FTA-TV Is Breaking Bad the greatest show of all time?

[Waltz17]

The Simpsons seasons 2-10 is. Easily.

This.

The Simpsons is ruined by its later episodes, but still the first 10 seasons hands down are better than the first ten seasons of any other show. Too many shows run for too long: Lost and Scrubs did it. The American Office is beginning to do it. Simpsons has been doing it for ten years now.

Breaking Bad is absolutely amazing. So bad ass. I watched four seasons in a month. It is unique in that the main characters are so likeable and hateable at the same time. Signed for two more (and final) seasons.

Arrested Development is the best show from the last ten years IMO. And British Office.... and Scrubs. haha.

 

[Alesana]

Breaking Bad is absolutely amazing. So bad ass. I watched four seasons in a month. It is unique in that the main characters are so likeable and hateable at the same time. Signed for two more (and final) seasons.

Only 16 episodes total though, they should just do it in one season

 

[Jabso]

This.

The Simpsons is ruined by its later episodes, but still the first 10 seasons hands down are better than the first ten seasons of any other show. Too many shows run for too long: Lost and Scrubs did it. The American Office is beginning to do it. Simpsons has been doing it for ten years now.

The last 10 seasons doesn't affect my immense enjoyment of the first 10 at all. For dramas it may be different depending on how they treated early story arcs.

 

[matt_897]

I have only seen a few eps of Breaking Bad so can't really comment. But to me Six Feet Under stands out, easily some of the most amazing television, incredibly well-written and acted drama that had amazing depth and still had a sense of humour for such a dark premise of a show.

I might have to start thinking about making a list once I have seen a coupel of ther shows I want to see.

 

[bok_party]

http://au.tv.ign.com/articles/121/1215010p1.html

 

[Cursed Cat]

subjectively speaking, in my opinion nothing is or has been better than Breaking Bad, my favourite television show of all time.

once loved 6ft Under; also comedies like the (UK) Office, League of Gentlemen, Curb, Louie and a few others have provided me with hours upon hours of quality entertainment.

But Breaking Bad is like blue meth to me, I'm addicted ..

 

[Cursed Cat]

It's up there . . . what was with the fly episode though? I didn't watch more than 5 minutes of that . . .

an interesting way in getting around budget constraints ..

 

[Kong]

I've only started to watch Arrested Development recently and.. I've watched about 3 seasons

So you've watched the entire show.

 

[Cursed Cat]

FWIW, I have worked in the film and television industry for many years, I have worked in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S. the U.K. Ireland and asia. There is one show that is a constantly referred to as the best television show ever, I have heard it repeatedly from many, many different people. The show is the 1985 B.B.C. production ' Edge of Darkness', directed by Martin Campbell and starring Bob Peck and Joe Don Baker. Campbell recently remade it as a feature film, the film was apparently not a patch on the mini-series. I have seen neither but it is the show that people constantly defer to.

wow that's an interesting left-field selection ..

I remember seeing that show on the ABC when it aired in '85, it was certainly compelling and ahead of its time.
I'm sure quite a bit of it went over my head as I was only 11 or 12 when I saw it, but then again I was probably smarter then than I am now in some ways.
But I'm sure 'Edge of Darkness' has dated quite a bit (the film remake starring Mel Gibson was ok from all reports, but would obviously have a totally different feel to the BBC production).

also, don't know if this really matters or not, but Edge of Darkness was a mini-series.

If we're talking 80's BBC miniseries then surely the Singing Detective, written by the late Dennis Potter and starring Michael (Dumbledore) Gambon would be right up there; it's amazing and years ahead of its time - I bought it on dvd a few years ago and it holds up remarkably well; such a creative and clever show.

 

[Cursed Cat]

Also, I have a theory on why it's so popular amongst internet forums/people.

It's (IMO) because the show is quite detailed in some aspects, with little "easter eggs" everywhere; this is the stuff that forums live to see.

Analysing every little thing, wondering why so and so's gun was pointed north-west, wondering what "the fly" meant etc.

