Breaking Bad

dont any of you DARE compare Breaking Bad to the sopranos. Breaking Bad, is without a doubt, one of the GREATEST shows to ever be on television. Im talking top 10 in the history of television, likely in the TOP 5.

I used to think the Sopranos was a clever existentialist exercise. The EXISTENTIAL theme was set up in one of the early seasons, when Tonys son got all, well existential. Now, looking back it was LAZY, IRRESPONSIBLE writing. The series well and truly romanticized/normalized the mafia. Tony is a SCUMBAG CRIMINAL. I repeat- HE KILLED, STOLE, HE WAS A SCUMBAG. Despite a large theme of the series being his therapy. HE LEARNS NOTHING.

The series ends with the creators being like "oh we dont wanna get into petty moralizing-were too slicka nd cool for that, so MAKE UP THE ENDING YOURSELF" . Again, I once thuoght it was a cool existental statement. On further thought, its lazy, lame, overratted crappy writing.

the sopranos was like SCOOBY DOO- every episode, the slate was wiped clean, and if you examine it, the only characters that got "whacked" were all PERIPHERAL characters anyway.


Think about this:

Walter White, in the pilot episode, for all intents and purposes, COMMITTED SUICIDE- reember that, when he put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger but it wasnt loaded?. I was watching one of the newer episodes, totally blown away at how credible his going deeper is, and suddenly i was like holy cow remember the pilot?

The arc that were following, him becoming a crime lord, was basically SET UP in the PILOT, WHERE HIS OLD LIFE ENDED.

THATS how well written breaking bad is.

sopranos no comparison
 
Well, I wouldn't go that far with your assessment of The Sopranos. I don't think it romanticized the mafia at all. I think it showed them as EXACTLY the types of sociopathic, scumbag criminals they are. It's more realistic than Breaking Bad and as a character portrait I think its truthful. I never thought it was going to be about an arc...But Breaking Bad is better storytelling, without question.
 
dont any of you DARE compare Breaking Bad to the sopranos. Breaking Bad, is without a doubt, one of the GREATEST shows to ever be on television. Im talking top 10 in the history of television, likely in the TOP 5.

I used to think the Sopranos was a clever existentialist exercise. The EXISTENTIAL theme was set up in one of the early seasons, when Tonys son got all, well existential. Now, looking back it was LAZY, IRRESPONSIBLE writing. The series well and truly romanticized/normalized the mafia. Tony is a SCUMBAG CRIMINAL. I repeat- HE KILLED, STOLE, HE WAS A SCUMBAG. Despite a large theme of the series being his therapy. HE LEARNS NOTHING.

The series ends with the creators being like "oh we dont wanna get into petty moralizing-were too slicka nd cool for that, so MAKE UP THE ENDING YOURSELF" . Again, I once thuoght it was a cool existental statement. On further thought, its lazy, lame, overratted crappy writing.

the sopranos was like SCOOBY DOO- every episode, the slate was wiped clean, and if you examine it, the only characters that got "whacked" were all PERIPHERAL characters anyway.


Think about this:

Walter White, in the pilot episode, for all intents and purposes, COMMITTED SUICIDE- reember that, when he put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger but it wasnt loaded?. I was watching one of the newer episodes, totally blown away at how credible his going deeper is, and suddenly i was like holy cow remember the pilot?

The arc that were following, him becoming a crime lord, was basically SET UP in the PILOT, WHERE HIS OLD LIFE ENDED.

THATS how well written breaking bad is.

sopranos no comparison


*stands and claps*

I have been thinking about the pilot a lot this season and am blown away at the arc the writers have created.

And yup. Sopranos was horrible w/ continuity and consequences. They really dropped the ball with this and it's hurting the show's legacy.

You should listen to the Nerdist Writers Podcast where the writers are interviewed. They discuss the idea of not allowing the heist episodes to turn the show into too much of a "romp". They endeavor to make every action have a "cost". Just look at the train job episode.
 
I've been planning on going back this winter when I have more time, and watching all of the Breaking Bad episodes from the pilot to the current mid-season 5 finale.

It will be interesting to see little bits and pieces that I didn't notice before on first viewing.
 
SPOILER!

It was great to see the confrontation after many seasons of build up. That's all i'll say 'til everyone's seen it.
 
This show just doesn't disappoint. Looking forward to the final 7.
And the intensity is only going to increase from this point on.

MINOR SPOILER






Next episode is titled: Buried

Can't wait.
 
I have not seen this show but am very curious after seeing all these comments (and Cranston's mean looking posters for the show over the last few years). Plus...I loved watching "Malcom in the Middle" (to me the father made that show extra funny). I guess I have to watch it now because I could never place him in a serious dark role. Then again....I forgot about his "X-Files" appearance.
 
I have not seen this show but am very curious after seeing all these comments (and Cranston's mean looking posters for the show over the last few years). Plus...I loved watching "Malcom in the Middle" (to me the father made that show extra funny). I guess I have to watch it now because I could never place him in a serious dark role. Then again....I forgot about his "X-Files" appearance.

I envy you. The first couple seasons of Breaking Bad were so much twisted fun. As the series progressed it got darker, and appropriately so. This is not meant as a criticism. It's never less than riveting, but those early seasons were such a vicarious thrill when the characters seemed a bit more innocent.
 
Oh man the first few seasons are so fun!


It's like a little rascals meets meth dealing for a little while.

It gets you so engrossed in the characters.

Last night was amazing. So excited to see where they go.
 
That Aaron Paul Bushmills commercial should never have been aired during the season. what a cheese fest. No group of guys should ever look that happy at a photoshoot. It looked like a scene from entourage. Totally took me away from his character on breaking bad. He looks like a sellout douche. I'm never this negative, but that's how this commercial comes across to me.

I do like Bushmills though. And I like Aaron Paul. Just not together.
 
That Aaron Paul Bushmills commercial should never have been aired during the season. what a cheese fest. No group of guys should ever look that happy at a photoshoot. It looked like a scene from entourage. Totally took me away from his character on breaking bad. He looks like a sellout douche. I'm never this negative, but that's how this commercial comes across to me.

I do like Bushmills though. And I like Aaron Paul. Just not together.

What's with this guy & booze? He must like to tip them back.
Also remember seeing him in a ciroc ad or something with p diddy.
 
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