Breaking Bad on AMC

[Urban Pioneer]

Can't believe there isn't a thread on this show! At least one didn't come up in my search.

3 episodes left. Incredible, gut wrenching, writing.

[RadicalModerate]

This is the ONLY current television program that I have followed from Episode One.
In my opinion, it is the best, most intense, show since The Wire.

[Tier2City]

Can't believe there isn't a thread on this show! At least one didn't come up in my search.

3 episodes left. Incredible, gut wrenching, writing.

Clearly you've been very busy or something. Only two episodes left.

[Tier2City]

Also, have you noticed how Kerry looks like Walter White? Bit disturbing that.

[Urban Pioneer]

Lol

[kelroy55]

I admit I'm probably the only person that hasn't seen this show and I'll watch it but need to start with year 1.

[ljbab728]

I admit I'm probably the only person that hasn't seen this show and I'll watch it but need to start with year 1.

Nope, you're not the only one.

[kevinpate]

Nope, you're not the only one.

OK, that makes three. Are we a club yet?

[RadicalModerate]

OK, that makes three. Are we a club yet?

I think you might really like the show.
Keep an eye out for this character:

[FritterGirl]

My husband and I started watching it on netflix and were hooked from week 1. The characters, the depth of writing, the story lines are just incredible, and the acting by the entire cast superb. Subtextual elements of everything from Kafka to Shakespeare to Greek mythology. It's truly mythic storytelling.

[RadicalModerate]

My husband and I started watching it on netflix and were hooked from week 1. The characters, the depth of writing, the story lines are just incredible, and the acting by the entire cast superb. Subtextual elements of everything from Kafka to Shakespeare to Greek mythology. It's truly mythic storytelling.

I couldn't have said it better myself. One of the things that I find most fascinating about the program is how the writers show that getting involved with any aspect of the crystal meth industry corrupts not only the body but the soul (without getting all "preachy" about it.)

Remember that scene at the end of either the first or second season involving Walter, the swimming pool and the "debris"? In my opinion, that could have been the very last scene of the entire program and it would still have had an excellent finale (in regard to lessons in "the laws of unintended consequences.") Thank goodness they allowed it to continue for several more years. It just got better and better (in terms of getting worse and worse).

Just out of curiosity (and not wanting to get this thread sidetracked), have you ever seen a film with Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton called, "A Simple Plan"?

[FritterGirl]

I couldn't have said it better myself. One of the things that I find most fascinating about the program is how the writers show that getting involved with any aspect of the crystal meth industry corrupts not only the body but the soul (without getting all "preachy" about it.)

Remember that scene at the end of either the first or second season involving Walter, the swimming pool and the "debris"? In my opinion, that could have been the very last scene of the entire program and it would still have had an excellent finale (in regard to lessons in "the laws of unintended consequences.") Thank goodness they allowed it to continue for several more years. It just got better and better (in terms of getting worse and worse).

Just out of curiosity (and not wanting to get this thread sidetracked), have you ever seen a film with Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton called, "A Simple Plan"?

I have seen "A Simple Plan," although it's been years, but it falls under a similar premise. What I love most, especially in terms of character development, is that the characters are all so dichotomous, and that makes for the best characters in terms of writing. The emotional heart and moral center of the entire show is a washed-up high-school drop-out who really only wants the stability his own family couldn't provide. The doltish "jokester" of the series is turning into the lynchpin, being more coy and deceptive than we ever see on the surface. And the small things, the smallest details come back at the most unassuming times and turn into explosive plot points (as the series deepens you can see it coming.) Personally, I'm finding the beginning of season five to be a bit pell nell, especially with the introduction of some new characters (a no-no in traditional 3-act screenwriting), but I can see that things are going to have to come back full circle to the original group before the final denouement. Can't wait to watch it all unravel.

[Stew]

The last two episodes Walter has been breaking stupid. Holy smokes he got out witted by Hank. All of Walt's troubles stem from the fact he didn't let Gus properly deal with Jesse. Live and learn.

[td25er]

The last two episodes Walter has been breaking stupid. Holy smokes he got out witted by Hank. All of Walt's troubles stem from the fact he didn't let Gus properly deal with Jesse. Live and learn.

He could have avoided EVERYTHING (so many deaths) by just accepting Elliot and Gretchen's offer to pay for treatment.

