Has anyone watched this TV series on AMC?

I'm just about to finish watching the first two series of it on FIVE USA here in the UK, and it is an amazing piece of TV. Right up there with The Wire competing for best TV series ever, I would say! It's got the same theme (drug dealing) as The Wire, but it's completely different, as it's all about character development, rather than the social comment The Wire did so well.

Maybe I'm jumping the gun as there's only been two series and I've still got one episode left (I canceled the recording on my Sky+ by accident after my friend told me to record Midnight Run. Unbelievably frustrating, especially seen as Midnight Run turned out to be a very shit film!)

Anyway, if you haven't seen it yet, try and catch some repeats or buy the DVDs. You will not be disappointed. Bryan Cranston (Hal from Malcolm in the Middle) really suprised me with some of the best acting I've seen on the small screen.

I just love (although it is disturbing too) the way they show the transformation of Cranston's character throughout the series. There's no single point where you think that he's crossed a line into becoming a bad person. All his decisions you can almost foresee yourself making in those circumstances. I'm interested in seeing how far the show's writers will continue to strain our sympathy for Walt.

I watched the last episode last night. It was great although I felt like the Pink Bear flash-forwards kind of tricked us, but it was still a great example of the far-reaching consequences of Walt's actions.

Exactly--Walt starts out as this almost meek science teacher geek, but it seems that when the lung cancer diagnosis came, he began his descent. Somewhere I remember feeling, oh, no, don't go there, Walt, no, no.   And I don't think I've ever mustered one iota of sympathy for Jesse, yuck.

I enjoyed the black and white teasers at the beginning of those four episodes.  You knew they were out of place, part of some web that still wasn't quite clear. The titles of episodes 2,4,10, and 13 even form a sentence that explains what happens in the final episode.  I find that a fun touch.  The ripples of consequences of actions, the interconnectedness, very well done.

Jordan .

 Also, I think Jesse is largely an innocent, he doesn't really know what he's doing, and happened into drug dealing because his life wasn't going anywhere. Walt, too, is in over his head, but he's much more calculating and intelligent.

As for the glimmer of light, Walt should be able to get out of the situation he is in at any time. For whatever reason, he hasn't done that- primarily, I suspect, because that wouldn't make for a very good show.

I'm not sure innocent is I word I would have associated with Jesse. He had a comfortable middle-class life, he had options, he made his choices.

As for Walt getting out of his situation--I thought it was clear that his lung cancer was inoperable. That's a situation there's no getting out of, and seems to be driving his actions. And, as you say, it makes for a good show.
 

Jordan .

Jordan .

Interesting interview with Bryan Cranston on Tavis Smiley's show here:

 http://video.pbs.org/video/1459183868/

I'm still watching and I loved loved loved this season! I just finished the finale and it really blew me away.

It's funny that you mention the Jesse/compassion thing because a few episodes back I remembered our talk about Jesse being the sympathetic character and thought that it had turned out I was wrong (dealing meth to drug-rehabilitaters) but as you've said, I think the last two episodes have vindicated what I'd said before. The last scene was just stunning, it really pulled you in every direction. If Jesse went through with it would he be past redemption; if he didn't it would mean the end of Walt; if he tried some half-measure he might not get away from the scene quick enough. Captivating TV!

Jordan .

Oh I was pretty sure Jesse went through with it, but I meant in those seconds where he is circling Gail with tears in his eyes it really puts you through the wringer.

I really loved the Fly episode too Rigpa. That's what makes Breaking Bad such a good show. It can do those slow character-developing scenes and stretch them into whole gripping episodes but it can also explode into action when it needs to. p.s. thanks for the Tavis Smiley interview, it seems like a decent show, which I don't often say about talk shows (much less American ones).

Jordan, I hope your DVR mix-up didn't ruin such a great finale for you. It must have taken away from the impact of that final scene, thinking there was a whole hour left.

This is from IGN: "Before getting into the review, congrats to AMC for duping some of the viewers into believing the finale would be two hours and then filling that second hour with the Rubicon premiere. See, if you have cable or dish, AMC's schedule showed two hours of Breaking Bad for the finale. So if you recorded the BB finale, much like I did, you also recorded the Rubicon premiere without knowing it. Well done. Gotta golf-clap some innovative scheduling." http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/109/1097079p1.html

 I can't agree with their applauding of "duping viewers".

After just reading up on this show (no spoilers obviously), i really want to check it out. It sounds like something i'd enjoy. I tend to prefer character developing shows rather than watching people diving out of flaming cars to drop-kick the "baddies" in the bollocks. Although that would be pretty cool actually.

I think season 1 is out on DVD over here, and it's my birthday on Sunday. *rubs hands together*

-- Carrie

withoneeye.tumblr.com

I'm about halfway through the first season now, completely hooked and wondering why I hadn't been watching all along. hopesfall, have you started watching?

-- Carrie

withoneeye.tumblr.com

In order not to leave his family with nothing, a quick way to make a lot of money came into his mind. You don't like what Walter is doing, but at the same time you try to understand why he is doing it. He was forched to do so. He is one of us in the trouble. So I understand that poor man...^_^

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