I just can't get into Breaking Bad

[IGotWorms]

So I've tried watching the show Breaking Bad a number of times now. First time I got about four episodes in and quit. Second time I watched the first episode again and decided that I still didn't like it.

 

The thing is, EVERYONE loves this show. And I should like it too. I like Bryan Cranston. I like a lot of shows that are supposedly "like" Breaking Bad (basically HBO shows like Six Feet Under, Deadwood, etc.).

 

But I dunno, something about the show just strikes me the wrong way. I think part of it is that it's a little over the top that so many bad things happen to this one guy. Also the show sort of presents itself like it could be realistic but I think it's pretty preposterous. Also I just flat out don't like a lot of the characters. The guy's son, the stupid gangster wannabe thug that he first starts doing business with, etc. I don't even think they are "good" bad characters--it's not that I like not liking the character, I just think the character is poorly written and/or poorly acted.

 

So anyway, consider this a cry for help my fellow Geeks. What am I missing here? Please show me the error of my ways. Because Breaking Bad is now on Netflix watch instantly and I really want to get my $8 bucks a month worth from those fockers.

[shotsup]

What's wrong with me?

 

You have worms .... HTHs

[southcarolina]

***SPOILERS****

 

 

 

I am about halfway through season 2 and i like this show, but dont love it. For me the show grabbed me at first, i mean who hasnt had fantasies of being that badass outlaw, especially when money was tight? But the show started feeling , i dunno, forced about the time he wouldnt accept money from his wealthy friend/ex-partner. I mean the guys whole motivation was to leave his family "set up", and would consider a life of crime in order to do so, but wont swallow his pride and accept the money from his super rich friends? And i know that the he and his ex-partner's wife were once an item, and that he may have felt "burned" when they got together and forced him out (although im exactly sure if this is how he actually felt, or if he was just trying to drive the ex-GF away by saying thats how he felt). But come on...someone wants to pay my medical bills, especially someone who may in some way "owe" me the spoils of the riches i help them amass, and i would rather cook meth with an idiot street thug instead? Not likely.

 

 

I am going to keep watching it, but as of now i consider this show to be sort of ok, but not great.

[RicemanX]

Not your fault dude. THere are plenty of shows I can't get into.

Breaking Bad is one of them.

I never liked Sopranos.

Only saw about 10 episodes of The Wire and didn't really get into it too.

[Brad GLuckman]

Not your fault dude. THere are plenty of shows I can't get into.

Breaking Bad is one of them.

I never liked Sopranos.

Only saw about 10 episodes of The Wire and didn't really get into it too.

 

Mad Men. So many people have told me to watch it. Me and my girlfriend got through about 5 episodes and we just couldn't take it anymore. Just absolutely awful. I kept thinking...what am I missing?

[redtodd]

Mad Men. So many people have told me to watch it. Me and my girlfriend got through about 5 episodes and we just couldn't take it anymore. Just absolutely awful. I kept thinking...what am I missing?

 

I felt the exact same way about Mad Men. We watched about 4 or 5 of them and gave up.

[parrot]

You must just suck, Breaking Bad is awesome.

[edjr]

I'm with you. my GF likes it marginally better than I do.

 

we've seen the 1st 5 episodes and I nearly stopped watching a few times.

 

I've had the disc with the remaining 5 episodes for over a week and I haven't even put it in the blu ray player

[OldMaid]

You have worms .... HTHs

This.

 

For me, the love of the show is in the how in the hell is Walt going to get himself out of this one, situations they keep putting him into. Yes, it's a little over the top at times, but it makes you squirm. As a guy with worms, I would think you could appreciate that.

[TD Ryan2]

Here's what this show is about:

 

a squeaky clean guy that's always toed the line, done the right thing, worked hard, etc - and he just keeps getting focked and when the final Fock is the Cancer-Fock - he's freed... that's right, FREED.

 

we're watching an "everyman" who comes to the realization that life will be over before you know it and sometimes having a little courage and b@lls is more important than following the rules and doing as you're told.

 

 

It's a bit of a fantasy for every middle-aged, white, professional, family guy in America... similar in many ways to Michael Douglas's Falling Down.

[mobb_deep]

Did you start from Season 1? Season 1 starts very slow... I liked Season 2 the best, but Season 3 was good too. Haven't watched Season 4 yet... AMC isn't available in HD on DirecTV, so I wait for the Blu-Ray to come out.

[OldMaid]

Did you start from Season 1? Season 1 starts very slow... I liked Season 2 the best, but Season 3 was good too. Haven't watched Season 4 yet... AMC isn't available in HD on DirecTV, so I wait for the Blu-Ray to come out.

Check your channel listings Mobb. AMC in HD has arrived!

[mobb_deep]

Check your channel listings Mobb. AMC in HD has arrived!

 

Oh snap. Just this last week, right? Got so used to DTV not having it, I didn't even bother looking at that channel anymore. Doesn't do much good for this season of BB, but thanks for the tip!

