El Camino gives the Breaking Bad universe its first redemption story

The A.V. Club

"Did Jesse’s story need to be told? Four years ago, I didn’t think so," says Donna Bowman. "Emotionally invested as I was in his escape in the finale, I didn’t want my vague hopes in that direction diminished, rendered mundane by an actual depiction. But what I’ve always loved about letting Vince Gilligan tell me stories is that it’s not about what I want. I look forward to hearing him all the way through, seeing what he wants to show me, thinking about it afterwards rather than trying to engineer or predict it in advance. I should have known that when he decided to tell Jesse’s story, it would be necessary. To give Jesse his escape, (Vince) Gilligan has to take him through the fires of purgatory. Months of torture and captivity have marked him; who could truly believe that simply fleeing was enough? He struggles upward and outward, sliding back, negotiating with those who hold the keys or stand in his way. Over the course of El Camino’s two hours, we see what’s changed in him through each scene of dogged determination. And when he makes it, we don’t have to just hope for the best for him anymore. We can believe."

ALSO:

• Was Vince Gilligan correct to have two endings to the Breaking Bad story?
• In defense of all the Breaking Bad cameos in El Camino: They serve an important purpose
• Here are all the El Camino Easter Eggs and Breaking Bad callbacks
• There is something deeply appealing about the apartment in El Camino