[Stew]

He could have avoided EVERYTHING (so many deaths) by just accepting Elliot and Gretchen's offer to pay for treatment.

That probably seemed a bit too immoral for Walt's sensibilities. And I for one am thankful for that because breaking bad would have broke boring awfully fast although it still would have been better than 99% of the garbage on TV today.

[RadicalModerate]

That probably seemed a bit too immoral for Walt's sensibilities. And I for one am thankful for that because breaking bad would have broke boring awfully fast although it still would have been better than 99% of the garbage on TV today.

POSSIBLE SPOILER (but probably not):
I don't think that Walt found the offer "immoral" as much as accepting it might have caused him too much cognitive dissonance in terms of chipping away at the sharp edges of the deep-seated grudge that he apparently held against the person offering the gift.

As Walter Scott once said . . .
Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practise to deceive!

Especially when we deceive ourselves.
Or at least who we think we are.

[MadMonk]

I haven't watched this since the first couple of episodes in season 2. Not sure why it lost me though. Maybe I got busy and never got back into it. I would think that Walter would be dead from cancer by now (or did I miss him going into remission or something?).

[FritterGirl]

For the sake of those who haven't yet caught up - can the folks writing about specific plot points, etc. please include SPOLIERS so it warns the rest of us not to read? Thanks!

[BBatesokc]

During the entire Zimmerman trial all I could see was Walter White as Zimmerman's defense attorney - Don West looks just like him!

Right now Breaking Bad is probably our favorite show on TV. Been watching since episode one. What we love is the writing is so good there has been no 'slow period' or winding down like in Sopranos etc.

[Urban Pioneer]

Glad this thread found some legs. "Better call Saul!"

[TaoMaas]

My wife and I only started watching Breaking Bad over the last month or two. We started back at the beginning and hit the last episode on Netflix last night. So now we'll have to go find an HDMI cable so we can hook her laptop up to our tv and watch the next few episodes off the AMC website. We've recorded a few weeks on our DVR so maybe by the time the finale hits, we'll be caught up. lol

[soonerguru]

I've gotta get caught up. Lost track in Season Two because the show was too much for my watching buddy. Not sure my wife will watch it with me.

[yukong]

SPOILER POSSIBLE, BUT NOT REALLY - I watched the first 2-3 episodes a several months back on Netflix. I walked away for a couple of months not sure if I wanted to watch the rest. About 6 weeks ago, I thought I would give it another try. After episodes 4 and 5 I was hooked. I then watched an episode or two every night before bed. I was addicted. The first half of Season 5 was on Netflix so I watched those as the last half of Season 5 began. I DVR'ed those and I was able to get current about 2 episodes ago. Almost hate having to wait a week to see what happens next after being about to watch them back to back. However, I must agree with the others here...this is one of the best things I have ever seen on TV. Right up there with seasons 1,2, and 5 of the Wire. And Homeland. Just riveting. The last two episodes have been just shocking and I cannot wait to see how this ends. From the future scene from 5-1 and 5-9, it looks like some epic battle is going to happen. The writing is just so crazy good. I don't think anything just happens in the story line...everything has a connection to something and a meaning. Watching them back to back has helped in that regard. I don't have to try and remember back 5 years. Just like in episode 1 of the series when they were fleeing in the RV and Walter's pants flew off and through the air. Then in the last episode...as Walter is rolling the barrel of money through the same area, he passes his pants that are still out there in the desert. There are so many like that.

Too answer a question above...Walter's cancer went into remission for a time. But the whole series covers only about 2 years in the life of Walter and family.

Just a great show. If you haven't seen it, and you have Netflix...treat yourself and go back and watch it. Just very addictive.

[OKCisOK4me]

I don't have cable but I've watched up to the halfway point of Season 5 on Netflix + one episode from this half season on AMC's website, so I'm not going to read any of the posts above...

In reply to the pic I caught while zooming to the quick reply box...BETTER CALL SAUL!

[RadicalModerate]

Saul is, like, The Smucker's of The Legal Profession:

"With An Office Like This, He's Got To Be Good"

(and reasonably priced, too!)
(Why, he's so Frugal that he shortened his name from Saulomon to simply Saul!
and passes the savings on to YOU!)