Breaking Bad's cast became household names, and the show's best episodes include extremely tense scenes and powerful performances. That said, Breaking Bad has some excellent subtle moments from its main cast, and some quieter episodes have often been overlooked. Breaking Bad has a 9.5 rating on iMDb, but not all of the episodes in its five seasons have been rated well by fans.

Most of "Fly" is unique among Breaking Bad episodes as it does not progress Walter White's story, but it may be one of the most genius episodes in the entire show.

Why Breaking Bad Audiences Hated "Fly" & Gave It A Low IMDb Rating

"Fly" Is Known As A "Bottle Episode"

Breaking Bad had its predictable moments, but the show became known for its shocking twists, gritty storylines, and brutal deaths. While "Fly" was not relaxing to watch, it missed the high stakes of most other Breaking Bad episodes. "Fly" focused on Walt's struggle to remove a fly from Gus Fring's state-of-the-art meth lab, and became more of a character study over time. As a bottle episode, many reviewers felt that "Fly" was boring and an excuse to save money, giving it a comparatively low iMDb rating.

A bottle episode is an episode of a TV show that is extremely minimal, written to include very few actors and set changes. The best of these give the writers a chance to show their creativity, but the worst bottle episodes on TV are generally pointless. "Fly" is considered a bottle episode as it takes place in one location and primarily focuses on Walt and Jesse, with Walt spending most of the time alone onscreen, with very little dialogue. Still, dismissing this Breaking Bad episode is a mistake, because it replaces a fast-paced plot with character development.

Vince Gilligan Needed To Make "Fly" A Bottle Episode Because The Show Was Over Budget

"Fly" Is One Of Vince Gilligan's Favorite Breaking Bad Episodes

Breaking Bad's creator, Vince Gilligan, told Esquire that he had made "Fly" a bottle episode out of budgetary concerns. He explained that he had been under pressure from Sony because season 3 was "millions of dollars over budget, to the point where we had to do something." The result was a single episode set in Gus Fring's enormous lab, which quickly became claustrophobic for both Walt and some of the viewers. Still, while Gilligan acknowledged that the episode was extremely divisive, he disagreed that it was one of the worst in Breaking Bad.

"People who say that episode is about nothing are not watching it closely enough."

The acclaimed movie director Rian Johnson directed "Fly," which, according to Vince Gilligan, "really made it pop visually." It is more subtle and complex than most of the other Breaking Bad filler episodes, and Gilligan revealed that it is one of his favorites as he loved its focus on Walt's relationships with Jesse and with himself. Walt's obsession with swatting the unwelcome fly is a manifestation of his guilt and obsession with his work, leading to his meltdown in the lab. Gilligan explained that "people who say that episode is about nothing are not watching it closely enough."

"Fly" Is An Underrated Two-Hander Between Walt & Jesse

The Polarizing Episode Is A Turning Point For Breaking Bad

Some of Bryan Cranston's best Breaking Bad moments happen in "Fly" as Walt goes through several mental states throughout the course of the episode, while confiding in Jesse how much he truly fears dying. Walt's explosive speeches have become some of the best and most memorable parts of Breaking Bad, but his more introspective side is underrated and on display in "Fly." Jesse might not have as much to do in the episode, but it fleshes out the backstory between the former teacher and student, and would not have worked without the dynamic between the two actors.

While some fans of Breaking Bad felt that "Fly" killed the momentum that the show was building, the episode was secretly the show's most ingenius. "Fly" allowed the characters and viewers to pause and reflect on how far Walt and Jesse had come. Walt's frantic attempt to get the fly out of the lab has been analyzed in many different ways, with one theory suggesting that it is his visual struggle for redemption. The episode might still divide Breaking Bad's audience, but the fact that it is still discussed shows that there is more to it than meets the eye.

Source: Esquire