Breaking Bad Season 1 and 2: The Experience

Breaking Bad : The Experience Seasons 1and2

What it's all about

Breaking Bad was nothing of what I expected or could have anticipated, I only knew I wanted to view the series – now I can move on to season three and be up with the in crowd (raising palms in the air with the a Whoop-Whoop!)!  I just realized during Thanksgiving break that I caught up with the new series, “The Event” with Blair Underwood as the main president. Surprising, because I am not much of a TV. Watcher.  I will watch certain series, but to sit and vegetate in front of the television, computer these days is rare. This opportunity gave me reason to indulge and try new skills in a blog forum.

Overall I enjoyed the experience because I did not put any preconceived notions on it. It was hard at first to just watch for fun, when I wanted to critique and critique when I just wanted to have fun. I would find us watching 2 or3 episodes at a time, sometimes going back that night or within a few days, I would be compelled to view the episode again, especially in the beginning, so it was a little hard getting started. I chose no ‘format’ but took all the suggestions into consideration. For a few blogs I was stuck and forgot about the suggestions so when I revisited them there was not a particular element I wanted to focus on, I felt my blog was naturally incorporating what the Professor offered and I was content with how I was presenting my blog to the public.

I did not have a lot to say about Walt Jr. as the series unfolded, he was there as a tool but not a component in most cases, but he was Zook’s favorite character for elements mentioned mainly during Season 1.

Wow, Season 1. Seems so long ago, so far I have come with the characters and creators of this AMC original. I’m glad I can indulge in Season 3 and that there is a Season 3 because I feel there are still a few gaps to be filled. Like in 24, which ran 8 Season’s before heading on to movie production, its about to fill a bigger gap. 24 will always be a favorite all time series and I think Breaking Bad as well. I do see the growth in the characters, yet still feel the characters are lacking. I see the line between reality and creativity that the writers have yet to grasp. The people are real, but some of the moments or behaviors just don’t mesh, unless I am to believe people are just slow in Mexico?  I am not expecting any great surprises; I am expecting something to amaze me!

Breaking Bad has broken the barrier  between love and hate; it’s a show I love to hate for its cinema photography, acting, lighting, nuance; the capturing of moments and affect through clear, glass, under bottom, special affect, direction. I know not every scene can be perfect, but dang it, it comes so close at times its painful to watch. It’s like saying, if they only had one more set of eyes to tweak that scene, or see something the others don’t, as Elliot explained to Walt when he tried to bribe him into working for Grey Matter, they creators know what to do and I am glad for having this series.

I’m watching the people involved with the series a little closer as I enter into the industry, taking my critiques’ of them and learning through observation. It was cool to do this project, a little overwhelming at times, but well worth the experience.

Now on to Season 3- I may continue blogging!

What is has become

Breaking Bad Season 2 Episode 13 ABQ

@ Zook’s 9ish pm til the break of dawn

An eye ball floating past the drain? Seriously, is this my Season finale with the pink furry animal floating by who has frustrated me to no end?! I’m really suppose to wait til the END of the episode? Zook thinks they are body bags- the mass inside does not indicate so, its just “evidence” as the yard sign tells us. And what is OMI? Is this not a What the freak moment? True to its last episode!

Jane?…Jane? Im scared for Jess who thought he had a sure thing. Is it wrong to be ok with her junky death and think that it is poetic how she went out? Yes? I don’t care anyway!  I did not like her dark, post war looking lurking behind, she was just waiting to take Jess. They set the character perfect for Jess, but now as the Season closes…I’m scared! what will Don, her dad do to Jess when he finds out?

Gotta love Saul. Zook and I love this character. He makes things happen with just a phone call. I can’t believe how Jess completely broke down and ended up at some meth house. It was a very surreal moment when Walt walked in and saw his ‘meth’ skeletal reflection. I wonder if he thought the same thing too? As he stepped over the sleeping, smelling, having sex, bodies he gets to see the product of his product as he searches for Jess. What is Jess doing here and why does he not want to go? What did he say? He loved her? Did he kill her? I don’t think aiding is the same thing, just be glad Saul’s guys showed up and got things ‘presentable’. I really thought Don was going to strike Jess. I knew as he drove up to the house, he was going to be in pain. Such a wimp ars Jess is. In all that he does! He barely looked him in the eye, and now as he is being cradled by Walt, this is probably the first time in years a man touched him in this way- if at all. I do understand the break down. I also fear Don will have one. The sound of Jane being zipped up in that hard cold, dark plastic bag, gave hint to her character and if Jess wasn’t such a stoner, he would see that too! Don sees it, I think, how dark Jane had become, (love the art work and the mural with the stuff animal- I’m not going there!) how he had lost her to the drugs and her own world. He never stopped loving her.  The lament between he and Walt last episode at the bar Segway perfectly into this moment. The colors are cold and sad.

