Hank's brave stand, Walt's desperate play and Flynn's bold move pack the eventful episode.
The episode also featured plenty of lines destined to become instant classics. Below we count down our five favorites.
Hank died the way he lived -- without compromise. This pretty much put the nail in the coffin for viewers holding out hope that Walt would be able to negotiate for Hank's life. But Hank knew he was a goner, telling Walt, "You want me to beg? You're the smartest guy I ever met, and you're too stupid to see -- he made up his mind 10 minutes ago."
This is an unspeakably cruel moment. Not only has Walt signed off on Jesse being tortured and killed by Todd, but he revisited the cruelest thing he's done to Jesse and used it to hurt him even more. It's also a callback to season three's "The Fly," when an addled Walt apologized to Jesse and nearly confessed his role in Jane's death. In that case, he was contrite, but here there is nothing but malice.
After seasons of dumping on Skyler (Anna Gunn), Walt Jr. finally sees his dad for who he is -- and takes a stand against him. Like Gomez showing up to help Hank, Walt Jr. finally realizing the truth about his father is something viewers have been waiting for.
At first it seems like cruelty, but Walt gives Skyler an alibi here, performing for the police officers he clearly knows are listening in on the conversation. Walt tweaks the history of the last year, making it seem like he threatened Skyler at every turn in order to get her to become involved in the business. That wasn't the case. Walt is truly playing a different type of game here.
It's on. Like "tread lightly" in the first of the final eight episodes, Walt's final words set up the showdown that is to come in the final two. We can only assume he'll plan an intricate revenge against the Aryan gang. And we hope the plan will somehow put things in motion that will free Jesse, though we aren't counting on it considering how crushing this episode was.
What was your favorite line? Sound off in the comments!
Breaking Bad airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC.