Breaking Bad...

[Quatermass]

This was a series I had heard about for a long time before I came to watch it. Usually, I don't watch 'pure' dramas, as I prefer them to have some kind of twist (usually of a fantastic sort). Even so, after watching a MythBusters special on the series, I decided I wanted to give the series a go, and rented it.

I'm...not impressed, but it's still a good series, or at least the first episode was. It'll be interesting to see Walter go from, well, in the creator's words, 'from Mr Chips to Scarface'. But are there any actual fans of Breaking Bad here?

 

[pip]

My Brother loves it and keeps telling me to watch it ( which is generally enough reason to avoid it as his taste is crap).
I've just not got around to it. The premise doesn't appeal to me and most shows form the states like this start great and then become an average soap opera.

 

[Bouncy Castle]

I managed about 15 minutes of the first episode, and decided it wasn't for me.

It's had fabbo reviews, mind. It just ended in the US.

 

[Quatermass]

Actually, it hasn't ended yet, Bouncy. It's close to the end, though, with the first episode in the last part of the series starting last Sunday in the US, with only seven more episodes until the end.

A few things worth noting, though:

1. On a second viewing of the pilot's opening sequence, I thought, when I saw Walter running out of the RV and stripping off, of the It's Man from Monty Python's Flying Circus. Which sorta ruined the drama of the situation, but then again, considering said situation involved a man wearing nothing but an apron, a gasmask, and dorky undies driving an RV swimming in chemicals, it's pretty close to comedy already.

2. When I saw Anna Gunn's name, I wondered where I had seen her from. As it turned out, I hadn't seen her in anything. But I had heard Anna Gunn's performance as Ariel in the Legacy of Kain video game series.

I think one of the things that appealed to me was the moral ambiguity of the series. That was one of the things that appealed to me about Blake's 7, or Watchmen, or Dune, or A Song of Ice and Fire.

 

[Sister Jennifer]

Breaking Bad wouldn't normally be my tv choice but I'm glad I gave it a go. I think it's great telly. It doesn't become an average tv show, it just gets better.

 

[Turtles4Ever]

I'm a huge fan of Breaking Bad - I own all that's available on Blu-ray and have watched them all multiple times. I just love it - everything about it is superb, from the writing to the acting (and actor Bryan Cranston is fantastic as Walter White).

I'll admit, I also didn't take to it at first - it took me two attempts (a few months apart) to 'get into' just the first episode, but once I had the first 3 or 4 under my belt I was well and truly hooked.

There are so many twists and turns, it's mostly highly unpredictable and, well, anyone who hasn't watched it really should give the first few episodes a go. In fact, I'd say there is more well written drama in just one episode than what most series manage in a whole season.

I can't speak highly enough of it (and I'm EXTREMELY fussy when it comes to my entertainment).

Incidentally, all episodes (so far) are available on Netflix UK (and US, presumably other countries too?). So that's all the first four seasons and the fifth (and sadly final) season up to episode 9 (so far). The new episodes for the remainder of season 5 are shown every Sunday in the US and are then available on Netflix (UK AND US!) on the Monday, so season 5 episode 10 is on Netflix on Monday 19th August. The last episode will be episode 16 ........ then that's it.

For anyone who's still unsure, please do try the first few episodes. I'd be highly surprised if it doesn't hook you.

Here it is on Netflix UK -

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/70143836

Obviously you need to subscribe to Netflix to watch it, but you can get the first month for free (then leave if you like).

 

[Turtles4Ever]

I managed about 15 minutes of the first episode, and decided it wasn't for me.

15 minutes? Of one episode?

Honestly, you need to try more than that - I'd say at least the first 2 or 3 episodes.

It's had fabbo reviews, mind. It just ended in the US.

Not quite, the last 8 episodes of the fifth and final season just started in the US (and UK on Netflix UK) - sadly it'll end for good with episode 16.

 

[raptornx01]

I mentioned in the other topic, but I just recently finished the entire series. I was not expecting to like it as much as I did. I had been hearing good reviews of it, but I never had too much interest. Eventually i decided to try it. I'm glad I did. It was all very well done.

One thing I'll disagree with kind of is, it's not all that predictable. maybe in the grand scheme of things, sure, but there are alot of moments that you won't really see coming. Or if you do, it won't be till right before they happen.

Something I really liked about the show is it has a high level of continuity. What I mean is, they'll have call backs to things, many times long after they've happened. And sometimes little things, stuff you would not have expected them to reference later on. Even characters and thing you wouldn't expect to have any major impact, or think they are just little throw away gags, come back to be a major point later on. The level of detail is pretty impressive at times.

Overall the acting and writing are great, there is a good amount of dark humor, and the characters, by and large, are pretty likable.

 

[Jack Remillard]

Currently in the middle of S3. Definitely enjoying it so far.

 

[Sister Jennifer]

 

[raptornx01]