Breaking Bad

[Richard Channing]

I want to say I struggled with BCS, but truth be known, I didn't give it enough time. Saul was never a favourite character of mine during the most of BB, so I kinda went with that rather than give it more time. I remember the thread and I recall you sticking with it and enjoying it.

I'm more tempted to do it now on the back of this thread.

Even if Saul wasn't your favourite character they create some wonderful new characters to get invested in, and also as it goes on more important characters from BB show up. Slight spoiler, but if it encourages you to watch maybe it's worth it, Gus joins the show from season 3 onwards, so it starts to feel more and more like BB.

For me I knew I should keep watching because I had faith in Vince Gilligan to create an outstanding show, and that he does. I think the pacing is what put some BB fans off but the storytelling and performances are top notch and it gets more exciting as it goes on.

 

[Ome]

Gus joins the show from season 3 onwards,

My third favourite character.

I also loved Mike too and know he is in it.

For me I knew I should keep watching because I had faith in Vince Gilligan to create an outstanding show, and that he does.

You're absolutely right, there is nothing to even suggest it would be awful because he did so well with BB and created some wonderful characters.


I think it was something to do with not like Saul and probably more that I had other shows I was watching or wanted to watch so it just fell away.


I'm definitely committed to doing it again and sticking with it.



One day I will get to see PCBH!

 

[Richard Channing]

I'm definitely committed to doing it again and sticking with it.

Would love to hear your thoughts if you do.

One day I will get to see PCBH!

Oh I am still threatening to rewatch this myself. One of these days...

 

[Willie Oleson]

Every time I open Netflix, I get the trailer for BREAKING BAD.

And I get the very spoiler-ish EL CAMINO suggestion Not cool, netflix!

 

[Willie Oleson]

Well, just watched the infamous FLY episode and I thought it was incredible.
It starts with Mr. Bean-ish slapstick but, being an insect-hater myself, I found his mission to destroy FLY disturbingly relatable.
But then it changes into quality time for the White/Pinkman duo - and dozens of flypaper.
A drugged Walt almost exposes his darkest secret and Jesse thinks opossum sounds too Irish. And he's o'right about that.

Jesse's also up to something and it doesn't look good.
Skyler spins a story about Walt's gambling problem and its a lot of fun to watch all that deceit and Walt as the reluctant accessory.
Oh...but wait..the fugue state?
No, no, that wasn't faked.
(because Marie would never forgive him for doing so).

The next episode opens with Jesse and Jane (I don't think they actually went to the museum) and again I was struck by her atypical beauty. She looks like a moviestar from the 1930s or something.

 

[Willie Oleson]

The first episodes of season 4 are pretty grim and depressing, Skyler and Marie are the only ones who try to make things better.
Hank and his minerals!

Well, nothing else to report atm.
Oh wait, I liked Gale's song in the season 3 finale.

 

[Willie Oleson]

Well, nothing else to report atm.

Actually, there is.
I think the writer's biggest challenge was to get Skyler on board for the illegal activities, and that happened because of Hank's situation, which was the result of the shooting at Tuco's farm, which was the result of...etc.
I don't think it would have been possible to simply convince her, it had to be her own decision. Excellent plot development.
They also hadn't forgotten about Marie's kleptomania when she started to steal again during open house visits.
I wonder if the stories she told them (eventhough nobody asked) was another form of subtextual escapism.

I don't know how other BB fans feel about it (am I a fan now?) but I'm totally melting every time Jesse's big blue eyes fill with tears.

Furthermore, what's up with those pizzas? Wh do they have to be so huge? It doesn't look tasty at all.

 

[Richard Channing]

They also hadn't forgotten about Marie's kleptomania when she started to steal again during open house visits.
I wonder if the stories she told them (eventhough nobody asked) was another form of subtextual escapism.

That was so funny and I loved the names she came up with. And yes I think it was a kind of escapism, be someone else for a while as things were unbearable at home. I watched one YoutTube video that called Marie "Walter Lite' and made some interesting comparisons between the two, obviously with Marie's transgressions being on a much smaller scale than Walt's! That need to act out in a way nobody would expect from you and do something rebellious, criminal.

I don't know how other BB fans feel about it (am I a fan now?)

I think you might be.

I'm totally melting every time Jesse's big blue eyes fill with tears.

Aaron Paul's performance as Jessie is amazing and yes, you're not alone in responding that way to Jessie's plight and all that he's put through.

 

[Willie Oleson]

Walt and Skyler are rehearsing the gambling-confession-conversation to make sure that Hank won't suspect anything, and it just keeps going off-topic about all sorts of details.
It's so funny and smart and conniving.
I see a lot of Wendy Byrde in Skyler White!

 

[James from London]

I don't know how other BB fans feel about it (am I a fan now?) but I'm totally melting every time Jesse's big blue eyes fill with tears.

That doesn't seem too unusual a response. I remember being vaguely aware that Skyler was quite an unpopular character. I'm not sure why.

 

[Willie Oleson]

I love Skyler. Maybe some fans were rooting for Walter when she decided to divorce him and keep him away from the children.

Now there's story development for Hank because Walt decides to get drunk and then clearly suggests that Gale was a Heisenberg copycat.
All this secrecy and anxiety and precaution….and then...wine? Really?
The production of the perfect meth doesn't stop so Hank would probably hear about it anyway, and it's nice that he becomes part of the action again, but I found this plot device uncharacteristically cheap.

 

[Richard Channing]

I love Skyler. Maybe some fans were rooting for Walter when she decided to divorce him and keep him away from the children.

Yeah, a lot of fans that were really rooting for Walt to succeed in all his endeavours resented Skyler for being a kind of party pooper. But it did get quite bad, to the point where the actress herself was being targeted.

