TV Review: Breaking Bad

I know a lot of people who have been hesitant to start Breaking Bad, just because of the subject matter. A brilliant chemistry teacher, who resorts to making meth in order to support his family after he is diagnosed with terminal cancer. It's heavy stuff, and not something people generally think they're going to enjoy watching.

But let me say, after finishing this series last night (finally!!)  this show is one of the best, if not THE best, shows made, possible ever.

Bryan Cranston, as Walter White, is one of the best actors, possibly ever.

 

 

His transformation from sweet, quiet, sort-of-pushover Walter in the beginning, to what he becomes toward the end is just amazing, and terrifying, and brilliant.

Then there's Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman. Spot on as the junkie with a heart. He's a good guy deep down, but his stupid decisions get in the way, almost up until the very end.

 

 

In fact, all the actors in this show are spot-on, amazing, and nothing but believable. Super-sleazy lawyer, Saul Goodman, played by Bob Odenkirk, is a perfect skeez-ball.  You will kind of start to hate Skyler, Walter's wife, played by Anna Gunn. Same with her sister Marie (Betsy Brandt), but for other reasons. Walt Jr., aka Flynn, played by RJ Mitte, has some of the best one liners, usually about food. (Raisin Bran Crunch... it says crunch right on the box. I thought we were going to Cold Stone Creamery?) And then there's Walter's brother in law, Hank, who happens to be part of the Albuquerque D.E.A. Dean Norris plays him as such an arrogant, yet family loving man, you just don't know if you should hate him or admire him.

This show is definitely not for the faint of heart. It is INTENSE to say the least. I'm seriously on the edge of my seat almost every episode, and there are some seriously cringe-worthy moments.

It's beautifully shot, using the natural dessert settings of New Mexico. The show has even spawned Breaking Bad tours throughout Albuquerque.

And you'll never look at a pair of tighty-whiteys the same way again. Or old orange-striped Winnebagos, for that matter.

I would only recommend Breaking Bad to very mature high schoolers, or 17 years and up, since there is a lot of graphic violence, sexual situations, and, of course, drugs and drug use.

All five seasons are available now on Netflix.