Breaking Bad: Season 1

The bar that was set for television with shows like The Sopranos and The Wire has been taken up a notch with Breaking Bad. Like both of those shows, its characters are realistically drawn and believably acted by amazing casts (as noted by many, particularly Brian Cranston's "Walt"). What seemingly began as a somewhat simplistic premise in season one rises to the level of engrossing thriller by the end of season two - and then to the level of Shakespearian Tragedy by the end of season Three. The character arc of Walter White from complacent and defeated suburbanite to calculating criminal is one of the most rewarding rides I've ever experienced in any form of fiction (TV shows/movies/novels). The reason I say the bar is taken up a notch is not because I think it's better than the shows I mentioned (persa). There is a bit of "apples and oranges" in comparing any TV show to another. It's because Breaking Bad easily on par, yet accomplishes its greatness sort of with one hand tied behind its back. HBO has the freedom as a premium channel to be as vulgar or graphic as the story dictates... nearly uncensored. AMC (who produces Breaking Bad) works within much more restrictive limits, yet feels every bit as gritty and intense as those other shows. And I'm not sure that seeing the occasional naked person or cussing rant could do much to improve upon it (though I'm certainly not against either =) Unlike in some shows, Walt's amazing character arc never puts the plot in the back seat. Too often that happens to a show of this type, making it devolve into tedious melodrama that starts to feel like a soap opera. I love Mad Men, but half-way into season two I started to feel like I was watching Melrose Place with brilliant set-design (thank god it redeemed itself in season three). Except for the occasional humorous moment (and sometimes there are many), the show is definitely a drama, but it's punctuated with enough twists and unexpected turns to satisfy the most rabid thriller fan. It's plotting is written near-flawlessly. On another note, although the show looks nothing like a Wes Anderson film, its meticulous set-design and artfully cinematic look bring comparisons to my mind. There is never a scene or shot that seems out of place or boring. It also has moments of unforeseen action (think Bill Murray kicking the Pirates off his boat) that seem to come out of nowhere and lurch the characters and storyline forward rather than merely being cliché set-pieces which seem to be expected from a show essentially about criminals. In case you haven't noticed, I'd highly recommend the show. =)

I did not start watching AMC's "Breaking Bad" until after the second season had already aired. Having played catch-up and seen Seasons 1-3 in their entirety, I do not hesitate when I tell people that this is simply the best show on television right now, bar none. But most people spend these reviews talking about how great the series is, so I'll skip the warm-and-fuzzies and talk directly about the Season 1 DVD set that you are probably trying to decide whether to buy or not. Here's my recommendation: Buy it. First off, the box and cases. The box art is terrific, with the iconic Walt-White-in-tightie-whities stuck right onto the front. The box (which doesn't take up more than 3/4 an inch of shelf space, if even that) contains two plastic disc cases -- the first holds Episodes 1-6, and the second holds Episode 7 along with the Bonus Features. While I would avoid getting the box (which is something in between paper and cardboard) wet, the plastic cases hold up pretty well... I've dropped them several times and they've never so much as cracked on me. The picture quality is terrific. AMC is known for shooting their scripted television almost cinematically, so if you're a full-screen fanatic, get the heck out of here because widescreen is the only way to watch these. Blu-Ray babies: Sorry, the colors don't necessarily pop, but this isn't the kind of show that necessarily would benefit from that anyway. And finally, the bonus features. Audio commentaries are attached to both the pilot episode and Episode 6 ("Crazy Handful of Nothin'"), and feature showrunner Vince Gilligan, along with cast and occasionally crew. Most of the time, it can be pretty entertaining. The second disc has a Making Of feature for those of you who like that sort of thing; the real meat of the behind-the-scenes, though, comes from their 'Inside Breaking Bad' video compilation, in which each video is dedicated to a different aspect of the show (one video deals with Bryan Cranston shaving his head for the role, while another deals with the aforementioned tightie-whities). Also on the disc is a photo gallery and a segment of AMC's interview program called "Shootout," when Cranston, Gilligan, and producer Mark Johnson appeared to promote the show. And last but certainly not least, the Bonus Features include screen tests of actors Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Betsy Brandt, and Dean Norris; really cool stuff if, again, you are into that sort of thing. Overall, a terrific box set for the show's first season, cut short by the writers' strike a few years ago. Season 2's boxset is even better, and I recommend that as soon as you buy this set, you hop on over and buy that one as well. I hope this review was informative, and I hope you enjoy the show as much as I did. The picture

Rapid delivery and quality product. Very good.

