User Reviews

I remember watching this episode when it first aired and I thought it was a pointless boring episode that stopped the story-line from progressing. And at the time i couldn't care less about any symbolism or metaphors for the fly. All I cared about at the time was how high up could Walt and Jesse rise through the ranks of the drug empire?

But when you watch and listen to all of the dialogue, especially after about 10 minutes in you will find the episode is quite intriguing. Walt speaks to Jesse about Janes death, and meeting her father at the pub. He has feelings of guilt that he wants to apologize for, but its difficult because one slip of the tongue and his relationship with Jesse will be irreparable.

However the main focus of the episode is elusivity. It sums up the whole Breaking Bad series. Walt and Jesse become involved in the drugs industry because they see it as a means to an end, with that end being happiness (to have money, live a life of luxury with family and friends that they love and care for). But every time Walt and Jesse are almost there, they just fall short or have some sort of setback.

At first they just want money, but when they get it they somehow lose it or have to waste it on some other need that the money wasn't originally intended for. Then when they finally get the money they cant put it to good use, because Jane dies causing Jesse to lose direction, and Walt is divorced by Skylar. And later after series 3 when they finally have all the money in the world its no good to them, because they've lost anyone they've ever cared for, and all the hard work and crap they've been through together has all been for nothing.

The fly in the episode represents the elusivity of happiness - its always just out of reach for Walt and Jesse. Even when they finally think they have it, and you think Walt can go to sleep with peace of mind after accomplishing his goal, it comes back. Happiness eludes them, and its because of the path that Jesse and Walt have taken. Very seldom does someone get involved in the drugs industry and come out clean on the other side. Its the whole premise of the show. No amount of effort, ingeniousness or luck will see you rewarded by becoming involved in the drugs industry. It will contaminate your life and the lives around you.

This episode it's not fantastic but not bad either.

Some people think this is one if not the best episode of Breaking Bad (wtf how). I can see why people might like it, but how is this comparable to absolute masterpieces of episodes like Ozymandias, Felina, Face Off, Crawl Space...

Other people think it's the worst thing in the world.

I'm in between, for me, it's just an ok episode.

It has some funny scenes and some cool symbolisms (only reason I'm giving it an 8) but that's it.

It's just 45 minutes of Walt and Jesse in the same place making an episode that's a bit boring overall.

For being a filler episode it's pretty good but Walt's regrets about Jane don't deserve a whole episode.

It's not the worst episode of all time but, let's be real, it isn't even close to the best. (Not even top 30 IMO)

After seeing "Point and Shoot" I can't see this chapter the same way! Peter Gould was right, now watching Breaking Bad feels different! There are corpses under you, Walter!

"Fly" gave us a good 40 minutes of a wider-scope look at the series and at characters Walt and Jesse.

The directing and cinematography were amazing--I particularly loved the shot when Walt shattered the ceiling light--but it wasn't in the same vein as previous episodes. A lot of shots from the series contained these Sergio Leone-style long shots, very few moving cameras and a great use of color. The directors of the series often shot the characters at eye-level or in a direct way. This one seemed to focus on unique shots (from lower angles, from behind, from the brush that Jesse was using to scrub), and some weird-ass slow motion shots with overbearing tones. Characters were shown from completely different angles and maybe with purpose, to show us we were getting a different look at them. It was cool as hell.

The final shot of the fly in the red light was ... beautiful. A great way to close the episode: just as it had opened, but changed. So Indeed "Fly" is one of the best episode of the show.

When I watched Fly the first time I thought, "Man, what were they thinking? An entire episode devoted to killing a fly!" I thought it was nothing more than a mind fart on the part of the writers. I just couldn't see a point to it. The numerous times I've re-watched the series Fly is the one episode I'd skip.

Then I read the comments here. At first I couldn't fathom what some of you were thinking calling it one of the best, or even the best, episode so far. I got the symbolism, metaphors, etc. But still didn't see the point. But your comments convinced me to give Fly another shot. So I watched it two more times.

Now I realize that Fly gives me an entire episode of scenes I value the most in Breaking Bad-the interactions between Walt and Jesse. I appreciate the other actors as well, for sure, but Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston are genius. Their remarkable on-camera chemistry allows them to play off each other in a manner that truly sells each of their scenes together as a genuine encounter between this prodigal father and sonthis mad scientist and his apprenticethese two friends.

In Fly I can enjoy 47 straight minutes of their banter, slapstick, arguments, and at times moving revelations. I especially enjoyed some of Jesse's comedic lines. Those writers are generous to give him those, and Mr. Paul delivers them flawlessly. Consider a couple:

"I'm gonna go out on a limb and sayyeah."

"It makes it sound Irish." (I thought of O'Brien, O'Toole, O'Leary O'Possum!)

Thanks, OPs, for clearing the fog that prevented me from recognizing the value of Fly.

The richness of this episode lies between the lines. Walt and Jesse in a confined space and in a holding pattern until they can clear the cook lab of a source of contamination, the fly of the title. All they can do is wait, and while waiting, talk, and talk they do.

It would be selfish of me to really bring in the heavy spoilers on this episode. So I'll just say this. Within a limited format, "Fly" contains a white hot kernel of suspense that is as compelling as any in the series thus far. Walt, in an injured, fatigued state and acting weird (Jesse begins to suspect Walt may have a brain tumor) is in a mood to pontificate and ramble. In such a state, we quickly realize, he may say too much.

That's all I'd better say.

