While Breaking Bad might not have many ties to gaming, aside from the subject matter being surrounded by controversy akin to Grand Theft Auto, it is very important. We weren’t planning to branch out to film content with Sunday Spotlight, but given that this might be the best example of storytelling ever crafted, and that we’ll have plenty of EGX content coming up tomorrow and beyond, we thought it was time to shine the spotlight on something a little different, without spoiling anything beyond the first moments of the show.
It all ends tonight, or rather tomorrow for us in the UK, when the final episode of Breaking Bad arrives on Netflix. We’ll finally have the conclusion to the masterfully crafted story of Walter White.
If you’re not aware of the premise, then essentially Mr. White is a high school chemistry teacher who gets the worst possible news regarding his health – he has terminal lung cancer. Now’s where he realises that if he won’t be around in a year’s time, he’ll have to work out a way for his family to be comfortable with no worry of debt.
So after a ride-along to a meth lab sting with his DEA brother-in-law, Hank, Walter realises that he can use his knowledge of chemistry to cook crystal meth. This leads him to a certain Jesse Pinkman, marvellously portrayed by breakout star Aaron Paul, who will also be appearing in the new Need For Speed movie.
Bryan Cranston’s varied acting – from high school teacher Walter White to meth kingpin Heisenberg – is ultimately the main point to take from Breaking Bad. This, combined with an incredible supporting cast and unbelievable writing with twists and turns has cemented the show’s place in history as perhaps the best form of storytelling ever, and proof that television is the go-to medium for character development and plot progression.
Even the camerawork, cinematography and directing is above and beyond most of what you’ll see on the big screen: there’s use of timelapses to break apart the action; suspense created through faux reveals and closing shots; the show’s signature point of view shots, where cameras are attached to items or placed under them; and the meth cooking montages put perfectly to a musical number.
I’m no film critic, but it’s easy to see that Breaking Bad rarely falters, if at all. For me, it’s perhaps the best thing I’ve ever experienced, with the journey I’ve taken over the last few years surely sticking with me forever, so I’m extremely sad to see it end but, at the same time, I can’t wait to be blown away by the conclusion.
If you haven’t watched the show, and you do decide to, then you’ll find that while most episodes are excellent, the recent episode – Ozymandias – is a masterclass in production; 47 perfect minutes which the show has been leading up to since episode one’s opening dialogue discussing the matter of change. Even if you’re not really a fan, then it’s worth sticking through five seasons just to see this, which currently still holds an IMDB rating of 10/10 even after tens of thousands of unique votes.
No, Breaking Bad wouldn’t work as a game, a film or even a book, but it’s found its place at the top of small screen programming and it’s utterly essential to watch. You can do that on Netflix, and from 9am tomorrow the complete series will be on there, so there’s really no excuse.
Anyway, there’s also a good chance you’re a viewer of Breaking Bad, and if that’s the case: are you ready? I’m certainly not.
Vallon
Just watched it, amazing – great ending, didn’t feel cheated liked some finals. Probably the greatest show ever …. apart from the Sopranos.