Breaking Bad Review- By Michael Carlisle

Title: Breaking Bad
Creator: Vince Gilligan
Year: 2008-2013 (5 Seasons)
Country: U.S
Language: English

Would it be a bold statement to say that Vince Gilligan's Breaking Bad is the greatest television show of all time? I think not. It's an ingenious mix of dark comedy and drama that will always have you on the edge of your seat. Nothing short of mind blowing, it's a sheer punch to the gut and a show of remarkable character development. It's essentially a show about an innocent man with cancer who slowly becomes the cancer to everybody around him. It also has a strong anti-drug statement that resonates throughout each season.

Breaking Bad is about a chemistry teacher named Walter White (Bryan Cranston)  who is diagnosed with Stage III terminal cancer and only given a short amount of time to live. Thinking he has nothing to lose, he embarks on an odyssey full of drugs and crime to-at first- ensure his family has a financially secure future. Walter proves to be a major player in th drug business as he produces and sells methamphetamine with his former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul).

Bryan Cranston? Isn't he that goofy dad from Malcolm in the Middle? How useful can his acting be in such a dramatic show? Surprisingly Bryan Cranston's diverse acting is what drives this show. It contributes quite an amount of emotional intensity that will surely grip your emotions. Aaron Paul also provides great acting in the show, especially in Season 4 when he produces very real symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. What is especially interesting about this show is how the characters become polar opposites of what they once were. In Season 1 Walter White is an honest, hard working man who uses his mind to think of creative solutions to problems whereas Jesse Pinkman appears to be just a junky with no morals or intelligence. Throughout the show the roles seem to switch, while Walter White is breaking bad and becoming pure villain, Jesse Pinkman is breaking good and trying to become and honest person.

Breaking Bad shows the incredibly negative effects crystal meth has among society and the individual. It not only affects your life but the lives of everybody around you and pus you in incredible danger. Crystal meth is indeed a cancer on society and I feel that this show portrays that well. "Children" are a common theme in the series. While at first Jesse Pinkman may seem like a scummy guy, we see that he has a great love for children and thus maintains some innocence. When Walter White has his encounters with Brock in Season 4 we see his complete loss of innocence and his descent into darkness. A key character in this known as Gale Boetticer is also extremely child-like in his innocence as well.

In conclusion, Breaking Bad is the best shot & well written television series that I have ever seen. There are a staggering amount of themes that will have you re-visiting the show for years and years to come. The acting, score and lighting make this a suspenseful thrill ride that you wish would continue forever. Breaking Bad is not only entertaining but it is a necessary reminder of the damaging effects of drugs and ego. Praise it! 5/5