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.