What can be said about this spectacular saga that hasn't been said before? One of the very few series that competes with the best films in history for achievement in cinematic storytelling. Like a great novel slowly unfolding, it's funny, heartbreaking, incredibly tense, deeply disturbing. A nebbishy high-school science teacher finds he has lung cancer, so becomes a meth dealer to make money for his family before his death. Often visually stunning, with a breathtaking performance by Brian Cranston in the lead, and great work from all the supporting roles, this portrait of a man's decent into hell couldn't be much better, and it just grows darker and more disturbing each year. In a way, thematically it recalls "The Godfather I and II" in how that epic charts Michael's journey from innocence to darkness, along with the moral murkiness of the endless drive for money and success - how we lose ourselves, so that succeeding and having ever more becomes an end in itself for which we will pay any price, rather than a route to happiness, trapping us in a game we can never win. It may take a few episodes to get into, in this first season there was a lot of groundwork to lay, but you owe it to yourself to try. This is powerful, important and utterly enthralling stuff.

Here we have the first season of BREAKING BAD. It is amazing to realize that it is only 7 episodes for the character, plot and drama development is so thorough and realistic another show would need at least double the episodes to achieve it. The basic plot is a teacher who finds out he is dying of cancer and thru unexpected situations gets the opportunity to make a great deal of money thru manufacturing meth. He does so to make money for his family to be able to live on after he dies. But the show is about so much more than this. Every character is addicted to something and the introduction into the dark world of drugs is terrifyingly realistic. This is honestly one of the best shows ever to air on television. It tells a story that may be too dark for some to handle but the superb acting, writing and directing make it all work. These characters are all believable, necessary and the intertwining of their lives is seamless. The show also succesfully combines deep psychological profiles of each character mixed with the heavy, often disturbing drama. And the plot always serves a purpose, is realistic no matter how heavy, and is in no way gratuituous. And with this show we also get one of the best duos ever in Walt and Jesse. When Jesse, Aaron Paul, a former student of Walt, Bryan Cranston, joins him in the making of meth a perfect chemistry is formed. BREAKING BAD also provides the occasional comic break that helps alleviate the heavy drama. This series is a must for its great acting, superb writing and directing and totally unique premise. If it sounds like any other series you have seen believe me when I say it is not. The blu ray of course adds a dimension to the series over that of the dvd. There are many dark scenes but the detail and clarity still shines thru and the scenes with color and specifically the lovely scenery shots pop off the screen. Audio is superb. This is a series that is dialogue driven but when the action sequences happen nothing is held back. This series is superb and I highly recommend it.

Good writing and excellent casting create a refreshing series full of entertainment. The show potrays the transformation of a terminal cancer diagnosis on nice-guy high school chemistry teacher Walt. Walt is a family man who puts all his energy into supporting his pregnant wife and teenage son. As the series progresses we learn that this mild-mannered diffident man has hidden brilliance and that he contributed to Nobel award winning research when he was a post-graduate student. Walt's approach to his life transforms with the sudden diagnosis of terminal cancer. His priority becomes making enough money to keep his family comfortable when he is gone. He gets the idea to make methamphetamine when he sees the fat stacks of cash on a televised raid on a local lab. Serendipitously Walt learns that a former student, Jesse-- now known in the drug underworld as "Captain Cook", is involved in the manufacture and sale of meth. Walt coerces Jesse, a hapless and rather pathetic wanna-be gansta, into becoming his partner in crime. Drug manufacturing brings out Walt's genius at chemistry and he creates an exceptionally fine high-demand product. But the violent and predatory nature of the local drug distributors require a matching violent and dominant aspect of Walt's personality to emerge. The corrupt and unsavory nature of the drug underworld forces Walt to kill or be killed. Bryan Cranston makes the show with his talent for comedy, both subtle and slapstick, and his sensitive portrayal of tragedy. Impending death creates a complex set of demands and transformations for Walt that Cranston manages with apparent ease. The excellent supporting cast fulfill the promise of a well-written script and good direction. The twelve episodes of this series leaves you wanting more. Highly recommended!

