Breaking Bad
Bryan Cranston is the guy who was the dufus dad in Malcolm in the Middle
The first few seasons you can tell the writers struggled with the show. Elements at beginning (Those flashbacks of his Chemistry research days for example) were dropped when the show took off and they took the show in a new direction and later seasons had to go back and add elements to keep the continuity going. But by opening up to different aspects of the meth industry they were able to keep the show fresh.
Another TV show, Rescue Me (the New York fire fighting show)
Breaking Bad risked going down the same road but with the whole Mexican cartel angle and the anti-hero Gus I think the show avoided that. But what created an incredible addicting program is not just the action. What did it for me are the moral choices that the main character Walter White has to make. Its having Walter do horrible, horrible things to protect himself and his family and wondering if you would/could do the same things is what that makes the show so addicting.
If you like this review, you should check out:
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| Samurai | The Eigers | Kyuss | Confessions of a Yakuza | John Frusciante: The Empyrean |
Gaijinass 
Nice write. Ima check it out. I have been hesitating to talk about death because of folks knee jerk reaction. If they could all atleast ry and put themselves in my position they might at least get it. Or not?
Breaking Bad will definitely make you think how far would you go to protect those close to you. Watching the show I couldn’t do what he did … I think most couldn’t …
Sheeeeaaat….Walters a bitch. Either be a bad guy or don’t. Stop straddling the fence. After you waste some guys and dispose of their bodies, sorry, you’re playing for the dark side now so get over it.
Oh he’s chosen a side … it’s more how far he goes to get what he wants.
Just found your blog. Gonna download some Breaking Bad. Thanks for sharing.
Just went through all 5 seasons in 3 weeks, its like a meth addiction.
It is! Which is why it’s a good idea to watch them over a short time. Clear your schedule and get your fix of Breaking Bad.
What? Really? This isnt ROME for gods sake. Not nearly. What’s the appeal? I’ve watched it all and still…seems pretty petty and sad to me.
I think I’m addicted to the sheer insanity. I think the writing is generally pretty good and the relationship dynamic between Pinkman and Walter is pretty interesting. It goes off the rails at times, and I think Skylar is really annoying, but generally I find the show is consistently entertaining…
Currently watching Season 4, it’s a pretty good show alright. But one thing that rubs me the wrong way is how the main characters are so goddamn unprofessional.
Jesse takes everything personal, keeps lashing out like a little kid. Walter does the same thing out of jealousy when he sees good things happening to people around him. They’re making money, more than they know what to do with. How is this a problem?
All their problems could have been solved if Jesse was just shot dead as soon as he threatened to turn Walter over to the police (I think this was in season 2, after he got his ass beat by the DEA agent).
I may have been spoiled by watching the entire run of The Wire again for the 3rd time recently.
I think the very nature of the meth producing industry, and the drug industry in general, is that they’re not professional. It’s a mix of underworld ambition and aggression that’s seeped in an atmosphere of paranoia and betrayal, not an environment where good business sense comes into factor. But I hear you about Jesse. The first few seasons were just stories revolving around how Jesse would fuck everything up and then they would have to fix it.
For example take Walter (WW) choosing (Highlight to see the spoiler text)Jesse to work in Gus’s lab with him. At first it seems like it’s the same old thing, WW is bringing Jesse along for some twisted reason, and you know Jesse is going to fuck it up somehow but I think WW was devious in choosing Jesse. WW knew his power was that he was the only one who knew how to make the good Blue Shit and if the very professional Gale spent more time with him, learning his tricks then WW wouldn’t be valuable and could be removed. Without Jesse working as his partner Walter could have been killed. He was the key to Walter’s safety.
It was the same thing with Jesse’s Junkie girlfriend. Walter didn’t kill, let her die, because he needed Jesse. He caused her death because he knew he would never be safe with her blackmailing him for more and more money.
You just took things to a new level (Highlight to see my insult text) with all this secret highlight magic you are up to. Wow. I’m simultaneously impressed yet horrified this technique exists. Good comment by the way.