TV Show of the Week #29: Breaking Bad

Mr E

Yeah, I'm bringing back TV Show of the Week for a special occasion. I had the absolute pleasure of watching all 20 episodes of this over the last week, and wanted to talk about it.

The show tells the story of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a mild mannered high school chemistry teacher who discovers that he has stage 3 lung cancer and doesn't have long to live. He is married, has a 16 year old son, and a baby on the way.

His brother in law is a DEA agent, and while watching some TV footage of a crystal meth lab seisure (along with thousands of dollars), he has a eureka moment on how to provide for his family after he is gone. With his chemistry know-how, he starts cooking the best crystal meth in Albuquerque.

Early on, he realises that while he has the chemistry know-how, he doesn't have the street-smarts to sell it. Enter Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), an ex-student of Walter's and drug dealer. The two team up, and go through many highs and lows in a bid to become drug kingpins in New Mexico.

This is one of those shows, a bit like Dexter, where unless you find out about it yourself or you're told about it, you may never come across it. However when you do, you'll think its one of the best shows you've ever seen.

Cranston (probably best known as Hal, the dad in Malcolm In The Middle) is a superb actor who absolutely carries this show and pulls off the role with tremendous skill. The guy can seriously act (he has the Emmys to prove it), and it couldn't be a more different role from the goofy Hal. Aaron Paul's Jesse (also Emmy Nominated) is a great foil for the serious Walter. He has street-smarts, but not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it's really needed. The relationship between the pair is a triumph, and you'll enjoy the highs as much as the lows.

If you can find this show, I urge you to give it a look. From the strange y-fronts opening in the desert in episode 1, to the explosive season 2 finale, its a roller coaster of a show which is easily in my top 5 of all time. Roll on season 3 at the end of March.

It can't come soon enough, yo.

Poochie05

Great, this has given me the incentive to start Season 2.
I loved Season 1 and would rate the show in my top 5. As you say Brian Cranston is excellent in it and Aaron Paul is also superb - I was delighted to see his Emmy nomination but sadly he didn't get it.
I have S2 waiting to be watched and even recommended the show to my boss who has a degree in Industrial Chemistry so I thought he'd appreciate it
But with all the shows I've been watching, I haven't had a chance to catch up. I caught up with S4 of Dexter over the break and am now on to Burn Notice S3, so I'll line up this for my next 'catch up' marathon. New Year's resolutions FTW!

Basq

I've been telling you for months to watch it Dave! Glad you finally did!

I can pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with this show.. and it's my favourite scene of the entire first season:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gApZlK9jZzQ

I probably thought the second season was even better than the first with episodes like 'Grilled', '4 Days Out' and 'Phoenix'... although I did have a couple of problems with the season finale.

Dave.. there's an extremely good interview with Vince Gilligan post-season-two-finale that I posted. Hold on, I'll dig it up... here we go: http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/05/breaking_bad_vince_gilligan_se.html

It is a show that deserves it acclaim though.. both Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul just seem to get more impressive as each series progresses.

PS - As L31mr0d said in the 'Breaking Bad - Season 2' (** major season 2 spoilers **) thread.. the transformation (both physically and mentally) of Walt from the first episode of season 1 to the last episode of season 1 is absolute stunning.



EDIT: Hope you don't mind Dave.. but gonna un-stick this to get more views on the show. I completely missed it as a sticky up top.. that's the problem with stickies!

D-Generate

Oh man I can't wait till it comes back on. It has been the show I have been most eagerly awaiting since its finale a good few months ago.

Season 2 really cemented it as a quality show with excellent writing and superb acting. In the first season Walter seems like a genuine guy down on his luck but by the second season he is becoming consumed by the world which he has entered and everything that he believed in in the beginning is falling apart. Who woulda thought that the best acting in a drama would come from the dude who played Hal!

Oh I also love Beavers voice..... Or maybe his name was Badger....

amacachi

March when it's back yeahh? Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait.

AlmightyCushion

I wish stupid season 3 would hurry up and get here. I's starting to get bored.

Basq

Some brief promos for Season 3..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzVia595n-4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dye2XN-MqHQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc_8cq533TA

yabadabado

i watched the first season on FX .very enjoyable show ,excellent ctory with very good characters.did season show on any station over here?

amacachi

Hope this is out on Blu-Ray soon, then it'll be sooner til it's cheaper and I can buy it.
Ahhhh season 3!

Basq

amacachi wrote: »

Hope this is out on Blu-Ray soon, then it'll be sooner til it's cheaper and I can buy it.

Both Season 1 and Season 2 are being released on Blu-ray in the States on March 9th.

