There are just some days where you need to lose yourself in your favourite show, (hopefully one staring Aaron Paul!) but you simply don’t have the time to simply rewatch the entire series ‘again’. Everyone will have their own favourite episodes, that ‘go to’ episode that allows you to lose your reality for a precious hour or so. Favourite episodes can come in a variety of choices, for so many different reasons but for this list we have selected those episodes that for the duration captivate, and truly demonstrate the artistry of Aaron Paul’s talent, containing strong scenes a plenty, rather than just one key moment that everyone loves.
The choices below more often than not will tug at the heartstrings, it’s a common theme but there’s also fun moments, sweet moments and just pure tragic moments that all come together to form the five episodes we’ve selected below.
If there are any on this list you have not seen, then naturally we gasp wondering why, and hope you’ll rectify this as soon as possible! In our opinion these five episodes of TV are simply stand out television, and easily the ones we watch again and again as the mood takes us!
Breaking Bad – Four Days Out (S2, Ep 9)
Breaking Bad was simply exceptional television so in our mind it’s no surprise it features heavily on this list, and it’s only due to some recent strong perfomances by Paul that it doesn’t totally monopolise the list!
Four Days out is really a shining light to the talents of both Paul and Bryan Cranston, this episode perfectly demonstrates the amazing chemistry between the pair. There are so many memorable moments, key scenes and shifts in mood. You see Jesse at his best, at his worst and even moments of vulnerability and full of heart.
It’s fair to say this was the first episode I re-watched after discovering Breaking Bad, and since then is probably the one I’ve rewatched the most. It simply never fails to entertain, and the ‘Robots?’ scene lives rent free in my head, and has on a couple of occasions been my response when I’ve not known the answer (still waiting to use the ‘wire’ response, as yet, not found the ideal moment!).
Jesse Pinkman at his ultimate best, forced to spend time with Walter White in the middle of nowhere with no escape – what more could you ask for?
Breaking Bad – ABQ (S2, Ep13)
From the very first moment this episode immediately creates such a tragic twist to the character of Jesse Pinkman. The emotion of that opening scene, to our first meeting with Mike, followed by the devastation of Walter White finding Jesse in the crack house. Culminating in the very still moments in rehab at the end, this episode was a season ender that changed everything in the Breaking Bad universe, propelling it to the great heights it managed.
For fans of Jesse Pinkman this episode absolutely breaks the heart, and as fans of Aaron Paul this episode is such a huge showcase of his talent that it deserves to be watched over, and over. In just 17 episodes Jesse as a character had slowly shifted from what appeared to be a set up for some light relief, the argumentative dumb side-kick to that of a character that absolutely became a key part of the story, with episodes like Peek-a-boo really shining a light on adding more depth to Jesse as we reached this climax.
This episode not only showcases the brilliant of Paul, but truly showcased the potential of Breaking Bad into becoming the legendary show it became. Quite simply, it’s a must see episode for all fans.
Breaking Bad – Problem Dog (S4, Ep 7)
The crazy thing to note here is that there could have been so many Breaking Bad episodes in this list but I opted for Problem Dog as the third (and final BrBa episode) on this list. Chosen for the full epsiode, with so many key scenes and moments that made this such an endearing Jesse epsisode. The speech during the group session obviously a stunning stand out moment, but the scenes with Walt with Jesse agreeing to ‘kill Gus’ and the reality of this promise, when opportunities presented themselves just make this such an interesting episode of TV for the Aaron Paul fan in all of us!
At this point in the Breaking Bad story Jesse has transformed from the character he started out as, so this episode really highlights how much the character had grown, become so world weary and had fully embraced the bad that now surrounded him, as the new normal.
Personally I also love the little moment on the episode commentary where Paul explains how tiring it was to paint that wall during the various takes – not sure why that amuses me so much, but it adds a little extra smile whilst I’m watching this.
Westworld – Fidelity (S4, Ep 6)
Words almost fail me when considering what to say about this episode, it simply blew me away when I first watched it and has since been one I’ve watched many times since. For so much of the episode the character ‘Caleb’ is fighting against himself, determined to reach a destination and Aaron Paul really ensures you are taken on the painfully tough journey.
This episode really elivated Celeb Nicholls to a whole new level in the Westworld legacy, and it’s a real shame we never got to see where it would take him next when the series was not renewed for a fifth season. With each scene we begin to learn the full horror of Caleb’s existance, giving Paul a wonderful opportunity to put in what should have been an award winning performance. If you missed Aaron Paul’s run on Westworld, then you have truly missed a treat because this episode was masterful.
Black Mirror – Beyond the Sea (S6, Ep 3)
In some ways I’m still processing this amazing and most recent addition to Aaron Paul’s credits, but I know I’ll continue to rewatch it at every opportunity. It’s a feature length episode, where every minute he’s onscreen becomes that showcase once again of just how good Aaron Paul is at his craft. Jumping between two characters in a way that really just needs to be seen to understand how good it is, picking up the quirks of his co-star, Josh Hartnett, so well. This story is told in true Black Mirror style, with twists and dark themes that you come to expect of the series.
The standalone story in this episode stays with you long after the credits roll, but I love that it is both a sci-fi and a period piece. Seeing Paul play a character that has difficulty expressing his emotions, appearing cold was a rare treat, that obviously makes the switch even stronger. I’m just so happy this exisits as part of Aaron Paul’s filmography, a really fine addition that just has me asking why we are having to wait so long to see him on our screens again!
So there we have it, five amazing episodes of work by our favourite Aaron Paul that needs to be repeatedly seen to enjoy his fine talent. This website will never stop celebrating the career of Aaron Paul, and making sure fans have a place to hang out, and never miss a thing. Look out for future ‘must watch’ lists that may focus on themes such as stand out scenes, memorable moments, hidden gems – whatever takes our fancy!
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