Breaking Bad? Try Breaking awesome!

Heralded by critics as one of the best TV shows ever made, raking in nearly 3 million viewers for its series five premiere, and netting seven Emmys and other numerous awards, yet this under-viewed gem of a show is almost nonexistent on UK television screens after its shambolic exposure in 2009. Here is why it’s a shame and completely wrong. 

It oozes originality. I mean in the first episode our antihero discovers he has terminal lung cancer, realises his job as a chemistry lecturer will not be enough to provide for his family when he is gone, so decides to become a crystal meth ‘cook.’ Arguably, apart from Dexter and Tony Soprano an effective antihero is hard to come by and at a time when they are incredibly common, Walter White definitely ups the ante. 

The performances are outstanding. Bryan Cranston plays Walter, who finds a new life in his death sentence. The subtlety he shows to a character who could have quite easily been overplayed means as an audience we keep rooting for him even after his desperation fades. Of course Walter can’t do it alone, and so we meet Jesse Pinkman, the luckless drug addict with few morals and former student with even less intelligence terrifically portrayed by Aaron Paul. It’s crazy to think the writers had thought of killing him off after just the first season, as he surprisingly becomes the conscience of the show.      

Like Dexter, there are elements of humour and it is understandable if this isn’t ‘your thing’ but let me make this unmistakably clear, this is not a black comedy! Critics have compared the mood and suspense as reminiscent of a Coen brothers thriller and although there is sometimes light relief after something major has happened just try not to expect it because you won’t get it! 

As well as being artfully framed and beautifully lit, the execution of the show is so flawless that most of the twists and turns will not be guessed, but yet they make perfect sense. Despite years of trying, no show has mastered the art of the cliff-hanger as well as this. 

From exuberant attempts to dissolve a body in a bath of acid, to the many moral dilemmas Walt faces as he holds the life of others in the palm of his hand, this should probably come with a ‘not for all the family’ warning. However, if you are willing to risk spending your entire week off downloading on Netflix, catching up on previous episodes and giving up your social life until it’s done then go for it, it’s definitely worth the time!