TV Series: Breaking Bad

After avoiding the spoilers for the past couple months, I finally finished the last episode of Breaking Bad on Netflix. It's hard to believe that this popular AMC series has now come to a close after 5 incredible seasons. From the first episode to the last episode of season 5, this series was unlike anything I've ever seen before. It was constant suspense, with non-stop development and unpredictable twists. This storytelling mixed with incredible acting has mad Breaking Bad one of the most popular and perhaps greatest TV series of all time!

I actually didn't start watching the series until the fall of 2012, when I first saw it appear on Netflix. It was my cousin Jennifer who recommended it to me a long time before that. Thanks to the wonderful innovation of streaming Netflix I have begun to appreciate quality television series more. (Such as MadMen, Lost, House of Cards, Wilfred, Bates Motel to name a few) The beauty of television series is the character development, that cannot happen in a 2 hour movie. Breaking Bad was no exception to this benefit, and I was instantly hooked after the first episode.

Walt White

The backbone of the show is no doubt the main protagonist, Walt White, played incredibly by Bryan Cranston. Just as the title suggests his character has broken bad, from a good chemistry teacher to a bad methamphetamine cook. This behavior is triggered when he finds out he has cancer and wants to get one final thrill out of life. Throughout the series, from one situation to another, Walt falls deeper and deeper into this illegal trade, affecting everyone around him. He is a very serious, stern man who puts his business ahead of everything. In the end we discover that Walt isn't doing this for his family, but merely the thrill of feeling alive.

Supporting Characters

Walt is joined by a former student and burn-out, Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul. Jesse teaches Walt everything about the business and together they begin cooking and dealing the illegal drug. They're quickly able to rise from street dealers to becoming the most respected meth cooks in the business. However their partnership/relationship goes through constant ups, downs, and complexities as the story gets deeper.

Walt's wife, Skyler, played by Anna Gunn, is also a pivotal character constantly going through ups and downs with her husband Walt. She is at first very concerned and supportive of her husband who has been diagnosed with cancer. However as the story goes on she grows suspicious, afraid, conflicted, and furious at her husband's changing behavior. This tension is doubled due to the safety of their two children, an infant and a highschooler named RJ, with cerebral palsy. Skyler is put in a very difficult situation of keeping quiet while her husband breaks the law.

Walt's brother-in-law, Hank Schrader, happens to be a fierce DEA agent who is very good at his job. He is constantly on the rise and in search of this new drug-lord known as "Heisenberg". What makes this connection all the more enjoyable is that Hank and his unpleasant wife, Besty, share a personal relationship with Walt's family. Walt knows his brother-in-law is bent to find him, however Hank doesn't discover who Heisenberg is until the final season. This makes for a very dramatic finale as their relationship comes to a complete 180, from friends to arch-enemies.  

Walt's go-to person for underground connections is a criminal lawyer named Saul Goodman, played by Bob Odenkirk. It's through Saul that Walt and Jesse are able to handle their illegal business in a very organized fashion with top-notch connections, security, and secrecy. Throughout the situations that arise, Saul is very efficient at his job, always weaseling his way around the law.

There are also several high-level drug distributors that come into conflict with Walt throughout the series. The most notable is Gustavo Gus Fring. From seasons 2 to 4, Gustavo handles his business in an extremely calm, cool, and collected fashion. Others include Mike Ehrmantraut, Gustavo's right hand hitman, Lydia Quayle, a rich wife taking over her dead husbands business, and a young meth apprentice, Todd Alquist.

The Appeal

This show is unlike anything I've seen before, and hooks the viewer with its constant twists and unpredictable story-line. This is a credit to Vince Gilligan and his team of high quality writers who have taken the term suspense to a whole new level with this production. To add to this masterful storytelling is the equally masterful acting of Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, and the rest of the cast. Each of them create a truly unique character with real emotions as they are constantly put in unique situations. It's no wonder this show has gone on to clean up the awards in best TV drama series. It's no doubt one of the best in the biz!