Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
However, the fifth season changes everything. In its final sixteen episodes, Breaking Bad goes from one of the best television series of all time to one of the best things ever put to film. This is entirely due to the show's writing. Vince Gilligan, the creator of the show, is an absolute genius when it comes to pacing and character development. In reality, despite a lot of breakneck tension and thrills through its first four seasons, Breaking Bad is quite a slow burn of a show. The character of Walter White, brilliantly portrayed by a never-to-be-underestimated Bryan Cranston, often seems just on the cusp of turning into an absolute monster; however, somehow, someway, Gilligan and his writing staff are able to keep us on his side for such a ridiculously long time that we really don't begin to see that side of him until the show's final season, and even then it's really only the second half.
The key to all of this is the fifth season's fourteenth episode, "Ozymandias." This is the best hour of footage I have seen on screen. No joke. Rian Johnson (who is directing Star Wars: The Last Jedi) makes this episode have so much happen that it almost suffocates the viewer with its intensity and pace; yet, at the same time, I felt like it took a lot longer than an hour (in a good way) because Johnson made me feel like I was in shock through his direction. So much about Walt's character comes to light to everyone else in the show in this episode that it just paralyzes the viewer, especially during some of his moments with his infant daughter Holly towards the end of the episode.
From then on, Breaking Bad shows how to end a show perfectly. Instead of going out with two more breakneck episodes, things slow down a lot. We begin to see that in order for Walt to get all of his money, he had to sacrifice a lot. He loses virtually everything except for his money, and because of that he really struggles to do what he wants to do with the millions of dollars he has amassed through cooking meth. It is an incredibly sad parable with some really poignant moments as Walter tries to make some rights out of his wrongs in the series finale.
I think that's the thing that makes me love Breaking Bad so much: it shows how much Walt's pursuit of a meth empire destroys himself, his family, and his ability to do what he originally set out to do. Despite the man's good intentions of providing money for his family after he dies of cancer, he gradually becomes so steeped in the lies and morally questionable deeds of his profession that he loses everything important to him -- that is, except for his money. For that character arc on its own, this show is worth watching. Everything else -- the acting, directing, and actual dialogue -- is just icing on this cake that makes it as perfect as anything I've ever seen.
My recommendation: Definitely watch it.
My grade: 100
Where to find it: Netflix
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