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

[Kong]

Do people have a difference in their favorites, and what they think is the better quality?

ie I think BB's better quality than Dexter, but I got far more enjoyment out of Dexter.

 

[fairdinkum]

Never seen an episode but just downloaded all 4 seasons on the strength of this thread. Day off tomorrow, so am gonna start powering through it.

Very jealous.

I recently downloaded the series after hearing positive things in this thread and from people irl and watched every episode in a couple of weeks. On Tuesday night I stayed up until 4am to watch the rest of S4 even though I had to wake up at 7.30 the next day.

I haven't gone back and rewatched the series and probably won't for a long time, but I found that I enjoyed season S3 less than S1/S2 and S4 kinda felt like a let-down for me. That is, imo, S1/2 > S3 > S4. There was a certain believability in the first two seasons which greatly diminished in seasons three and four, which was foreshadowed by the ending to S2.

 

[Papa Juggs]

I was wondering why this thread sprung to life.

Well done to the troll that generated so many responses

 

[FIGJAM]

I haven't gone back and rewatched the series and probably won't for a long time, but I found that I enjoyed season S3 less than S1/S2 and S4 kinda felt like a let-down for me. That is, imo, S1/2 > S3 > S4. There was a certain believability in the first two seasons which greatly diminished in seasons three and four, which was foreshadowed by the ending to S2.

I would go completely in reverse for the same reason, only replace diminished, with enhanced

 

[fairdinkum]

I would go completely in reverse for the same reason, only replace diminished, with enhanced

Hmmm.

Spoiler

What was so hard to believe about S1/2?

Without rewatching the series, here are some of the more glaring things I recall finding to be a bit hard to believe:

Late S2
*One guy's mistake on the ground causes two planes to crash.

S3
*Marco and Leonal's ridiculously conspicuous actions in hunting down Walt/Hank.
*Hank lets the RV (and his entire case) disappear to get to a hopsital.
*Hank beats his prime suspect unconscious (throws away career).
*Gus allows a meth addict into his lab ('never trust a drug addict').
*Mike poisons Leonal in a hospital swarming with police.
*Jesse jeopardises millions of dollars worth of easy money for no apparent reason.
*Walt kills two dealers despite knowing the ramifications.

S4
*Gus slits Victor's throat, lets Walt/Jesse live. Seriously, why?
*Walt attempts to kill Gus, and tries to talk Mike into it, but is allowed to live.
*Mike becomes the Terminator in this season
-can't be killed in the cold truck
-can find money thieves like a robocop
-can take on entire groups of baddies by himself
*Gus' elaborate charade so Jesse can be a hero.
*Hank performs recon on Gus in open daylight.
*Skyler's routine to throw off IRA.
*Jesse hates Walt but won't let Gus kill him.

I'm not one to sit there and pick on potential faults swith shows, by the way. And I've already said I love Breaking Bad. It just seemed to me that the second two seasons involved more inexplicable stuff than did the first two seasons. Perhaps if I ever get around to watching it all again, I will reassess.

 

[Crimson Azure]

FD I understand you points but think with a little reasoning you can answer most of those points.

Wont go into them all but I do think most of your issues can be explained. Some of your points I have thought myself but trying to look at the bigger picture & motivation the characters would have to do/not do these things.

 

[Piss Poor]

I just got season1 of the wire for$20 from jb hi fi, watch first 3 episodes and find it boring, when does it get better.

 

[Drummer_19]

Season 1 is a bit slow (Still great imo) but it does pick up towards the end of it and you'll def be rewarded for patience with this show.

 

[Piss Poor]

Season 1 is a bit slow (Still great imo) but it does pick up towards the end of it and you'll def be rewarded for patience with this show.

I will keep up with it then,

 

[Piss Poor]

Ok watched the wire season 1. I still find it boring, I just can't connect with any character yet. To me, thats the most important aspect to a tv show, do not understand all the fuss with the wire, very slow, doesn't really show who the characters are, maybe it's the realistic scenery that's giving it great reviews. The story is really confusing and boring. I tried. Does it get better in season 2, should I buy season 2 to better understand the show. then again breaking bad was boring in season 1 but I loved it as seasons progressed.

