Breaking Bad - Season 1 Review

This review of Breaking Bad Season 1 is spoiler free!

I addressed this back in my Better Call Saul Season 1 Review, but I am clearly very late to the party of Breaking Bad. The show never really drew me in during it's initial run and even when it was a highly viewed syndication I still never really got around to it. Something about the look of the series really wasn't working for me. After watching Better Call Saul and being engorged in that world, I felt almost obligated to give Breaking Bad one last try and I have good news: I finally stuck with it. So, let's take a look at the beginning of the journey of everyone's favorite crystal meth dealer, Heisenberg. 

Season 1 of this show doesn't really look all that great. I don't believe many of you will disagree with me when I say that it just hasn't held up well over time. That doesn't bother me anymore but the rather bland look of the series was what originally pushed me away (and I can imagine keeps some others from getting invested in this show). New Mexico isn't exactly the most exciting place in the world so I understand that this isn't really a problem for the series, but probably a strength. The idea of Walter living such a bleak life helps to convey the idea when you see such desolate and boring landscapes and vistas. That leads me into the most important part of this show: the story.

Walter White (Bryan Cranston), is a down on his luck chemistry teacher who receives some very terrible news about his future. Realizing he doesn't have that great of a life right now and no real means to keep himself going, he looks to rather illegal options for the funding he needs. The most important part of this show is connecting with the story and I do feel that happened at some point throughout the series. I will say though, the first few episodes really took some trying to push myself through before I really became invested. Knowing where the series goes later on really made seeing the day to day life of Walter before he "breaks bad" rather drab. For those who are like me and late to the party that could be another reason to avoid getting invested. But you must push through, because better things are coming after those first few episodes.

As mentioned previously, Bryan Cranston's Walter White is a character most people can immediately be sympathetic with and understand why they tick. At the beginning of everything that happens, Walter simply wants money to help his family and doesn't plan to do it long term. As life ends up becoming worse for him throughout the season he is forced back into this darker life, and the moments of clarity when you aren't sure who you're watching are what make the show so mesmerizing. Sometimes Walter isn't there and you're looking at purely Heisenberg and that is what makes Cranston's performance so moving. Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) this season didn't really stand out in any high regard, it truly felt like it was all about Walter and I had no problem with that.

Breaking Bad's first season may not have hit as well with me as it did for some others, but there's no denying the potential this show has with it's first season. It's a dark and gripping tale of desperation that turns a family man into a criminal. Seeing how far Walter has gone in Season 1 makes me excited to see just how much darker things can get moving forward. Also I look forward to the introduction of some of my favorite characters from Better Call Saul, none more than Saul himself. For anyone who hasn't seen this show by now, take the time and battle through those first episodes. I promise you you won't regret it.

8.25/10