*important note! hey everyone! eric here. thank you all for making it with us to this point in our breaking bad reaction... the famous episode "ozymandias." what an incredible episode and an amazing ride this was! as we release this episode today, we already know many of folks are going to be commenting about our reaction to a specific scene - namely, the phone call scene. we just want to mention right away that we definitely understand what the point of that scene was, as we actually finished the entire show a couple weeks back. for us, the true intention behind the phone call scene becomes clear in the following episode "granite state." that being said, i did shoot a quick video as a reflection on the phone call scene, in order to contribute to the conversation surrounding the show and this episode in particular in a more fleshed out way. kailyn and i both have a lot of fun discussing the intricacies of storytelling and filmmaking generally, and when it comes to these pivotal episodes of breaking bad, we wanted to offer a little bit of clarification as to where we thought the show was going/what we thought was the underlying theme of this episode as we were originally watching it. of course now we know that we were off, but such is risk of watching something for the first time. you don't know where it is going! anyway, for those interested in extended reflection and a detailed breakdown of our interpretation of the episode while we were watching it, here is the link ( kzfaq.info/get/bejne/acCDa8qUvL67YoU.html ) to the unlisted video, which you can also find in the breaking bad season 5 reaction playlist. we appreciate you! all the best, -K+E

Walt wasn’t spouting venom for its own sake, he was removing any possibility of suspicion towards Skylar, and she clearly realizes this. The tirade crystallizes Walt as a tyrannical and abusive coercer towards his innocent wife, which he is but to a lesser extent. It’s a somewhat selfless misdirection for the sake of the listening agents.

That phone call scene is my favorite scene. Walt finally did the right thing.

11:30 it's hilarious how Kaylin is in complete shock, and Eric found out the source of that Walter White meme

The moment of realization on Skylars face when she realizes what Walt is doing to get her off the hook is brilliant.

The only real episode on imdb with a 10/10 rating. Interesting fact about the chess game being played at the fire station- the board was intentionally set up so that it would be impossible for the WHITE side to win. We’ve had a 'problem dog' (Gale), a 'rabid dog' (Jesse), now Walt is the stray dog. (When Jesse was playing the game Rage at the beginning of 'Problem Dog' 0407, there is an Easter egg on the wall as he is going down the stairs. The graffiti on the wall spells 'Gale'.) As we get that final shot of Walt riding away, it's followed by an actual stray dog crossing the street behind him.

The "I watched Jane die" segment was the coldest thing I've ever seen on TV.

Hank sleeps with the minerals.

To me, the culmination of the entire series is that moment where Skylar and Walt Jr are cowering away on the floor, from Walter's point of view. Not only was it all for nothing, but "doing it for the family" has completely been turned on its head

"Ozymandias" is a sonnet by PB Shelley that describes the ruins of a once-great statue in a desolate desert. The statue is broken and half sunk in desert (just like Walter). The inscription on the statue:“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: / Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”, contrasts with the surrounding wasteland, highlighting the transient nature of power and pride.(Change is the main theme of BB and study of change is called chemistry)

When Holly was asking for her "mama", she was talking about her REAL mother, who was standing just off camera. The director was smart enough to leave it in the final take.

I think it's safe to say THIS is the reaction video we've all been waiting for!!!

Walter: "Say my name" Holly: "Mama" Walter: "Todd, I think I might have another job for your uncle."

I really rarely use the term masterpiece for something, which is so often used by so many people. But in this case I have no doubt at all. Ozymandias is a masterpiece and the best episode in the history of television. The level of scriptwriting, directing and, above all, acting in this episode reached an absolute level, impossible to achieve by most series creators. This episode grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the last scene. You're sitting on the edge of your seat, afraid to even blink so as not to miss anything you see on the screen, and that's where the magic of television in its purest form happens.

Best reaction to Todd mumbling "Sorry for your loss." Kade & Eric in unison: "Oh shut up!" 🤣

Walt was actually helping Skylar out on the phone call in this episode. You can tell for as bad of man as he is, it still hurt him to say those things knowing he didn’t mean them

Walter was obiously saving skyler from suspicion during the phone call.

The last phone call between Walt and Skylar is my favorite scene in the series. I know that he’s just trying to paint Skylar as a victim but I think it goes much deeper than just that. There is definitely a part of Walt that means what he’s saying while another part is horrified by the words coming out of his mouth. It’s his two personalities at war with one another. Heisenberg is speaking while Walt is sobbing helplessly. It’s SO genius because he’s put in a position where he has to embrace his monstrous side in order to be selfless. It’s the one time Heisenberg actually WAS used for the good of his family.

