Jesse Pinkman’s (Aaron Paul) first and final scenes in theBreaking Baduniverse are technically the same moment, and it was the perfect end for his character. Though Walter White (Bryan Cranston) is the figurehead ofBreaking Bad, his largely unwilling assistant Jesse is nearly as iconic. He was responsible for a lot of the show’s humor, as some ofJesse’s best quotes inBreaking Badserved to defuse the tension the show is known for. He was also hugely important to theBreaking Badtimeline, and he appears in quite a few places throughout it.
Jesse was one of the most recognizable and beloved characters inBreaking Bad, and as such, he got a happier sendoff than most characters. That relatively happy ending was well deserved, considering all thetragic things that happened to Jesse inBreaking Bad. Interestingly, however,Breaking Badand its spinoffs didn’t say goodbye to Jesse in a usual way. Aaron Paul actually got to send the character off on three separate occasions, and one of them also served as Jesse’s first chronological appearance, long beforeBreaking Badsaw him get involved with Walter White.
Aaron Paul’s Final Jesse Pinkman Scene Is Also Jesse’s First Chronological Appearance
Jesse’s Meeting With Kim Wexler Took Place Before He Reunited With Walter White
The last time Aaron Paul appeared as Jesse Pinkman on-screen, both in theBreaking Baduniverse and in real life, was inBetter Call Saulseason 6, episode 12.Jesse spoke to Kim Wexler outside of Saul’s office, and since it took place prior to the events ofBreaking Bad, it serves as the youngest version of Jesse ever shown.Better Call Saulseason 6, episode 12 also aired on August 17, 2025, which makes it the last time Aaron Paul ever played the character. Since there are no more plannedBreaking Badspinoffs, it was also likely the last time he’ll ever take on the role.
Breaking Baddoes include a scene of Jesse making a wooden box that takes place when he was in high school, but since it was a dream,Better Call Saulstill features his first chronological appearance.
Thanks to his cameo inBetter Call Saul, Aaron Paul technically had three final moments as Jesse Pinkman.The first came at the end ofBreaking Bad, when Jesse drove away from the Neo-Nazi compound after Walter’s shootout. Then,El Camino: A Breaking Bad Moviewas essentially made to be a send-off for Jesse, and Paul reprised the role. Finally, nearly three years later, Paul played Jesse for the last time inBetter Call Saul. Bryan Cranston also got to say farewell to Walter White in those three projects, but all of Jesse’s goodbyes accomplished quite a bit more.
Better Call Saul
Cast
Better Call Saul follows small-time lawyer Jimmy McGill as he navigates the legal world to make ends meet. The series, set six years before his encounter with Walter White, chronicles Jimmy’s evolution into Saul Goodman, with notable interactions alongside fixer Mike Ehrmantraut.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
El Camino wraps up Jesse Pinkman’s story after he escapes from a group of Neo-Nazis at the end of Breaking Bad. Written, directed, and produced by Vince Gilligan and starring Aaron Paul, the 2019 movie revolves around Jesse’s attempt to flee to Alaska and start a new life, leaving behind his past with meth kingpin Walter White.
Paul’s first real-world sendoff for Jesse ended his character arc on a perfectly high note. After years of abuse, trauma, and general misery, the final image of Jesse inBreaking Badwas of him laughing as he drove away from his captors. Then,El Caminofinished out that setup, and gave Jesse a chance to not just leave his troubles behind, but actually address them.Through flashbacks with Walt, Jane, and Todd, the ending ofEl Caminogave Jesse the fresh start he deserved. Paul’s last chance to say goodbye, however, beats out his final two farewells to be the perfect sendoff to Jesse Pinkman.
Jesse Pinkman’s “First And Final” Scene Was A Perfect Sendoff To The Character
Better Call Saul Highlighted Who Jesse Was Before Walter White
Even though bothBreaking BadandEl Caminoboth gave Jesse a fitting end,Better Call Saulgave him a better sendoff. BothBreaking BadandEl Caminoshowed where Jesse ended up after getting involved in Walt’s criminal empire, and gave him the peace he had wanted for so long.Better Call Saul, however, showed Jesse before Walt ever got to him, before he ever lost the peace he would later search for. After 14 years,Breaking Badfans finally got to see the real Jesse, one who wasn’t burdened with trauma or anxiety-inducing situations, and it was a great last look at the character.
The Correct Order To Watch Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul
There are a few different orders to watch Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and El Camino. Here’s the correct way to follow the Breaking Bad universe.
Aside from the sentimental value of Jesse’s last scene inBetter Call Saul, the moment also put a bow on the entire saga. It’s easy to forget just how easily and often Walter and Jimmy McGill ruined others' lives. By the end of the original show andEl Camino, Jesse was broken, serious, and deeply scarred. InBetter Call Saul, however, he was energetic, full of life, and friendly. It highlighted just how far Jesse fell due to Walt and Jimmy’s influence, and it highlighted one of their most overlooked crimes inBreaking Badand its spinoffs: Jesse Pinkman’s fate.
Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, follows a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he attempts to provide for his family following a fatal diagnosis. With nothing left to fear, White ascends to power in the world of drugs and crime, transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg.
