This 2013 'Breaking Bad' Episode Won an Emmy and Ranked No. 1 'Best TV Episode of All Time'
There are a select few TV episodes that can be titled as being the best of the best by fans and media outlets. During its fifth season, Breaking Badreleased a stellar episode that led to multiple Emmy wins and became known as one of TV's best episodes of all time.
Breaking Bad released the episode "Ozymandias" as the 14th episode of its fifth season, with its storyline concluding the cliffhanger narrative from its prior episode. Fans flocked to TV screens in mid-September to watch the episode written by Moira Walley-Beckett and directed by Rian Johnson. The self-described "partners in crime" had previously worked together on the episode "Fly," with Walley-Beckett having admitted her involvement was simply "luck of the draw."
"Ozymandias" was called by series creator Vince Gilliganas one of the show's best, and he wasn't wrong. It was ranked No. 1 on Rolling Stone's list of "Best TV Episodes of All Time," with them commenting that the episode "tops our list not only because of how well it builds on what came before, but for how perfect it is as an individual hour of storytelling, packed with one indelible moment after another."
With only two episodes before the series finale, "Ozymandias" became the culmination of every horrible thing Walter White (Bryan Cranston) has done over the past five seasons, blowing up in his face. The episode's storyline follows a breaking point, picking up immediately after the desert shootout in the prior episode. Jack Welker (Michael Bowen) is ready to kill Hank Schrader (Dean Norris), with Walt begging them to let Hank go, and promises to give them his entire fortune.
In an upsetting moment, Hank tells Walt that they had already decided to kill them, with Hank ultimately being killed by Jack at gunpoint. A shattered Walter gives up Jesse (Aaron Paul) in an attempt to hold onto what he has left and confesses to Jesse that he watched Jane die. Jesse is taken by the gang and forced to cook meth.
At the same time, Marie (Betsy Brandt) tells Skylar (Anna Gunn) that Hank arrested Walter, unaware that he's really dead. Skylar is also forced to reveal the truth about Walter's drug enterprise to Walter Jr. (RJ Mitte) and her own role in illegal business. Back at home, Skylar finds Walter frantically packing and urges his family to leave with him, while learning the grim truth of Hank's death. Believing Walter was responsible, she finally turns on her husband and threatens him as Walter Jr. calls the police.
Walter ends up fleeing with Holly, and later calls their home to establish Skylar's innocence and being the sole person responsible for the drug business, knowing the police are listening. The episode ends with Walter confirming Hank's death, leaving Holly at a fire station, and meeting with Ed Galbraith (Robert Forster), who drives away with Walt and the money barrel.
"Ozymandias" was a success upon its release, earning Walley-Becket an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. Cranston also won an Emmy for Lead Actor, alongside Gunn for Leading Actress. It was hailed as one of the best and toughest episodes to watch, having been viewed by over six million fans at the time, and received a perfect score on IMDb.
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 9:14 AM.