Emmy Episode Submission Analysis: Breaking Bad

For those of you that don't know, at the Emmys contenders must submit sample episodes to be judged by voters. Series submit six episodes that are paired up into three “tapes” that are handed off to three sections of judges. Actors submit one episode.

Breaking Bad

Drama Series
Tape A: “Confessions” and “Rabid Dog”
Tape B: “To'jajiilee” and “Ozymandias”
Tape C: “Granite State” and “Felina”

I think the first tape is a huge mistake. While “Confessions” is a great episode, “Rabid Dog” was easily the weakest episode of both halves of the final season of the show. The fact that they submitted it over the first two episodes of the season is surprising. However, I don't think it's a huge problem. Their second tape is one of the strongest Emmy submissions in history. The episodes flow so well together with the cliffhanger of “To'jajiilee” being resolved in “Ozymandias.” It also doesn't hurt that “Ozymandias” is one of the best episodes of drama in years. The last tape is a strong one as well. Although “Granite State” was a bit too slow for my liking, it will play off well to voters with its more subdued plot than the finale.

Bryan Cranston | Lead Actor in a Drama Series | “Ozymandias”
He really submitted the best episode possible. The first 20 minutes involved him pleading for Hank's life, then he had the wonderful final phone call with Skylar, which was pretty much a master class in acting. His biggest hurdle is going to be the gap between his scenes.

Aaron Paul | Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | “Confessions”
It's no where near as strong as his winning season 4 submission “End Times”, but it is close. He has a straight 20 minutes of crying and anger. It's the definition of a watershed episode. The biggest problem with his submission is that he doesn't show up until around halfway through the episode, unlike Peter Dinklage who appears throughout his (although his winning speech is at the end) and Josh Charles whose likely submission is very front heavy.

Anna Gunn | Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | “Ozymandias”
She submitted perfectly. She has a short scene in the beginning of the episode, but then she gets to talk to Walt Jr. about Walt, scream at Walt to get out of the house, chase Walt after he takes their baby, then she gets to play wonderfully across from Bryan Cranston on their final phone call. It's really a phenomenal submission and I can't see her losing.