Breaking Bad: Season 1

The bar that was set for television with shows like The Sopranos and The Wire has been taken up a notch with Breaking Bad. Like both of those shows, its characters are realistically drawn and believably acted by amazing casts (as noted by many, particularly Brian Cranston's "Walt"). What seemingly began as a somewhat simplistic premise in season one rises to the level of engrossing thriller by the end of season two - and then to the level of Shakespearian Tragedy by the end of season Three. The character arc of Walter White from complacent and defeated suburbanite to calculating criminal is one of the most rewarding rides I've ever experienced in any form of fiction (TV shows/movies/novels). The reason I say the bar is taken up a notch is not because I think it's better than the shows I mentioned (persa). There is a bit of "apples and oranges" in comparing any TV show to another. It's because Breaking Bad easily on par, yet accomplishes its greatness sort of with one hand tied behind its back. HBO has the freedom as a premium channel to be as vulgar or graphic as the story dictates... nearly uncensored. AMC (who produces Breaking Bad) works within much more restrictive limits, yet feels every bit as gritty and intense as those other shows. And I'm not sure that seeing the occasional naked person or cussing rant could do much to improve upon it (though I'm certainly not against either =) Unlike in some shows, Walt's amazing character arc never puts the plot in the back seat. Too often that happens to a show of this type, making it devolve into tedious melodrama that starts to feel like a soap opera. I love Mad Men, but half-way into season two I started to feel like I was watching Melrose Place with brilliant set-design (thank god it redeemed itself in season three). Except for the occasional humorous moment (and sometimes there are many), the show is definitely a drama, but it's punctuated with enough twists and unexpected turns to satisfy the most rabid thriller fan. It's plotting is written near-flawlessly. On another note, although the show looks nothing like a Wes Anderson film, its meticulous set-design and artfully cinematic look bring comparisons to my mind. There is never a scene or shot that seems out of place or boring. It also has moments of unforeseen action (think Bill Murray kicking the Pirates off his boat) that seem to come out of nowhere and lurch the characters and storyline forward rather than merely being cliché set-pieces which seem to be expected from a show essentially about criminals. In case you haven't noticed, I'd highly recommend the show. =)

Great show

Here we have the first season of BREAKING BAD. It is amazing to realize that it is only 7 episodes for the character, plot and drama development is so thorough and realistic another show would need at least double the episodes to achieve it. The basic plot is a teacher who finds out he is dying of cancer and thru unexpected situations gets the opportunity to make a great deal of money thru manufacturing meth. He does so to make money for his family to be able to live on after he dies. But the show is about so much more than this. Every character is addicted to something and the introduction into the dark world of drugs is terrifyingly realistic. This is honestly one of the best shows ever to air on television. It tells a story that may be too dark for some to handle but the superb acting, writing and directing make it all work. These characters are all believable, necessary and the intertwining of their lives is seamless. The show also succesfully combines deep psychological profiles of each character mixed with the heavy, often disturbing drama. And the plot always serves a purpose, is realistic no matter how heavy, and is in no way gratuituous. And with this show we also get one of the best duos ever in Walt and Jesse. When Jesse, Aaron Paul, a former student of Walt, Bryan Cranston, joins him in the making of meth a perfect chemistry is formed. BREAKING BAD also provides the occasional comic break that helps alleviate the heavy drama. This series is a must for its great acting, superb writing and directing and totally unique premise. If it sounds like any other series you have seen believe me when I say it is not. The blu ray of course adds a dimension to the series over that of the dvd. There are many dark scenes but the detail and clarity still shines thru and the scenes with color and specifically the lovely scenery shots pop off the screen. Audio is superb. This is a series that is dialogue driven but when the action sequences happen nothing is held back. This series is superb and I highly recommend it.

First of the series. Always desired the complete set.

Attention ! Commencer cette série, c'est ne plus pouvoir s'en détacher ! Sublime !

Like most people I know that are aware of this show, they found it and OD'd on it, watching basically the entire series in a short period of time. It's a great show, the writing is solid, the acting is amazing and the premise is the most original thing to happen to TV in a long time. The good: -Every episode with a few little things that weren't aired in the original episodes (overall, most episodes are pretty close to what aired, very few bad words, only one nude scene that I can recall) -Cast commentary provides insight into the characters and production of the show. -Lots of other extras including screen tests for the actors, a photo gallery, cast interviews and behind the scenes features. The Bad: -Maybe I am a cheap individual, but I still feel like the price is a bit much for basically 7 episodes (it premiered during the year of the writers strike). I know there are extras and the show is really great, but come on. I honestly think this should be priced at or just under $20. -No outtakes. I wish every show released on DVD had outtakes. I find them endlessly entertaining. Minor point and really my own preference, but I figured I would throw that in for those that are like me. It's a pretty good set.