Breaking Bad: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray]
Breaking Bad: The Complete Second Season [Blu-ray]

We'll know closer to release whether they'll be Region-Free or not. But the special features for the first-season Blu-ray look quite good:

Supplements

* Cast and crew commentaries
* Deleted/extended scenes
* Making of Breaking Bad
* AMC Shootout - Interview with Vince Gilligan and Bryan Cranston
* Screen tests
* Inside Breaking Bad
* Vince Gilligan's photo gallery

L31mr0d

basquille wrote: »

Dave.. there's an extremely good interview with Vince Gilligan post-season-two-finale that I posted. Hold on, I'll dig it up... here we go: http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/05/breaking_bad_vince_gilligan_se.html

Yeah I really liked that Easter Egg in the titles of Season 2.

It seems to be a show that you can't easily recommend to people I've found to spark their interest (much like Dexter actually) the person usually needs to discover it on their own. Was recommending it to a few people in work for months and nobody was biting then finally one of them happened to watch an episode on TV and now loves it. The other guys, who haven't come across it on TV still haven't bothered to watch it.

ziedth

I love this show,

When i first watched it i was worried that all i would see is hal cause he is one of my fav comedic characters ever.

But now due to his simply unbelieveable acting breaking bad whenever i come across malcom i think that thag inside hal lies the heart of a badass.

I'd also strongly reccomend anyone give it a go. The "Let him bleed" scene from season two actually made me cheer. Mrs ziedtn thought i was loosing it

ScumLord

I loved this show, I loved the way Walter's idea of a bad guy was like some evil character out of a comic book. He looks so out of place at first then just goes with it. It's the way he changes from a stick in the mud average Joe to a real dangerous looking bad ass that I love so much about that character.

ziedth

i agree, i was only half watching it untill that episode in season one where he first meets tucco. IIRC there is a monologue of walter saying how he doesnt want anyone else hurt over the scene of a very badass looking walter walking through debris.

Cormic

Did the second season get aired over here? If it did I must have missed it. I really enjoyed the first season.

InKonspikuou2

Brilliant show and just adds to Cranston's diversity as an actor. Always knew he was talented but to go from the character in Malcolm in the middle to the one in Breaking Bad is amazing. Can't wait for season 3.

JP Liz

I watched Season 1 on FX UK quite enjoyable

Are they or did they show Season 2?

fizzynicenice

Right in the middle of s2 now, Defo in my top 3 shows of all time.
It can be sooo fuckin funny and then so gut wrenching also.
Roll on season 3!!!

Basq

JP Liz wrote: »

I watched Season 1 on FX UK quite enjoyable

Are they or did they show Season 2?

They lost the rights to Channel Five, who are currently showing the second season on their sister station - Five.TV.

http://www.five.tv/programmes/drama/breaking-bad

Reginald P. DuM

I have just watched the pilot, loved it. Very glad I clicked on this thread cos now I'm gonna spend the next few days watching SE 1 & 2. Superb acting and story, wonderful moments of comedy and emotion. And a fine sound track ta boot. Thanks for putting it my way.

Basq

Reginald P. DuM wrote: »

I have just watched the pilot, loved it. Very glad I clicked on this thread cos now I'm gonna spend the next few days watching SE 1 & 2. Superb acting and story, wonderful moments of comedy and emotion. And a fine sound track ta boot. Thanks for putting it my way.

Great to hear.... that's exactly what the 'TV Show of The Week' is for!

pickarooney

Sometimes I wonder what I'd watch if it weren't for recommendations from people who know stuff *shudder*

I've leaked it to a few people who have all loved it but not recommended it to people who I know don't deserve it

amacachi

I've recommended it to pretty much everyone I know but only two people have listened. Both watched every available episode within 36 hours of watching the first.

plainjane81

basquille wrote: »

They lost the rights to Channel Five, who are currently showing the second season on their sister station - Five.TV.

http://www.five.tv/programmes/drama/breaking-bad

i have been waiting for s2 for ages. Didnt know fx lost it. Where is this station Five. i have sky i dont see it anywhere. how do you all watch it

Reginald P. DuM

Season 2 is superb jane, I suggest ya get on it immediately!!

For instructions as to how to get 5 on sky hit the link and follow the simple instructions....

Enjoy.. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055520627

The Black Oil

I've never seen this, but a friend was praising it quite a bit. Another person said it's a bit bleak and depressing which overrides any black humour, or something like that. Might give it a go some time.

plainjane81

Reginald P. DuM wrote: »

Season 2 is superb jane, I suggest ya get on it immediately!!

For instructions as to how to get 5 on sky hit the link and follow the simple instructions....

Enjoy.. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055520627

thanks Reg

tuned it in nice one

lostexpectation

shocking how bad hes gone, really

11811

Just started watching this tonight, great show, going to enjoy watching the two season over the next few days!
Some great acting on Bryan Cranston's part!