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AMC's Breaking Bad

post #1 of 71
1/17/08 at 11:37am
Thread Starter 
I wasn't really impressed with Mad Men like some people on the boards were. I watched a few episodes and felt that the show looked fantastic, but the characters weren't that interesting. Hopefully, Breaking Bad will be different. It was created by Vince Gilligan, a former writer on X Files. Bryan Cranston plays a high school science teacher who discovers he has cancer and decides to provide for his family in an unusual way.

http://www.amctv.com/originals/breakingbad/

It starts this Sunday and I'll give it a shot since Cranston is usually a solid performer.
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post #2 of 71
1/17/08 at 11:44am
I agree with you on Mad Men. This does sound interesting, but I'm not sure if I'll check it out. Guess I need something to do after all my other shows go off the air.
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post #3 of 71
1/17/08 at 7:02pm
Mad Men is a show you have to stick with. Some people may not like that, but the finale really put a great touch on the overall arc of the season.

Did anyone else have issues getting their TiVo's to record a season pass for Breaking Bad? I could see the listing but my TiVo absolutely refused to schedule to record.
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post #4 of 71
1/17/08 at 7:20pm
Mad Men didn't hook me either. Stuck with it, and now I can't recall very many shows on that I like better. Except of course The Wire, Battlestar, Lost, Dexter, and 30 Rock).

The commercials don't really seem interesting to me, but again, I'm a tough sell when it comes to TV (I'll watch any movie oddly enough). I'll be TiVo'ing if only because AMC struck gold with Mad Men and I wasn't jonesing to see that much either.
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post #5 of 71
1/17/08 at 10:49pm
MAD MEN was outstanding if it weren't for DAMAGES on FX it probably would have been my favorite new show of last season. As for BREAKING BAD, it looks interesting and I will check it out(by recording it on my DVR, fuck TIVO).
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post #6 of 71
1/21/08 at 6:23pm
I thought it was great. Kinda makes me wish I hadn't abandoned chemistry after my second year of university.
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post #7 of 71
1/21/08 at 11:00pm
His smart-ass, CP son was so, so great.
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post #8 of 71
1/22/08 at 3:06am
Good show so far. I mainly only know Cranston as Tim Whatley so he certainly shattered that image pretty quick. Hope it holds up.
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post #9 of 71
1/22/08 at 3:10am
I've still got about 20 min. left, but like what I've seen so far. Including the most unenthusiastic hand job ever. I find it interesting that they just went straight out tits and cursing and then just blurred and bleeped. I think this is the first cable TV show (not HBO and such, obviously) do this. I wonder if others are going to take this route and then just unblur and unbeep for the inevitable "Unrated, Uncut Entire ______ Season!"
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post #10 of 71
1/22/08 at 11:51am
I liked the "blurred and bleeped" aspect. I watch most TV with the CC on ('cause I'm so fucking deaf) and appreciated that they gave the first letter of each expletive.
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post #11 of 71
1/22/08 at 12:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Moltisanti View Post
Good show so far. I mainly only know Cranston as Tim Whatley so he certainly shattered that image pretty quick. Hope it holds up.
The guy's a fucking chameleon. It was years before I realized Tim Whatley was Hal on Malcom In The Middle. Let's hope this show brings him the recognition he deserves.
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post #12 of 71
1/22/08 at 2:14pm
The pilot of Mad Men had a "Fuck You" that was bleeped out. I've seen other basic cable shows and movies that do this before, too -- showing the thing relatively uncut but bleeping and blurring. Gone are the days of "Yippie Kay Yay, Mr. Falcon."
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post #13 of 71
1/22/08 at 2:40pm
Action! was the first I'd ever seen a network show use the "bleep" to mask profanity. Arrested Development is the only other example I can think of.

Incidentally, both excellent but cancelled.
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post #14 of 71
1/22/08 at 9:23pm
The pilot was outstanding.

Engaging, sad, funny, twisted, quirky, suspenseful...the whole nine yards.

I'm not sure how long they'll be able to milk the concept as a series, but so far so good.
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post #15 of 71
1/28/08 at 4:07am
Really loving this.

I enjoy how quickly things have gotten out of hand. Most shows would have let the meth dealing go well for a while before throwing a wrench into the gears.
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post #16 of 71
1/29/08 at 2:19am
I just finished watching the second episode..while I didn't think it was as strong as the first, it was still really solid. Especially the ending witht the bathtub ... the characters were more in awe of the chaos than upset, like it was an event to witness.

I do wonder how long the momentum can last..already cranston is struggling to keep this double life and is losing his grip on his sanity. It seems once the loose ends are squared away, he'll get out of the meth game. I suppose they'll be some sort of deal struck with the surviving gangster that'll force him to stay in it though.