Almost all of Walt’s actions can be read multiple ways. The truth is always couched in a lie and vice versa. He’s a paradox. The epitome of the phrase “Two things can be true at once”. When he tells Jesse about Jane, he truly wanted to hurt him… but a part of him wanted to relieve Jesse of the guilt he’d been carrying. To let him know that it wasn’t his fault by revealing the truth. You can trace this back to “The Fly” episode- also directed by Rian Johnson.

The baby's real mother was standing behind te camera. that is why she was saying 'mama.

Anna Gunn won an Emmy for her performance in this episode, fuckin well deserved. Finally we’re here, your reactions didn’t disappoint!

I have seen many reactions to Hanks tragic death. But laughter is definitely a first 😂

It’s astounding how none of these reactors understand what Walt’s doing on the phone bc of their blind hate for him. He’s literally crying and skylar clearly sees it. Also crazy how they all have such blind hate for him. I feel like no one hated him so strongly when the show aired. Times have changed.

Easter egg: when Walt is rolling his barrel of money through the desert, he passes by a familiar pair of khaki pants. Oh yeah, sorry for your loss.

It's understandable that you wouldn't be able to catch the amazing acting by cranston, and Anna on the Phone Call to tell what was really going on while being that overwhelmed with the emotions this episodes provokes, Glad you were able to eventually catch it because it is masterclass acting by cranston, the moment Skyler says "I'm Sorry" you can see in her face she knows what Walt is trying to do and save her, and Cranston... well even the great Anthony Hopkins called his acting the best he has ever seen on a letter addessed from him to Cranston personally. Now about the Hank scene, fun little fact, Dean Norris said in an interview, that the moment Walt offered his 80 million dollars for Hanks life, he actually understoo how much he did care for him and started to forgive him. I feel like that is important because, and I'm not trying to defend Walt here, but I feel you were a little too far on the asumption that he is "the devil" which I guess he is in a way but there is more to it than that, and that can't be seen under only that asumption, in other words, the hate for him in this channel is REAL, not undeserved, but a little blinding that's all.

You misunderstood that phone call. Walt gave Skylar an out with the police because he knew they would be listening which is why he cried after telling her about Hank. This episode is the biggest escalation where you dont have more than like 5 minutes in the entire episode to breathe.

When I first watched this series, I was surprised when Walt told Jesse that he let Jane die. I never thought that Walt would admit that to anyone, this episode is hard core.

*"I was fortunate enough to be there when Jane died."* - Vince Gilligan

Don't know if this theory has been pointed out to you guys before, but you just highlighted an example I never noticed before - Walt seems to take on habits of the people for whom he is responsible for their death. Examples: Crazy 8 - starts eating sandwich without crust, Gus - puts towel down before vomits, Mike - says "learn to take yes for an answer" (and as a comment below reminded me, also taking his whisky on the rocks), and now Hank - has the idea to roll the barrel (remember when Hank shouted to the men on the video to roll the barrel??) 18:30

I have watched this episode so many times and so many people reacting to it and I still cry every time at the scene where Walt kidnaps Holly. Anna Gunn’s acting in that scene is absolutely chilling and heartbreaking. Amazing reaction and it has been really awesome watching you guys grow while going through this series. It really is an emotional juggernaut of an experience.

I didn’t think Eric would get the phone call scene. Was 50/50 on if Kailyn would. Reactors that hate Walt tend to miss the point.

It’s crazy how some people didn’t know that he was confessing and clearing Skylar’s name on that phone call , when I first heard the call I was like “ I see what he’s doing “, sad but it had to be done

i was excited when I saw this posted. The reaction did not disappoint! Also great editing too.

Damn I thought they would’ve understood the phone call. “She’s keeping him on the long for as long as possible so that they can get to him.” He was so confident😂

You did a great job of editing, Kade, thank you...💯

When Hank gets shot and Walt falls to the ground, he's laying on his side looking at Hank the same way Gus gets forced to the ground and forced to look at Max. Walt's end mirror's Gus' start in a way.

This is one of the best reactions I’ve seen to this episode. Good job. Brilliant!

Ik this is old and probably people have already told you or you already know, but in the call Walt knew the cops were there, everything he said was just to try to save skyler from legal problems

This is an amazing episode so here's some fun trivia about it! 1. The opening scene with the flashback is actually the very last scene that was shot in the show. 2. This is the only episode of TV to receive a perfect 10/10 rating on IMDB. 3. Anna Gunn won an emmy for her acting during Holly's kidnapping. She was amazing! 🤩 4. When Walt is rolling the barrel through the desert, he passes by a pair of pants. This is actually his pair of pants that he lost during the pilot episode! Trivia aside, yalls reactions are amazing! Keep it up!

