Breaking Bad

[LiveCoug]

I recently saw the first couple of seasons available in our local library, so I checked them out and binged them. I've since checked out the remaining seasons and have just started season 5 (final season).

First of all, it is a very engaging show. It's well written with interesting, dynamic characters. While WW is relatively easy to sympathize with in the first few episodes, it becomes more and more difficult as the series progresses - particularly with his treatment of Jesse.

I intended to watch this series with my wife. She is not big on graphic anything, but my understanding was this series originally aired on basic cable, so I figured it would be censored enough for her to enjoy it. Not so. By the end of the first episode, she was out. And she didn't even see the scene with brief nudity when Jesse escaped from next door to the meth house.

Anyway, was this series originally slated for just four seasons? When the fourth season ended, it seemed that they had tied up most of the loose ends. I would have been satisfied with the series ending there. The early episodes of the final season have a much different storyline so far and have introduced several new characters. Anyway, just wondering if anyone knew the behind-the-scenes on the writing.

Looking forward to seeing how the series ends.

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Do you not have netflix?

Season 5 started out bland and slow for me, but boy did it end well. Stressful to say the least!

[Pelado]

I recently saw the first couple of seasons available in our local library, so I checked them out and binged them. I've since checked out the remaining seasons and have just started season 5 (final season).

First of all, it is a very engaging show. It's well written with interesting, dynamic characters. While WW is relatively easy to sympathize with in the first few episodes, it becomes more and more difficult as the series progresses - particularly with his treatment of Jesse.

I intended to watch this series with my wife. She is not big on graphic anything, but my understanding was this series originally aired on basic cable, so I figured it would be censored enough for her to enjoy it. Not so. By the end of the first episode, she was out. And she didn't even see the scene with brief nudity when Jesse escaped from next door to the meth house.

Anyway, was this series originally slated for just four seasons? When the fourth season ended, it seemed that they had tied up most of the loose ends. I would have been satisfied with the series ending there. The early episodes of the final season have a much different storyline so far and have introduced several new characters. Anyway, just wondering if anyone knew the behind-the-scenes on the writing.

Looking forward to seeing how the series ends.

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[LiveCoug]

Binge watching the final season was the most stressful thing ever.

While I recognized that WW turned into a sociopathic monster, there was still some small part deep down that was rooting for him. The ending was perfect.

[creekster]

I had never watched more than a couple episodes of this series before this week. But this week, with my wife out of town on business, I binged 4.5 seasons. It is a fantastic show. But I will say that I do not like Walter White very much. I find him detestable in most ways. He is petty and mean spirited, an apparent sociopath, not to mention a cold-blooded killer. And even putting aside the deaths depicted in the show, this guy has supplied literally tons of meth to thousands of people which, I think we can safely assume, did not improve many of their lives.

That said, I am eager to see the second half of the last season, but will likely not get to it until my wife's next trip which is, I think, next week.

[Commando]

I'm teaching a Sociology class next semester called "Breaking Bad and Strain Theory."

Send me that syllabus! Probably as good a time as any to dip back into the show.

[wuapinmon]

I have re-watched this show now 3 Times..


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I'm teaching a Sociology class next semester called "Breaking Bad and Strain Theory."

[dabrockster]

I have re-watched this show now 3 Times..


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[Green Monstah]

Started rewatching while the family is out of town.

Great line I missed from Badger: "helicopter bitch!!!"

[PaloAltoCougar]

Tonight's 60 Minutes had an entertaining segment about Bryan Cranston--such a good guy. Except for his turn as Dr. Tim Watley on Seinfeld, his career was essentially nothing until he got the Malcolm in the Middle gig. Lucky for him, although he didn't realize it at the time, Malcolm wasn't renewed for an eighth season, and he was able to test for the pilot of a new series, Breaking Bad. During his interview tonight, he noted that a unifying theme of his Malcolm and BB roles was "tightie whities," which both characters loved to flaunt at embarrassing moments.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Meh. Sounds like we are not that far apart. Peace brother.


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[Commando]

First of all, you don't need to "root for" Walter White at every step of the way to enjoy the show. Crazy talk. No way you enjoyed the show any more than I did.

One could argue that rooting for WW to the bitter end demonstrates a profound lack of empathy as he left a broad wake of destruction in his path.

BTW, one of my other favorite series is the Sopranos. Definitely some parallels between Tony Soprano and Walter White. Both are complex and fascinating and you can't help but root for them at times, but wow, Tony could shock you back to reality by doing some evil things. Walter White allowing the girl to die very much reminded me of Tony Soprano choking out his nephew after the impact of a car crash. In both cases, an opportunity was seized to alleviate a problem by making a split second decision and allowing/causing someone to die. I wonder if the BB writers used that as an inspiration for the BB episode in question.

