In our new feature "The Big Playback", we're going to look back on some of our favorite shows and discuss what we liked and didn't like as well as look forward to what is yet to come. In the first installment we take a look at season one of Breaking Bad, which Andy has seen multiple times but Chad is watching for the first time.
Andy
As we go through the seasons of "Breaking Bad," you for the first time, me for the third, I am going to pose you a few questions, but none are as important as this first one, which shall be the first question I ask for every season:
Who is Walter White?
Who is Walter White?
Chad
Before I get into your question, I'd first like to apologize to you and the public at large. For someone who watches TV as much as I do, I'm coming incredibly late to Breaking Bad. I have no real excuse for this but I plan to rectify my oversight by going on a Breaking Bad binge to get caught up before the new season starts.
So, now to address your question. Before I started my Breaking Bad marathon, my knowledge of the show was based on what I had heard on Twitter, Facebook, blogs and other random corners of this series of tubes we call the internet. As I understood it, Walter White was some mash up of Abraham Lincoln, Omar Little, Batman, Robin Hood and George Jung. He's essentially America's greatest national hero.
And after watching the first season, I think all of the comparisons above are pretty apt. He's not all of those people all the time, but he definitely shows traits of each depending on the situation he finds himself in. His intentions for cooking meth are obviously noble, he wants to be able to pay for his medical bills and provide his family with a nest egg if and when he departs this life. But when he's dealing with the dirtbags he encounters in the drug game, he's able to switch hats and show them he's someone who's not to be fucked with.
As I watched the open to the season's final episode, where a fuming Walter is walking away from the chaotic scene outside Tuco's office, I thought to myself, "I have no idea how we're gonna get here in the next 40 minutes but I can't fucking wait to take this ride." That thought has stuck with me, because I feel the same way about the rest of the series, I don't know where it's going to take me but the ride there is going to be a blast.
Now I will pose the same question to you, (without spoiling anything) who is Walter White in your mind?
So, now to address your question. Before I started my Breaking Bad marathon, my knowledge of the show was based on what I had heard on Twitter, Facebook, blogs and other random corners of this series of tubes we call the internet. As I understood it, Walter White was some mash up of Abraham Lincoln, Omar Little, Batman, Robin Hood and George Jung. He's essentially America's greatest national hero.
And after watching the first season, I think all of the comparisons above are pretty apt. He's not all of those people all the time, but he definitely shows traits of each depending on the situation he finds himself in. His intentions for cooking meth are obviously noble, he wants to be able to pay for his medical bills and provide his family with a nest egg if and when he departs this life. But when he's dealing with the dirtbags he encounters in the drug game, he's able to switch hats and show them he's someone who's not to be fucked with.
As I watched the open to the season's final episode, where a fuming Walter is walking away from the chaotic scene outside Tuco's office, I thought to myself, "I have no idea how we're gonna get here in the next 40 minutes but I can't fucking wait to take this ride." That thought has stuck with me, because I feel the same way about the rest of the series, I don't know where it's going to take me but the ride there is going to be a blast.
Now I will pose the same question to you, (without spoiling anything) who is Walter White in your mind?
Andy
I'm curious about where you see some of the people you listed in Walter White. I see the parallels with some (and it took me a minute to remember who George Jung was. I thought you were talking about Carl Jung and had fucked up his first name, but couldn't figure out why Walter was like a disciple of Freud). In particular I wonder where you get Abe Lincoln from?
To me, Walter is a guy who has been suppressing rage his whole adult life. He's a man of pride, and when that pride is wounded, he lashes out. And, most importantly, he is a man who has felt impotent for longer than he can remember. And it is these three elements (and Bryan Cranston's performance) that make him the most fascinating character in TV history. We see him crawl into bed with Skylar after his first day in his new career, and you can tell by her reaction that his friskiness is unusual. His diagnosis and subsequent descent into criminality awakens the beast in him, but it doesn't create it. We see it with the assholes in the clothing store that are making fun of Walt Jr. We see it again when he gets revenge on Ken the Convertible guy for being a douche. We see him turn down money and health insurance from his old partner because of his wounded pride. He'd rather cook meth and risk his life with guys like Tuco than accept charity or, god forbid, pity. As viewers, we watch him come alive fight back and we root for him, but he is still making some reckless decisions.
