There are not many characters in film or television who have had it as rough as Jesse Pinkman (played by Aaron Paul). The series finale of "Breaking Bad" found Jesse seemingly riding off into the moonlight, a situation that fans never thought would get a proper conclusion. But now that conclusion is indeed a reality with the arrival of Netflix followup, "El Camino", fittingly written and directed by "Breaking Bad" creator Vince Gilligan.

Jesse may have escaped the capture of the crazed Neo-Nazis, but he still has an onslaught of police and possibly other criminals hunting for him following his partnership with quite possibly the most infamous crystal meth kingpin in America... Walter White (Heisenberg).

"El Camino" is not a sequel to "Breaking Bad"; the film is a cap-off for Jesse Pinkman's story, and Jesse is the focal point. Any fans hoping for the narrative to shine a light on any remaining story threads of Walt and his world will likely be disappointed. It would not appropriate to include that here. Part of the appeal of the film is Jesse struggling to survive in a world without Mr. White by his side.

Jesse has certainly proved throughout the five seasons of the series that he is up to the task, but does he want the task he has at hand?

The use of flashbacks in any other film or series would just be a cheap gimmick to bring back fan-favorite characters, but in "El Camino," they are used sparingly and when the story calls for them. Nothing more, nothing less. Not to say that there are not any references and callbacks to "Breaking Bad" because there are plenty of those that fans will love for sure. I did not watch "Breaking Bad" in its entirety until it was well off the air, and I still felt nostalgic in certain parts of the film.

"Breaking Bad" is a very fast-paced and consequential TV series with every single episode playing an important part in the grand scheme of the series. For some fans, that may be a problem and it is warranted. To go from a weekly show full of intensity and high stakes to a story that takes even more time than usual with its characters and less on the shocks can be an adjustment.

The "Fly" episode of "Breaking Bad" is infamously seen as the weak link in the strong series due to its bottle premise of Walt and Jesse in a lab trying to catch... a fly. Of course, there is more at play under the surface, but the episode hinges on the chemistry and exploration of character between the two protagonists of the series and it does its job in that respect, but it is not for everyone.

"El Camino" is a modern-day western with the outlaw Jesse a lone man against the world. Though the film has a lot to do in its two-hour time frame, it makes sure to put plenty of emphasis on not only the physical but psychological torture Jesse has been handed from his captors. "El Camino" brilliantly finds new ways to constantly make the situation Jesse is in even more of a struggle than the start.

Jesse may be free, but the meth empire that he was a part of and helped to make even larger in a sense will be a part of him forever.