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Post by Scary Gary on Aug 17, 2013 0:47:51 GMT -5
Hey folks. Now is the perfect time to get into this series. The final season started last week and there are about six weeks to go. The first five seasons are all on Netflix streaming and are a quick watch. If you like character development, this IS the show for you.
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malus
Killer Penguin
Posts: 63
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Post by malus on Aug 18, 2013 5:29:26 GMT -5
EVERYONE keeps telling me to watch this series! What was it about this show that spoke to so many, different people? I will definitely have to start flixing this one!  |
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Post by Scary Gary on Aug 20, 2013 0:43:02 GMT -5
The characters are very likeable, for starts. The main character, Walter White is a school teacher with a disabled son and an overbearing wife who is pregnant. He is a meek, beaten-down man who, just before his 50th birthday (and this is not a spoiler as it is reveled very quickly in the 1st episode), is diagnosed with late stage lung cancer. As he is a man of very limited wealth, he turns to making meth to support his family before his cancer takes him.
This is how things are laid out in the first episode. The show, in totality, is an observation of how Walter's character develops from "Mr. Chips into Scarface" (as the writer is fond of saying). I have only referenced Walter's character, but there are several other characters that have interesting developmental arcs: though Walt's is the "protagonist" or anti-hero.
Overall, it is suspenseful dramatic, intelligent, gritty at times, comical when it needs to be, very well written, with some of the most likeable characters played by some great actors. If you like character development, you will be hard pressed to find a show that surpasses this one. For me, it has quickly become one of my favorite shows of all time. Assuming the final season doesn't shit the bed (and so far, it has not), I suspect it will remain at the top of my list.
One other thing - the writers are ending this show at the shows peek. Unlike so many shows of yesteryear that stagnated due to good ratings (yes, I'm talking to you, Lost, X-Files, et al), this show has had no real down points or "filler episodes". It is a very solid five seasons of television and I think it is no stretch to foresee it as being one of those groundbreaking shows that "change TV as we know it".
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malus
Killer Penguin
Posts: 63
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Post by malus on Aug 24, 2013 19:16:11 GMT -5
Wow! That's a great description of a show! Yeah, I have a few friends that keep telling me "you HAVE to watch this, you HAVE to watch this!" but don't really say much other than the main protagonist is an over worked, terminally ill teacher, (I'm a teacher). So, I think they think I'll sort of get the character. But your description gives me a LOT more interest in the show! Ill def give this a try on Netflix! Thanks! |
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Post by Scary Gary on Aug 26, 2013 23:49:38 GMT -5
You're welcome. If you get sold on it, maybe you can help convince Sean to give it a go.  I hope you enjoy it. Please feel free to post your progress through the seasons. I can honestly tell you that I totally cracked out on the show and watched the first three seasons in a few days. Being a teacher, and considering the time of year, I doubt you'll be able to match that pace. |
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malus
Killer Penguin
Posts: 63
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Post by malus on Sept 21, 2013 11:37:10 GMT -5
Got up today and meant to watch the premier of Breaking Bad. Now I am 4 episodes in and can't get my day going!!! UFF!!!! Great show! |
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Post by Scary Gary on Sept 21, 2013 16:38:24 GMT -5
Been there. The show is eye crack.
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malus
Killer Penguin
Posts: 63
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Post by malus on Sept 26, 2013 21:03:05 GMT -5
About 1/2 way through season #2.
This is too intense.
I am crying into my popcorn.
I want very much to give Jesse a hug, and a bath.
:*(
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Post by Scary Gary on Sept 26, 2013 21:50:41 GMT -5
I was literally coming here to specifically ask you how far into the series you've gotten. Yeah, good ol' Jesse knows how to take a beating, both physically and mentally. Such awesome rolls (Jesse and Walt).
It all comes to an end this Sunday. Afterwords, I intend to go back and rewatch it all for the forth time. Unless this last episode really craps the bed, I truly think this will be my most favorite series of all time.
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malus
Killer Penguin
Posts: 63
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Post by malus on Sept 27, 2013 19:32:25 GMT -5
WHAT HAVE YOU GOTTEN ME INTO!?!? Just watched the season #2 finale. UGH! OMG!!! This is WAAAAAYYYYY too intense for me. I'm really going to have to go back to watching the Vampire Diaries!  <333 EDIT: That F'n pink one eye'd teddy bear is showing up in my dreams. UFF! |
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Post by Scary Gary on Sept 28, 2013 17:43:46 GMT -5
;D You only have three more seasons to get through. Therapy is available, if necessary. I loved that bear. I remember thinking, "WTF is up with this damn bear?" Great visual. Especially the b/w shots with the colored bear. |
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Post by Scary Gary on Oct 15, 2013 9:33:18 GMT -5
Letter from Sir Anthony Hopkins to Brian Cranston. In my humble opinion, this trumps an Emmy Award any day of the week.
Dear Mister Cranston. I wanted to write you this email - so I am contacting you through Jeremy Barber - I take it we are both represented by UTA . Great agency.
I've just finished a marathon of watching "BREAKING BAD" - from episode one of the First Season - to the last eight episodes of the Sixth Season. (I downloaded the last season on AMAZON) A total of two weeks (addictive) viewing.
I have never watched anything like it. Brilliant!
Your performance as Walter White was the best acting I have seen - ever.
I know there is so much smoke blowing and sickening bullshit in this business, and I've sort of lost belief in anything really.
But this work of yours is spectacular - absolutely stunning. What is extraordinary, is the sheer power of everyone in the entire production. What was it? Five or six years in the making? How the producers (yourself being one of them), the writers, directors, cinematographers.... every department - casting etc. managed to keep the discipline and control from beginning to the end is (that over used word) awesome.
From what started as a black comedy, descended into a labyrinth of blood, destruction and hell. It was like a great Jacobean, Shakespearean or Greek Tragedy.
If you ever get a chance to - would you pass on my admiration to everyone - Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Aaron Paul, Betsy Brandt, R.J. Mitte, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Steven Michael Quezada - everyone - everyone gave master classes of performance ... The list is endless.
Thank you. That kind of work/artistry is rare, and when, once in a while, it occurs, as in this epic work, it restores confidence.
You and all the cast are the best actors I've ever seen. That may sound like a good lung full of smoke blowing. But it is not. It's almost midnight out here in Malibu, and I felt compelled to write this email.
Congratulations and my deepest respect. You are truly a great, great actor.
Best regards
Tony Hopkins.
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