At its heart, this is a simple swan song that might be coming a little too late into the universe of the cult that it belongs to. It also manages to pack in a few well-made thrills that are typical of the show’s aesthetic. This prerequisite of being wholesome might also be the thing that is holding the film from completely embracing all of its melancholy – in the sense that it spends too much time developing smaller conflicts and setpieces that don’t mean a lot to the bigger picture. But all of it works because there are barely any missteps on the storytelling front. Vince Gilligan is a creator who comes with some sort of a minimum guarantee, and this film is another great example of that.

To start off with the idea of a post-script, coming half a decade after retiring the show, is in itself a very dicey move. But to my eyes, it manages to not embarass itself by being all too self-important. Everything feels measured to a degree that is graceful. Skinny Pete’s and Badger’s generosity is the first in a line off humbling moments that Jesse faces. These are almost mythical moments for the kind of weight this story has come to hold, but they feel human enough thanks to the creators’ grounded sensibilities. It is humbling to get to hear more words that form the worldviews of these beloved characters. I am so glad that this isn’t just another banal entry in the world of returning franchises. Even if it isn’t utterly necessary, this is indeed a respectable epilogue to the classic series.