almost too perfect for Walt, dreamlike perfect. In some ways, I thought it was nice to see Walt's plans all falling into place without a hitch finally since part of the charm of the entire show was seeing his plans foiled in some way and then being able to keep from getting caught. However, I also like to consider something a little more real taking place: Cancer stricken, on-the-run Walt slipping into a wintery death in a car he can't start as he so desperately tries to return to New Mexico to avenge those who have wronged him most while listening to Marty Robbins' "Felina". This detail is probably my favorite of the entire series. I continue to ask myself how they found all this stuff falling together for the finale. Take these observations for example:

• Felina - The name of the finale of the entire series is also the name of the woman in the song El Paso by Marty Robbins. It's a really charming song. I wouldn't normally listen to this outside of a western themed restaurant, but I can't stop listening to it: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmtkfyGzBZo

• FeLiNa - Breaking Bad has always used symbols from the periodic table to tie words, type, and other visuals back to the scientific theme of the show. If you break down FeLiNa you get the symbols for Iron, Lithium, and Salt. If you ponder that detail you can argue that what is being communicated is Blood, Meth, and Tears (Each element being the main ingredient to each substance). This of course would be a title sufficient enough for the likes of many; however, why stop there when you can lock in several layers of meaning through cultural literacy and scientific symbolism.
• Perhaps a more obvious explanation of the series finale is that it is an anagram for the word finale. On it's own that's okay cool, but when paired with everything mentioned previous it is quite serendipitous don't you think?
• Not only do I find it amazing that Marty Robbins had a song with a character named Felina, but the words of the song shed some light on what has and will happen to Heisenburg. Something tells me this would only be possible if the writers started with this finale in mind. How else could it have all come together? I guess that is for them to know and for the rest of us to simply enjoy. See the lyrics of the song below with blue highlights indicating an uncanny parallel to Breaking Bad. Even though we didn't see Walt falling in love with a Mexican woman, I think it is safe to say that she could be a symbol of his true love which was scientifically creating the purest drug around.

Out in the West Texas town of El Paso
I fell in love with a Mexican girl.
Night-time would find me in Rosa's cantina;
Music would play and Felina would whirl.

Blacker than night were the eyes of Felina,
Wicked and evil while casting a spell.
My love was deep for this Mexican maiden;
I was in love but in vain, I could tell.

One night a wild young cowboy came in,
Wild as the West Texas wind.
Dashing and daring,
A drink he was sharing
With wicked Felina,
The girl that I loved.

So in anger I

Challenged his right for the love of this maiden.
Down went his hand for the gun that he wore.
My challenge was answered in less than a heart-beat;
The handsome young stranger lay dead on the floor.

Just for a moment I stood there in silence,
Shocked by the FOUL EVIL deed I had done.
Many thoughts raced through my mind as I stood there;
I had but one chance and that was to run.

Out through the back door of Rosa's I ran,
Out where the horses were tied.
I caught a good one.
It looked like it could run.
Up on its back
And away I did ride,

Just as fast as I

Could from the West Texas town of El Paso
Out to the bad-lands of New Mexico.

Back in El Paso my life would be worthless.
Everything's gone in life; nothing is left.
It's been so long since I've seen the young maiden
My love is stronger than my fear of death.

I saddled up and away I did go,
Riding alone in the dark.
Maybe tomorrow
A bullet may find me.
Tonight nothing's worse than this
Pain in my heart.

And at last here I

Am on the hill overlooking El Paso;
I can see Rosa's cantina below.
My love is strong and it pushes me onward.
Down off the hill to Felina I go.

Off to my right I see five mounted cowboys;
Off to my left ride a dozen or more.
Shouting and shooting I can't let them catch me.
I have to make it to Rosa's back door.

Something is dreadfully wrong for I feel
A deep burning pain in my side.
Though I am trying
To stay in the saddle,
I'm getting weary,
Unable to ride.

But my love for

Felina is strong and I rise where I've fallen,
Though I am weary I can't stop to rest.
I see the white puff of smoke from the rifle.
I feel the bullet go deep in my chest.

From out of nowhere Felina has found me,
Kissing my cheek as she kneels by my side.
Cradled by two loving arms that I'll die for,
One little kiss and Felina, good-bye. 

Unbelivable! Walt dies in the arms of his love (Cradled in the midst of his meth lab set up) just as the character in the song. Speaking of songs, music was used so masterfully throughout the series as well. Hearing Crystal Blue persuasion just before intermission of the 5th season was awesome. The closing song 'Baby Blue' by Badfinger was a fantastic flavor for the closing credit send off as we basically see Walt's final dying moment; his spirit ascending into an unfamiliar realm while overlooking his lifeless mortal tabernacle on the ground. I loved the song 'Negro y Azul' by Los Cuates de Sinaola that opened up on early episode was also magic. It set such a cool tone from a non american perspective. Seeing how much of the story included the workings of the Mexican drug cartel this detail was perfectly applied aurally and visually with the cheesy video effects. Lastly, the Ginza Samba by Vince Gauraldi was a great addition to the music library of the show. It plays when Walt is hitting his stride in the business with new assistant Gale. The musical montage shows the two at work as scientists nearly confusing the viewer as to how heinous a business they are going about.

My final observation from the finale was that it was a fantastic curtain-call-esque approach to an ending. Everyone got their spot in the lights one final time (everyone that was still alive anyway). All the loose ends were tied sufficiently: Skyler gets to hear what she needs to hear from Walt, Jesse gets to deny Walt his last request and become free, Lydia gets to be the recipient of Walt's preserved dose of ricin, Todd and his crew get taken out. Even the Badger and Skinny Pete get to add some comedic relief in this one. Again, it played out almost too perfectly like a staged curtain call which supports the idea that maybe Walt is just dreaming this up as you see him freezing the car, but it was nice to see things happen as Walt makes one final attempt to make all things right, or relatively right in a twisted kind of way.