So, what does a win for Walt mean? Walt's original goal was to provide for his family in the wake of his imminent, impending death. A "win" could be as simple as Skylar and fam being provided for. I think you and bearjew are taking Gilligan's comment far too rose tinted and literally. We've been shown that his cancer is back with a vengeance and he's clearly a celebrity criminal....if you've convinced yourself this show ends with Walt drinking a Mai Tai on an exotic beach....well, I don't think that's very likely.
It will, and has already revolutionized the way television shows are written. Name more than one or two other shows—not based on a book/series or other form of media—that set out to tell a specific three act story with a beginning, middle and end?
Previously, shows went on as long as economically and creatively possible. Even prestige dramas like Sopranos and even Mad Men essentially went until they couldn't in good conscience continue and both shows had begun to be subject to popular and critical backlash. Breaking Bad is almost inarguably coming off of its highest rated and most critically successful seasons (4 and 5.1) and the show could inarguably continue on for another several seasons...assuming that commercial ends were the ultimate and only motivator. Even The Wire saw a marked decrease in quality in its final season.
As for absurd theories....the only truly absurd theory that's been floated here is the laugher about Hank breaking bad. There is 0.0% chance Hank becomes complicit. There's maybe a sliiiiim chance he overlooks something or ultimately chooses to not take a shot at Walter or something because of the impact on the family, but no shot this guy says, "fuck my life long work and the fact that I almost died twice because of this narcissistic fuck, I'm going BAD!".