Walter was lying on the phone to protect Skylar, he knew the police were listening

Hanks Resurrection Alternate Breaking Bad ending on KZfaq

18:55 Walt does a dung beetle impression

18:56 - You guys cut it, but during this shot you can actually see Walt's pants from Episode 1 in the foreground. (After they flew off in the opening shot of the pilot) :)

31:41 I'm not kidding when i say the baby saying "mama" was improvised. What other show had such a solid cast that even an infant was improvising Emmy-worthy lines?

the best episode in TV history. the layers, the writing, the acting, everything about this episode is absolute perfection. the rewatch value is never lost, i always learn something new watching this episode.

How many times is he gonna get shot? One more time.

A little subtler Easter egg is the ending of the “dog” trilogy. Gale was the problem dog. Jesse was the rabid dog. And Walt is now the lost dog as evidenced by the final shot of the stray dog crossing the street.

This is how I felt watching it, so much visceral emotion. Tbh I was happier to see the guttural reaction than an analytical one that would have caught walts intentions with the phone call - as you said it's clarified in the following episode.

Maybe the GOAT episode in TV history and you post this right as I’m getting off work for the weekend. This is a blessed moment.

2 cool things here: 1) This is the highest rated episode of this (or, i think any) series, its created by Johnson and Beckett, the only othet episode they cocreated was "Fly", the (unfairly) lowest rated episode of this series. 2) The "I watched Jane" scene is psychologically amazing, Walt just went from kingpin to utterly helpless in 10 minutes. A megalomaniac would do *anything* to regain power in that situation, crushing Jesse completely like that was his only foothold

this hour is the absolute pinnacle of television. it does not get better than this

Dang, phone call IQ test failed.

It’s so cool that this is actually the single highest rated episode in television history and for good reason.

Congrats on 10k guys!!!

Anna plays Skyler realizing Walt has no reason to pin everything on himself over the phone so well

Honestly the part where Walt tells Jesse about Jane just shows how much of a vindictive, petty PoS that he is. His character is great but as a person, he is the worst. As someone is going off other death and torture, you give them the worst news they could possibly hear just to bury that knife a bit more…. He is the worst.

“How many times is [Hank] going to get shot?” … uh… one more time 🤷🏻‍♂️

Disappointed you guys didn't figure out what he was doing on the phone. Giving Skyler deniability

I have watched that family breakup scene like 5 times already - but for some reason - watching Walt take the Baby - and seeing Skylers performance again - I cried. I actually cried. Such a great show in terms of realism & consequences. But man... its HEAVY AF... JUSTICE FOR WALTER JR! ❤ JUSTICE FOR HOLLY! 🩷 JUSTICE FOR MARIE! 💜

I already knew they wouldn't understand the phone call scene before watching this.

If I remember right Anna Gun (skyler) was so distraught during the Walt stealing hilly scene it that she was shaking and it took her a bit to calm down. So glad she got an Emmy for this scene.

This is the single greatest hour of TV to date. It leaves me exhausted every rewatch. I envy every individual on their first watch when this episode arrives.

Lovely reaction. It didn't disappoint.

The poem Ozymandias was written by Percy Shelley. He was married to Mary Shelley the author of Frankenstein.

Cade is wearing an Outer Wilds shirt so I automatically like him.

ahhh to watch Ozymandias for the first time... im so jelous... amazing reaction guys

Walter White is the perfect example of an anti-hero.

Aw man, such a tough episode! Gonna hit this one soon with my folks with whom I've been rewatching the series. (I had to kinda bully my mom into watching this series, but she's been enjoying it so much thus far and is apparently happy with the bullying!) Also, the birds that Jesse/Aaron looks up at was a happy accident filming-wise apparently, since they happened to be buzzards if I recall correctly. Also, I keep finding new things whenever I re-watch the series.

Walt is not trying to hurt his family. He can’t accept that everything he’s done is for nothing, and he is fighting their resistance, not fighting them-if that makes sense? He knows he can’t explain what happened, and he just wants them to trust him and do what he says. He can’t see how insane the situation is.

That scene at the beginning (Walt, Jesse and the RV lab) was actually the last scene ever shot of Breaking Bad.

Fun fact: when walt is rolling the barrel, he passes his pair of pants that flew off the RV in first episode. Too funny.

wow they handled hanks death way better than i imagined 😮

Hey guys one thing: did you guys really miss the point that Walt took all the blame himself knowing that the cops were with Skylar as a means of getting her off the hook??? Like you know what he was doing right??? Skylar became a big part of Walts operation towards the end.

The whole point of the phone call was for the police n so they think Skylar is innocent he's doing her a favour blaming himself can't believe U completely missed the point.