And what is amazing as this show goes on is that while Walter grows, he really doesn't change. These elements of his personality become more and more highlighted, and it is fun to see him shift how far he will take things, and they never seem out of character.
Any thoughts on the supporting cast? How big of a threat is Hank to Walt's new lifestyle? Thoughts on Marie and her shoplifting? What did you think about Jesse before and then after the episode he spent with his parents and little brother?
To me, Walter is a guy who has been suppressing rage his whole adult life. He's a man of pride, and when that pride is wounded, he lashes out. And, most importantly, he is a man who has felt impotent for longer than he can remember. And it is these three elements (and Bryan Cranston's performance) that make him the most fascinating character in TV history. We see him crawl into bed with Skylar after his first day in his new career, and you can tell by her reaction that his friskiness is unusual. His diagnosis and subsequent descent into criminality awakens the beast in him, but it doesn't create it. We see it with the assholes in the clothing store that are making fun of Walt Jr. We see it again when he gets revenge on Ken the Convertible guy for being a douche. We see him turn down money and health insurance from his old partner because of his wounded pride. He'd rather cook meth and risk his life with guys like Tuco than accept charity or, god forbid, pity. As viewers, we watch him come alive fight back and we root for him, but he is still making some reckless decisions.
And what is amazing as this show goes on is that while Walter grows, he really doesn't change. These elements of his personality become more and more highlighted, and it is fun to see him shift how far he will take things, and they never seem out of character.
Any thoughts on the supporting cast? How big of a threat is Hank to Walt's new lifestyle? Thoughts on Marie and her shoplifting? What did you think about Jesse before and then after the episode he spent with his parents and little brother?
Chad
Of course you had to call me out on the Abe Lincoln comparison, the one I have the least evidence to support. But I still think it works and I touched on it in my earlier response. Lincoln is generally regarded as one of, if not the greatest president we've ever had because of his forward thinking and will to do the right thing. As Walter sees it, he's doing the right thing to help and protect his family after he's gone even if it means doing some wrong.
As for the rest of the cast, I'm a bit conflicted on all of them. There's not really anyone, besides Walt, who I really like all of the time. Even Jesse, who at first I thought would become my favorite character, gets on my nerves at times. However, I do have some sympathy for the kid based on the episode you mentioned where he takes the rap for his little brother's pot. I'm probably looking forward to seeing how Jesse develops as a character more than anyone other than Walt, and I hope Walt's wisdom rubs off on him a little. If anyone could afford to be a little less stupid, it's Jesse.
I presume Hank will be one of the bigger sources of potential conflict for Walt as the story progresses. At first blush, he reminds me of the DEA agent Nancy Botwin marries in Weeds or homicide detective Debra Morgan to Dexter's serial killer. A character very close to the protagonist who could bring the whole world crashing down if they find out the main character's secret. I'm somewhat interested to see how Breaking Bad handles that relationship in comparison to the other shows I mentioned, but I also have a feeling I'm going to come to dislike the character. He was also a total douchebag when having the "Scared Straight" talk with Walter Jr. You don't become a meth head or prostitute from smoking a little weed. You become tired and hungry. And then chubby from sleeping and eating all the time. Also, if you happen to have cerebral palsy, you should damned well be able to blaze every now and then.
Any final thoughts on our look back at the first season?
As for the rest of the cast, I'm a bit conflicted on all of them. There's not really anyone, besides Walt, who I really like all of the time. Even Jesse, who at first I thought would become my favorite character, gets on my nerves at times. However, I do have some sympathy for the kid based on the episode you mentioned where he takes the rap for his little brother's pot. I'm probably looking forward to seeing how Jesse develops as a character more than anyone other than Walt, and I hope Walt's wisdom rubs off on him a little. If anyone could afford to be a little less stupid, it's Jesse.