I also love the running gag of casually explaining chemistry concepts immediately following disaster (the red phophorous reaction in the first episode, and hydrochloric acid effects on well anything that's not a particular type of plastic).
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post #17 of 71
1/29/08 at 11:06am
Bleeping out curses only works in comedies. It doesn't work here because it just feels like something is being edited. Which feels cheap.
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post #18 of 71
1/30/08 at 9:03pm
What a fantastically engaging show. So what was up with the gas mask at the end of the 2nd episode? I didn't catch the first episode, but does it mean something?
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post #19 of 71
1/30/08 at 10:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Mohamed View Post
What a fantastically engaging show. So what was up with the gas mask at the end of the 2nd episode? I didn't catch the first episode, but does it mean something?
Since you deal with hazardous materials when cooking the meth, the characters wore gas masks to protect them. I assume the significance of the little girl finding the mask is that someone will find her with it and realize what was going down in the desert attracting police and other unwanted attention to the area. Perhaps Walter's pants will be found or the DEA brother-in-law will start playing the Rex Banner to White's beer baron (meth baron?)
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post #20 of 71
1/31/08 at 2:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by killz View Post
Since you deal with hazardous materials when cooking the meth, the characters wore gas masks to protect them. I assume the significance of the little girl finding the mask is that someone will find her with it and realize what was going down in the desert attracting police and other unwanted attention to the area. Perhaps Walter's pants will be found or the DEA brother-in-law will start playing the Rex Banner to White's beer baron (meth baron?)
Yeah, I think the next episode preview showed the brother-in-law in the desert, saying there was probably a meth lab or some such.
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post #21 of 71
2/4/08 at 1:40am
So far I'm digging this show and can't wait to see Ep.3
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post #22 of 71
2/11/08 at 2:08pm
Great episode last night.

Maybe it's just me, but I like how the brother-in-law is sort of a spoof of Vic Mackey.
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post #23 of 71
2/12/08 at 2:28pm
The whole scene with him and the son in the parking lot was cracking me up. As was the hooker's line "I forgot my root beer".
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post #24 of 71
2/20/08 at 10:53pm
Why aren't more folks watching this?

Latest episode was pretty solid. I really like where everything seems to be headed.
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post #25 of 71
2/20/08 at 11:03pm
Cranston is really doing some of the best acting on television right now.
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post #26 of 71
2/21/08 at 12:05am
Comcast has the first four available on-demand if anyone wants to catch them in a row without ads. Hopefully this will last through to June so I can get back to watching new Venture Bros. when it's done. The whole plate scene in episode 3 was downright genius.
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post #27 of 71
2/25/08 at 7:42am
That "intervention" was fucking incredible. This is a damn fine show and I'm glad to be watching it.
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post #28 of 71
2/25/08 at 2:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mediumdave View Post
That "intervention" was fucking incredible. This is a damn fine show and I'm glad to be watching it.
I couldn't agree more. That was a powerhouse scene.

The acting has been absolutely top notch. Cranston has been fucking Emmy worthy. For the most part the writing is pretty good...but the overall story arc has been impressive so far.
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post #29 of 71
2/25/08 at 10:07pm
I know we don't have the entire story here, but I'm pretty puzzled over Walt's motivations. He'd rather risk making more meth and chance death or imprisonment than ask a former colleague for help?
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post #30 of 71
2/25/08 at 10:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Mohamed View Post
I know we don't have the entire story here, but I'm pretty puzzled over Walt's motivations. He'd rather risk making more meth and chance death or imprisonment than ask a former colleague for help?

Well he doesn't want to accept charity from someone he barely talks to anymore. He also doesn't want to get chemotherapy that will allow him to (barely) live for 1 or 2 years. He also wants to leave his family with enough money after he dies, after all his wife doesn't work, his son is disabled and he has another baby on the way. While his colleague will pay for his health care, his family won't really receive a large sum of money after he dies.

Finally meth cooking and dealing gives him the excitement that he has never had. While he seems to lead a very bland, safe life...after being diagnosed with cancer he has taken a "nothing to lose" mentality. He cursed out his boss at the car wash, he beat up the kids who were making fun of his son and he fucked up that rich douche's car. He also killed two people,but that was more out of desperation.
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post #31 of 71
2/26/08 at 2:14am
The chance to work with his former partner was enticing but lost all its appeal once he realized it was an offer made out of pity. By cooking he's at least making money on his terms with his talent.

