Rian Johnson

Lore & Background

Johnson helmed 'Fly' alongside writers Sam Catlin and Moira Walley-Beckett, crafting an hour of television that relied entirely on the dynamic between Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. With no other actors appearing except for reused audio from Anna Gunn as Skyler, Johnson utilized the limited setting to slow the pace and deepen the exploration of motives. The story follows Walt's insomnia-driven obsession with a single housefly contaminating their meth production. As Walt dangles precariously from the catwalk trying to swat it and eventually slips, the tension escalates into a psychological unraveling. Johnson captured moments where Walt confesses his role in Jane Margolis's death while Jesse, drugged on sleeping pills, struggles to keep him grounded. The episode culminates with Walt waking up to see a fly on the smoke detector's flashing light, sealing the claustrophobic atmosphere.

In Their Own Story

The narrative unfolds within the sterile confines of the superlab, where Walt's paranoia manifests as a physical hunt for an intruder. After calculating that their yield is lower than expected, Walt becomes fixated on the fly, fearing contamination. He attempts to catch it using flypaper and even risks his safety by hanging from the lab's catwalk, resulting in a painful fall that leaves him incapacitated when Jesse returns. The story takes a darker turn as Jesse secretly administers sleeping pills to Walt's coffee, recounting a tale of his aunt's auditory hallucinations while they wait for the insect to land. Tension peaks when an increasingly sleepy Walt appears ready to confess his sin regarding Jane's death, only for Jesse to kill the fly with a swatter just as Walt begins to speak. The episode closes with Walt and Jesse cleaning up, followed by Walt warning Jesse about skimming from Gus Fring before the buzzing resumes.

Reader's Guide

Johnson's direction of 'Fly' is frequently cited by critics as a masterclass in making restrictions work creatively. Vince Gilligan noted that while financial realities forced the single-location setup, the result was an 'instant classic' that allowed for quieter moments to contrast with high-drama episodes. The episode received mixed but ultimately glowing reviews; James Poniewozik of Time called it possibly the best episode so far, comparing it to 'Pine Barrens' from The Sopranos, while Matt Zoller Seitz later named it the greatest episode of the entire series in 2013. However, not all reactions were positive, with Tasha Robinson of The A.V. Club criticizing Walt's portrayal as irrational and petty. Despite this polarization, the episode remains a staple discussion point for its unique structure, proving that a story about two men chasing a fly could define a season.

Did You Know?

• Rian Johnson directed 'Fly' because the production could not afford $25,000–$35,000 to move trucks to a new location.
• Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are the only two actors who appear in the episode, aside from extras in the laundromat.
• Anna Gunn's voice as Skyler is included but consists entirely of reused audio from the second-season episode 'Phoenix'.
• The episode aired on May 23, 2010, and was viewed by 1.20 million people, making it the second-lowest watched season-three episode.
• In 2013, Matt Zoller Seitz named 'Fly' the greatest episode of the entire series.