It's the best TV show in the world, but will we ever get to see it on TV?

Forget the ABC, who shelved the series and never bothered giving it much airtime. Yesterday, Breaking Bad's fifth series was released in Australia on DVD - almost a year after it screened on American network TV.

The first episode sets the darkest scene I've ever seen on TV. This was the much-awaited resolution to the cliffhanger at the end of series four. Here, Jesse had a gun aimed at the chemist's head. The question was, would Jesse kill an innocent man in cold blood to save Walt's life?

I won't tell you the outcome, but blood is met with blood in - without a doubt - the most haunting scene in the history of television. Walt argues the case for his life, and the mild-mannered businessman, Gus, shows what he is truly capable of.

The scene is shockingly, almost gently, underplayed. It's horror comes from its silence, its precision, and its suspense - who will Gus kill? How will he kill? And how does he make the decision he does?

Step by step, we watch as he methodically changes into protective clothing and chooses a boxcutter knife. Afterwards, we watch in silence as he washes his hands, his head and changes back into his suit. The horror is not in the killing itself, but its calm, proceedural approach. However, the horror also lies in WHO he chooses to kill, and its haunting question: why?

The question of motive is always at the centre of Breaking Bad. More than anything, it's about ethics: will, determinism, choices, consequences; and how these shape you as a subject. It poses the questions with gut-shaking black humour and moments of incredible pathos. You know - and feel - for every character in this show.

Breaking Bad, again, is showing how great stories can be told. It is Shakespearian in its scope, its stakes and its questions about human nature. It is, in my mind, the best story-telling TV has ever been allowed to screen.

And with book publishing now in a state of flux (sales 30% down in the last year alone), Breaking Bad is rivalling newly-published novels in its ability to characterise and provide deep, real and compelling viewing/reading.

TV like Breaking Bad is now taking the place of the novel in the literary tradition.

If you haven't seen it yet, get the first series and work you way through.

God knows when we'll ever get to see the fifth series on TV, so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting.

And, did you know the fifth is the last?

They're saying it might be split into two shorter ones, but it's really just one season and they're dragging it out.

I've only watched the first episode of season 4 and like I said, that was cos I couldn't wait any longer after the end of number 3.



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Hopefully it will be the wife and Walt will go all Gus on the perpetrators ass, only louder and with a machete as opposed to a boxcutter.

I don't like her. Jesse wore a bit thin after whats her name overdosed, but he redeemed himself.

The pic of Walt's face on the S4 dvds is killer.He makes me want to buy a van and cook meth.

Sorry, everyone. You're right. I'm talking about the fourth - not the fifth and last season.

Bryan Cranston predicts that Walt will die at the end. The question is how. At this point, no one - even the writers, I doubt - know.

Also, will Walt be redeemed? In the fourth series he's becoming darker - more of a badarse.

Walt, I think, will perform an act of great sacrifice, and in doing so, end his life. Jesse, I think, will live.

And yes, Gus will be taken out.

Amadd wrote on Apr 4^th, 2012 at 12:48am:


Right. But I'll let you into a secret if you haven't seen the fourth season.

The challenge for the fifth season/s will be how to put Walt and jesse back in the game.

I'm sick of Jesse.  I was understanding when his goth junky missus died, but he hasn't gotten over it.  Perhaps there is no silver lining to him.  Perhaps he is just a dickhead after all.

Annie Anthrax wrote on Apr 4^th, 2012 at 6:02pm:


Exactly, Annie. I think you've got it in one. There's a thread in the fourth series I think we'll see emerge: Hank's new "mineral" hobby. The rocks. His own scientific obsession.

And he's still looking into Bennaker's murder.

But how to start cooking again? The Whites now own a carwash - not a bad place to stash a meth lab.

My guess is Skyler will talk Walt into breaking bad again. Hank's physio bills are mounting up - so there's that.

My prediction is that Skyler's power will increase. She's already taking on a corporate persona - all business. We may well see her character emerge as a new Gus.

Huh.

I agree. Hank has to learn about Walt. And what about Hank Junior? Will he find out too?

I think we know that, in the end, all will be revealled.

But they'll find nothing on Saul. I'll bet you that.