This Scene in the Highest Rated Episode of Breaking Bad “Ozymandias” Was Not Even in the Script
- 'Ozymandias' refers to Walter White’s empire falling apart, just like in the poem.
- 'The Breaking Bad' episode is considered the best episode for its impact.
- Baby Holly’s “Mama!” moment in the episode was unscripted but deeply emotional.
If you’ve watched Breaking Bad, you know that Ozymandias (Season 5, Episode 14) is an episode that hits you like a ton of bricks. It’s one of those episodes that you finish watching and feel as though your entire world has just shifted.
Everything that’s been building up to this moment finally explodes, and you’re left feeling wrecked. But one of the most emotional scenes in the episode wasn’t even planned—yeah, it wasn’t scripted.
This episode doesn’t just wrap up a bunch of character arcs—it’s a powerful, emotional ride that leaves you with a lot to think about. From Hank’s tragic death to Walt’s total collapse of his empire, Ozymandias takes us through some of the darkest, most intense moments of the series.
Why is Season 5, Episode 14 of Breaking Bad called Ozymandias?
Okay, first things first. Why is the episode called Ozymandias? Well, it’s not just some random word—it’s actually a reference to a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. In that poem, a king named Ozymandias once ruled a massive empire, but by the time the poem is written, all that’s left of his greatness is a crumbled statue in the desert.
The poem is about the inevitable downfall of powerful leaders and their empires, which is pretty much what happens to Walter White. In Breaking Bad, Walt goes from being a chemistry teacher trying to provide for his family to a ruthless drug kingpin.
By Ozymandias, he’s at the peak of his power, but everything starts falling apart—his family is shattered, his brother-in-law Hank is dead, and his empire is crumbling. The opening scene, with Walt and Jesse in their old RV, is like a flashback to when it all began.
But now, that RV is just a tiny speck in the vast desert. Everything Walt worked for has come to an end, and he’s left with nothing but destruction around him. So yeah, Ozymandias is the perfect title for this episode. It sums up the tragic fall of Walt’s empire in a way that hits home for anyone who’s watched his journey.
Ozymandias is Hailed as the Best Episode Ever
Ozymandias isn’t just loved by fans, it’s praised by critics, too. This episode has a perfect 10/10 rating on IMDb. And we’re talking about a rating that’s held steady for years. It’s not every day that a TV show episode gets a rating like that, but Ozymandias earned it.
Why is it so good? Well, it’s the emotional depth of the episode. The writing? Top-tier. Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn gave some of their best performances of the entire series in this episode.
In fact, both of them submitted their work here for their Emmy nominations—and guess what? They both won. Cranston picked up his fourth Emmy, and Gunn won her second. And that’s not even all of it—Ozymandias won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series.
This episode delivers on every level. The plot is tense, the twists hit hard, and the characters are pushed to their absolute limits. From Hank’s tragic death to the brutal confrontation between Walt and Skyler, there’s no shortage of gut-punch moments. It’s no wonder that it’s often considered one of the best episodes of any TV show, ever.
This Scene in Ozymandias Was Not in the Script
One of the most powerful moments in Ozymandias wasn’t even in the script. You know that scene where Walt is changing Baby Holly’s diaper and she suddenly cries out “Mama!”? That wasn’t planned.
Here’s what happened: the baby who played Holly was supposed to be calm while Bryan Cranston was doing his thing. But the baby had other plans. She wanted to be with her real mom, who was on set, and just shouted “Mama!” during the scene.
Instead of breaking character or stopping the take, Cranston just rolled with it. And honestly, that moment ended up being so much more emotional than anyone could have imagined.
The director, Rian Johnson, told The Ringer that it turned out to be one of the best performances in the entire show. And it’s easy to see why. Check out his quote below:
That was one of the best performances in the whole series. That baby looked so sad. I promise you, no babies were harmed in the episode.
That moment made the scene feel raw and real, and you can see the heartbreak in Walt’s eyes as he realizes he can’t take Holly with him.
It’s a tiny moment, but it adds so much depth to the emotional weight of the episode. The fact that it was unscripted only makes it even more powerful. It’s one of those moments that sticks with you long after the episode ends.
Breaking Bad is available to watch on Netflix!
