Breaking Bad
by Eli Saffell
For many people, the thrill that is experienced when one breaks the law is a very pleasurable and addictive sensation. It’s possible that a similar sensation is evoked from simply watching someone break the law, especially when that person is seemingly unlikely to do so. The popularity and high acclaim of the television series Breaking Bad could certainly show testament to this statement. But of course, the plot of this show is not the only factor that has driven this series to such insurmountable success. Along with the plot, the character interaction, character development, and moral ambiguity that is portrayed in Breaking Bad all play significant roles in the success of this series.
Breaking Bad is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico in a middle-class suburb. Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher, learns he has stage 3A lung cancer and is given a maximum of two years to live. Having experienced financial issues for years, Walter is worried about leaving his unemployed wife, disabled son, and newborn baby in an overwhelming amount of debt. Through a series of events, Walter is exposed to the methamphetamine drug trade and the amount of money that can be made. He conjures up the idea of producing and selling the drug in order to leave his family financially sound. After seeing an old student of his, Jesse Pinkman, and his involvement in the drug trade, an unlikely business partnership is made. The rest of the series follows the challenges the two undergo and the results of Walter’s decision to sell meth.
The relationship between Walter and Jesse is dysfunctional to describe it mildly. However, it is one that captures the attention of its audience and leaves viewers wondering what will happen next. Walter and Jesse have virtually no common ground. Jesse is a careless, ignorant, meth addict with, ironically, very little knowledge of producing methamphetamine. Walter, on the other hand, is a meticulous, yet desperate chemist. Walter fulfills Jesse’s needs because he knows the chemistry needed to produce very pure, high-grade meth. Jesse provides Walter with inside connections and knowledge of unspoken rules of the drug trade. However, the two hardly ever get along. Jesse’s carelessness causes many detrimental events and setbacks to the progress of the plan. For example, after Walter and Jesse drive out to the desert in their RV to cook two pounds of meth, Jesse, without thinking, leaves the key in the ignition which drains the battery. The two are stuck out in the desert with no contact and very little food. After Walter attempts to jumpstart the RV, a fire ignites and once again, Jesse’s carelessness intrudes. He dumps their entire water supply on the fire, leaving them stuck, without food or water. Mistakes like these occur frequently, creating a very defective, high-stress relationship between the two characters. This relationship, and the basis for the relationship, makes for an extremely intriguing and unpredictable interaction.
As the series develops, the audience watches dramatic changes in Walter’s personality. In the very first episodes, Walter comes off as a shy, contained family man, without the conscious ability to run a red light, let alone sell a high grade narcotic. Walter seems to lack confidence. Flashbacks of Walter’s younger ages show a strong, successful chemist with a bright future ahead of him. However, after being betrayed by his partner, Walter loses his company, and with it, his confidence. Walter is now passive and quiet, and tends to be walked on by others, especially by his brother-in-law. He resorts to working as a teacher at a public high school for which he is overqualified. His life seems to have spun to a center of mediocrity while his talents and knowledge show far more promise. The news of his lung cancer seems to be a waking call for Walter. The more he suffers from his cancer and the deeper he falls into the drug trade, the more aggressive and confident Walter becomes. His transformation from a calm, reserved high school teacher to an aggressive drug dealer, capable of murder, truly adds substance and development to the series. This certainly has helped Breaking Bad receive the acclaim it has earned.
The single factor for which Breaking Bad has received much acclaim is the moral ambiguity of Walter White. Walter begins his involvement in methamphetamine producing and distributing so he can earn money for his family before he passes away. Audiences tend to support Walter for getting involved in a risky business so he can leave his family with the financial support that they need. However, as Walter becomes more dedicated and involved in his new endeavor, his intentions and motivation to continue selling meth begin to blur. The nature of his work forces him to lie to his family, which becomes apparent to his wife, Skylar. This causes issues within their marriage and eventually leads them to a divorce. Also, due to the commitment of his work, he begins to spend less and less time with his family and even misses the birth of his daughter, Holly, so that he can follow through with a drug trade. The reason for which he begins selling meth becomes the very same thing he begins to neglect: his family. Even more shocking is the fact that even after the divorce, Walter continues to fall deeper and deeper into the trade. Audiences tend to support Walter’s initial reasoning for becoming a drug dealer, however, it seems he becomes attached to the thrill of the lifestyle and the rewards that can be obtained. He becomes a man willing to do nearly anything, including murder, in order to keep his positioning within the practice. Even after he has earned more than enough money to support his family’s needs and wants he is still reluctant to abandon his new lifestyle. It is as if his family is no longer the main priority. He simply is addicted to his new way of life. This change in moral standings creates ambiguity within the character and forces the audience to question Walter’s intentions and priorities.
Breaking Bad has received multiple Emmys and stands as one of the most popular television shows of the past few years. This dark drama series utilizes character interaction and development to capture the attention of its audience. Breaking Bad adds to its compelling plot by creating ambiguity within its main character, Walter. All these factors combine to conjure up an incredible drama that is just as addictive as the drug it portrays.
(all images courtesy AMC)
I know you wrote this piece months ago, but after reading this, I went home and immediately added every episode to my Netflix account. Nicely done.
Heads up to Eli and other fans of “Breaking Bad.” Mrs. Lisuk just sent me this link:
http://cityoperahouse.org/shows/info.php?id=88
An Evening with Vince Gilligan
February 4, 2012
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Tickets: $15 advance, $20 at the door, $10 educators, $5 students
Tickets go on sale to Friends of NWS Jan.17th and to the public Jan. 23rd.
An Evening with Vince Gilligan
Creator of AMC’s Hit TV Show “Breaking Bad”and Writer/Executive Producer of “The X-Files”
Impressive Eli!
Nice work, Eli! Everyone watch this show. It’s awesome!
Now look what you’ve done! I’ll have to miss American Idol to watch Breaking Bad. Seriously, a very well written piece. I get a good picture of Walter as he disintegrates. I hope he has time to find his way back.
This is incredibly well-written! I want to see this show!