As you all probably know, AMC's hit TV show Breaking Bad ended almost two weeks ago. I really and truly believe that it is the greatest dramatic series in the history of television. I will not continue to tell what Breaking Bad does better than other shows, or what other shows did not do and should have done. Rather I will simply outline for you all of the reasons why Breaking Bad deserves this weighty title. Then you can decide for yourself whether or not your favorite shows top Breaking Bad in all (or any) of the following categories.
Breaking Bad starts off with a multi-layered story to begin with. A overqualified high school chemistry teacher is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, so he resorts to manufacturing crystal meth to provide for his lower-middle-class family before he dies. Sure, this was not a very appealing base to most network producers, especially since the lead role is a man in his fifties, but it is an interesting topic for the brave to explore. It has a framework that sets up several scenarios for a long lineup of episodes, and foreshadows a sort of Greek tragic-hero story arc. The writers of the show took this concept to infinity and beyond, stretching the limits to nonexistence.
Vince Gilligan, creator and executive producer, and his fellow writers made every second count. Even when verbal words are not being spoken, the written word allows for brilliant silent moments to happen onscreen. One of the most shocking scenes in the series takes place in the Season Four premiere ("Box Cutter"), and yet Gus (Giancarlo Esposito) and all others present go minutes without speaking. The writers are also unafraid to go beyond the boundaries. Nobody is off limits when it comes to killing. The young and the old, males and females. All are subject to being killed. This challenges the actors and gives opportunities for all to perform at all kinds of emotional levels. The silences make the times of turmoil boil to an all-time high of tension. These are the beautiful moments that allow the crazy-talented actors to shine in their impeccable performances.
Breaking Bad has the best cast possible. Bryan Cranston leads the pack as Walt, the "cook" of meth. As outstanding as he is, the rest of the cast is not far below him. Everyone shines in their respective places. New Emmy-winner Anna Gunn is great as Skyler, Walt's nosy wife. As much as most fans hate Skyler, we can all agree that Anna nails it. Aaron Paul gives an emotional performance as the show's punching bag (he gets beat up quite often), Jesse Pinkman, who serves as Walt's assistant. The actors are incredible from series regulars to occasional guest stars, including handicapped ex-cartel member Tío Salamanca (Mark Margolis) and meth addicts Badger (Matt Jones), Skinny Pete (Charles Baker), and Wendy (Julia Minesci). David Costabile is heartwarming as the chemistry nerd Gale Boetticher, and Krysten Ritter does a good job playing Jesse's girlfriend Jane Margolis. Other greats include Dean Norris as Hank Schrader, Walt's DEA agent of a brother-in-law; Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut, Gus's cleaner-upper; Giancarlo Esposito as drug kingpin Gus; and Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman, the sleazy lawyer of Albuquerque that will be back on the small screen next year in his new show tentatively entitled Better Call Saul.
Albuquerque, New Mexico is a big character itself. Breaking Bad was originally set in California, but the studio suggested that it be shot in New Mexico due to the lower tax rates. This ended up being a great decision creatively. The clear blue sky and bright orangey-yellow sun adds tremendously to the atmosphere. The state's border-sharing neighbor Mexico lends the drug cartel storyline to the show, making Breaking Bad a genuine period piece of the real and growing drug problems of the early twentieth-century. The desert drug manufacturing/trading scenes look realistic and cartoonish in a special sort of fusion that only the best Hollywood directors can get away with in the movies. I cannot imagine that the show would have had half of the effect if it had taken place in the surfing/shopping environment of California.
Michael Slovis and the other cinematographers of Breaking Bad have created a visual legacy that will never be forgotten. The unique, handmade rigs of the show's film cameras made for interesting shots in every episode. Yes, film cameras. Breaking Bad was shot in 35mm film, which allows the photography to be seen in astronomically better quality than the digital norm of television. The special colors of the Albuquerque desert and Slovis's brilliant lighting crew use light variations that vary from light and subtle to dark and gloomy, notably in the final episodes. My personal favorite shots are the POV shots from places that people do not typically get to see from, such as from inside of the microwave or refrigerator, to name simple, run-of-the-mill shots that many directors of photography have increasingly used in recent years. Slovis takes this to the next level, taking shots from inside of air vents, lab equipment, fireplaces, vacuum cleaners, and anything you can imagine. One of the most memorable cinematic sequences in the series is the recurring opening sequence of Season Two, which features a pool setting. Everything around and inside of the pool is in black-and-white except for a mysterious pink teddy bear with a missing eyeball. In Season Five, the crew removed an entire wall from a heavy safety-deposit box set several times just to get the perfect shot. A recurring cinematography trick used throughout Breaking Bad is the use of glass in place of objects such as tables. For example, many times when people snort drugs, a piece of glass replaces the table on which the action is happening so that the camera can capture the moment from underneath. The list goes on and on. Hands down, Breaking Bad contains some of the best cinematography you will ever see.
Breaking Bad is an exemplary show of the new golden age of television happening before our eyes. All aspects of filmmaking are presented in top-notch on this phenomenal television show that will be talked about forever. Vince Gilligan made the creative decision to end the show after five seasons, which allowed it to end while it was still fresh and at its best, with the perfect ending of a perfect show. Fans around the world are mourning Breaking Bad's end, but with smiles on our faces. We now understand that it was time for it to go, and have no real complaints. Vince and everybody else did what they set out to do, and against all odds, they made what I and very many others truly believe to be the greatest television show ever. As much as I love movies, I love Breaking Bad more than any film I have ever seen. For all the outsiders out there, I am telling you that yes, it really is that good. Watch it and you will find anything and everything that you could want. I personally know all types of people who love the show. I know teens, middle-aged, elderly, male, female, and international people who all have connected with the show. Enjoy and do not worry when you finish; I have seen the entire series in full twice, and every single episode is just as enjoyable to watch again as it was the first time. Watch this masterpiece, change the equation, and have an A1 day!
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