[IronToe Nedney]

You're not too bright.

[Giants Fan]

Best show since the Sopranos. Not better than the Sopranos, but best show since.

 

The first 5 or so episodes are really all about character development. I really liked that aspect of it and enjoyed those more than the more recent ones. But if action is what you are after, don't worry .... it's coming.

[IGotWorms]

Here's what this show is about:

 

a squeaky clean guy that's always toed the line, done the right thing, worked hard, etc - and he just keeps getting focked and when the final Fock is the Cancer-Fock - he's freed... that's right, FREED.

 

we're watching an "everyman" who comes to the realization that life will be over before you know it and sometimes having a little courage and b@lls is more important than following the rules and doing as you're told.

 

 

It's a bit of a fantasy for every middle-aged, white, professional, family guy in America... similar in many ways to Michael Douglas's Falling Down.

 

You see, when you say that I think to myself "holy crap, that sounds like an awesome show! I can't wait to watch it!" But then when I do watch it I'm just left thinking "meh". It's weird, because it's the kind of show I should like and I really like the actor who plays the main character. Yet somehow it just doesn't click for me.

 

And I LOVED Falling Down, BTW.

[The Moz]

Not your fault dude. THere are plenty of shows I can't get into.

Breaking Bad is one of them.

I never liked Sopranos.

Only saw about 10 episodes of The Wire and didn't really get into it too.

 

you hate all 3 of those shows? What is your TV set on the logo channel every night?

[The Moz]

breaking bad is a show you have to get into and it did start slow. Its good and I watch it every week but its not nearly as good as Sopranos or the Wire - or Dexter other than last season which was teh suckk

[Giants Fan]

I LOVED Falling Down, BTW.

 

[Giants Fan]

Breaking Bad is the same concept, just a little more complicated in more complex times. It's worth watching just for the music. IMHO.

 

[Giants Fan]

I guess I am early MTV generation. I remember when all it was was Madonna and Billy Idol.

 

One thing that made the Sopranos so good, is the guys that did the music, dug up some really good stuff. IMHO.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmd-RJUO_RY

 

I might have owned that on vinyl at one time. Band called "Time Zone" which was some black guys and Johnny Rotten, from the Sex Pistols. The song is often attributed to PiL (Johnny Rotten's band, Public image Limited).... but it's not. And as far as I know it's the only song "Time Zone" ever released.

 

When I heard it on a Sopranos episode .... I was amazed that anyone else even knew about this song.

[redtodd]

I checked out the 1st episode last night, I thought it was good.

[TD Ryan2]

You see, when you say that I think to myself "holy crap, that sounds like an awesome show! I can't wait to watch it!" But then when I do watch it I'm just left thinking "meh". It's weird, because it's the kind of show I should like and I really like the actor who plays the main character. Yet somehow it just doesn't click for me.

 

And I LOVED Falling Down, BTW.

 

there is a dry, bland, unappealing feel to it all - and while I understand that it could turn you off from the show - it's part of what makes the show so great.

 

It's the desert - dry, bland, boring

It's Walt - dry, bland, boring

It's the cars they drive

Even the music, as great as it is, is "warped" and "odd"

There's a scene early in the first season when Walt and Jesse are cooking in an RV in the desert - it's weird and uncomfortable to watch - they're in their underwear and Walt is a disgusting, middle-aged, fruit-of-the-loom, tighty whitey guy - they have gas masks on - not cool CIA type equipment, weirdo gas masks - they're in a White-Trash-Beat-Up RV - the whole scene is disturbing visually before you even know/hear anything about the show.

 

and that's part of the genius of the show = Drug Lords can and do drive sh!atty little cars and work in Fast Food restaurants - it's not always Ferrari's/Hookers/and Vegas - it's what makes the show a bit bland, but also so real, textured, and believable.

As weird and warped as things have gotten from Walt, he's still not that far away from "normal" either - the Show owes that idea to the Sopranos, that concept of "what's it like day-to-day" for a Mob Boss (or in this case Drug Kingpin).

 

Even Hank, the DEA brother-in-law, doesn't fit the hollywood stereotype - he's more "real", flawed, and believable.

[JT]

Mad Men. So many people have told me to watch it. Me and my girlfriend got through about 5 episodes and we just couldn't take it anymore. Just absolutely awful. I kept thinking...what am I missing?

 

Add me to the list.

[supermike80]

We just got caught up this season. Originally when we started watching we were kind of "meh" but man it really has gotten good!

Glad to see a little more focus on Gus. At first he seemed like a weak character but as they delve into his background, he's getting WAY more interesting.

The scene in Mexico by the pool? THAT was a hell of a scene...Even though you are supposed to not like Gus at all, you couldn't not feel bad for him after that. And he is a great actor. Can do the cold guy very well but played the younger version of himself and made it completely believable.

 

I could see an emmy nod for him.

 

And the writing is really crisp....smart but down to earth.