Hank and the DEA are now chasing “Blue Sky’. He has noticed since the arrest the blue has gone bye-bye from ABQ and has now spread to the surrounding borders- is that Gustavo? Oh my! What is, who is, why is this man here! “Fun Run” supporter? He is all up in the mix. I must say, Saul works with some professional “crim-mi-nals”. How will he use the information on Walt- how nice he gave a donation! Now everybody is in the mix!

Walt Jr. “fake pal” has been chiming for days. Glad to see Hank being supportive and chipping in. Marie, just went a little over board. From the news to the media. Some one is bound to put two and two together? “he knows everything about chemistry…my dad is my hero”. If he had a gang, he would be cracked on big time once he went to the play house! Its scary seeing all this come to together. I don’t know what I would have done if this is all I got and had to wait for Season 3 to air.  This episode has too much~will Walt Jr. please stop that chiming! Oh, Walt asked him to- for the baby Holly! God that has to be annoying.  He must talk to Saul about another method or means for Walt Jr. to help. I don’t know how much more of this she can take Captain!

Speaking of, Skyler is leaving Walt for a few days! Damn, is that all? So he accidentally told the truth? If you were not such a stuck up prude of a woman and a person he could confide and talk to and trust no less, maybe this would not be happening, well at least not this way. After all that, Walt is alone! He will make up some lie- he gambles right? It’s the only explanation that is plausible, the only! Of course it doesn’t bother me that his selfish wife is running off with the kids instead of sending the kids away and demanding they get to the bottom of this or so help him she will leave! NO, she comes with ‘her story’ with facts and incidences -wow, the mother thing was deep, but I knew it would come back to haunt him- you don’t lie on mama!-her ‘what she knows’; telling him what she knows and how she did the deeds to find out, all me, me, me again. I don’t blame her. She is just being a typical reactionary woman, not the life mate he seeks to have his back. Skyler looks like she could handle being the bottom bitch, but she would become too skanky and demeaning to keep the girls in line and they would end up killing her or hurting her very bad. That is the most frustrating part, that Skyler ‘appears’ strong, but is a big ol cry baby brat. It’s her way or no way. Don’t tell me to say “Thank you to my son!”, really! she can’t see into Walt’s feelings, so she has to make him respond as she expects. Walt is troubled and it shows, but Skyler won’t open her eyes to look at her husband. She won’t join with him because of her insecurity and because she thinks he is lying, instead she throws accusations and takes the kids- is that typical white woman suburban behavior? I never get why the women take the kids. If you really want a man to suffer, leave the kids with him and go find a “Dexter St. Jock” for a few days- seriously? I feel the writers make the women so shallow, but maybe these are the women in their lives or that they are purging from?

Oh Poo! Here comes the Bear! YAY! Finally! Did not see that coming, I mean I knew Don would break down, but dude, you are air traffic control. What a cool scene; great use of lighting and lingo for the slippery slop Don is winding down. All that over Jane? Well, I guess its ‘bigger’ than that, maybe I am just too tired to see the meaning. I was just happy to see the pink bear!

You got to be kidding me! How could people stand to wait for the next Season? I love Breaking Bad for drawing me in and keeping my attention. I cant believe all that was in this last episode. It is a real nice set up for next Season. What is Gustavo’s plans? Will Jess get better and stop blaming himself- love the resort he is detoxing at- so cool! I think he will and gain some knowledge of self- please Vince, do this for me, please! I rate this episode a 5- I cant wait to see something Amazing!

Getting back to self

Breaking Bad Season 2 Episode 12 Phoenix

@ Zook’s 9ish pm til the break of dawn

Who stole the meth? For real? Oh No! I can’t believe. I just noticed who Jane’s dad is! the guy from Star Trek! – Wait Walt took the meth! “When have you never dropped the ball you junky!” paraphrasing what Walt says to Jess. He made him miss the birth of his daughter. And now he is drugged with this chic? What the freak is that skinny zombie hoe teaching him  while feeding him b.s. about “ I don’t understand why you need him any way”- Calling Walt like that- what kinds punk  is Jess- that’s his partner! I can’t believe this demise! Is that what speed-balling is like? Are drugs really like that? Jess has gone rabbit. I am so tight over this one, I could pistol whip both of them. See how she reached for the money! In some instance, I believe bros before hoes, and this would be one of them. Without Walt he wouldn’t have all that “cheddar”. What did Gustavo say? “You can’t trust a junky” This is messed up because they do another season and I need to know- one more episode- this is killing me! Is she dying?! (I have too many Eddie Murphy moments in my mind!)