ich dachte eigentlich immer, dass mich ernsthaftere Serien wie Breaking Bad eigentlich überhaupt nicht interessieren. Die Pilotfolge von BB habe ich mir um ehrlich zu sein nur wegen Bryan Cranston angeschaut. Ich konnte mir einfach nicht vorstellen, ihn in einer so ernsten Rolle zu sehen. Ich ging davon aus, dass ich nur diese eine Episode sehen werde, da mich Serien dieser Art eigentlich nicht so interessieren, und zu Bryan Cranston würde eine solche Rolle ohnehin nicht passen. In beidem habe ich mich geirrt. Und zwar ganz gewaltig. Die Geschichte um Walter White zog mich von der ersten Minute so in ihren Bann, dass ich nicht mehr aufhören konnte immer und immer wieder die nächste Episode zu starten. Ich hatte in dieser Woche zufällig Urlaub, so dass ich mir alle Episoden von Season 1 bis 4 in einem Stück ansah (Unterbrechungen nur zum schlafen :-)). Gerade Season 1 ist der Hammer. Season 2 bis 4 fangen jeweils gut an, flauen dann ein bisschen ab und enden bombastisch. In dieser flauen Phase werden dann verstärkt die Charaktere beleuchtet, oder einfach mal etwas komplett neues gezeigt (die Episode mit der Fliege im Labor treibt beispielsweise die Handlung ÜBERHAUPT nicht voran, ist aber unendlich komisch anzusehen, beispielsweise als sie die Fliege dann endlich erwischen, und diese in slow motion auf dem Boden aufschlägt - genial!). Einzelne Szenen fand ich hin und wieder etwas zu sehr in die Länge gezogen. Dafür wird man aber belohnt mit einer originellen Story, sehr interessanten Kameraeinstellungen, sowie sehr interessanten Charakteren, die allesamt mit fantastischen Schauspielern besetzt sind. Alle passen hervorragend in ihre Rolle und leisten sehr überzeugende Arbeit, was mich zu meinem Irrtum Nummer 2 bringt -> Bryan Cranston. Wie gesagt, ich erwartete es überhaupt nicht. Aber seine Darstellung des Walter White ist für mich persönlich die beste schauspielerische Darbietung, die ich jemals gesehen habe. Es zog mir fast den Boden unter den Füßen weg. Ich habe mich so oft dabei ertappt, wie ich einfach mit offenem Mund da saß, und einfach Kinnladeneffekt pur hatte. Seine Gesichtsausdrücke sagen mehr als 1000 Worte. Es ist einfach unglaublich und erschreckend zugleich, wie real diese Figur durch ihn und seine Performance wird. Ich kannte ihn vorher hauptsächlich aus Malcolm in the middle, und ich habe ihn schon damals heiß geliebt. Um ehrlich zu sein, er war durch diese Rolle sowas wie mein Favorit, ich mag diese "Hal" Charaktere in TV Serien, da sie einfach so liebenswürdig sind. Bryan Cranston meisterte das perfekt. Er verpasste Hal diesen leicht femininen Touch, er hatte Schiss vor wirklich allem. Wenn man diese "goofy" Performance von ihm gewohnt ist, ist Breaking Bad der krasseste Gegensatz, den man sich vorstellen kann. Ich kann es noch immer kaum glauben, dass "Hal" und "Walter White", die unterschiedlich nicht sein könnten, von dem gleichen Mann verkörpert werden. Und dass er es schafft, beide Charaktere mit so einer derartigen Perfektion darzustellen. Das, sowie die Tatsache, dass Bryan Cranston ein wirklich netter, sympathischer Kerl zu sein scheint, machen ihn ohne Zweifel zu meinem persönlichen favourite actor (Zitat von Aaron Paul: "he is so much like his Charakter on Malcolm in the middle in real life!") Naja, nicht umsonst hat er für diese Rolle dreimal hintereinander den Emmy abgeräumt. Jüngst hat auch sein Kollege Aaron Paul endlich diese wohlverdiente Auszeichnung bekommen. Ein bisschen Bauchweh habe ich nur was Season 5 betrifft. Am Ende von S4 wird die Handlung nämlich eigentlich abgeschlossen. Ich hoffe nicht, dass man hier den gleichen Fehler macht wie bei anderen großartigen Serien, und mit einem Schnellschuss das großartige Finale zerstört ....

Totalmente en español, y si te gusta la serie, una gran compra, muy barato y indispensable para un amante de breaking bad

La prima stagione di una serie che ha cambiato le regole. Capolavoro assoluto!! Un plauso al doppiaggio italiano, hanno fatto un ottimo lavoro. Consigliata per chi non l'avesse vista o per chi ama i contenuti speciali e le curiosità del set. Sarebbe stato bello avere una cartolina in regalo.