I'm not having a crack, as I do this to some extent in my own time, but yeah, internet forums/sites lap this stuff up, much like they did with LOST.

that theory is flat-out stupid (imo)

personally I have little interest in any 'clues' that may be littered throughout BB (it's not even really that kind of show, which is why I don't like the theory - there have been maybe two or three moments throughout the four seasons that have used that kind of conceit - perfectly legitimately)

speaking for myself, Breaking Bad fascinates me first and foremost as a character study of Walt White and Jesse Pinkman (you could include a few other characters also, but really the heart of the show is the aforementioned duo).

another things that appeals to me about BB is the production values and photography are second to none, and that includes studio-backed films.
Stylistically the show takes risks and does interesting things for art's sake, and that is to be commended imo (e.g. the flash-forwards in season 1, the extended 'pink teddy' sequence in season 2, the positioning of cameras in odd places to give shots unusual perspective, e.g. a sink-cam) - the 'look' of the show is just incredible, every episode has at least one remarkably audacious and original shot, or a beautifully captured scene (Gus and Mike at Don Eladio's mansion in season 4 was shot so golden-light perfectly).

 

[gimp!]

Also, what a horrible job they did casting Skyler.

Middle-lower class family that is financially stricken.

Broken housewife happens to have had plenty of work done on her eyes, cheeks and lips.

Not only does it not fit the family's financial situation, it made her look like white trash.

Terribly miscast.

Those things are true...but if they cast somebody solely for the viewers to hate with a passion, they did ****ing well!

 

[Cursed Cat]

Fair enough, it's just a theory.

I have to disagree to some extent on the production, though.

I know it's shot very carefully, and it certainly doesn't appear rushed or cheap, but the actual quality of the film used could be a lot better.

Also I hate the flash forwards (which, by the way, are hardly innovative; LOST made that cool) in hindsight. At the time I was captivated, as you'd see this pink teddy and body bags intermittenly. In the end it was an absolute cop out; some disaster that while elaborately connected back to Walt, had no baring on anybody of significance, certainly not to the extent they implied.

They also had that film clip where it appeared Heisenberg had been killed. I remember thinking "that's either from later on, or it's Jesse's bald mate". In the end? Nothing. Just some film clip that was made. Nice to watch, but another red herring.

Walter's a massive **** that demands absolutely no empathy. Why should I care what happens to him? His wife is a whinging wh0re, why should I care what happens to her? The kid, as I said, sure.

Jesse's pretty cool, but not strong enough to carry a series.

The best character by far was Gus. He was a fantastic character. My interest spiked when he was around. But there's only so much you can use a character introduced as a supporting character two seasons in.

hmm, I happily admit to not being a student of film-stocks and lenses etc - if I was at home I would post a link to a couple of episodes that particularly showcase the quality of photography I am talking about - the season 2 episode where Jesse and Walt get stuck in the middle of nowhere after the RV breaks down is an excellent example, I could have watched the entire episode with just the shots of the sunsets and fields; beautiful stuff ...

as for Walt; I largely agree that he has nearly used up any/all empathy-credits.
but then again that's exactly what makes it so compelling to me - firstly, I love a good anti-hero, secondly, the character's flaws and conceits fascinate me, I've seen approx. 3 billion stories where an average schlub rises to the occasion and reveals himself to be a born hero or whatever - rarely have I seen the reverse detailed in such grim (yet often funny) terms ..

Luckily Jesse isn't required to carry the whole show, yet I would argue that he is a very well-rounded and interesting character, his character is constantly evolving and regressing.

anyway, respect your opinions and I probably shouldnt have called your theory stupid, dunno why I did; sorry !

 

[Kong]

Haha I wasn't offended, no stress

I'm well aware that I'm in the minority around these parts for my views on the show.

I'll say again that I do enjoy it a fair bit, just not nearly as much as a lot of other shows.

 

[dylan123]

So you've watched the entire show.

 

[Papa Juggs]

GOAT for me would be a sci-fi show.

Maybe this is crime dramas were my fav genre.

 

[Bomber Bears]

The last 10 seasons doesn't affect my immense enjoyment of the first 10 at all. For dramas it may be different depending on how they treated early story arcs.

I agree there, first 8-10 seasons of the simpsons is probably the greatest.

I dunno, I struggle to seperate some of my favourites. The Simpsons, Arrested Development, The Thick of It, Peep Show, Inbetweeners are probably my favourite but I like them all for different reasons. Simpsons was brilliant though

 

[Drummer_19]

One of the best things about Breaking Bad is that Walt is not some loveable happy go lucky meth genius, I don't get the complaint from people that can't enjoy it because they can't root for him.