This episode was absolutely, narratively and emotionally devastating, even back then and to this day. I kept thinking throughout the whole series about how the writers would pay off every single threads that ultimately leads to Walter White's downfall and never I thought they could pull off something like this. To say that this episode have left us absolutely stunned is very much underselling it. I still couldn't believe how perfectly they stuck the landing with this and that's not even the end! Everything after this, especially the movie "El Camino" and the prequel TV series "Better Call Saul", are just pure gravy that continued Breaking Bad's incredible awesomeness. Even if they couldn't top "Ozymandias" or at least equal it, they're still amazing stories that's well worth your time.

You had me at "Kade". The reaction was good too!

You guys just witnessed the greatest TV episode ever, as everyone else has said, this was the culmination of the entire series in one episode. I've never seen anything like this before or after it. Just perfect all around. To realize the how much attention to detail they put into this show, the two seconds when they first show the Fire station, the chess board apparently has the King in a checkmate position, obviously representing our Anti-Hero Heisenberg. Which you probably already know, but the phone call was to put all the blame on himself, also the frame where Jr and Skylar are on the ground, it represents the artwork we have seen two or three times in the series (Hospital and first time meeting Jack & the N@zi's). The one where two people are on a boat sailing away from one person on shore. They recreate that and there's just so much pay off in this ONE episode, it's so spectacular and perfect. This is my favorite show ever and it's bc of the symbolism and how well it's written and acted. Love watching you guys!!

I remember watching this episode live in a movie theater and thinking this is a special moment in tv history then remembering there's two more episodes left!!!

I've said this in other reactions for this episode, but it still blows my mind to think about it. Not only did Walt's actions lead to the death of Hank and Gomey, but he "literally" dug their grave [as he's the one that dug the hole to bury his money, which is where they were buried]. #mindblown

Oh how I’ve been waiting for THIS episode

Fun fact: This episode was directed by Rian Johnson, who would later direct The Last Jedi and other big films. His career was greatly helped by the fact that this might be the best episode of television in history (!)

21:48, seriously?? you guys don’t know flynn’s age? 5 seasons of this show and you guys don’t know???

If you go back to Walt rolling the barrel through the desert, you’ll notice his pants that flew off the RV from the very first minute of the very first episode

Ah, here we are. Ozymandias. Somehow simultaneously both the greatest and most devastating episode of a show that ever aired.

One of the things i like (sometimes find frustrating 😊) about Kailyn and Eric reactions is that they are mostly quite clueless about everything. Most cultural references pass them by and their goody two shoes mindset usually clouds their ability to see both sides of the coin. But it's fun in it's own way as i am face palming every time they either misinterpret stuff or completely pass them by. 😄

I can't understand how people miss that Walt was protecting his family with the entire phone call. The whole reason was to say it was all me and I forced you. Also Jessie was more responsible that anyone for all of the destruction including Brock getting prisoned. Jessie could have prisoned Gus and that would have eliminated the need to put Walt in the position to defend himself. Jessie is the real villain in this series.

I would love to interview you guys about Breaking Bad. I could talk about this show for days.

NOTHING can prepare you for the roller coaster this episode put you through…. Not 1 episode, not the sum of all the episodes leading up to this one…. Nothing can prepare you for this…. SUCH amazing but horrific storytelling… I never saw El Camino, but I will watch it before y’all release the watch through of it…. So glad there’s something I haven’t watched yet!

I was waiting to see you guys react to this episode You didn't disappoint. That was easily the best, most intense episode of any kind of television in history. I will never forget when I watched it live. When it finally cut to a commercial as Skylar dropped to her knees in the middle of the street, I turned and looked at my girlfriend and I just realized I really needed to let this huge breath out. I don't know when I stopped breathing and started holding my breath, it could have been absolutely anytime in the first half of that episode. Just masterful television on all levels.

Never clicked this fast on a video before!

Why am I enjoying you guys suffering so much?!!

Too bad you guys didn’t pick up on the phone call scene, but I know you did after the fact.

funny that so many people misunderstand the phone call, he did that and say the things so the cops think walt was on his own and skyler was not involved in all this.

i love how authentic and intense your reactions are... keep up the great work!

Walter rolls the barrel past the pants he lost in the pilot.

this is why this episode has a perfect score everywhere. The tension that keeps on building and it seems like the episode is 2 hours long

Historically known as the best hour of television ever, rightly so.

It always surprises me when people miss that Walt was giving a legal out for Skylar. You guys are great.🎉

I've heard you two mention LOST comments from time to time. LOST and BB are my two favorite shows ever. Then it blew my mind years later when I realized that Uncle Jack is the same actor who played Danny Pickett (the annoying Other that Juliet shot to save Sawyer & Kate). Apparently he dropped a bunch of weight between LOST and BB.

The first time I watched the show I immediately went from despising to Walt to almost hating Jesse in this episode 😓