Top 10 Things I Love (and Will Miss) About "Breaking Bad"

Bryan Cranston

Ladies and gentlemen, we have done it. We are officially one day away from the return of Breaking Bad. For many, it is a moment of triumph, having waited patiently since "Gliding Over All" raised a lot of questions and sent the internet aflutter in search of the exit strategy. It is going to be a glorious time for people who obsess over the show's every detail, though one that will end bittersweet. Even if the series somehow fails to live up to an exciting conclusion, that can't stop an already impressive track record (the only episode I actually dislike is "Open House") with a lot of memorable, groundbreaking moments. Who knows how time will treat it. Maybe its legacy will put it among the greats such as the Wire (though many already consider it to be there). Either way, with a day to go, I thought I would look back at what made the show so memorable for me.

Like most people, I came to the party a few seasons in. However, when you pop on "Pilot" and see Walter (Bryan Cranston) running around in his underwear, it becomes immediately striking. While the show continues to show our protagonist in all sorts of dispositions, it was the story as well that grew. What I am about to cover is not moments in the show. I am talking about overall aspects and offshoots that make Breaking Bad the cultural phenomenon that it is.

Without delay, this is the top 10 things that when I remember the show, I look back with a smile. These are the things that made the show special if not just to me, hopefully to every fan who obsessed over special features, commentary, and just seeing one of the most impressive miracles in TV history. Nobody expected a show about a 50-year-old man turning into a drug kingpin would actually go anywhere. In a way, that is what made it all the more amazing.

1. Seven-Thirty-Seven Down Over ABQ

To me, there is nothing more triumphant in the show's history, nothing more definitive than the season two cryptic code involving four episode titles. The show was always keen at keeping the mystery wrapped up, but with these four episodes, they managed to take it to the next level by spelling out the ending through cold openings involving a floating burnt pink teddy bear missing an eye. It was haunting imagery that wasn't made entirely clear until the finale, at which point the reward was paid off immensely. The show has since used double entendres in their titles, which actually make them easier to remember. Titles like "Face Off" mislead viewers to not think of the literal meaning. Things even became more clever when they named "Gliding Over All" after a Walt Whitman poem. In a way, that is why I have spent a good share of time analyzing every episode's name, hoping to find their next move. Even then, even they make far superior episodes, the show's crowning achievement is the subtext of season two.

2. Dave Porter

There are two people behind the scenes that makes Breaking Bad click. The first is composer Dave Porter, who has been in charge of providing the show's pulse since the beginning. Over time, he has created some powerful pieces of music that impact tension, create a calming mood, or just leave a mark. The show is reliant a lot of music, and you need to thank Dave Porter a lot. He has broken out of most holes for TV composers of making unmemorable jingles by making the exoskeleton come to life. Of every piece, I still find myself finding his best moment to be the music from the closing scene of "Crawl Space." It is a powerhouse of acting and a shift in the narrative that lived or died by the song choice. What happened here is a beautiful balance of aggression and subtle beats, almost like a pulse. The show may continue to have gotten darker, but not since has the show been able to be so in sync with its music.

3. Thomas Golubic

On the other end of the spectrum is the amazing music supervisor Thomas Golubic. From the beginning, the show has been heavily reliant on an impressive variety of music to express who these characters are. It has given us some of the show's greatest moments, including the now iconic use of Tommy James and the Shondells' "Crystal Blue Persuasion" in "Gliding Over All." In large respect, Golubic's work is more noticeable than Porter's, if just because of how it influences the moments. There are even moments that the music subdues scenes into oddly comical moments of otherwise despicable things. The show's ability to ride the fine line between bleak and funny is largely thanks to the songs, which if not anything else, give the moments an extra kick.

4. Time Lapses

I formally apologize for not posting the "Crystal Blue Persuasion" scene in either of these two. This is because I couldn't find a quality copy on Youtube.

The show's biggest endearment for me has been its ability to turn the menial into a stylized, fast motion journey. It is common sense that the process of making meth wouldn't be exciting to watch if it wasn't sped up and only highlighting the awkward moments. Again, this is largely thanks to the music that accompanies the moments. My personal favorite remains the one set to Ana Tijoux's "1977" in "Shotgun" in which driving through the desert becomes the greatest-looking scene of impatience ever. It shows the tension between Jesse (Aaron Paul) and Mike (Jonathan Banks) so perfectly that words would only spoil it. If the time lapses are important in one way, it is being able to say a lot with visuals in an interesting way.

