DVD Review - Breaking Bad: The Fifth Season - Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

Breaking Bad: The Fifth Season
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Release Date: June 4, 2013
ASIN: B0060MYKYY
Retail: $55.99
Running Time: 375 minutes
Rating: Not Rated

Review:

AMC's hit series Breaking Bad is coming to a close with the premiere of the final season on Sunday, August 11, 2013, which some people consider it as the second half of season five, while others are referring it as season six. I'm calling it the final season and I can't wait to watch it next Sunday as it has been nearly a year since the shocking cliffhanger. I've been a big fan ever since episode one of the series; I even got parents hooked into watching it. To prepare myself for the final eight episodes, I watched The Fifth Season on DVD this week.

The episodes on the three-disc set are:

Episode 1: Live Free or Die picks up shortly after Walter (Walt) White made his deadly move on his boss and meth dealer, Gus Fring, and he tries to destroy all the evidence pointing back to him, but the DEA (which his brother-in-law Hank is an agent) has already collected Gus's laptop. In a state of panic, Jesse Pinkman comes up with a plan to wipe the memory clean from the laptop, even though it is being stored in the DEA's evidence locker.

Episode 2: Madrigal - To make up the money his wife (Skyler) lost, Walt desperately wants to restart the meth-making business. With Jesse agreeing to assist him once again, they try to convince Gus's former cleaner, Mike Ehrmantraut, to join their new venture.

Episode 3: Hazard Pay - With Mike becoming a third partner, Walt and Jesse seek out their lawyer's, Saul Goodman, help in finding a new location for their business. Everything is in place and going fine, until Walt learns of some extra costs.

Episode 4: Fifty-One - As the DEA begins cracking down on the barrels of methylamine, Mike believes his associate, Lydia, might be becoming a problem. Meanwhile, Walt tells Skyler that he has restarted his meth-making business.

Episode 5: Dead Freight - With the information given to them by Lydia, Walt, Jesse, Mike, and the new guy, Todd, travel to the desert with a plan to rob gallons of methylamine from a freight train. Just when they think they are safe, disaster strikes.

Episode 6: Buyout - After the fallout from robbing the train, Mike and Jesse have agreed to leave the business and sell their share of the methylamine. The only person in their way from a clean break is Walt, who doesn't want to sellout.

Episode 7: Say My Name -Walt comes up with a genius plan to keep the meth-making business going without his partners. Mike is looking forward to a quiet life by spending time with his granddaughter, but the DEA is on his trail, resulting in a final showdown with Walt.

Episode 8: Gliding Over All - With Mike gone, Walt needs Lydia and Todd's help on getting rid of Mike's former associates before they squeal to the DEA. Lydia shows she is a great asset to the business by shipping the meth overseas and giving Walt more money than he can dream of. Eventually, Walt decides to quit the meth-making business, so his children can home. The future seems outstanding for Walt, but one forgotten book may be his downfall.

There are over eight hours of bonus features:

"Chicks 'n' Guns" - A newly produced exclusive scene starring Aaron Paul, Bob Odenkirk and Charles Baker
Three Uncensored Episodes
Deleted & Extended Scenes
Gag Reel
Behind-the-scenes of "Chick 'n' Guns"
Cast and Crew Commentaries on Every Episode with Vince Gilligan, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Laura Fraser and More!
"Nothing Stops This Train" Featurette
"The Cleaner: Jonathan Banks as Mike"
Prison Stunt Rehearsal
"Writers' Room Timelapse" 12 days of breaking Episode 504, shot by Vince Gilligan and narrated by Breaking Bad Writers
Jesse Piemons & Laura Fraser Audition Footage
Gallery 1988 Art Show
Chris Hardwick's All-Star Celebrity Bowling
19 Episodes of Inside Breaking Bad

I hadn't viewed these eight episodes since their original airings last year, so I had forgotten many key scenes, especially Walt's 52nd birthday, which might be a sneak peak of the upcoming final episodes. The entire cast goes above and beyond in their acting. Jonathan Bank's performance as Mike is a standout for me. Over the years, the actor has been typecast as the bad guy, but he played a completely different role in Breaking Bad, even though he did work for the villain for a few seasons. His final scene in Gliding Over All is heartbreaking.

One of the more shocks in the season is Walt's turning into the meth-king; pushing away his wife as his meth-making becomes more of an obsession. I feel sorrier for poor Jesse, who just wants to get away from the business and start a new life. I think everyone knew the brother-in-law, Hank, would eventually find out who Walt is. The question is: What does he do now? Arrest Walt? Or look the other way?

I had a blast watching The Fifth Season DVD and I recommend it (and the other seasons) to everyone.

Disclaimer - This post was sponsored by Connect Your Home, who nicely sent me a complimentary DVD in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own!