Let’s be real. If you’re looking up a breaking bad episodes rating, you already know which one is at the top. It’s "Ozymandias." It has been sitting on a pedestal with a near-perfect 10/10 on IMDb for over a decade. But honestly? The obsession with that one single episode kinda does a disservice to the slow-burn brilliance of the rest of the series.
Vince Gilligan didn't just stumble into a masterpiece. The show’s trajectory is a freak of nature in the television world. Most series peak in season two or three and then limp toward a finish line, but Breaking Bad actually got better as it aged. It’s a statistical anomaly.
The Statistical Freak Show of Season 5
When you look at the breaking bad episodes rating data across platforms like IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes, Season 5 is basically a vertical line going up. It’s intense. Usually, by the time a show hits its fiftieth episode, writers are recycling plots or "jumping the shark." Not here.
The final season averages out to something ridiculous, around a 9.4 or 9.5 across the board. "Ozymandias" is the crown jewel, directed by Rian Johnson, and it’s basically forty-seven minutes of a man losing everything he spent five years building. But people forget that the episodes leading up to it, like "To'hajiilee," are just as airtight. "To'hajiilee" sits at a 9.8. It’s the setup that makes the payoff work. Without the tension of the desert shootout, the tragedy of Hank Schrader doesn't land.
It’s worth noting that the "perfect" rating of "Ozymandias" isn't just fanboy hype. Critical consensus from outlets like Vulture and The Hollywood Reporter frequently cites it as the gold standard for how to execute a climax. It’s rare for the audience and the critics to agree that hard on anything.
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Why The "Fly" Episode Divides Everyone
You can't talk about a breaking bad episodes rating without mentioning the elephant in the room. Or rather, the fly in the lab.
"Fly" is the lowest-rated episode of the series. On IMDb, it usually hovers around a 7.8. In any other show, a 7.8 is a solid B+. In the world of Walter White, it’s considered a disaster. But is it actually bad?
Honestly, no.
It was a "bottle episode." The production was over budget and they needed to film something in one location with minimal cast. Rian Johnson (who, again, later directed the highest-rated episode) took two guys in a basement and turned it into a psychological breakdown. It’s polarizing. Some people find it boring because nobody gets shot and no meth gets cooked. Others think it’s the most honest look at Walt’s guilt. If you’re binge-watching for the first time, "Fly" feels like a speed bump. If you’re analyzing the characters, it’s essential. The rating reflects the audience's impatience, not necessarily the quality of the writing.
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The Evolution of the Rankings
The way fans view these episodes has actually shifted over time. Back in 2013, everyone was talking about "Felina," the finale. It has a 9.9 rating. People loved it because it gave closure. Walt wins, in his own twisted way. He saves Jesse, he takes out the Nazis, and he secures the money for his family.
But as the years pass, the breaking bad episodes rating for "Face Off" (the Season 4 finale) has started to rival the series finale in terms of cultural impact. That shot of Gus Fring walking out of the room, adjusting his tie with half a face? It’s iconic. It currently sits at a 9.9 as well.
The middle seasons are where the show found its rhythm. Season 1 was a dark comedy. Season 2 was a thriller. By Season 3, it was a full-blown tragedy.
- Pilot: 9.0 (The hook that started it all).
- Say My Name: 9.5 (The peak of Walt's ego).
- Full Measure: 9.7 (The moment Jesse loses his soul).
The Nuance in the "Low" Ratings
If you look at the bottom ten episodes, you’ll find mostly Season 1 and early Season 2 stuff. "Seven Thirty-Seven" and "Bit by a Dead Bee" aren't bad television. They just suffer from being the "setup" phases. The show was still finding its feet.
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Moira Walley-Beckett, one of the lead writers, once mentioned in an interview how much care went into the pacing. That’s why the ratings are so consistent. There are no "filler" episodes in the traditional sense, except maybe for "Fly." Every scene is a domino being set up. When you get to the 9.9 and 10.0 rated episodes, you're just watching the dominoes fall.
Comparing the Ratings to Better Call Saul
It’s impossible to discuss the breaking bad episodes rating without looking at the prequel. Better Call Saul actually has a few episodes that rival the original. "Plan and Execution" and "Saul Gone" hit those 9.9 marks.
However, Breaking Bad remains the more "popular" show in terms of sheer volume of votes. While Saul is arguably more "mature" or "refined," Breaking Bad has a visceral energy that keeps its ratings high. People love the explosion. They love the danger.
What You Should Do Next
If you're planning a rewatch or just curious about why the show holds up, don't just stick to the top-rated hits. The true genius of the show is in the "9.0" episodes that bridge the gaps.
- Watch "Fly" again but through a different lens. Don't look for plot. Look for the moment Walt almost confesses to being there when Jane died. That’s the real story.
- Pay attention to the cold opens. The ratings are often bolstered by those first three minutes before the credits. The "Peekaboo" ATM scene or the "Tortuga" turtle scene are masterpieces of short-form storytelling.
- Check out the "Insider Podcast." For every high-rated episode, there is an accompanying podcast hosted by editor Kelley Dixon. It features the actors and writers explaining exactly how they pulled off those 10/10 moments.
- Ignore the "perfect" score for a second. Ratings are just a consensus of how "satisfied" people felt. Sometimes the most uncomfortable episodes—the ones that make you want to turn off the TV because Walt is being such a monster—are actually the best written.
The legacy of these ratings isn't just about a number on a website. It’s proof that a show can start great and end even better, which is a rare feat in an era of endless reboots and "mid" streaming content. The 10.0 for "Ozymandias" is earned, but the 9.9s and 9.8s surrounding it are what make that peak possible.