January 25th 2008
Breaking bad is not bad at all
Breaking bad is like breaking sweat after a particularly nasty nightmare. And I do mean it in a good way.
The latest series to air on amc is about a high school chemistry teacher, who is having a mid-life crisis of a sort. His wife is pregnant, his son is an invalid and he has to take a second job in a car wash to support his family. If that is not bad enough he is diagnosed with a case of terminal lung cancer, although he is not a smoker. Add to that crappy health insurance - it would tip anyone over the edge. So what does our chemistry teacher does? Starts producing meth.
Created by Vince Gilligan (whose previous credits include X-files) Breaking bad is a combination of drama and dark comedy. And when I say dark I do mean it. In the first half hour the desperation and hopelessness are virtually palpable and it sticks to you like a glue. I would advise finding your happy place just before you watch it – that is if you have one. But the second part is so hilariously funny and trust me you cannot imagine what kind of situations a chem teacher who produces meth will get in. You will just have to take my word for it and see for yourself.
The performance by Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle, Little Miss Sunshine) is absolutely brilliant and I do hope we will see more then 7 episodes that have been filmed prior to the strike.