 

[September_Glory]

Ok watched the wire season 1. I still find it boring, I just can't connect with any character yet. To me, thats the most important aspect to a tv show, do not understand all the fuss with the wire, very slow, doesn't really show who the characters are, maybe it's the realistic scenery that's giving it great reviews. The story is really confusing and boring. I tried. Does it get better in season 2, should I buy season 2 to better understand the show. then again breaking bad was boring in season 1 but I loved it as seasons progressed.

Watch Season 1 again. You will hate Season 2 if those are the reasons you don't like season 1.

I would agree with you that The Wire is a very demanding viewing experience. It requires audiences to be really fully engaged to catch the connections and appreciate the writing.

Perhaps long form dramas are not for you.

 

[vapid1]

Ok watched the wire season 1. I still find it boring, I just can't connect with any character yet. To me, thats the most important aspect to a tv show, do not understand all the fuss with the wire, very slow, doesn't really show who the characters are, maybe it's the realistic scenery that's giving it great reviews. The story is really confusing and boring. I tried. Does it get better in season 2, should I buy season 2 to better understand the show. then again breaking bad was boring in season 1 but I loved it as seasons progressed.

Can't connect with characters, story confusing and boring..

wow

 

[Kong]

"Boring" - I get why people say that. But as soon as I hear it, I know there's no point trying to convince them.

Not everyone can appreciate it.

EDIT: Talking about The Wire.

 

[SydCrow]

BB, Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones are my top 3.

Watched one episode of The Wire and it needs subtitles

 

[Delroy]

I think you can turn subtitles on ? Sometimes I watch it with them, so much gangsta talk.

 

[djrossie16]

"Boring" - I get why people say that. But as soon as I hear it, I know there's no point trying to convince them.

Not everyone can appreciate it.

Yep that's what I do too.

I'm not sure how people say one great show is greater than the other. I tend to place all the these shows under one category as "the greatest shows".

 

[djrossie16]

The Wire also doesn't have the nagging wife character that afflicts other good shows.

 

[Drummer_19]

I don't place Breaking Bad in the same category, though

I seem to be in the minority, but I rate the top echelon of shows as The Wire, The Office, Seinfeld.

I have other shows like Arrested Development and Dexter as top 5ish, but those three are the "all timers" for me.

I view Breaking Bad as another great show in an era where we're spoiled for quality shows, but it's not quite up there for me.

 

[NitroFan]

anyone who finds the wire confusing isnt actually watching it.

 

[Gubbz]

I loved BB but not sure how they are going to work in a season 5? what would be the plot....was there anything at the end of season 4 still hanging around to cling to? (probably was but I havent watched it in a while). IMO it is not the best of all time - Sopranos & Oz are right up there for me. But best by far is Dexter

 

[JP Sauce]

I loved BB but not sure how they are going to work in a season 5? what would be the plot....was there anything at the end of season 4 still hanging around to cling to? (probably was but I havent watched it in a while). IMO it is not the best of all time - Sopranos & Oz are right up there for me. But best by far is Dexter

Stopped watching after season 4 then?

 

[nicky]

The Wire also doesn't have the nagging wife character that afflicts other good shows.

Sopranos - check
Breaking bad - check
the simpsons - check

Seriously though that is so true.

 

[Drummer_19]

But best by far is Dexter

Stop stealing everyones oxygen.

 

[catman 71]

To answer the title-no, "Breaking Bad" is not the greatest show ever!

So stop talking about it already. Overrated!

I mean, can I go on this board one time, where there isn't a thread about "Breaking Bad"?

 

[year of the roo]

To answer the title-no, "Breaking Bad" is not the greatest show ever!

So stop talking about it already. Overrated!

I mean, can I go on this board one time, where there isn't a thread about "Breaking Bad"?

No, no you cannot.