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Jesse Pinkman had arguably the most traumatic and challenging journey of anyone in Breaking Bad, but the franchise gave him three incredible endings that were perfect for Aaron Paul's character. Having started the series as a disinterested high school student, Jesse's life changed dramatically throughout the series after joining Walt's meth empire. Despite everything he lost and the awful acts he participated in, Jesse maintained a sense of humanity even while the violence spiraled out of control, making him one of Breaking Bad's best characters. As a result, it seems fitting he had such a strong conclusion to his story.
While many of the show's main characters wound up dead or with their lives in ruins, Jesse surviving the finale and driving away from the shootout in "Felina" hinted at an optimistic future. His final scene in Breaking Bad was already a positive one, but having overcome plenty of drama in the franchise's first and only movie, El Camino provided an even happier ending for the character. Fans thought the film would be the last time they ever saw Aaron Paul's fan-favorite character, but Better Call Saul season 6 gave Jesse one final send-off, and it was flawless.
Jesse’s Original Breaking Bad Ending Was A Cathartic Conclusion For His Character
Escaping The Chaos & Brutality Of Breaking Bad Is The Send-off Jesse Deserved
Although Jesse suffered plenty of physical injuries, the biggest scars he endured were mental, making his Breaking Bad ending a deserved escape. Being forced to take an innocent man's life and losing his significant other to a drug overdose were just a few of the horrors Jesse faced throughout the show. Every passing season seemed to break his spirit and mentality that little bit more, and all he truly wanted was to get away from the drug industry which had poisoned his life. Luckily, the series finale granted him that, as he escaped Jack's lab and drove toward freedom.
Not only was Jesse one of the few characters who actually deserved a happy ending, but the emotion on his face as he escapes shows what a cathartic release it is for the character.
Not only was Jesse one of the few characters who actually deserved a happy ending, but the emotion on his face as he escapes shows what a cathartic release it is for the character, and his final scene is easily one of Aaron Paul's best Breaking Bad performances. He may not have been completely innocent, but Jesse showed a lot of remorse for his actions and suffered more than most, proving he had earned a fresh start. Therefore, the show's original ending perfectly captures his will to survive and find redemption, especially by killing Todd, cementing the ultimate conclusion.
El Camino Gave Jesse The Happy Ending He Deserved After Breaking Bad
Jesse Starting A Fresh Life In Alaska Providing Peaceful Closure To His Journey
For six years, Jesse's Breaking Bad ending remained the definitive crescendo to his arc, but El Camino expanded on this in 2019 by showing what happened next. The stressful thriller showed flashbacks to his time in captivity alongside what happened after Breaking Bad, with Jesse attempting to start a new life. Naturally, things are far from smooth as he is still on the run from the law and doesn't quite have enough money to afford Ed Galbraith's services. Fortunately, Jesse manages to evade the police and eventually buys his new identity, before setting off for Alaska.
Escaping Jack's compound may have only been the beginning, but the movie confirms that the deuteragonist's Breaking Bad trauma wasn't all for nothing. By funding his trip to Alaska, Jesse's final El Camino scene mirrors his exit in the show, as he once again drives away, this time with the prospect of a new life ahead of him. He gives Ed a letter intended for Brock and has a final flashback with Jane, all of which confirms what really matters to him, and what he's leaving behind.
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Breaking Bad: Jesse Pinkman's 20 Best Quotes
Breaking Bad was as much about the journey of Jesse Pinkman as it was Walter White. Along the way, Jesse had plenty of wise words to share.
Having to flee his home with almost nothing may not have been the fairy tale Jesse always dreamed of, but a fresh opportunity in Alaska is more than anyone else in his position could have asked for, and it's a fitting close to his story. El Camino's final scene is the furthest in the timeline that we see Jesse, but Better Call Saul gives him one final send-off while confirming the outlaw was never caught.
Jesse’s Final Scene In Better Call Saul Was A Reminder Of Who He Was Before Walt
Better Call Saul Provided A Wonderful Example Of Who Jesse Really Was
Sony Pictures Television
With Vince Gilligan alluding to being done with the Breaking Bad universe for now, Better Call Saul may have been Aaron Paul's very last appearance in the franchise, and just like the original series as well as El Camino, the spinoff provided an ideal final scene. Despite being a prequel, Better Call Saul's timeline passed both Breaking Bad and El Camino, confirming Jesse was never caught, but Paul didn't actually feature in the scene. Instead, his last cameo in the fictional universe happened before the events of Breaking Bad, where he talked to Kim Wexler.
Aaron Paul played Jesse Pinkman from 2008 to 2022.
The flashback showed Jesse's friendly, upbeat attitude that audiences became used to in the franchise's early days, something that faded over time. Seeing the character show that youthful energy and positivity that made his character so intoxicating was not only a nice throwback, but a touching tribute to Jesse's journey. Watching him ride off into the sunset in El Camino was satisfying, but Jesse Pinkman's final Better Call Saul appearance proved who he really was before the events of Breaking Bad corrupted him, highlighting that he was a caring and decent person before Walt came along.
Showcasing this side of him one last time feels like the best way to say goodbye to his character, as it confirms Jesse always had a good heart, and even after everything he lost, his humanity is the one thing he held onto.
Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, follows a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he attempts to provide for his family following a fatal diagnosis. With nothing left to fear, White ascends to power in the world of drugs and crime, transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg.
Release Date January 20, 2008
Finale Year November 30, 2012
Seasons 5
Showrunner Vince Gilligan
English (US) ·