[redtodd]

We just got caught up this season. Originally when we started watching we were kind of "meh" but man it really has gotten good!

Glad to see a little more focus on Gus. At first he seemed like a weak character but as they delve into his background, he's getting WAY more interesting.

The scene in Mexico by the pool? THAT was a hell of a scene...Even though you are supposed to not like Gus at all, you couldn't not feel bad for him after that. And he is a great actor. Can do the cold guy very well but played the younger version of himself and made it completely believable.

 

I could see an emmy nod for him.

 

And the writing is really crisp....smart but down to earth.

 

I am three episodes in now and I am hooked. Looks like it has a lot of potential.

[kutulu]

I still like it, but the storyline is getting a little

[OldMaid]

I still like it, but the storyline is getting a little

The rumor is that there will only be 16 episodes, combined into one season, for the series conclusion for season 5. As opposed to two 13 episode seasons as previously thought. Personally, I think this is a great idea, as so many good shows seem to go on well after they should have ended.

[Franknbeans]

Add me to the list.

It picks up. I guess I am into the whole 60's vibe thing and how much liquor and cigarettes they consumed. Plus, Roger Sterling is one of the best characters out there.

[BLS]

I am three episodes in now and I am hooked. Looks like it has a lot of potential.

 

 

If you haven't watched the first couple of seasons you have to go back and do that.

Also, don't know if you're into Dexter or not, but it's pretty awesome. I'm not a TV person per se. I watch the news while reading and working on the internet, etc, but these shows both are nights l look forward to (along with Sons of Anarchy).

[parrot]

It picks up. I guess I am into the whole 60's vibe thing and how much liquor and cigarettes they consumed. Plus, Roger Sterling is one of the best characters out there.

 

This is correct.

[peenie]

Here's what this show is about:

 

It's a bit of a fantasy for every middle-aged, white, professional, family guy in America... similar in many ways to Michael Douglas's Falling Down.

i've only seen a little of the program but i'd argue that it's not a "white" thing at all.

good smart young men of color think, "why am i going to school? what is going to get me? my dad/brother/uncle/mom, etc. barely makes ends meet, why not (insert crime of choice here)."

i think too many assume black/hispanic criminals don't have internal conflicts about crime or struggle with morality, that they don't have the same thoughts about life and death or question what is happiness and why follow the rules?

of course, those that worry about such things are the ones that get caught.

[Joey Gladstone]

I've been meaning to check this out, I love Cranston. It's coming to Netflix instant streaming pretty soon, so I'll be checking it out then. I'm rarely disappointed with FX programming.

[redtodd]

If you haven't watched the first couple of seasons you have to go back and do that.

Also, don't know if you're into Dexter or not, but it's pretty awesome. I'm not a TV person per se. I watch the news while reading and working on the internet, etc, but these shows both are nights l look forward to (along with Sons of Anarchy).

 

I am watching the first season now of Breaking Bad. I like it so far (even though the 4th episode was slow).

 

I liked Dexter (but wish they didn't soften him).

 

We watched the 1st three episodes of Sons of Anarchy. We were ready to give up after the 1st two episodes, but the third was really good. It is on hold now as we go through Breaking bad.

[OldMaid]

I've been meaning to check this out, I love Cranston. It's coming to Netflix instant streaming pretty soon, so I'll be checking it out then. I'm rarely disappointed with FX programming.

Umm, actually it's on AMC.

[Joey Gladstone]

Umm, actually it's on AMC.

 

That's right, my bad.

[Joey Gladstone]

I guess I am early MTV generation. I remember when all it was was Madonna and Billy Idol.

 

One thing that made the Sopranos so good, is the guys that did the music, dug up some really good stuff. IMHO.

 

I might have owned that on vinyl at one time. Band called "Time Zone" which was some black guys and Johnny Rotten, from the Sex Pistols. The song is often attributed to PiL (Johnny Rotten's band, Public image Limited).... but it's not. And as far as I know it's the only song "Time Zone" ever released.

 

When I heard it on a Sopranos episode .... I was amazed that anyone else even knew about this song.

 

Best use of music in any show I've ever watched.

[kilroy69]

I had a hard time seeing "hal" as this character at first.

[vuduchile]

I watched the first 2 seasons faithfully, and then watched the first 2 episodes this season.

 

Ultimately, I decided:

 

It's not that good

 

It's pretty unbelievable at this point.

 

It's overly dark, for the sake of being dark.

 

Walt's wife looks like a barely passable tranny. Every time she's on screen, I wanna jump through the screen, lift up her skirt and proclaim.....I knew it!

 

I'm done with it.

[IGotWorms]

I am watching the first season now of Breaking Bad. I like it so far (even though the 4th episode was slow).

 

Season 1, Episode 4 is exactly where I got off last time around. Christ that was a terrible episode. Maybe I just needed to get over that hump and then it would've been fine? Maybe I'll try picking it up again from episode 5.