This episode rates a 10 of 10. It could have had more gun play. It could have gone back to the Hank storyline which we are right in the middle of now. But there's a place for this episode at this point. It is pure character revelation. Not a bad thing.

As other people have said this really is a love it or loathe it episode; set almost entirely inside the lab it follows Walt's obsession with a fly! Walt hasn't been sleeping and has started obsessing over small thing; firstly he is worried that their last batch was about one percent lighter than he expected then after Jesse has gone home for the night he hears a fly in the lab; so begins an obsession that nearly kills him. When Jesse returns in the morning he starts to get worried as Walt has clearly been there all night trying to kill this one fly! Jesse wants to get cooking but Walt refuses to let him; they can't do anything before the 'contaminant' is dealt with. Jesse goes and gets various fly killing products along with some sleeping pills which he slips into Walt's coffee. While they are trying to catch the fly they just talk; sometimes arguing about the need to kill the fly other times talking about deeper things.

I really enjoyed this episode; it was almost theatrical; like a strange existential play. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul were both in top form as they just talked to one another while trying to catch the wretched fly. The triviality of Walt's obsession was funny at first but quickly became dangerous; at times it looked as though each of the characters might do something potentially fatal... I winced as Walt fell from the walkway and hit a vat before crashing to the floor; it looked really painful! The conversation threatened to go dangerous places too; I was sure that Walt was about to let slip about his role in Jane's death but the writers skilfully brought him back from that revelation. I don't think I'd want too many episodes like this but as a one off I found it most enjoyable.

It was one of the most unique episodes of Breaking Bad, it somehow went well with the show's atmosphere. Now after watching Better Call Saul S06E08, even if it wasn't intended, it's beautiful to think it: that fly was actually Lalo, still causing discomfort and sabotaging the superlab and the meth production years after.

Or else it was just a fly. Which it is.

Speechless. At the end you understand that the developers of the show have had in mind all the story, from the begginig. 12 years later, the "Fly" give us a new meaning. Amazing.

If there was a 9.5 /10 I would've preferred it over rating this episode 10/10

On my 2nd run(after 4 years) I wished that this episode ended a bit more slowly

It was funny for starters,but also shows that Walter's obsession with perfection

It also shows the dynamic between Walt and Jesse and how he craves the dominance and upper hand over Jesse

I get the hate associated with it since on my first run even I was annoyed with the episode just being about fly,and the fact that it doesn't move any plotline at all but actually if you understand breaking bad you'd understand it's so much more

Edit- Maybe I didn't say enough about this masterpiece

Walt is losing his mind and it's most clearly visible in fly, maybe it's the only episode which shows it clearly, Walt regrets being alive now and exactly knows when he should've ideally died(around Jane's death), maybe it would've been best for him,he could've died a hero and Jesse/Saul would've in all likelihood given his money to his family

Walt in "Fly" in my eyes,is at crossroads,he doesn't wanna become Heisenberg but he knows that he can't stop it anymore and knows he's gone way too far

After Fly I actually didn't see Walt regretting for what he's become and seems to justify his actions (even if he justifies it partly)

This episode is a perfect demonstration of Walter White changing to heisenberg. His obsession with the fly or the 'contamination' reflects his charachter in one of the best ways the shows has done up to this point. Many reviews say this is a filler episode. It is not. He confesses to Jesse that he killed his girlfriend. The moment he kills the fly is a metaphor for him finaly getting rid of walter white. In season 4 and 5 he's almost constantly heisenberg and we can hardly see his soft side.

****Contains Spoilers***** Pure Genius. For fans of Literature, I'm assuming this was a representation of "I Heard a Fly Buzz When I died"

Walt speaks of his "perfect time" to die would have been before meeting with Jane's Dad or witnessing Jane's death. The fly represents the "contamination" in Walt's head with trying to reconcile what he's doing and if what he's doing is really helping his family.

This is why the episode ends with the fly back again...Walt's conscious will get the best of him. However, he's let go of the guilt and shame he feels over Jane's death by "apologizing" to Jesse. And "pressurizing" the room.

PURE GENIUS of an Episode. A bit "esoteric" if you're not a fan of Literature...but pure GENIUS!

Read the Poem:(by Emily Dickinson) Dying I heard a fly buzz when I died;

The stillness round my form Was like the stillness in the air

Between the heaves of storm.

The eyes beside had wrung them dry,

And breaths were gathering sure For that last onset, when the king

Be witnessed in his power.

I willed my keepsakes, signed away

What portion of me I Could make assignable,-and then

There interposed a fly,

With blue, uncertain, stumbling buzz,

Between the light and me; And then the windows failed, and then

I could not see to see.

*********************** (sorry, IMDb does not preserve line breaks....will have to read the original on the EDU page).

I heard a Fly buzz" strikingly describes the mental distraction posed by irrelevant details at even the most crucial moments-even at the moment of death.---Excerpt from Sparknotes

to read further critique of the poem go here: academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/fly.html

Although this is withut a doubt a "filler" episode it is still entertaining and not that boring.

The Fly episode only plays inside the Lab where Jessy and Walter coock Meth. A fly comes into the Lab which makes Walter and Jessy hunt it. I know doesn't sound like Breaking Bad at all, yet it still had some funny or worth mentioning moments like Walter falling or him nearly admitting to Jessy that he watched Jane die back in the finale of season 2. Jessy ends up killing the fly and they return to there homes.

I find it kind of funny how many people think that this is the best episode of Breaking Bad because it shows Walter and Jessy in a situation that many could refer to. Others even say that it shows a lot of character.