Introduction
Breaking Bad‘, and the people who made this series, such as Vince Gilligan, are often referred to as geniuses as it is hard to not include them as part of the ‘Greatest television shows ever made’ list. This groundbreaking crime drama series was captivated in the hearts of many when it aired for the first time on January 20th, 2008. Just like a good novel, the show had an engaging plot with unique characters and contained many elements that were grey instead of black or white.
Over the period of 5 seasons, the show graduated from a niche Limited series to one that shocked the world, receiving accolades and critical praise.In today’s article, we will be winding the clock back and diving into the beginning of “Breaking Bad”, its long layout replete with cast that everyone would adore, the score that emphatically complemented the plot and its impact on the audiences and the industry as well.
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Release Date: January 20, 2008
“Breaking Bad” is a well-known show. It is good to remember that it first opened with its first episode The Pilot January 20, 2008 with AMC. The show had a run of five seasons producing 62 episodes and ended on the 29th of September, 2013. It is not too much to say that the premiere suggested a beginning of another cultural standard that would change and transform the way stories are captured and depicted on a screen.
When it first aired, ‘Breaking Bad’ was regarded with cautious optimism. There was no doubt the premise could work, but for the most part, the vision of a high school chemistry teacher who turns to the other side to produce meth was a long shot. Yet, as time went by, the show started gaining attention, admiration not only for the compelling storyline but for the central character as well who disregarded the moral’s of the society.
Film Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
The filming location has contributed its fair share in cementing the tone and atmosphere of ‘Breaking Bad’ which set it apart from others. The series was mostly shot in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a city that would become just as synonymous with the show as its lead characters.
The deserted locations, the colors, and the sound of the town made Albuquerque the perfect place to host the show’s underbelly. Such arid desert settings correspond to the titular character Walter White’s downward moral spiral and the feelings of desolation and helplessness that he endures as his life crumbles.
The sites became popular in their own right with landmarks like the Saul Goodman’s office, Los Pollos Hermanos, and the carwash owned by Walter White became a center of attraction for tourists. Many fans of the show go on ‘Breaking Bad’ tours, seeking out these famous locations so that they can get deeper into the story of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.
Song and Music: Enhancing the Atmosphere
An audio element that did stand out in “Breaking Bad” was the use of music, which was also effective in creating the required emotional depth for the scenes. Music has a great contribution of shape in it, most of the times accompanying shot turning points.
During the show’s run, and by the hand of composer Dave Porter, a specific theme was developed which matched the scene’s gloomy and action-packed feel. Porter’s works are described as being atmospheric within the context of a places and events creating intensity building moments. Walter White was depicted as slowly but steadily succumbing to corruption and this is deplored through the use of the sound background.
To the previously mentioned soundtrack, the second season of the series has also been considered completed with use of other popular songs. They were often employed to portray the emotional struggles within the character, for instance, the protagonist Walter White. Such was the case during the last season where Walter’s metamorphosis into an amphetamine lord was parallel to the song ‘Crystal Blue Persuasion’ by Tommy James and the Shondells.
In many cases, the soundtrack that played during the series helped the audiences understand the emotions of the characters even if words weren’t spoken. For example, a light-hearted song gave viewers the idea about Jesse’s emptiness, while an ominous score indicated Walter was up to no good. Somehow, music helped in achieving something that has hardly ever been done on television; it was the perfect accompaniment to “Breaking Bad”.
Director: Vince Gilligan
Moving on to Breaking Bad, it is hard to ignore the contribution of Vince Gilligan: he has written the series, produced it, and directed during majority of its run. A single man, he simply wanted to show one idea: the transformation of an average man. Of course, we are talking about the transformation of the ordinary family man into a gangster. But still the development of the characters and evolvment of the compelling ethical dilemmas were what brought life Breaking Bad within the context of crime drama television.
Further, regarding Gilligan, he has distinctive storytelling with respect to style that is pretty much signature to him. Very few directors practicing these days erect tension in the way that builds over a period of time, suspense is an element which is secondary in many cases, Gilligan’s support cast don’t try something out of the blue. He developed intricate storylines which were fresh and evolving with respect to the character, especially Walter White played by brilliant Bryan Cranston.
