Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad has been on my radar since it started in 2008.  At the time, Mad Men had only been on the air for one year and AMC hadn't established the fan base that it now holds with Breaking Bad, Mad Men, The Walking Dead and others.  I didn't start watching Breaking Bad until a few years ago when my friend told me there was a scene in the first season that made her want to puke.  This particular scene involved a dead body, acid, a bath tub and a plan-gone-wrong situation.  That was enough to make me watch the first season.  I liked the premise and the writing but early into the second season I was bored with the pacing and decided to stop watching.  Fast forward to season 4 when every Sunday night on Twitter all everyone could talk about was Breaking Bad.  I decided I had to give it another try and I'm sure glad I did.

Once you get over the hump of late season 2 into early season 3, things really start to pick up.   This show is very raw and seems to portray an accurate picture of the crystal meth production business and all that goes along with it. 

The evolution of Walter White has been incredible.  Beginning as an awkward, bumbling, nervous school teacher, Walt has transformed from the hero nice guy into Heisenberg...the cook.  My favorite episodes of the series were "Half Measures" and "Full Measure".  Though those episodes didn't feature the most prominent deaths, they were, in my opinion, the deaths that made it impossible for Walt and Jesse to ever go back or try to deny what they had become.  And speaking of Jesse...

Jesse Pinkman has become one of my favorite TV characters of all time, which is saying a lot considering how many shows I watch and have watched.  Aaron Paul expertly portrays Jesse Pinkman and should win every award for which he is nominated and he should be nominated for every award for which he is eligible.  To go from super emotional edge of your seat drama (visiting Gale, questioning "Mr. White" about Brock) to the most awkward and/or hilarious situation (dinner table with Walt and Skyler; "Yeah Mr. White, Yeah Science!") takes some serious talent. 

Much like my "Lost" marathon in 2009, I watched (most of) Breaking Bad in record time.  If you aren't watching this show you have 1 year to get caught up before what are sure to be a mind blowing final 8 episodes next summer. 

The Bachelor Premiere and a Letter to Anna

It's that time again.  The time of year when we all argue with ourselves about whether or not we are going to watch this season of The Bachelor.  First you say to yourself, "no, I'm not watching it.  The Bachelor is so incredibly dumb and cheesy I WILL NOT waste any more of my life or brain cells watching this dumb dumb show."  Then you begin to see previews for the premiere and you start to reconsider, "oh yeah, I did feel pretty sorry for Ben last season.  I do kind of want him to end up happy.  No, no, no!!!  Don't give in!  This is how they get us.  They recycle the same people so you keep watching.  I WILL NOT watch."  Then it is the night of the first show and the only other thing on TV is the 400th football game of the week or Suzanne Somers on the home shopping network so you think, "ok, I'll just watch this episode, just to see if there are any interesting people but I definitely won't tell anyone that I am watching" and BOOM, you're hooked.  And you find yourself blogging about this dumb show again.

A few notes from Episode 1:

What is the deal with Lindzi and Lyndsie spelling their names like that?  Yes, I realize their parents named them but still.  What is the world coming to?

Lots of fake eyelashes this season.  Is the competition really so fierce that women now must resort to adding extra pieces of hair to their faces?  In 200 years anthropologists are going to be very confused by the fake eyelash trend.

"Babe, Welcome to Dumpsville, population YOU".  There is no way that actually happened.

I realized during this episode, as I was completely zoning out, that the sit down with Chris Harrison just before the limos pull up is the exact same conversation on every season.  Here are some of the highlights (if you think back to ANY of the previous bachelors and bachelorettes you will agree that it is the same): "when I was on the show last season the emotions were real; I was hurt but I learned a lot about myself and now I'm really ready to open up and give love a chance; yes, if I find the right person I think I will be in a place to propose at the end of this journey, blah blah blah"

I choose not to comment on the Carrie Bradshaw love blogger girl crying in the bathroom or the ponytail girl getting a little too friendly with the girl with big teeth.

And now...A letter to Anna:

Dear Anna,

(slow clap)  Nice.  Nice.  Although it didn't end up working out for you, walking straight past Ben without introducing yourself or saying anything at all was a very creative move.  I tip my (gigantic Kentucky Derby) hat to you.

Karen