Written by Jacob Flores, Staff Writer
From humble beginnings to the phenomenon it has sustained; read about the development and impact of one of the world’s most popular TV shows.
“Breaking Bad” is known as one of the biggest shows on the planet and is compared to cinematic masterpieces from award winning directors like Steven Spielberg or Martin Scorsese. If you have not watched it you are probably wondering why it is so popular? It started as a conversation in 2004 between Vince Gilligan and a friend joking about creating a lab in an RV to make money, which developed into his creation of the show today. Gilligan pitched the show to AMC as a show that has a realistic story line about a world that people know little about but are deeply intrigued by. Taking heavy inspiration from another popular show, “The Sopranos,” the idea became a production that was relatable and appealed to a mature audience. The show follows a chemistry teacher named Walter White who is diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, is worried about his family’s financial well-being, and has a dark underside where he creates illegal substances with his partner, Jesse Pinkman. In 2008, “Breaking Bad” released its first episode with the title of “The Pilot” as a test run for audiences and it did not disappoint. Audiences loved the show, with the first season receiving great ratings.
As more and more seasons arrived, the popularity and record breaking acclaims rolled in, with reviews saying that “it’s a drama that has chosen the slow burn over the flashy explosion, and it’s all the more hot for that choice.” As the deeper meaning of the show was unveiled, the message became clear that power can take away the life and soul from one’s own pride. The background story of a man struggling with his own mortality leads to the realization that what one hopes can bring happiness in life often has hidden consequences when that dream is fulfilled. Depression, anger, death, despair, corruption, and determination are all thematic motifs that are intertwined with a fast-paced lifestyle that is both thrilling and frightening. As the more seasons passed, character development and introductions impacted the relationship between White and Pinkman which eventually led to heartfelt moments and a falling-out between them. Another difference that makes the show stick out is the location of different sets with all buildings and settings taking place in actual locations that are located in New Mexico; the most popular one being Los Pollos Hermanos or Twisters in real life that is set as the main restaurant or food chain business in “Breaking Bad.” it also differed from other shows with its camera angles, quality, and coloring with the resemblance of an impressionist painting. With the show taking place in New Mexico and Mexico at points, scenery becomes a character itself allowing the camera to depict its own story through placements, moods, or settings which in turn allows colors such as bright yellow or dark green to be used to give the story line depth.
The writing of the show and the mind of Gilligan never seemed to disappoint as the show continued on. With memes becoming a talking-point of “Breaking Bad”‘s popularity with lines such as “Say My Name”, “Stay out of my territory”, “I am the one who knocks”, and “ We, who’s we? There is no we!”. In September of 2013 after 5 seasons, it concluded with a memorable stance that differed from any other show on the planet. “Breaking Bad” not only showed what cinematography and writing was about, but it showed that even the smallest idea or joke can turn into one of the biggest decisions or life changing properties nobody could imagine. In summary, “Breaking Bad” is not just a show for simple entertainment; it is a show that tells an intensely raw and deep story. It is a show that has the mind and execution of a cinematic masterpiece. It is a show that cares about every detail that comes to change the course of the story later on. It is a show that is “Just gonna Break Bad.”