Breaking Bad has run its final chapter. Although all bad things must come to an end, the after-shocks of AMC’s epic series will no doubt linger. Bryan Cranston, as the high school teacher turned meth kingpin, has been one of TV’s most complex protagonists. To watch him as the show’s main character, Walter White, was to witness an actor at the top of his craft. Add to that, an impeccable writing staff cultivated by series creator Vince Gilligan. Names like George Mastras, Gennifer Hutchison and Peter Gould not only sketched stupendous plot twists but also incredible dialogue.
“I am the danger,” “Tread lightly,” and “I am the one who knocks” are just a small batch (no pun) of quotables that Bryan Cranston, Bob Odenkirk, Aaron Paul and their co-stars have delivered over the course of five seasons. With the show finally in the can, we take a look back at 15 unforgettable Breaking Bad lines.
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“Stay out of my territory.”Season 2, Episode 10
Almost a direct precursor to Walter White’s “Say my name” speech that occurred in Season 5. Walt successfully gets two tough-looking meth wannabes to skedaddle from the Albuquerque drug terrain using nothing but his badass chutzpah and championship eye-straining skills.
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“What I need is for you to climb down out of my ass. Can you do that? Will you do that for me, honey?”Season 2, Episode 6
With the pressure of being a renowned drug chemist on his shoulders, Walt feels the weight directly in his own home. As his wife, Skylar White (played by Anna Gunn), continues to heap more dramatics on his plate, Walt bursts and utters this memorable blurb. Please don’t try to use it if you don’t own your own pork pie hat.
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“May his death satisfy you.”Season 3, Episode 6
Gus Fring, clearly trying to stay out the DEA limelight, sends word to “The Cousins” to set in motion an assassination plot to kill Hank (Dean Norris). Fring’s dark well-wishes also serve as the beginning cracks in the foundation that ends his association with the Mexican cartel.
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“So, what are we going to do with them? Are we just gonna grow a magic beanstalk? Huh? Climb it and escape?”Season 2, Episode 1
Walt and Jesse get their first bad taste of the drug life when Tuco murders one of his junkies. Fearing for their life, the dynamic chemistry duo cooks up an untraceable way to get rid of their competition. Ultimately, the ricin becomes a familiar (and ominous) tool of destruction over the course of the show’s history.
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“I am the one who knocks.”Season 4, Episode 6
One of Walt’s most famous quotes was written by Gennifer Hutchison. During a fiery speech to his wife, Walt confirms his status as the king of the New Mexico drug trade. It was a cool scene from the beginning, and since then, the quote has been celebrated by fans and even inspired an homage by Samuel L. Jackson.
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“I fu**ed Ted.”Season 3, Episode 7
The tipping point of Breaking Bad came once Walt revealed to his wife his dirty deeds. Fracturing their loving relationship, Skylar threw herself into the arms of another man, seemingly in an attempt to throw salt on Walt. Her scathing bit of truth did a lot more to hurt her husband than what met the eye.
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“I won.”Season 4, Episode 13
Plans are in motion as Walt and Jesse plot to catch Gustavo Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) off guard. Removing the bomb from Fring’s vehicle and attaching it to Hector “Tio” Salamanca’s wheelchair allows Walt to clear the chessboard of any immediate enemies. When he gives the okay to his wife about the situation, the championship motto is uttered confidently, albeit premature.
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“I watched Jane die. I was there. And I watched her die. I watched her overdose and choke to death. I could have saved her. But I didn’t.”Season 5, Episode 13
The revelation that sparked the loogey felt around the world. As Walt and Jesse faced off amidst the DEA, the former told the latter the heartbreaking news about his junkie love. It caused a reaction that would reverberate throughout the finality of the series.
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“You’re my free pass … bitch.”Season 3, Episode 7
Rarely have audiences seen Jesse Pinkman make Walt his bitch, but after being beaten up by Hank (Dean Norris), he’s earned a “Get Out Of Jail Free” card. More interesting, he’s got a one-up on his teacher: the Great Walter White. Jesse takes his circumstances into account and threatens Heisenberg, saying the quote above.
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“Look, let’s start with some tough love. You two suck at peddling meth. Period.”Season 4, Episode 3
It’s not every day where lawyer Saul Goodman gets to dog his two high-profile clients. But when Skyler joins Walt’s cherade, her antics get her into trouble, and when you’re in trouble you better call Saul.
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“Just because you shot Jesse James, don’t make you Jesse James.”Season 4, Episode 10
Walt’s MacGyver tactics got him and Jesse a front row ticket to the Mexican cartel’s kitchen. Left to nurture these two high school dropouts, Mike Ehrmantraut schools Walt to the harsh realities of the game. Making matters worse, Walt misses his son’s 16th birthday after his fight with Jesse.
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“Yeah, Mr. White! Yeah, science!”Season 2, Episode 11
Saul tries to set up Walt and Jesse with a mysterious distributor as their little empire begins to crumble. But while the getting is good, Jesse’s elation about the art of changing sets a tone that would come to mean more as Breaking Bad progressed.
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“We’re done when I say we’re done.”Season 5, Episode 1
Impeccable twists (see: Ted Beneke), new relationships and the need to cover one’s tracks marked the beginning of Season 5. As Walt, Jesse, and Mike work together to rebuild after Gustavo Fring’s untimely passing, it cemented the show’s legacy as a stellar storyteller due to this menacing quote.
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“Jesse, you asked me if I was in the meth business or the money business. Neither. I’m in the empire business.”Season 5, Episode 6
The descent continued as Walt and Jesse had their confrontation after the latter wanted out the game. Mike decides to throw in the towel. So when the decision to sell the stolen methylamine is batted around, Walt offers these words that don’t sit too well at all.
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“You all know exactly who I am. Say my name.” Season 5, Episode 7
Walt’s best knocks didn’t stop Mike and Jesse from bowing out. Now that he’s set to handle things on his own, Heisenberg gets a chance to flex his pork pie hat muscle. Walt makes a strong bid for the crown in this quote that makes even the most die-hard Beysus fan chuckle.
What are your favorite quotes from this critically-acclaimed show?