Y’all can consider this an honorary post, as this is a film blog. I, for one, can’t imagine myself not writing about this show.
We now live in a world where television fiercely competes with cinema in terms of deep, heartfelt storytelling. In the last decade, mesmerizing television dramas like Six Feet Under, Lost, The Wire, 24 and The Shield have kept viewers glued to their TV’s with intensity. Recently, one of the greatest TV dramas of all time ended its run: Breaking Bad.
(left to right) The show’s primary protagonists, Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul)
(Caution: Spoilers ahead)
Premiering Jan. 20, 2008, Breaking Bad aired its series finale last Sunday on AMC. The episode, titled “Felina,” was watched by 10.3 million people, me included; the highest number of viewers in the show’s running. This post’s title is one of Cranston’s lines from the finale, from a scene in which Walt confesses to his wife the true reason for his turning to a life of crime.
Set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Breaking Bad tells the story of 50-year-old “over-qualified” chemistry teacher Walter White (Bryan Cranston), who after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer begins manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with his former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul). Through five seasons, the show takes the two protagonists on an engaging journey of crime, loss and betrayal. With Walt’s DEA agent brother-in-law Hank Schrader (Dean Norris) on his tail, chasing his alias Heisenberg, the show keeps asking that question – How will it end? Will Walt be caught? Will he die? If so, how? Cancer? Police? Family even?
The show finally gave its answer last week with Walt dying in a meth lab, his favorite place – succumbing to a gunshot wound received while protecting Jesse.
This is without a doubt one of the best shows I have ever seen, and while I came in a bit late, starting after season 4’s finale, I had only heard endless praise on the show’s acting and storytelling up until that point. I actually began watching by accident, catching the pilot while my brother watched. Needless to say, I was hooked not even halfway through the episode.
Some may be sad about the show meeting its end. I’m not. I’m happy Breaking Bad didn’t run too long and get stale, as a lot of shows tend to do these days. For me, it ended on a high note and with a satisfactory conclusion.
There are, of course, people who didn’t appreciate certain elements of the show’s finale, attributing its praise to hype and nothing more. I say whatever to that because Breaking Bad ended in every way I wanted. All of my expectations were met, making this show the only show I have come to love in its entirety. Not a dull moment, nor forgotten characters or story arcs. Everything tied together perfectly in the end.
All I can say as to why I love this show so damn much is that it is just so damn good. Everything about it; the drama, the humor, the music, the story, the acting…everything. This is one of the few shows out there that can have you laughing hysterically before fighting every urge to shed a tear. The contrast in tone at times is unbelievable.
I can only hope that 50 years from now, people will discuss Breaking Bad the way we reflect on I Love Lucy and M*A*S*H today. What I’m sure of though, is that I will never experience another show like this one and will continue to re-watch it in the years to come.
I’ll close with a reflection of this song: “DLZ” by TV on the Radio. Of all the songs used throughout Breaking Bad’s five seasons, this one is my favorite. It appears at the end of the 10th episode of the second season, titled “Over.” This also happens to be one of my favorite scenes in the entire series, when Walt switches gears to his Heisenberg persona and tells two wannabe drug dealers, “Stay out of my territory!”
With only those five words, uttered in the most sincere tone and paired with the coldest stare a man can give, the two men back down and leave without a word. As the scene closes, Walt stands alone, triumphant in the parking lot of a hardware store.
This song plays in the background of that one scene, but its lyrics reflect the show’s entire story line. I found this interesting given it was used so early on. These words say it all: This is beginning to feel like the dawn of a loser forever.
Frame by Frame 