For what it’s worth, I, for one, agree that “fuck the casual viewer” makes David Simon sound like a bit of a dick. Let’s just say he could have worded that more diplomatically.
But you know what? It doesn’t matter. He was right not to pander to the casual viewer, because that made* The Wire *a much better show than it otherwise would have been. I don’t watch it because of my opinions of David Simon’s diplomatic skills. I watch it because it’s a great show.
Aside from the awesome character development, to me, the answer as to “why was Breaking Bad so good” is extremely simple: I have never before in my 44 years encountered a television show that managed to create such a crazy amount of tension, and once created, maintain it for so very long. That show has you on the edge of your seat pretty much from the beginning and never lets go. It’s always got you breathlessly wanting more.
That show was NOT good for my blood pressure!
David Simon’s full quote:
Amen. It’s not as though Simon knows or cares whether Joe Offended Guy makes his decision based on that. Why rob oneself to prove a point no one who matters is getting? It’s like my dad’s refusal to see any film with Jane Fonda in it, just because he has issues with her politically.
I have not read the whole thread, but I really agree with the basic premise of the OP.
TV shows are often slaves to ratings:
No young viewers? They adopt a kid.
No minority viewers? A black family moves next door.
BB had a story planned. They didn’t know everything that was going to happen, but the arc didn’t change.
Imagine a favorite movie, one you watch regularly (for me that might be Casablanca, North By Northwest, Rocky, Dr. Strangelove).
Watching the finale of BB was like going to see *Casablanca *for the 64th time… without knowing whether Rick will get on the plane.
For him that would be a first.
We would have missed “Salud”, for one thing! And that’s why I don’t think showing us the flashback with Max is just backstory - without this deep pain, Gus’ going all badass on the cartel doesn’t feel as satisfying or believable. But again, IIRC, the reason why he had to go to Mexico in the first place is also closely related to Walt and his decisions.
I think the backstory was absolutely crucial to Walt’s story and inextricably connected to it. Otherwise how do we understand that Gus hates Tio that much (meaning he will want to kill him personally, necessary to Walt’s plan) and that Tio hates Gus (for killing Tio’s remiaining family and everyone else, also necessary to Walt’s plan)? And if we do not have that backstory, Walt doesn’t kill Gus, at least not the way he did. Because there’s no way for Walt to even know about the animosity between the two men without the trip to Mexico, and of course there’s no reason for Tio to be willing to commit suicide to kill Gus without the trip to Mexico.
Again, nothing in the BB universe can logically exist Walt- free.
By the way, I think there is no question at all about Gus and Max being lovers. For a number of reasons, starting with Tio’s remark about how the two of them probably enjoy his dick being out while he pees in the pool. But the intensity of Gus’ pain at the loss of Max bespeaks a deep love relationship more than a friendship, no matter how close. Especially given how long it lasted and how deep his need for revenge. But Tio’s remark seals it.