Never said I 'rooted for him every step of the way.' That has a bit different meaning than rooting for him to the bitter end. Also-are you asserting you can't empathize for the plights of multiple people when watching a dramatic work? It's not a football game- you don't have to take a side and stick with it; I already said I love Jesse Pinkman, too. And you certainly don't have to agree with every move he makes. To be clear I wasn't ringing my hands with an evil cackle when he let Jesse's girl pass away. That's a dramatic "oh shit" moment that thickens the plot and in that instance created the conflict that ultimately destroyed Walt and Jesse's relationship-- one of several that WW probably wishes he could have back. That's what I actually like about and in fact consider the definition of a conflicted, flawed, sympathetic character. Cheering for WW and in utter suspense waiting to see him do the right thing/redeem himself etc. certainly doesn't make me a sociopath or my view 'un-nuanced.' One could also argue that turning your back on a character at the first sign of a flaw is an un-nuanced view as well. WW is not the sociopath in BB-- there are plenty of others to choose from. Also, I think you are probably being pretty disingenuous about your lack of regard/empathy for WW if pressed-- don't tell me you weren't cheering when he decimated those nazis and set Jesse free.

[Jeff Lebowski]

You got me! I'm the one who is sociopathic and devoid of nuance. Too bad all you perfect souls never made a mistake, let your ego get the best of you, got in over your head, or hurt loved ones, etc. and can't relate to and root for a fictional character who does-- you might enjoy the show more. No, you don't 'cheer' when the shitty stuff happens to him any more than you cheer when it happens to you, but if you've lived any kind of a life you feel a pang of empathy and want to see him through it.

First of all, you don't need to "root for" Walter White at every step of the way to enjoy the show. Crazy talk. No way you enjoyed the show any more than I did.

One could argue that rooting for WW to the bitter end demonstrates a profound lack of empathy as he left a broad wake of destruction in his path.

BTW, one of my other favorite series is the Sopranos. Definitely some parallels between Tony Soprano and Walter White. Both are complex and fascinating and you can't help but root for them at times, but wow, Tony could shock you back to reality by doing some evil things. Walter White allowing the girl to die very much reminded me of Tony Soprano choking out his nephew after the impact of a car crash. In both cases, an opportunity was seized to alleviate a problem by making a split second decision and allowing/causing someone to die. I wonder if the BB writers used that as an inspiration for the BB episode in question.

[dabrockster]

You got me! I'm the one who is sociopathic and devoid of nuance. Too bad all you perfect souls never made a mistake, let your ego get the best of you, got in over your head, or hurt loved ones, etc. and can't relate to and root for a fictional character who does-- you might enjoy the show more. No, you don't 'cheer' when the shitty stuff happens to him any more than you cheer when it happens to you, but if you've lived any kind of a life you feel a pang of empathy and want to see him through it.

Nope. I enjoyed the show with my invested emotions on a rational level when I insert a touch of reality to it.. this isn't a popcorn summer blockbuster where we should remove such emotions..

I was sympathetic to a point and even in the end he was redeemable to a point but cannot forget all the evil he had done.


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[dabrockster]

Breaking Bad

Yes, totally agree. Both are fantastic characters and BB may be my all-time favorite series. But shouldn't complex and nuanced characters warrant a complex and nuanced reaction? Something like, "Walter was a sympathetic character and I couldn't help but cheer for him at times, but he did some horrible, evil things that repulsed me." But this kind of statement:



is sociopathic and devoid of nuance. You would cheer when he lets a girl die? You would cheer when he meets the grieving father and when his actions indirectly cause a plane filled with innocent people (including kids) to crash? If Walter had started a child sex trafficking business, would you have still cheered him on?

The whole premise of the show is that this high school chemistry teacher with terminal cancer and his lovable sidekick draw you in and then the chemistry teacher gradually morphs into a monster and we get to watch all of the repercussions play out. The episode with the train was great and so important to the overall story. They have this crazy scheme to steal chemicals and you are on the edge of your seat in suspense the entire episode and then you jump up and cheer and pump your fists when they pull it off and then ... bang! They shoot a young boy on a motorcycle. "Oh yeah, they are drug dealers involved in an evil despicable business." The whiplash was stunning. Brilliant writing. Jesse's soul was shattered and he never recovered. Walter White just shook it off. Full on sociopath at that point obsessed with power and greed.

Dang, what a great series.

So well said.. And I knew Walt was devoid of all feelings when he tried to console Jessie in the fog-house meth lab about the no being killed and then proceeded to "Whistle why he worked" when he thought Jessie was gone. Jessie realized at that point how far gone Walt was..

Straight gangsta..


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[Commando]

I bet commando wouldn't have stayed loyal to WW if he wore a Make America Great Again hat.

Walter White at least attempted to wear a classy hat.