I take pride in the television shows that I watch. I would say the few that I religiously follow are intelligent, thought-provoking, and intense.
I don’t waste my time with the teen soap operas or the supposed non-scripted reality shows that are all over the place these days.
Taking that into consideration, believe me when I tell you that I am thrilled about the return of one of my favorite television shows, Breaking Bad.
Breaking Bad follows the life of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a harmless passive-aggressive high school chemistry teacher.
Walter lives somewhat of a dull life as a family man struggling to support his pregnant wife and son who suffers from cerebral palsy.
While worrying about an unexpected baby on the way that he has no savings to support, Walter is told he has inoperable lung cancer.
How will he leave his family with any financial stability? Cooking and selling crystal meth, of course, with the help of his former no-good student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul).
The show returns for its third season, and while it may not be as widely watched as such mainstream shows as Lost and 24, it has been recognized for its greatness.
Bryan Cranston, who you may remember for his role as the goofy father in Malcolm in the Middle, won an Emmy in 2008 and 2009 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
Cranston’s side-kick in the show, Aaron Paul, was also honored with an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
The show was also nominated at the Emmy’s in 2009 for Outstanding Drama Series.
These nominations and awards are only a few out of many, may I add.
Vince Gilligan, creator of Breaking Bad, certainly has developed a masterpiece.
Breaking Bad is by far the most intellectual and profound show I have ever watched, yet somehow it also has an eerie and dark humor at times.
The direction and cinematography is eloquent, but takes a backseat to the brilliant acting of each cast member.
Bryan Cranston does an amazing job at depicting the transformation of Walter White, a reserved and helpless individual who progresses into a fearless and confident man through the first two seasons.
Additionally, Anna Gunn, who plays Walter’s wife, wonderfully portrays a woman in growing disarray as she sees her husband becoming more and more distant as the days pass.
Much has happened on Walter’s journey through the drug world.
He has learned to bargain with the craziest of drug dealers and evade being discovered by his family, including his brother-in-law, the best DEA Agent in town.
Walter’s plight as a loving family man struggling against his own good morals evokes all kinds of emotion from viewers.
You will quickly learn to admire the entire group of characters.
Each has their own story to tell and all of them seem likeable, aside from the big time drug dealers.
So, I ask you to change the channel from the aforementioned mindless reality shows and tune in to a program that will get your brain thinking and your heart pounding.
The season three premiere of Breaking Bad airs this Sunday at 10 p.m. on AMC.
For more on Breaking Bad, visit amctv.com.
Daniel Feingold can be reached at dfeingold@ut.edu
Great Article, Daniel! I also like this show..it is a nail-biting, sit on the edge of your seat show..watch it..and you will soon be hooked into it..like I was…
This show is great!
It has a very Nip/Tuck kind of dark humor to it, with The Wire-style drama, yet a plot that seems so feasible.
Although I can’t stop looking at Bryan Cranston as Hal. Eh, close enough.