In the newScreammovie, the most polarizing sequel in the in-universeStabfranchise is attributed to “theKnives Outguy.” This is a knowing nod to Rian Johnson, whoseStar WarssequelThe Last Jedinotoriously divided the fan base back in 2017. SomeStar Warsfans considerThe Last Jedito be a masterpiece, while others consider it to be the low point of the saga. Johnson’s radical deconstruction of franchise tradition – namely the unusually bitter characterization of Luke Skywalker (and Leia’s “Mary Poppins in space” moment) – was bound to have a divided reaction from the audience.
This wasn’t Johnson’s first experience with a polarized fan base. Seven years earlier, he directed an episode ofBreaking Badthat split fans’ opinions down the middle. Season 3’s “Fly” – the first of threeBreaking Badepisodes helmed by Johnson – is one of the most controversial installments in the near-flawless run ofVince Gilligan’s iconic crime drama. There are many fans who enjoy “Fly,” but it has a reputation as one of the show’s most-hated episodes.
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“Fly” is a classic example of a “bottle episode.” When a season of a TV show is close to going over its budget, the writers will come up with a “bottle episode” designed to cut down on costs with limited cast members and locations. In “Fly,” Walt delays a day’s work because a housefly has made its way into the meth lab and it could contaminate the cook. So, he and Jesse spend an entire day trying to kill a fly. Some fans and critics decried the episode’s lack of action, story progression, and major characters besides Walt and Jesse, but others consider it to beone of the greatest episodes of the series.
“Fly” Is The “Pine Barrens” Of Breaking Bad
While “Fly” is certainlyan unconventional episode ofBreaking Bad, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Some of the greatest TV episodes of all time have broken their shows’ conventions. When “Fly” first aired, it was favorably compared to the acclaimedSopranosepisode “Pine Barrens,” in which Chris and Paulie chase a Russian mobster through the snowy forest where they were supposed to whack him. Much like “Pine Barrens,” “Fly” plays like a quirky one-act play focused on the relationship between two key characters.
“Fly” might not progress the ongoing storylines or feature any ofBreaking Bad’s signature action, but it takes a deep dive into the story’s overall themes and the characters’ psychology. Over the course of the episode, the pesky fly becomes a symbol of Walt’s guilt – it’s an annoying little thing that he can’t get rid of. His conflicted feelings about Jane’s death bubble to the surface as he becomes delirious and almost tells Jesse that he let her die. “Fly” is much deeper and more compelling than fans seem to remember when its cerebral philosophical contemplations get in the way of their fast-paced binge-watch.
Johnson Was Later Redeemed In The Eyes Of Breaking Bad Fans
Three years after “Fly” hit the airwaves, Johnson was redeemed in the eyes ofBreaking Badfans when he returned to helm “Ozymandias” in the final season. Notable for its perfect 10/10 score on IMDb, “Ozymandias” is widely regarded to be one of the greatest TV episodes of all time. Two episodes away from the series finale, “Ozymandias” acts as the action-packed climax for the show, with all the payoffs that viewers waited half a decade for. Johnson managed to stick the landing with every single one, from Hank’s death tothe fall of Walt’s empireto a brutal knife fight between the White family. Even fans who despised “Fly” will admit that “Ozymandias” was a masterpiece.
Based on this track record, it’s possible that Johnson could achieve similar redemption in the eyes ofStar Warsfans. Around the time ofThe Last Jedi’s release, Johnson was signed on towrite and direct an entireStar Warstrilogy– totally disconnected from the story of the Skywalkers – but sinceThe Last Jedihit theaters and Johnson’s take onStar Warsdivided fans, that trilogy has been on the back-burner. Johnson has since spearheaded a whole new movie trilogy withKnives Out.
If that stalledStar Warstrilogy ever happens, Johnson will have the chance to tell his ownStar Warsstory from scratch. One of the problems inThe Last Jediwas that Johnson had to fit his ideas into J.J. Abrams’ setups fromThe Force Awakens. Johnson’s deconstruction of theStar Warsmyth might work better if it has nothing to do with the legacy of characters that audiences care about, like Luke and Leia. It’s not easy to unite the entireStar Warsfan base, butThe Mandalorianhas proven that it is possibleand Johnson managed to uniteBreaking Badfans with “Ozymandias” after dividing them with “Fly.”
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