On January 20, 2008, the world of prime-time television experienced one of its most successful re-births with the release of the pilot for a new series titled “Breaking Bad.” Many longtime viewers of this show and television critics alike often regard “Breaking Bad” as being one of the most influential, and astounding shows to ever be aired on TV. This series has a large universal praise due to its remarkable storytelling techniques, cast of memorable characters, gritty themes reminiscent of real-world crime, and even the amazing cinematic experience it provides from the show’s groundbreaking film direction.
The plot of ‘Breaking Bad’ follows an emotionally distraught and also terminally ill high school chemistry teacher named Walter White who is portrayed by renowned actor Bryan Cranston. Walter turns to a world of crime to save his family financially, along with the help of one of his former students and career criminal, Jesse Pinkman. Within the debut episode of the series, titled simply “Pilot” we get a glimpse into the mundane and stressful life that Mr. White leads, while later in the episode viewers learn that a day after his fiftieth birthday he has been diagnosed with stage III lung cancer.
To pay for his intense cancer treatments soon, as well as secure financial stability long after he passes for his family, Mr. White extends a business offer of narcotics creation/distribution with the aforementioned Jesse Pinkman, who is an expert in the shady dealings involving the criminal underworld. Jesse accepts the offer on a 50/50 partnership, and the pair quickly gets to work to create immense wealth for themselves in the black market of New Mexico, where the show’s five-season-long adventure takes place. Throughout the series, viewers get to witness the ups and downs of a career in a criminal enterprise. Mr. White and Jesse accrue immeasurable amounts of wealth also, but that comes with the loss of close business partners and family bonds, as both Walter and Jesse experience the downsides of life on the run from the law.
“No More Half Measures, Walter” is my favorite quote from this entire series, after having partaken in this show’s journey during all five of its groundbreaking seasons. This phrase is spoken by one of Walter White’s closest collaborators/business partners, Mike Ehrmantraut, and it is the concluding line to one of the best monologues I have ever heard after years of watching television.
I firmly believe that “Breaking Bad” is one of the best series to ever be aired on cable television, and that it deserves much praise for being a storytelling masterpiece. Breaking Bad is both an excellent example of a crime-based drama and a catalyst for one of the most prolific prime-time series to ever be aired on television.
“Breaking Bad” Main Cast/Crew:
Director, Producer, Writer: Vince Gilligan
- Walter White: Bryan Cranston.
- Jesse Pinkman: Aaron Paul.
- Mike Ehrmantraut: Jonathan Banks.
- Saul Goodman (Walter White’s criminal lawyer): Bob Odenkirk.
- Skyler White (Walter White’s wife and business partner): Anna Gunn.
- Walter White Jr. (Walter White’s son): R.J. Mitte.
- Hank Schrader (Walter White’s brother-in-law and DEA agent): Dean Norris.
- Marie Schrader (Walter White’s sister-in-law): Betsy Brandt.
“Breaking Bad” Show Statistics:
- Five Seasons.
- Total of 62 episodes.
- The series finale was broadcast Live on September 29, 2013, to over 10.3 million viewers.
- By the final season, the show had a production budget of $6,000,000 per episode.
- The show had accumulated a total revenue amount of around $1.2 Billion during its original five-year run.
- “Breaking Bad” has been nominated for a total of 248 awards, and has won 92.
- The show entered the 2014 Guinness Book of World Records as the most critically acclaimed show of all time.
- Bryan Cranston won the Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, the Satellite award for Best Actor in a drama series, and Best Actor at the 2010 IGN Awards.
- “Breaking Bad” won awards such as Best Multi-episode drama Series by PRISM, Best Television Program of the Year from the American Film Institute 2008 awards, and Area of excellence award at the 2008 Peabody Awards.
