# Breaking Bad = Best Show In The History of The World {open SPOILERS} **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 17, 2011, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663 "2011-02-17T03:25:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/61 "2011-02-21T21:39:01Z")
In addition to the great writing and acting, I think _Breaking Bad_ is one of the most beautifully filmed shows on television. The cinemetography really provides a richness to the storytelling. It’s an easy aspect to overlook because the story itself draws you in so much, but the composition and choices of shots are always very carefully crafted. Watch in HD if you can! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/62 "2011-02-21T22:01:10Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > +1 > > Seriously - it’s impossible to appreciate this show jumping into the middle. It’s not that kind of show. Hit Netflix and get start at the beginning. You are only ruining it for yourself to continue. I don’t subscribe to netflix, but I wonder if some local video rental store would have it. Too bad Hollywood went out of business. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/63 "2011-02-21T22:09:54Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > In addition to the great writing and acting, I think _Breaking Bad_ is one of the most beautifully filmed shows on television. The cinemetography really provides a richness to the storytelling. It’s an easy aspect to overlook because the story itself draws you in so much, but the composition and choices of shots are always very carefully crafted. Watch in HD if you can! I completely agree! Certain types of shots are real signature, such as shooting upwards, as though through a glass tabletop. Some classic moments (hydrofluoric acid, anyone?) have been shot that way. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/64 "2011-02-21T23:00:39Z")
BB is simply amazing, and it has one of the most exciting, awesome pilots of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2011, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/65 "2011-02-21T23:13:53Z")
I have a love-hate with the character of Jesse. He’s such a colossal fuck-up and Walt would frankly be much better off if he just let him get killed, but there’s something also likable about him somehow. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/66 "2011-02-22T00:23:12Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > I completely agree! Certain types of shots are real signature, such as shooting upwards, as though through a glass tabletop. Some classic moments (hydrofluoric acid, anyone?) have been shot that way. Not to mention (season 3 spoiler ahead) the beheading of Tortuga! ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/67 "2011-02-22T00:28:48Z")
One of [my favorite cold opening](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=582TR2N_sPM) of any episode of any series. ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/68 "2011-02-22T01:07:52Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Nicest\_of\_the\_Damned](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8baadc/32.png) [@Nicest\_of\_the\_Damned](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nicest_of_the_Damned)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/69 "2011-02-22T04:09:51Z")
> [@clarkstar](#): > > this is one of the few shows i ever watched where i really got involved with the characters. i got really mad when the wife started screwing her boss. sad, i know lol Funny, that’s when I started to like her. Or at least, when she got interesting to me. I just discovered this show a few months ago and I got hooked within minutes. It is such a treat to have three seasons all lined up but then you get to the end and…yeah, gotta wait for months to get more. But I am looking forward to watching the next season and being able to read the discussion as the show airs. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/70 "2011-02-22T04:21:38Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I don’t subscribe to netflix, but I wonder if some local video rental store would have it. Too bad Hollywood went out of business. I picked up Season One at my local library. Reason number 7,192 why I \*love \*the library! Of course, subsequent seasons have like 50 holds on them, but at least it got me started. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/71 "2011-02-22T06:23:06Z")
I’ll just chime in and agree with all the praise for BB, and also the disappointment that we have to wait so long for the next season. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/72 "2011-02-23T04:29:12Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > I’ve been sitting on the last episode, waiting as long as possible to watch it, because I don’t want the season to end and to have to wait many long months for next season to begin. I don’t know how much longer I can hold out, though. (NO SPOILERS) Okay, I broke down last night and watched the final episode (first re-watched the one before it) because I was afraid I would accidentally read a spoiler or something. I had been hoping to hold off until April or so. WOW! I think that was possibly the best hour of television I’ve ever seen! The only things that come close are previous episodes from last year. I need to watch it again tonight or tomorrow to take it all in again. Now I’m pissed off that I have to wait for July. Damn you, Stoid! ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/73 "2011-02-23T04:35:12Z")
On the strength of this thread I decided to check out BB, and I really like it. I’m on the 2nd season already, having started with the pilot on Friday. I’m watching the episode “Bit By A Dead Bee”. Gilligan must be a Gus Van Sant fan–the scene where Walter and Jessie are walking through the desert is straight out of _ **Gerry** _. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/74 "2011-02-23T15:12:06Z")
So, regarding the last episode… Did Jesse shoot him? We don’t see the effect of the gunshot, and Jesse pans his gun from where he was aiming (directly at the guy’s head) towards the camera. I’m guessing he didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/75 "2011-02-23T15:28:02Z")
Yes. Absolutely no chance he didn’t shoot him. The show doesn’t cheat like that. It would be the lamest copout ever. It’s actually an effect of the camera moving around Jesse, not Jesse moving his aim. It’s so subtle that you can mistake it though. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/76 "2011-02-23T15:31:50Z")
If so, I’m going to miss Gale. What a delightfully quirky character (though he sounds a bit too similar to [John Billingsley](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0082517/)). [The scene](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyj8QiZGUMc) Yeah - he keeps it pretty steady(ish). The fact that he’s shaking actually helps to keep the position of his arm in reference. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/77 "2011-02-23T16:11:47Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > I picked up Season One at my local library. Reason number 7,192 why I \*love \*the library! Of course, subsequent seasons have like 50 holds on them, but at least it got me started. :smack: :smack: I just checked, and the local library has both seasons. There’s quite a waiting list, but I’ve put them on hold. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/78 "2011-03-11T15:23:54Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > :smack: :smack: I just checked, and the local library has both seasons. There’s quite a waiting list, but I’ve put them on hold. Well, we’re finally caught up, in a backwards sort of way. We got season two from the library and watched it, interspersed with the ongoing season three eps on AMC. Then season one came in, so we just watched all seven of those eps in a marathon yesterday. I’m glad that the show found itself early on, as they seemed to be playing things for laughs somewhat in the early eps, and Sky was a vapid character who has now thankfully come into her own. Question/comment: I didn’t think that AMC showed nudity or allowed cursing to go unedited, but in the pilot show there are bare breasts and the f-bomb (among others) is dropped several times. I prefer that people talk like they do in real life, but was surprised by this. What gives? Is my memory faulty? Doesn’t AMC actively censor movies? Later eps drop an occasional “shit”, which they also do in \*Mad Men \*, but “fuck” seems to have disappeared after season one in BB. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/79 "2011-03-11T15:33:48Z")
That stuff stood out to me too - at the time I assumed that they had produced a pilot intending for it to be picked up by HBO or Showtime, and when AMC picked it up they cleaned it up, but that’s just a guess. Was it an AMC project from the ground up? ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663/80 "2011-03-11T16:39:08Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Question/comment: I didn’t think that AMC showed nudity or allowed cursing to go unedited, but in the pilot show there are bare breasts and the f-bomb (among others) is dropped several times. I prefer that people talk like they do in real life, but was surprised by this. What gives? Is my memory faulty? Doesn’t AMC actively censor movies? Later eps drop an occasional “shit”, which they also do in \*Mad Men \*, but “fuck” seems to have disappeared after season one in BB. On the show’s Insider’s Podcast Vince Gilligan said that AMC lets them say four “shits” and one “fuck” (with the sound dropped) per season. They use their “fucks” wisely. In the third season it was used in the episode “IFT” with good effect. I don’t remember them showing nudity in then pilot. Can someone remind me what they showed? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-bad-best-show-in-the-history-of-the-world-open-spoilers/571663.md?page=5)