I am here now, at the end. For the past 4 months I have been seeing Breaking Bad for the first time by repeats every week on AMC. I have finally caught up to the end, and what an unforgettable conclusion.
Full Measure is just all out an incredible episode. It has really great writing, as expected. I can't really judge the directing and writing any more since all the fans know of what quality they are. I do want to give kudos, as much as I love Mad Men, and thought no show could surpass it, I was wrong. Mad men is perhaps more ambitious because it takes place in the 1960s, and in terms has more characters. However, Breaking Bad's character moments surpass Mad Men's quiet character moments for the simple reason that we feel with Breaking Bad more. Mad Men does have rich characterization, BUT it does feel as if we are just outside looking in. Since we pretty much are taken on a ride with the characters in Breaking Bad, we feel more. Meaningful scenes in Breaking Bad have more effect on me. Also, as great as the ensemble cast is in Mad Men, the actors in Breaking Bad also surpass them as a whole. Cranston and Paul would no doubt have at least Oscar nominations if this was a film.
Overall, this review is for the entire series so far, and for this incredible episode. In a way I am glad I waited to see the AMC reruns, because now I only have to wait around two months for the 4th season, as opposed to more than a year. One can only speculate what can happen, but it will be incredible as always.