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The golden age of television is upon us, many pundits say; most believe that it’s already on its climax. With programming as diverse as the audience’s viewing platforms, content is king and so is the viewer. Granted, these shows, filled to the brim with compelling stories don’t get many viewers because unbelievably, most people still turn to reality shows. People no longer believe in the conventional way of storytelling; this golden age brought a desire for unconventional and complex stories about the most conventional people.
Take Walter White, a mild-mannered Chemistry teacher hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico. On his fiftieth birthday, he was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Worrying about his family’s future, he thinks of ways on how to earn more money than his teaching job. Of course, the inciting incident or the snow down the hill begins when he enlists the help of his past student, Jesse Pinkman; this partnership is built on the notion of millions of dollars and even brinks on animosity. However, this isn’t just your “how-to-make-drugs” kind of drama. This show helped solidify the status of cable television as the art form of the 21st century. It’s about the metamorphosis of a man who just wants a secure future for his family.
Chemistry is one of the main themes of Breaking Bad, and so is family. Throughout the series’ run, almost every episode dealt with the connection and relationship of Walt with the supporting characters, expanding into episodes narrating the past, present and regrets sewn into every ties. There is chemistry present between every character on the show because the writing and the direction help present it to the audience. Late additions like Gustavo Fring, played exquisitely by Giancarlo Esposito and Mike Erhmantraut, a showcase of Jonathan Banks’ talents made Breaking Bad more cinematic and legendary than what it originally stood for. Of course, there is credit due to cast members like Dean Norris (Hank Schrader), Betsy Brandt (Marie Schrader) and RJ Mitte (Walter Jr.) because they served as the middlemen between the questions of ethics and morality in the White family, Schrader being a Drug Enforcement Agent and all. To add the cherry on top is the witty lawyer Saul Goodman, portrayed by Bob Odenkirk, and you have one of the best ensembles in TV history, if not the best.
One can add that the success of Breaking Bad can be attributed to the acting of the ensemble cast led by Bryan Cranston (known for Malcolm in the Middle) who plays Walter White. As the audience treads through his transformation from silent teacher to drug kingpin, one can’t help but be mesmerized by how much effort Cranston puts in on his acting. This riveting performance gave Cranston three Emmys and buzz for next year’s award ceremony, partly because of his final bow for the show. As the show progressed, Aaron Paul and Anna Gunn emerged as show-stealers for their portrayal as Jesse Pinkman and Skyler White, respectively. While Jesse began to trust and believe in Walt’s ability, Skyler’s trust and belief in her husband begin to dwindle, questioning who he is and what he stands for as he climbs up the drug ring of New Mexico.
Unlike other shows, Bad chose to use the “slow burn” approach in terms of storytelling. Like the methamphetamines Walt and Jesse cook, the story has this piercing but understandable method in hooking the audiences to tune in. Instead of slapping stories, Vince Gilligan, the show’s creator piles on stories carefully, season after season to ensure growth and direction for the series; every storyline feels right in tune with Walt’s carefully planned strategies for the future. The moral grounds for which the show stands for is shaky, but the collective thought of the audience goes against what Walt does, not him. In fact, everyone roots for him because what he wishes is noble, not what he does. He literally broke the definition of bad in the show’s own terms, alienating his family and ruining their definition of a father.
The finale, aptly titled Felina, was perfect contrary to most naysayers; it ended on its own terms and not the wants of people, exactly what Heisenberg would’ve wanted. If only it were possible to give a five-star rating for this show – it’s as pure as the product of Heisenberg, one-of-a-kind and close to perfection. Skyler repeatedly utters, “The devil is in the details”; unsurprisingly, Bad treats the viewers to shots of the picturesque locations of Albuquerque, New Mexico; even the smallest of niceties, Gilligan makes sure that everything is spot on. Story wise, Breaking Bad is relevant and perfect for the times. Saying that this A+ show is just part of the golden age of television would be an understatement. This show helped redefine the golden age of TV. For what it’s worth, Breaking Bad made evil so good, and morally upright.