Monday 24 February 2014

Breaking Bad

Mrs RC and I have been watching the TV series Breaking Bad a lot recently.

We bought the first 3 seasons on DVD for Christmas, and just added seasons 4 and 5.

I had been aware of the first season, but never watched it, merely noting that it seemed to star the dad from Malcolm in the Middle! Then it dropped off my radar - 2008 - I wasn't really on this planet at that point - and it was only when the kids started talking about how popular it was that we remembered it (the dad from Malcolm in the Middle in his underpants waving a gun is hard to truly forget) and decided to watch it.

So, why do I think it is so good?

For a start it covers a lot of issues without going all Preachy like a lot of TV does.  It lays it on the like and lets you make you own judgements.

It covers things like:
  • Suddenly finding that you have a terminal illness.
  • Not having the money to pay for your treatment.
  • Not wanting to take "charity" from "friends" that you secretly detest.
  • Keeping things secret from your husband/wife.
  • Becoming a drug dealer with all that this entails - collecting what is owed, dealing with rivals, not letting your DEA brother-in-law find out, etc.
  • Whether to let the heroine addict who is threatening to ruin everything choke on her own vomit or not.
Yes, it is grim and gritty, very well written and acted and, for us, totally addictive.  Our kids have watched it and found it very educational - seeing the inside of a crack house does far more than a 100 repeats of "don't do drugs"!

8 comments:

meleah rebeccah said...

Breaking Bad - is THE BEST SHOW - EVER - in the history of ALL television.

I love Jessie Pinkman and Walter White is amazing, yo!

ShadowRun300 said...

When I saw your title I had to laugh. I had just come from Agg's place where Meleah had misread his title for Breaking Bad instead of Breaking Bread and she was so disappointed. How funny that she comes here and you really are talking "Breaking Bad."
I've never seen the show, but I've heard fantastic things about it. Now that we have Netflix, perhaps we should give it a try.

agg79 said...

A great show, but I never got fully hooked on it, yet. I have too many other series I am cranked up on (Walking Dead, Justified) to get started there, but it is on my list of binge watching. I just started a new one - House of Cards with Kevin Spacey and it really has me hooked.

Riot Kitty said...

That last line is a really good point!

We watched a few, but I'm more hooked on my BBC porn.

Rock Chef said...

Meleah Rebeccah - I had a feeling you might be a fan! Jesse is great, another one of those things that it presents to you - addicts are people too, often very nice people!

ShadowRun300 - Give it a go - if you are like use you will end up watching it 3 episodes at a time!

Agg79 - We don't have a lot that we follow as it runs on TV, and are choosing to watch an increasing amount of stuff when it comes out on DVD instead.

Riot Kitty - A flash of ankle and a kiss on the hand? Too hot for me!

Abby said...

I think I might just have to watch this.
*My older kids watched it and recommended
*I need something now that I'm all caught up with The Walking Dead
*I've heard good things about it from several others
*I think you and I have similar tastes (!)

terri said...

I watched the first season (maybe not even all of the first) and it just gave me anxiety, LOL! I could not keep watching. I had the same experience with Sons of Anarchy. Loved it for about 3 seasons and then something SO violent and graphic happened and I just couldn't go back to it. I guess I like a little bit lighter fare. I loved Orange is the New Black, and the United States of Tara, and lately, The Fosters. Maybe I should give Breaking Bad another try...

Rock Chef said...

Abby - Give it a try, I am sure you will become hooked pretty quickly - for me it was 1 episode...

Terri - I know what you mean about anxiety - sometimes you can see disaster looming...