This is the second of two AMC series I went to catch up with, because this and "Mad Men" were constantly winning awards, and my favorites were being left in the dust. Both series had a hurdle for me. How can I possibly empathize with a meth manufacturer and dealer (the two lead roles). As it turns out, the story line is so inventive and so believable that it is hard not be be drawn into the perils of these characters which are so totally under water. The story on the face of it is so tense, that the show's creator had to add to the premise the fact that the brother in law of the Walter White (Brian Cranston) is a lead DEA agent, and, in most regards, a pretty good one. Perhaps one of the only improbabilites of the first season is that this DEA agent comes so close to gathering evidence which implicates Walter, but he doesn't catch on. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the story is seeing the extent to which people will do totally out of character things, things which are not only illegal (as one may think about drug business as a victimless crime), but violently illegal, including multiple murders. The acting by Cranston and Brian Paul, his "dealer" is superb, worthy of their Emmy wins. I must also give a good word for Raymond Cruz, who does a character far, far different from his police detective role on "The Closer / Major Crimes". The tension between his character Tuco and Walter White holds one's attention like little I've seen elsewhere. This is not for everyone, but watching one or two episodes shows why this one wins awards, and shows such as "White Collar", "Royal Pains", and "Suits" do not.

Great show

Like most people I know that are aware of this show, they found it and OD'd on it, watching basically the entire series in a short period of time. It's a great show, the writing is solid, the acting is amazing and the premise is the most original thing to happen to TV in a long time. The good: -Every episode with a few little things that weren't aired in the original episodes (overall, most episodes are pretty close to what aired, very few bad words, only one nude scene that I can recall) -Cast commentary provides insight into the characters and production of the show. -Lots of other extras including screen tests for the actors, a photo gallery, cast interviews and behind the scenes features. The Bad: -Maybe I am a cheap individual, but I still feel like the price is a bit much for basically 7 episodes (it premiered during the year of the writers strike). I know there are extras and the show is really great, but come on. I honestly think this should be priced at or just under $20. -No outtakes. I wish every show released on DVD had outtakes. I find them endlessly entertaining. Minor point and really my own preference, but I figured I would throw that in for those that are like me. It's a pretty good set.

ich dachte eigentlich immer, dass mich ernsthaftere Serien wie Breaking Bad eigentlich überhaupt nicht interessieren. Die Pilotfolge von BB habe ich mir um ehrlich zu sein nur wegen Bryan Cranston angeschaut. Ich konnte mir einfach nicht vorstellen, ihn in einer so ernsten Rolle zu sehen. Ich ging davon aus, dass ich nur diese eine Episode sehen werde, da mich Serien dieser Art eigentlich nicht so interessieren, und zu Bryan Cranston würde eine solche Rolle ohnehin nicht passen. In beidem habe ich mich geirrt. Und zwar ganz gewaltig. Die Geschichte um Walter White zog mich von der ersten Minute so in ihren Bann, dass ich nicht mehr aufhören konnte immer und immer wieder die nächste Episode zu starten. Ich hatte in dieser Woche zufällig Urlaub, so dass ich mir alle Episoden von Season 1 bis 4 in einem Stück ansah (Unterbrechungen nur zum schlafen :-)). Gerade Season 1 ist der Hammer. Season 2 bis 4 fangen jeweils gut an, flauen dann ein bisschen ab und enden bombastisch. In dieser flauen Phase werden dann verstärkt die Charaktere beleuchtet, oder einfach mal etwas komplett neues gezeigt (die Episode mit der Fliege im Labor treibt beispielsweise die Handlung ÜBERHAUPT nicht voran, ist aber unendlich komisch anzusehen, beispielsweise als sie die Fliege dann endlich erwischen, und diese in slow motion auf dem Boden aufschlägt - genial!). Einzelne Szenen fand ich hin und wieder etwas zu sehr in die Länge gezogen. Dafür wird man aber belohnt mit einer originellen Story, sehr interessanten Kameraeinstellungen, sowie sehr interessanten Charakteren, die allesamt mit fantastischen Schauspielern besetzt sind. Alle passen hervorragend in ihre Rolle und leisten sehr überzeugende Arbeit, was mich zu meinem Irrtum Nummer 2 bringt -> Bryan Cranston. Wie gesagt, ich erwartete es überhaupt nicht. Aber seine Darstellung des Walter White ist für mich persönlich die beste schauspielerische Darbietung, die ich jemals gesehen habe. Es zog mir fast den Boden unter den Füßen weg. Ich habe mich so oft dabei ertappt, wie ich einfach mit offenem Mund da saß, und einfach Kinnladeneffekt pur hatte. Seine Gesichtsausdrücke sagen mehr als 1000 Worte. Es ist einfach unglaublich und erschreckend zugleich, wie real diese Figur durch ihn und seine Performance wird. Ich kannte ihn vorher hauptsächlich aus Malcolm in the middle, und ich habe ihn schon damals heiß geliebt. Um ehrlich zu sein, er war durch diese Rolle sowas wie mein Favorit, ich mag diese "Hal" Charaktere in TV Serien, da sie einfach so liebenswürdig sind. Bryan Cranston meisterte das perfekt. Er verpasste Hal diesen leicht femininen Touch, er hatte Schiss vor wirklich allem. Wenn man diese "goofy" Performance von ihm gewohnt ist, ist Breaking Bad der krasseste Gegensatz, den man sich vorstellen kann. Ich kann es noch immer kaum glauben, dass "Hal" und "Walter White", die unterschiedlich nicht sein könnten, von dem gleichen Mann verkörpert werden. Und dass er es schafft, beide Charaktere mit so einer derartigen Perfektion darzustellen. Das, sowie die Tatsache, dass Bryan Cranston ein wirklich netter, sympathischer Kerl zu sein scheint, machen ihn ohne Zweifel zu meinem persönlichen favourite actor (Zitat von Aaron Paul: "he is so much like his Charakter on Malcolm in the middle in real life!") Naja, nicht umsonst hat er für diese Rolle dreimal hintereinander den Emmy abgeräumt. Jüngst hat auch sein Kollege Aaron Paul endlich diese wohlverdiente Auszeichnung bekommen. Ein bisschen Bauchweh habe ich nur was Season 5 betrifft. Am Ende von S4 wird die Handlung nämlich eigentlich abgeschlossen. Ich hoffe nicht, dass man hier den gleichen Fehler macht wie bei anderen großartigen Serien, und mit einem Schnellschuss das großartige Finale zerstört ....