 

[djrossie16]

hmm, I happily admit to not being a student of film-stocks and lenses etc - if I was at home I would post a link to a couple of episodes that particularly showcase the quality of photography I am talking about - the season 2 episode where Jesse and Walt get stuck in the middle of nowhere after the RV breaks down is an excellent example, I could have watched the entire episode with just the shots of the sunsets and fields; beautiful stuff ...

Probably my favorite episode that one

 

[grizzlym]

hmm, I happily admit to not being a student of film-stocks and lenses etc - if I was at home I would post a link to a couple of episodes that particularly showcase the quality of photography I am talking about - the season 2 episode where Jesse and Walt get stuck in the middle of nowhere after the RV breaks down is an excellent example, I could have watched the entire episode with just the shots of the sunsets and fields; beautiful stuff ...

as for Walt; I largely agree that he has nearly used up any/all empathy-credits.
but then again that's exactly what makes it so compelling to me - firstly, I love a good anti-hero, secondly, the character's flaws and conceits fascinate me, I've seen approx. 3 billion stories where an average schlub rises to the occasion and reveals himself to be a born hero or whatever - rarely have I seen the reverse detailed in such grim (yet often funny) terms ..

Luckily Jesse isn't required to carry the whole show, yet I would argue that he is a very well-rounded and interesting character, his character is constantly evolving and regressing.

anyway, respect your opinions and I probably shouldnt have called your theory stupid, dunno why I did; sorry !

I find the photography and direction and the whole inventiveness of the later episodes to be absolutely top-notch. This is a group of people, on both sides of the camera, who are truly pushing the boundaries.

 

[Papa Juggs]

I'm starting to like Hank more and want him to get more clued in on what Walt is doing.

Lets not forget the dirty things Walt has done. I know he's lucky to be alive because of the tip off but he wouldn't have been in that situation if not for Walt.

 

[Kong]

One of the best things about Breaking Bad is that Walt is not some loveable happy go lucky meth genius, I don't get the complaint from people that can't enjoy it because they can't root for him.

It's not just that.

Take The Wire for example.

Plenty of dirtbags on there, in fact just about everybody is questionable.

But they're still characters that you want to follow. They're damn interesting. Walt's interesting when he's a "genius at work", but they really underutilise that.

I don't know what it is, but if they had've killed Walt off at any point in this series, it wouldn't have evoked anything from me.

And when they've built a series on following this guy around, I find it hard to really buy it.

 

[Cursed Cat]

It's not just that.

Take The Wire for example.

Plenty of dirtbags on there, in fact just about everybody is questionable.

But they're still characters that you want to follow. They're damn interesting. Walt's interesting when he's a "genius at work", but they really underutilise that.

I don't know what it is, but if they had've killed Walt off at any point in this series, it wouldn't have evoked anything from me.

And when they've built a series on following this guy around, I find it hard to really buy it.

I personally still find Walt utterly compelling.

True, his 'genius at work' mode is fun (and I would extend that label beyond his badass-science skillz to encompass his desperate gambits and his elaborate lies).

But beyond that I find him interesting in myriad ways, particularly in comparison to %98 of television protagonists.

His arrogance and pride are incredibly self-destructive character flaws which never fail to either dismay or amuse me.

Also, his brief moments of clarity and regret are powerfully potrayed by Cranston; one of my fave scenes in season 4 involved a beaten and bedraggled Walt trying to reconnect with Junior.

No matter what Walt does from here on in, no matter how low he sinks, I will still be saddened when he dies in season 5 (and he will die).

It's both a tribute to the writing and to Bryan Cranston's amazing performance that this deeply flawed character still evokes both fascination and a degree of empathy with me ..

 

[Cursed Cat]

I find the photography and direction and the whole inventiveness of the later episodes to be absolutely top-notch. This is a group of people, on both sides of the camera, who are truly pushing the boundaries.

me too.

something they have continued to exploit since season one is the oddly positioned or mounted cameras; e.g. cameras giving the viewer a sink-eye view of the characters, or a bath-view, or a robotic vacuum view - they are always strange and fun.

perhaps my very fave shot for the whole series was the ending to the episode 'Crawlspace' in season 4, where the camera slowly pulls back from a half-insane Walt, sprawled out under the floorboards clutching an empty bag - the camera pulls back sloooowly, the walls elongate and the camera leaves Walt behind as if in a grave; it's an amazing shot.

 

[Drummer_19]

[YOUTUBE]t4Qv2hCprbs[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Truetiger]

What channel and time is this on thanks ??