1. Web comic

Barely remember the relevance of the pink teddy bear? Trying to recall what exactly those twins were up to? Trying to determine when exactly Walt broke bad? Well, AMC have posted a handy summary of the story so far in handy comic book form. You can read it here.

2. Minisodes

Did you know about the Breaking Bad ‘minisodes’? Released back in-between the early seasons, before the show became the phenomenon it is today, they don’t really add much to the plot. But they do offer some fun side stories and background details, such as clips of Jessie and Badger’s band TwaughtHammer and ‘Better Call Saul’ infomercials.

Or how about a flashback to Hank and Marie’s wedding day, including Hank’s fantastically ridiculous cowboy suit?

3. Cinematography analysis

Getting caught up in all the drama of a typical Breaking Bad episode means you might overlook how expertly filmed the show has been, bringing genuine cinema quality visual storytelling to television. They’ve attracted some big names directors, such as Looper director Rian Johnson who was responsible for several of the show’s best episodes (including the astonishing third-last episode Ozymandias).

Even Bryan Cranston himself has gotten involved behind the camera, directing three episodes altogether. His work includes Blood Money, the first episode from the final half-season. The AV Club has posted an excellent analysis of that episode’s cinematography, describing how smart use of camera focus and angles tells the viewer a complex story. Most viewers will not be consciously aware of all these cinematic tricks, but they prove how much care has gone into making the show something much more than just your bog standard TV crime drama.

4. Easter eggs

While you’re in a reading mood, there’s a fascinating variety of in-depth analyses and interpretations of the show out there. Some of them are really insightful looks at the show’s many clever, subtle Easter eggs, while others are perhaps just a little over-analytical. Some fans, for example, have been frantically analysing the family film flop Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium after it was comically referenced in this week’s episode. A throwaway dig at an awful film (even the film's director Zach Helm admits it) or subtle foreshadowing of things to come? Maybe we’ll find out on Monday.

In the meantime, check out this chart where one fan explains how characters' costumes have signalled their various mood shifts over the course of the series. Creator Vince Gilligan has frequently acknowledged how much attention the production team paid to colour usage: even in terms of Marie's infamous obsession with purple clothing. 

5. Parody

And for something completely different, check out Jimmy Fallon’s elaborate Breaking Bad parody. Featuring cameos from several of the Breaking Bad stars themselves, it’s a whole twelve-minutes long. It is worth sticking around for the killer punchline:

Newstalk Breakfast will be holding a screening of the finale in the Lighthouse Cinema on Monday. Make sure to listen to the show tomorrow for one of your last chances to win tickets. More details here.