Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad is a critically-acclaimed tv show, that has been labelled as one of the best tv shows ever! It's about a middle-aged overqualified high school chemistry, Walter White (Bryan Cranston), who contracts cancer, and is told he has about 2 years left to live. In an effort in secure his family's future security, he decides to start manufacturing drugs, specifically Crystal Meth. He chooses to team up with a former student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), who already has his own drug business, however no where near to the quality of Heisenberg's ( the alias Walter decides to use as his drug name) quality.

I would like to say I watched this shows from the beginning, but I found out about it on twitter. I have absolutely fallen in love with this show, even possibly addicted, as I've watched all of the series 4 times. I believe there are many reasons for this shows popularity, such as the work done by the creator Vince Gilligan, and the superb acting by everyone.

Although I don't like to see myself as a 'groupie', I can't help feel this show applies to them, due to it's popularity, however, you argue it applies to all sorts of audience, as it is such an amazing show. You could also argue 'Puritans' would be interested in this show. This is because everyone has 'supposed' to have watching Breaking Bad and if you haven't you've almost missed out. Therefore, you could argue that people feel they 'have a duty' to watch the show, and puritans want to feel like they have done their duty.

I feel this programme appeals to just about any age group, perhaps not children too old, or older people who wouldn't really like the action and the drug abuse, although assuming this would be stereotyping. Although I feel it would be predominately ages 15-40. This is because it is a very modern show and also demonstrates fairly modern problems with society, with Crystal Meth being a fairly new drug.

I feel Vince Gilligan has done a wonderful job with Breaking Bad, in particlar the writing, and the memorable quotes he has written, many of would I could quote myself. The fact he casted Bryan Cranston as the soon to be drug lord was quite a surprise to most people, considering he had spent most of his acting career in comedies such as 'Malcolm In The Middle'. However, I don't see another actor performing the role as well as he did, how he managed to transform from this nervous, fairly timid man in the first series, to this confident, law defying criminal. He helps relate to the character and engage with him, which helps the show treat us with as active consumers.

In conclusion, I believe this show surpasses the qualities of Prison. Break, and even the Wire. The fact it manages to add comedy to the show, at times where is shouldn't be, yet somehow belongs. The storyline is second to none and the finale is just a perfect end, to a perfect show.