"HELICOPTER BITCH!"
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post #32 of 71
2/26/08 at 4:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ali Mohamed View Post
I know we don't have the entire story here, but I'm pretty puzzled over Walt's motivations. He'd rather risk making more meth and chance death or imprisonment than ask a former colleague for help?
With the cancer he's got, he's going to die. It will not be cured, it will not be going into remission. He will not see his daughter grow up. That is not going to happen. He's choosing to go out on his terms, and instead of being the passive do nothing he thinks he's been, he deciding to do something. That's why he beat up the asshole making fun of his kid, that's why he set the guys car on fire, and that's why he's cooking meth. He is being an active participant in life instead of the non participant he thinks he's been, even if what he does isn't exactly the right thing.
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post #33 of 71
2/26/08 at 5:06pm
It's like American Beauty...without all the maudlin.
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post #34 of 71
2/26/08 at 5:51pm
God. "Helicopter, bitch!" wrecked me.

Also, as for the why not take the rich guy's money, there's obviously been a falling out. They didn't make blatant, which I liked because they'd just be telling each other what they know to let us, the audience, in on it. But what with the company name coming from both their names and rich guy stealing the girl or her leaving Walter for Rich Motherfucker, there's obvious history that time hasn't healed yet.
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post #35 of 71
2/28/08 at 1:50pm
Good reasons all. I really, really like this show.
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post #36 of 71
2/28/08 at 1:53pm
The whole scene at the birthday party with the guy opening his gifts was ridiculous.

"Clapton signed that."

I also really enjoyed how the kid making meth was actually paying attention and wasn't happy with the sub-par drugs.

"It's too cloudy." And the crossbow was great.
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post #37 of 71
3/4/08 at 8:13pm
With "The Wire" on its way out, this is now pretty much the best drama on TV.

Bald Walt = Bad Ass.
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post #38 of 71
3/4/08 at 8:20pm
It's been forever since I went though chemo (much less invasive then the stuff Walt's dealing with) but I almost vomitted when he urinated bright orange. I had totally forgotten about that. The writers obviously either went through the process or had someone very close do it because they capture a lot of the little things. The rows of yellow bags and big brown easy chairs was spot on. Usually chemo paitents on TV and movies just lose their hair and throw up a few times, this show brought back vivid memories.
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post #39 of 71
3/4/08 at 8:34pm
Raymond Cruz!

Sucks about the janitor.
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post #40 of 71
3/10/08 at 2:14am
Good episode. Guess because of the writer's strike tonight was the season finale. Bummer, with "The Wire" gone I thought I'd at least have this for a few more weeks.

I'm assuming the show will be back. It needs to be.
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post #41 of 71
3/10/08 at 2:22am
I love, love, love the fact that the season didn't end on some predictable cliffhanger. Just a solidification of the new status quo and a hint of trouble for the future.
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post #42 of 71
3/11/08 at 5:43am
Love this show, have been keeping up with it through OnDemand. Didn't really think much of it when I saw the previews but then one of my buddies made me hip to MadMen and I enjoyed what I saw and figured I'd check out the "other" AMC show. Now, can't think of anything else currently on television that touches this.

Cranston needs an Emmy.
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post #43 of 71
3/11/08 at 2:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Godzuki View Post
Cranston needs an Emmy.
It'll be a fucking crime if he doesn't at the very least get a nomination.
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post #44 of 71
3/12/08 at 2:43am
What an awesome show this has been, I really hope Cranston snags a nomination.
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post #45 of 71
10/12/08 at 3:54am
Bumped because...I just started watching it and damn it you all should be to. The pilot alone so good that I went ahead and bought the season on iTunes and have just finished episode 3. For all the bitching about the Emmys this year, I'm surprised no one has praised them for how much they got right. Cranston is outstan...well you see where this is going. I should be done with the season in a day or two and will come back with final thoughts.
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post #46 of 71
10/12/08 at 11:56am
I never really posted in the thread because I was always so behind but I loved this and Cranston pulling the Emmy a few weeks ago was a great surprise. I know that Mad Men is the series right now but Breaking Bad is what got me to tune into AMC and I just think that it's fantastic. Hopefully S2 will be on soon but I haven't read anything about it just yet.
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post #47 of 71
10/12/08 at 1:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BorisTheCheese View Post
Hopefully S2 will be on soon but I haven't read anything about it just yet.
I've heard they've resumed production on S2 and that they are shooting for an "early 2009" start date.
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post #48 of 71
2/25/09 at 3:29am
I'm amazed. This show is the tits and the ass.
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post #49 of 71
3/6/09 at 12:07pm
Back this Sunday. Interested in seeing how Bob Odenkirk fits in with the show, not to mention John de Lancie!
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post #50 of 71
3/6/09 at 12:24pm
Yeah, Bob Odenkirk is a BIG question mark on this. The man did fine work on Mr. Show, but I can't recall seeing him in anything that would require him to actually act.
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