I presume Hank will be one of the bigger sources of potential conflict for Walt as the story progresses. At first blush, he reminds me of the DEA agent Nancy Botwin marries in Weeds or homicide detective Debra Morgan to Dexter's serial killer. A character very close to the protagonist who could bring the whole world crashing down if they find out the main character's secret. I'm somewhat interested to see how Breaking Bad handles that relationship in comparison to the other shows I mentioned, but I also have a feeling I'm going to come to dislike the character. He was also a total douchebag when having the "Scared Straight" talk with Walter Jr. You don't become a meth head or prostitute from smoking a little weed. You become tired and hungry. And then chubby from sleeping and eating all the time. Also, if you happen to have cerebral palsy, you should damned well be able to blaze every now and then.
Any final thoughts on our look back at the first season?
Andy
I think it's interesting that you see forward thinking as a key trait of Walt's, because rewatching season one I was reminded just how much he and Jesse were running by the seat of their pants. After the pilot we spend two episodes just on cleanup. They get in way over their head with Tuco. After getting the offer of support from Elliott, he turns it down, despite that being something that could LITERALLY solve all of his problems. Where do you "forward thinking" this season?
These reviews are hard for me, especially because I am already re-watching season two in preparation for our next conversation, but I feel like the big theme in season one is "Necessary Evils." everyone makes bargains with themselves in order to do what they feel they must. Walt decides to cook to make money for his family. Jesse agrees to cook with Walt because he is getting blackmailed. They work with Tuco because they need a wholesaler. You're on Walt's side, but do you feel anything he (or anyone) has done so far has been over the line? Has anyone made a bad choice at the time (that is to say, before hindsight kicks in)?
What are your expectations for season 2?
These reviews are hard for me, especially because I am already re-watching season two in preparation for our next conversation, but I feel like the big theme in season one is "Necessary Evils." everyone makes bargains with themselves in order to do what they feel they must. Walt decides to cook to make money for his family. Jesse agrees to cook with Walt because he is getting blackmailed. They work with Tuco because they need a wholesaler. You're on Walt's side, but do you feel anything he (or anyone) has done so far has been over the line? Has anyone made a bad choice at the time (that is to say, before hindsight kicks in)?
What are your expectations for season 2?
Chad
You bring up some pretty good points about the forward thinking argument. I guess I was just making a broad generalization about the motive behind Walter's decision to cook meth. There's really no way to prove that he put a lot of thought and planning into how his drug dealing would play out, because clearly, he didn't. However, he's obviously thought long and hard about whether his family will be able to survive after he's gone. While the decision he made may not have been the wisest or most practical one, it's the one he's going to roll with because it's the one that let's him maintain his pride. Pride can be a pretty strong motivator and if Walter had taken Elliott's hand out he would've felt indebted to him for the rest of his life, however long that may be.
I would definitely say Walt and Jesse have made some bad decisions and done some things that are over line. One thing that jumps to mind is, um, murdering two guys. Granted those two drug dealers would have obviously killed Walter and Jesse if they weren't killed first, but still, I'd say murder is generally over the line. I'm still wondering if there will be any consequences coming from that since so far they've gotten off pretty lightly. With the exception of the patched up drywall under the bathtub that raised some concern for the potential buyers of his aunt's home.
The thing I'm most looking forward to in season 2 is meeting Gus Fring. I don't really know anything about him but apparently he's the baddest motherfucker since Jules Winnfield from what I've heard. I'm also interested to see how Walt's relationship with his family progresses as he becomes more wrapped up in the drug game. I'm looking forward to seeing how he juggles his time with Jesse, his job, his treatment and his family life.
I would definitely say Walt and Jesse have made some bad decisions and done some things that are over line. One thing that jumps to mind is, um, murdering two guys. Granted those two drug dealers would have obviously killed Walter and Jesse if they weren't killed first, but still, I'd say murder is generally over the line. I'm still wondering if there will be any consequences coming from that since so far they've gotten off pretty lightly. With the exception of the patched up drywall under the bathtub that raised some concern for the potential buyers of his aunt's home.
The thing I'm most looking forward to in season 2 is meeting Gus Fring. I don't really know anything about him but apparently he's the baddest motherfucker since Jules Winnfield from what I've heard. I'm also interested to see how Walt's relationship with his family progresses as he becomes more wrapped up in the drug game. I'm looking forward to seeing how he juggles his time with Jesse, his job, his treatment and his family life.
0 comments:
Post a Comment