5. Vince Gilligan

The show runner and for whom none of this would exist. Please don't look at this list as a hierarchy because in all honesty, Gilligan is the god of the show. It isn't any contest on why almost every other show runner has claimed to at some point envy him on not only a creative level, but just by how humble and open he is. He is the reason that Breaking Bad Insider Podcast exists, which dishes information on every episode that only makes their achievements more impressive. Most of all, he is just a down to Earth person who gives credit where credit is due. Even if you've never actually paid attention to the credits on any episode, there's a good chance you know the likes of George Mastras, Mark Johnson, Diane Mercer, or even Thomas Schnauz. His simple act of sincerity gives him the edge because he makes the show feel more attainable through the focus of teamwork. Also, he is just one deeply demented person with crazy ideas. He once claimed that he wanted Breaking Bad to be a show featuring stuff you don't normally see in a TV show. It may seem like the biggest gamble, but creative minds like his is why AMC is slowly becoming one of the best TV networks.

6. The "Hidden" Special Effects

There's a good chance that if you watch Breaking Bad, you'll never have to concern yourself with the mystery on what is and isn't special effects. Even the varying vantage points add an eerie personality to the show that keeps viewers on their toes. While there are some obvious selections, including "Face Off," majority of the special effects are so woven into the scene that you wouldn't notice. In fact, things kept heating up and by "Dead Freight," the simple act of an actor laying under a train was explained in depth as being multiple shots. It is a strong reason why I love watching the Inside Breaking Bad videos which get released on the AMC website instantaneously with each episode. It helps to make the efforts and hard work make more sense and explain how a show that doesn't look like it would need special effects would use it to enhance moments. I would greatly encourage everyone to watch the DVD specials, including the extended piece on the season four DVD on the episode "Face Off" to fully understand what went into essentially a 20 second shot. It is so impressive and again with Gilligan offering up thanks, only makes the show feel like the strongest, most creative community of people creating TV today.

7. Fan Videos

All right, this is sort of a cheat, as it doesn't directly improve the episodes. However, for anyone that has been following my Breaking Half recaps this summer will know, there has been an impressive array of videos to choose from. While I will forever love the Mentos parody of "Fifty-One," there have been plenty of clips that even the cast and crew noticed in episode commentaries (said Mentos video was referenced in the "Fifty-One" commentary). It is also humbling to know that the people who made the show are also fans of these. From the recap videos to the compilations of fallen characters, the fan videos remain some of the most entertaining, artistic things to hit the web. Also, I wouldn't call them trolls, but there's some fans that took it to the next level and made accounts of characters. This one in particular is my favorite:

While majority of these fan accounts are restricted to Youtube comments, there's a few outside of the realm. Still, none are nearly as impressive as this one, which is the #1 comment on this product's review page.

8. The Humor

It is impossible for this show to have been so successful if it didn't crack a smile once and awhile. In fact, I feel like there are characters created just to lighten the tension. Addicts/dealers Skinny Pete (Charles Baker) and Badger (Matt Jones) may be the two most prominent examples, whose lack of dark stories have allowed them to riff on video games and even play a little improvisational music. Even as the series reaches its darkest moments, I would be remiss if there wasn't a few jokes to make the ride easier. Even if the Walter (Bryan Cranston)/Jesse relationship has evolved beyond the season one humorous side to a more depressing gun-to-forehead type deal, we'll still have the addicts and corrupt lawyer Saul (Bob Odenkirk) to remind us that even at the show's worst (tonally, not qualitatively), there's still something absurd to notice.

9. The Death Count

Jesse asks at one point "How many people are going to die because of us?" Oddly enough, that question still hasn't been answered. In "Gliding Over All," the show saw its biggest death count since season two's "ABQ" and while Jesse is supposedly not talking to Walter anymore, there is still a chance that one of the two will die. If not, there will be an epic shoot-out that may also involve Hank (Dean Norris). But what makes this show rather impressive is that despite the high body count, the deaths all feel different most of the time. Some examples include: a head on a turtle, a plane crash, a wheel chair bomb, choking on vomit, and being lynched by skinheads. I can only imagine that after the horrific lynching in "Gliding Over All" that the show manages to top it without being as disturbing. Then again, the fact that each death feels specialized only makes the mystery all that more intriguing.

10. Breaking Bad Insider Podcast

For the love of god, I hope that you are listening to these. Each episode is a treasure trove of interviews with cast and crew sharing stories on each and every moment of the show. It is one of the platforms that made me fall in love with Vince Gilligan and the show in general. It is what it says: an insider show. While there's plenty of friendly banter, it is a lot of details that will make any fan jump for joy. Also, Gilligan is great at underselling episodes with modesty, and it plays out well week-to-week here. So, please, whatever you do... subscribe NOW! The episodes should be starting on Monday.



There you have it. That is 10 of the things that I love about Breaking Bad as a show. I have enjoyed doing episode recaps all summer, and I thank those who have made them successes. Hopefully they have informed and have gotten you ready for tomorrow's festivities. Also, I hope it has gotten you thinking of the ending. Please read my other post about how I believe the show will end, and stay tuned for my list of the Top 50 Breaking Bad Characters, which will be coming out very soon.

What do you love about the show? What will you miss? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.