Breaking Bad is, in my opinion, the greatest TV show that there ever has been or will be. No matter how much I big it up, it will not be done any justice. Each episode deserves a review, each series an essay. Unfortunately that cannot happen and so here is my short attempt to get you to watch it.
When Vince Gilligan, the immensely talented creator of Breaking Bad, originally pitched the show to AMC, his idea was simple; he wanted to take a boring, middle aged man, and turn him into Tony Montana.
Walt White is the protagonist of the show. At the beginning he is your average Joe; an underachieving chemistry genius turned teacher. But when he is informed of his terminal cancer, Walt turns to producing the world’s highest quality crystal meth to secretly support his family.
Walt is played by Bryan Cranston, his genius in the role earning him three Golden Globes and three Emmys and rightly so; as he inhabits the many emotions of the sinister yet sympathetic Mr. White so commandingly as to blast any associations of him as the cheery dad from Malcolm in the Middle from the memory.
Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul, is his former student and partner in crime and often remains the sympathetic face of a show that becomes increasingly dark as Walt’s descent continues downwards.
With Bryan Cranston at the centre then, Breaking Bad is a brooding yet heart-thumping series that is up there with the best, every bit as addictive as Walter White’s crystal meth.
The production values of the show are second to none: every episode has an interesting camera angle, amazing music or stunning photography to delight the audience.
The series is darkly funny, offers rich character development and has all the twists and tension of a coiling rattlesnake, making it a must-watch.