Breaking Bad turned 10 on 1/20/18, so what a perfect time to review it!
This is an American television show which follows the story of a 50-year-old high school chemistry teacher in New Mexico who, after diagnosed with lung cancer, moves toward crime to make money for his family. He uses his extreme knowledge of chemistry to “cook” crystal meth and sells it with the help of his former student Jesse Pinkman. The plot progresses brilliantly, even the filler episodes of this show are intriguing. For example, consider “Fly”, that episode was made with limited budget and was completely shot in the Lab but was easily the best episode of Season III.
It’s all five seasons are flawlessly well written, that is the strength of this show; its procedure of storytelling is brilliant. The way characters are developed, the way villains are introduced, the way finales are executed, everything is at master level. The villains are portrayed as businessman in this show and that’s why they are most likeable, they are not evil from heart, (Well except Uncle Jack and his crew, though case can also be made for them.) they just want to progress their business, and that’s why Gus Fring was such an interesting character. When he was introduced, it was plain that he has history and when it was revealed in the ending scene of “Hermanos.” Oh Boy! That scene!
All the other characters of this show are also so “Human.” Consider Jesse Pinkman, for instance, his character gradually developed, he was a total chill guy in Season I but in the end, he was straightaway broken. And all the actors were tremendous but the throne would easily be of Bryan Cranston. His performance as Walter White is such a rare gift that you just don’t get in this age and time. His struggle to move at the top of a game, his certain dialogues and his witty schemes were such a joy to watch. His train heist plan in “Dead Freight”, his strategy to finish off Gus in “Face Off”, his tactics in “Felina”, GOD I MISS THIS SHOW!!!
This show was pure drama. Yes, there were some amazing explosive moments but always more concentration was put on drama, and usually on family relationships. I really never liked Skyler, but I can’t deny that Anna Gunn performance was spectacular. She played her part flawlessly and her certain scenes did bring a tear in my eye. RJ Mitte also brought his A-Game in complete series. And few others of my favourites were Hank, Saul and Mike. All these three brought a different level of entertainment in this master class of a show.
There are total 62 episodes in this show and countless in TV as a whole, but none of them comes close to “Ozymandias”. The way that episode began, the way it ended. Oh My! Its 47min 13s runtime seems an instant as you see how everyone deals with radically changed circumstances. And by the end of episode, I bet your eyes won’t be dry. (Spoiler Alert) Hank death scene was sad but inevitable. The thing that hit me hard was the direction they took Jesse into, but they in reality paved the way to one of the most outstanding scene in the finale! This episode was filled with emotional and tear jerking beats; from the family drama to baby crying for her mama, everything was satisfying at its own level and I would have been wholly satisfied if this episode was the finale cause the way it ended, Walt with his barrel waiting to leave his shit life behind. Child! That was brilliant.
But the finale we did get was also no less awesome although a little slow but its pacing seemed perfect for the conclusion Vince Gilligan was going for. The most sublime scene was when Walt finally admitted that he enjoyed being a Meth cook. That scene just completed his arc and he saving Jesse almost redeemed him in justifiable manner because he was responsible for his condition. The show’s writing was also at its best and that final choice of music as Walt enjoys his final walk in a Meth Lab was splendid. GREATEST SERIES FINALE OF ALL TIME
VERDICT
Forget “The Wire”, this is the drama of the century with brilliant writing, spectacular acting and such explosive moments which makes you wish that this show may never end. The credit goes to Vince Gilligan and the entire cast and crew. They constructed such an art of the liking we may never see again.
MY SCORE: 10/10