Search
Verdict
5

Summary

You’ve all heard the hype and for once here’s a thrilling show that’s lived up to its acclaimed reputation. It’s such a well-constructed show that every other show these days is trying to be as addicting as it was.

Plot: This series created by Vince Gilligan (The X-Files) is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Breaking Bad revolves around Walter White (Bryan Cranston, Malcolm In the Middle), a struggling and depressed high school chemistry teacher with a teenage son who has cerebral palsy (RJ Mitte) and pregnant wife, Skyler (Anna Gunn, Murder One). When the already tense White is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he breaks down and turns to a life of crime, producing and selling crystal methamphetamine with his former student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul, Birds of Prey), in a desire to secure his family’s financial future while avoiding detection from his DEA agent brother-in-law, Hank (Dean Norris, Lethal Weapon 2).

Review: In Season 1, HS chemistry teacher Walter learns he has terminal lung cancer. Desperate to secure the financial future of his family, he teams up with a former student named Jesse to make and sell meth after witnessing Jesse leave a crime scene that Hank happens to also be at. The show does a solid job much like Sidney Lumet, Michael Mann, David Ayer and even Tarantino have all done in the past in terms of crafting an original crime-filled world without feeling derivative, let alone, pretentious. Shit hits the fan immediately, the characterization immediately rewardingly brought to life thru simplistic subtext and the stakes are raised to where you are hooked from the first episode much like many others have been. There are no wasted scenes or filler-episodes and anyone can see why this easily rivals previous crime shows like The Sopranos and The Shield.

Season 2 has Jesse and Walt team up with some of Jesse’s pals in order to create more meth for their lab. Meanwhile, they encounter more drug lords and vicious criminals who want a piece of the action. Introduced towards the end of the season is Chilean druglord/Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant owner Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito, Law & Order) and his hitman: former beat cop Mike (Jonathan Banks, Beverly Hills Cop). It’s easy to see why the AMC network requested that the creators come up with something similar to Falling Down or the Death Wish films which they commonly aired as this show has elements of those respective films, although it’s arguably less over-the-top as those. While I found there to be a few episodes I didn’t enjoy as much or which felt to be partial filler material, this season does a splendid job of maintaining that no storyline or character ever gets fully comfortable. And by doing that that prepares the viewer for the endless unpredictable mayhem and internal/external conflicts that each character will have to face. The whole film crew does a good job of continuing the quiet build-up, complex ethical boundaries and visual storytelling that make even the biggest nitpicker still want to continue on this trouble-filled journey.

Season 3 chronicles Walter having a pending divorce while Jesse is haunted by a beloved one’s previous death. Meanwhile, twin brother hitmen named “The Cousins” (Luis and Daniel Moncada) target Walter in order to avenge the death of their beloved cousin, Tuco (Raymond Cruz, The Closer). The season also chronicles a new super-meth lab created by German scientist Gale (David Costabile, The Wire), who then has Walter provide supplies for the lab. This season, much like the previous two, jumps instantly where the storyline last left off. This is honestly unusual at first to get into but clicks like clockwork and is less of a slow-burn and more of setting the mood for where the rest of the show will become. It’s even more interesting because the two lead characters are so evolved (for better or worse) compared to the personas which they were when the show first began. Every other character is second-guessing each other to the point where the heartstopping thrills and imaginative dramatic arcs become more deadly (literally), and even though it’s a rather twisted show, it stands out so very well by making you ponder endlessly about what different strategic actions everyone could’ve done differently. That’s masterful storytelling when your Crime Thriller show is about being in the characters’ shows as opposed to waiting for the next well-written speech or mystery to unfold when all is said and done.

Season 4 and 5 both begin with shocking flashbacks and present-day jump forwards. They both chronicle completely different business and retirement decisions for both Walter and Jesse while introducing new gangster backstories, more deadly encounters and many an insane plot twist. Both seasons here again show that this show can outdo itself once again but in a well-done way and neither of them feel unwarranted. The story itself is far from over so it never feels like this show was on the air past its prime. However this show and its format were outlined, many kudos are definitely in order because they successfully pulled it off in a way where, like The Wire, 24 or Prison Break, every season feels like its own lengthy movie. I say that because again each episode leads into the next and all the details seen on-screen feel germane and have the rapid-fire intensity we’ve come to love and respect. And by planning out these outrageous yet layered scenarios and always having the needed urgency, you are mentally glued to the screen, unable to look away or watch even just two episodes. By having this rare mixture of immediacy and final wrap-up, it delivers on sealing up the whole premise without feeling like its on autopilot or running out of steam. It’s the best kind of lengthy show where you have to attempt seeing when you have a rare moment of vacation. Either that or call in sick and binge away!