Now there's story development for Hank because Walt decides to get drunk and then clearly suggests that Gale was a Heisenberg copycat.
All this secrecy and anxiety and precaution….and then...wine? Really?
The production of the perfect meth doesn't stop so Hank would probably hear about it anyway, and it's nice that he becomes part of the action again, but I found this plot device uncharacteristically cheap.

It's an interesting one. I don't think it was meant to be a drunken mistake on Walt's part per se. More to show just how out of control his ego was becoming. Firstly he hated the thought that someone else would get the credit for his 'work', and also he had gotten away with so much and was getting very cocky, probably feeling like he was invincible. So he probably assumed that he would continue to evade getting caught. But yeah, it's not smart by any means.

 

[Willie Oleson]

to the point where the actress herself was being targeted.

Too bad they couldn't see that she appeared so unlikeable because she played it so well.

I don't think it was meant to be a drunken mistake on Walt's part per se

But that's how he and Skyler reacted to the situation, afterwards. Hank didn't make him jump through hoops, he didn't accidentally get drunk.
All he had to do was not mention Gale or Heisenberg, especially not to Hank.
It wasn't a situation that had derived from something else, it was completely isolated and only happened to give Hank a boost.
But it's just one thing so, better not to dwell on it.

I just watched the Mexico episode and I'm happy to report that the dirty foreigners have been defeated. Hurrah!

Also, I really dig the authentic New Mexico architecture. (or whatever location was used to represent ABQ)

That's one of the great things about American TV shows, there's so much variation.

After a great fight with Jesse - and from a certain camera angle it almost looked like a stage play - Walt misses W Jr's birthday.
He breaks down and cries in front of Junior, and in true BB fashion it perfectly strikes the balance between raw emotion and awkward humour - should I laugh or should I cry?
I mostly feel sorry for Junior because he's such a great, wholesome kid and totally unaware of all the lies and dastardly shenanigans going on in the White household.
He doesn't deserve that.

 

[Willie Oleson]

My eyes feel a little sore, but the build-up to the climax of season 4 was simply unstopwatchable, or is it unwatchstoppable?
Anyway, so many twists and turns and difficult situations.
Ted Beneke's death!
And why does it always look so funny when people are getting tasered?

Highlight: Walt's maniacal laughter when Skyler tells him about the missing money.

Season 5 opens with what looks like a flashforward scene. Somewhere in New Hampshire....

 

[Willie Oleson]

Season 5 does a volume 1 & 2. Was this the first example of the infamous mid-season finales/premieres?
Is it not possible to do an extra great climax episode before the season finale climax without interrupting the continuous broadcasting?
Either way, I wonder what's going to happen next as season 4 has already wrapped up most of the big storylines.

Another thing I just realized: the omission of foul language, except for the B-word.
And I like it that Jesse keeps calling Walt "Mr. White".

 

[Richard Channing]

My eyes feel a little sore, but the build-up to the climax of season 4 was simply unstopwatchable, or is it unwatchstoppable?

Oh yes, that last few episodes of season 4 were really dynamite. Any more thoughts on the season finale? Gus's face-off, Brock's poisoning?

Season 5 does a volume 1 & 2. Was this the first example of the infamous mid-season finales/premieres?

The second 8 episodes were shown a year later so I think it was more about the time it took to produce the episodes that brought about the decision to divide the season. Although really they just could have been called season 5 and 6. But you still get a good season finale/cliffhanger in episode 8.

Is it not possible to do an extra great climax episode before the season finale climax

Oh you get one of those too, and it's one of the most awesome episodes of TV I have ever seen. And I want a full review!!

Either way, I wonder what's going to happen next as season 4 has already wrapped up most of the big storylines.

Yes in many ways the end of season 4 felt like it could have been the end of the series, and it was hard to imagine how they would get that kind of momentum going again, especially with Gus dead, but they manage it.

 

[Willie Oleson]

2 episodes into season 5 and there's not much left of the original Walter White character. I guess he keeps breaking badder.
Walt and Jesse are back to square one and decide to start a partnership with Mike.
Apparently, Walt has lost more money than he had made when he worked for Gus - they had paid for Hank's medical bills and Skyler gave $600.000 to Ted, but I really thought he had much more than that.
Suddenly there's a woman named Lydia and she was also involved with Gus' operations (??)

 

[Richard Channing]

2 episodes into season 5 and there's not much left of the original Walter White character. I guess he keeps breaking badder.
Walt and Jesse are back to square one and decide to start a partnership with Mike.
Apparently, Walt has lost more money than he had made when he worked for Gus - they had paid for Hank's medical bills and Skyler gave $600.000 to Ted, but I really thought he had much more than that.
Suddenly there's a woman named Lydia and she was also involved with Gus' operations (??)

I love Lydia and I think you're gonna like her too.

 

[Willie Oleson]

Gus's face-off

Very satisfying!
However, they mentioned his time in Chile, and now I'll never know what happened there (or maybe in Better Call Saul?)
And how about his cook who was shot by Hector? I wonder if they were lovers.

Brock's poisoning

That was very smart, knowing that Jesse would blame him and then shift the blame onto Gus in a most convincing way.

Oh you get one of those too, and it's one of the most awesome episodes of TV I have ever seen.

Now you got me very excited!

 

[Richard Channing]

However, they mentioned his time in Chile, and now I'll never know what happened there (or maybe in Better Call Saul?)
And how about his cook who was shot by Hector? I wonder if they were lovers.

There is more on Gus's backstory in Better Call Saul. It's so funny you should mention them being lovers as I have recently been watching a Youtube reviewer of episodes of BCS and just in the last one I watched he mentioned the cook and said he wondered if they were lovers, and that he thought they almost certainly were. This had never occurred to me until he mentioned it, but it makes perfect sense. Well done for spotting that.