Totalmente en español, y si te gusta la serie, una gran compra, muy barato y indispensable para un amante de breaking bad

La prima stagione di una serie che ha cambiato le regole. Capolavoro assoluto!! Un plauso al doppiaggio italiano, hanno fatto un ottimo lavoro. Consigliata per chi non l'avesse vista o per chi ama i contenuti speciali e le curiosità del set. Sarebbe stato bello avere una cartolina in regalo.

Une chose m'a frappé d'entrée de jeu dans le générique : l'utilisation des abréviations de la classification périodique des éléments dans les noms qui y apparaissent ! Du coup Breaking Bad est composé de Br pour Brome et de Ba pour Baryum : une chose est sûre on se trouve bien dans une série chimique ! L'alchimie va-t-elle s'opérer ? Dés les premiers instants, je n'ai pas pu m'empêcher de faire la comparaison avec Weeds tant les scénarios sont proches : * Mère de famille obligée de vendre (et cultiver) des produits illicites pour assurer le niveau de vie de sa famille après le décès de son époux / père de famille obligé de synthétiser de la Meth (et de la vendre) pour assurer le train de vie de sa famille après son décès annoncé (cancer du poumon). * Personnages au dessus de tout soupçon, * Importance des délits très minimisée par les scénaristes, * Ville du sud des états-unis * Petit ami de l'héroïne qui fait partie de la DEA / Beau-frère du héros qui fait partie de la DEA, * Acolytes un peu déjantés voire pas vraiment au niveau... * Acteurs principaux de GRAND talent (Mary-Louise Parker / Bryan Cranston) Bref, les points communs sont indéniables pourtant aucune des séries ne copie l'autre ! Dans Breaking Bad, les scénaristes vont plus loin, les limites sont vraiment repoussées à l'extrême et ce dés le début (la dissolution d'un dealer dans une baignoire remplie de produits chimiques en atteste !!!). Breaking Bad est une excellente série (un peu courte car seulement 7 épisodes pour la première saison), l'histoire est bien pensée, les acteurs sont vraiment bons, la narration est assez rythmée (même s'il y a quelques longueurs dans les tous premiers épisodes afin de placer l'histoire), le tout est vraiment agréable à suivre et laisse augurer une saison 2 riche en rebondissements. Ce qui fait de cette série une série atypique c'est, à mon sens, le ton général vraiment dérangeant, ça m'a rappelé un peu le côté décalé de "six feet under"...