Gilligan also drew on his background in television, including his work on The X-Files, in order to approach a show that was both personal and criminal. Such abilities as writing elaborate characters, using humor and dramatic tension, and breaking the bandwagon effects, definitely made a great contribution to the popularity of Breaking Bad.
Producer: Mark Johnson and Melissa Bernstein
Apart from Gilligan, executive producers of the series are Mark Johnson and Melissa Bernstein both of which had vital contribution to this project.
Mark Johnson produces entertainment on a scale only a handful of people achieve, including a host of movies and television shows which have been met with great acclaim. Johnson’s background in the film industry enabled him to provide another level of vision for Breaking Bad as the project was of high quality from the storyline to the actual shoot.
Even more importantly, the other producer Melissa Bernstein – guided the production on a daily basis and kept the vision of the show intact. She paired with Gilligan as he worked out the narrative arcs of the multifaceted characters and the complex plots which had become the series’ hallmark.
These two producers made sure the series was not merely an interesting crime series but a style piece as well. Working with Gilligan transformed Breaking Bad into a trademark event that would shape the television landscape for a long time.
Cast: The Brilliant Ensemble
Breaking Bad’s magnificence is not only limited to its direction and script but also includes the amazing performances put in by its cast. Each of the actors imbued their characters with credibility and dimension and these helped to achieve the overall success of the show.
- Bryan Cranston as Walter White: The evolution of Walter White from a passive high school chemistry teacher to a drug lord is one of the best character transitions. As Walter White, Cranston’s performance was both incredibly subtle whilst remaining scary, since it depicted the very essence and morality of a man who used to try to put food on the table for his family but failed and turned evil.
- Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman: One of the highlights in Aaron Paul’s career was the performance he gave as Jesse. Jesse, who had been in and out of Trouble and was only focused on becoming a meth manufacturer, was Walter’s former student. Paul’s performance won him several Emmy Awards.
- Anna Gunn as Skyler White: Anna Gunn portrayed the character of Skyler, Walte’s spouse, and was in the dark initially, but with the course of time, she began to find out about his crimes. This character provided a moral and was puzzled with her husband’s behavior and actions throughout the series.
- Dean Norris as Hank Schrader: Hank actively participated in Walter’s business as a DEA agent and the latter’s brother-in-law which made Hank become one of the key characters of the plot. Norris infused complexity into the character of Hank who as a detective, investigating the drug market in Albuquerque, was in fact looking for one of his relatives without knowing it.
- Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman: Odenkirk’s portrayal of the fast-talking, morally questionable lawyer became one of the show’s most iconic characters, leading to a spin-off prequel series, Better Call Saul.
Also in the cast, notable others were: Giancarlo Esposito who played the vicious Gus Fring, Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut, and RJ Mitte as Walter Junior who in most cases was the calmer side within the turmoil.
Trailer: First Impressions
The teaser for Breaking Bad was an effective advertisement for the shows premise and exposed a plot related to main character Walter White which was enough to grab the attention of the viewer. It suggested the emotional turmoil that would shape the story of the show while portraying the changes undergone by an average man into a much more sinister individual. This conflict was skillfully depicted by quick cuts of Walter’s family life, his education in chemistry, and his evolution as a drug dealer. This combination of suspense, drama, and mystery managed to captivate the viewers instantly and from the very start.
Pilot Episode: Setting the Stage
Breaking Bad’s pilot is often regarded as one of the best first episodes in the history of television. It is the story of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher and a family man creating a desperate scenario as he battles stage three lung cancer. While trying to pay for chemotherapy and pondering how to provide for his family after he dies, Walter decides to take matters into his own hands and become a methamphetamine producer and dealer.
The strength of the Pilot is that it presents the principal idea of the show while preparing the audience for the serious moral challenges that Walter will be put through in the future. We observe how he progresses from being a totally harmless school teacher to someone who breaks the laws of the land for the interests of his family – his love for them is now larger than all else. The Pilot does not tell us but it suggests the direction in which the character grows as the series develops.
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Reviews: Critical Acclaim
Breaking Bad received the attention it deserved as it garnered appreciation and recognition from both critics as well as the audiences. The making is put in the circle of some of the greatest TV shows of all time and its writing, characters, and acting do deserve this honor. Bryan Cranston received four Primetime Emmy Awards for the portrayal of Walter White, and Aaron Paul received multiple awards for being Jesse Pinkman.
