Breaking Bad: How great was it?

[Cinjin]

That show wrecked TV for me.

No other show to date compares. A handful are close, but yeah ... Breaking Bad WRECKED tv for me because it was so god damn good.

[Belac Enrobso]

That show wrecked TV for me.

No other show to date compares. A handful are close, but yeah ... Breaking Bad WRECKED tv for me because it was so god damn good.

I know that feel bro

[Raeven]

Ok, I'll weigh in.

I'd never seen a single episode until 3 days ago (maybe 4, hard to keep track), but AMC was airing the entire series, all 5 seasons, in one marathon session. I thought I'd watch a couple of episodes to see what all the fuss was about. Got hooked, devoted my entire DVR to it and watched everything I managed to record. I only just finished watching the grand finale.

First, yes, it was very well written from a compelling story point of view. The characters were nicely developed -- and I say that as someone who missed quite a few of the earliest episodes. But I saw enough to fill in backwards and get the idea. The two main themes -- first, Jesse's progression from bad to better and Walt's from good to evil; and second, how far the Law of Unintended Consequences can take you. The writing did manage to keep the story on a high wire for the entire duration. I did get a little weary of watching the process of cooking meth, but that is a minor complaint. I probably wouldn't have minded that so much had I not watched the whole thing in one go. Kind of like eating an entire box of chocolates in one sitting. (Not that I've.... errrr... ever done that.)

For the most part, the story held together quite well, which was a great feat for such a lengthy run. There were a few jarring notes, but they were minor. Example: When Walt makes the "confession" DVD implicating Hank as Gus's partner in running the cartel, one of the points he made that was meant to be persuasive was that Walt and Skyler paid Hank's medical bills. I wondered, why would Hank be Gus's partner for any reason other than profit? And if that was the case, why did Walt and Skyler need to pay for Hank's medical care in the first place? Seemed to me that the fact of Walt and Skyler's paying for Hank's care would have been more persuasive to show that Walt was lying on the DVD. But we must always suspend disbelief somewhere in watching these fictions, so I did, and let it pass. Or maybe I missed something.

There were some magnificent performances, but there is no question that the success of the series rests on Bryan Cranston's stellar performance as Walt. His nuanced portrayal of a man stepping down from respectable and good to pragmatic and monstrous (but with ostensibly justifiable reasons!) was great fun to watch. Walt was unrelentingly creative and singular in his goal to keep his business going, which was in terrific keeping with his character, and so entertaining for the viewer. Obsessive, perhaps a bit OCD. A portrayal that will become iconic. No wonder the man has his pick of projects now.

I'll watch the series again, particularly to fill in the earlier episodes I missed. I quite liked it.

[houseofcantor]

So... what you're saying is that you condone the manufacture of meth?

[Raeven]

So... what you're saying is that you condone the manufacture of meth?

LOL, pot-stirring much? Are you that bored?

[houseofcantor]

So... what you're saying is that you condone the manufacture of meth?

LOL, pot-stirring much? Are you that bored?

Maybe...

I was thinking about irrelevant issues, about how disapproval of one thing seems to invite general moralization... I tried to watch the show, but I found it totally boring and completely unrealistic. And since I used to smoke a boatload of meth...

[Belac Enrobso]

I had an idea that perhaps AMC could produce a new show that could combine The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad.
As I believe that we all may know of the bath salts "zombie" in Miami who reduced the number of homeless people in Florida by a slither, I was thinking a couple days ago...
What if a similar good to bad chemist could start an underground empire of bath salts that would eventually cause an outbreak of "zombie" like people for a temporary period of time. Just a an idea that I'd like to pitch out and see if anyone could possibly add anything to it, or shoot it down and piss on its remains, ( kind of like what happened to the lone gunmen spinoff in the Xfiles).

[Violet]

So... what you're saying is that you condone the manufacture of meth?

I do. What of it?

---

Maybe...

I was thinking about irrelevant issues, about how disapproval of one thing seems to invite general moralization... I tried to watch the show, but I found it totally boring and completely unrealistic. And since I used to smoke a boatload of meth...

Ehhh, as far as I'm concerned: writers came up with a universe where 'whatever-grade snowy shit' existed, and that it could be made, and afaik they never contradicted their story.

But then, I also haven't watched it (not really), just been given plot overviews that were really chickenshit.

---

I mean... 'A Christmas Carol' is 'completely unrealistic'... but as long as a the writer delivers on their truths: the story can be good within their universe (said being a place where we trust and accept the rules given to us as law).

[houseofcantor]

So... what you're saying is that you condone the manufacture of meth?

I do. What of it?

o.O

You're not supposed to agree, silly...

Alright, from a former user standpoint, it is ugly. This guy is supposed to have the kind of access that launches a thousand ships of users, and from my experience, most cannot use, not even once.

But also, as mentioned, I am utilizing moral relativity to condemn a program of which I do not approve. More realistically, if you're entertained, it is a good show. I simply was not entertained.

[Violet]

o.O

You're not supposed to agree, silly...

Alright, from a former user standpoint, it is ugly. This guy is supposed to have the kind of access that launches a thousand ships of users, and from my experience, most cannot use, not even once.

Well, I do a lot of things I'm 'not supposed to do'.

Yes, it is a little ugly. Does the show disagree with its promise that said character has said capacity?

But also, as mentioned, I am utilizing moral relativity to condemn a program of which I do not approve. More realistically, if you're entertained, it is a good show. I simply was not entertained.

I didn't say I approve... but I do condone, and I would not prosecute in most cases. Users can transact how they please, cookers can make whatever the hell they want... as long as they don't weaponize it against nonbuyers, or 'realistically' endanger the lives of nonbuyers.