The banter between Saul and Walt is hilarious- Walt has all this money and can’t spend it! He is right to keep the money from Jess. After looking at what he built for his daughter Holly and yeah those other two, she in his arms, he feels it was worth it. He was able to pay for the treatment that got him to this moment. Walt had a purpose for stacking paper; Jess has a druggie money hungry hoe that will use him up. Maybe Jess and Jane will get clean by themselves and maybe she takes him for all he is worth? Walt had a game plan and I’m sure as he stood there holding his daughter in front of the money he has to pretend does not exist, which will be funneled through the charity set up by Walt Jr. is genius on Saul’s part, he somehow feels he had come full circle.

Well, I take the getting clean part back. How poetic Walt listening to the lullaby as the excuse he needs to get out of the house comes so easily and naturally. The conversation at the bar. Two men sharing their woes, yeah tough love is hard and we know Walt cares for Jess and only wants the best for him, but that skank, as she is choking on her own vomit, is no good for him..How is Walt going to keep his emotion from Jess- Jess won’t wake up! If he had, he  could have helped Walt with Jane, who I don’t blame- Don’t touch her! Poetic!

 

I rate this episode a 4, its scary…its almost over

Breaking Bad Season 2 Episode 11 Mandala

@ Zook’s 9ish pm til the break of dawn

All that cow needs to say when Walt tells her, is “where are the books?” and handle her business! Oh No She Didn’t just goes back to Ted’s office- Seriously? What is Skyler doing? Did she have to go back to the office for Ted’s birthday party? Is she supposed to represent the ‘moral code’ amongst the characters?- that was a nice Marilyn. Did I mention I don’t like the curtains in the house- the entire house? It’s so gaudy and dizzying. (I just like to throw that in as to why I don’t like her very much.) Yes I know the ‘set designer’ chose the curtains for the character, but the fact that they chose them for the character gives an impression to her tasteless style. Let us not forget Elliot’s birthday party?  I think the black dress she wore to the office would have worked for ‘nothing to wear’ than that prom dress, though again, Skyler is a character I love to hate. I love it that I “feel” this way about her- ugh!

Down the rabbit hole Jessie goes. Poor Jess, his crew has disbanded due to Comb’s initiation kill from a young want to be gang banger. I am currently reading Monster about the L.A. street gangs, and I had commented how this show had me reading different things to open me up my psyche, and that scene is what I read as what goes down in the street. Who knew I would be up close and personal with it in this series? I have been battling with the reality vs. creative portions of this show. I love Wendy the crack whore, I know she has to be real!

So folk know Jess did not kill Spooge, ok. No big deal. As Saul put it to both of them, they suck as drug dealers! But Jess just keeps sucking! And now he is sucking heroin into his veins, a speedball made with the meth. The visuals were impressive. I liked how high he floated above the bed, the illusion that it was further away, how  the room extended up- I thought Jane would reach him, but no-scared me into thinking he will get addicted and won’t be able to stop. Just when they are about to make it big, Jess gets pulled in by his emotions with Jane leading him, as Walt told Gustavo he does what I tell him. Can Jess trust Jane as Walt trust him? Why does Walt trust him? I wish Jess would get it together. It’s obvious he knows how to take care of himself. Meth makes him paranoid, now with the heroin high lifting him, and Jane as his new crack hoe- when I saw images of her, I wouldn’t read anything, but I hoped she was good for him and she did seem so, but something said she wasn’t- I don’t see any growth in Jessie’s character. It’s a loop he falls into. Walt alludes to taking two steps forward while at Sual’s office, but that is partly due to Jess and his stupidity. There shouldn’t have been an argument, but they have already fist fought, Jess is constantly belittled…

I rate this episode 3 cause I knew it!

Bad Jane!

Chase Harper: Day of the bible

 

Chase Harper T shirt 

 

Day of Silence, celebrated in April of 2010, was held in August of 2004 when Chase Harper decided to wear his homemade t-shirt against homosexuality in recognition of his right to ‘free speech’. He could not have chosen the week before? Why on the same day, unless he wanted, as the federal judge of the case stated ‘to be disruptive and needlessly offensive’? Why piggy back on the Day of Silence if you wanted your own free speech heard? If anything he impeded the free speech of those who were honoring the day. Who cares what the bible says? Mr. Harper then should have had Day of the Bible in which everyone could come to school wearing their favorite bible quote of scotch tape and whatever color marker they wanted. That’s upping the anti on Free Speech!

 

Instead he did what any self absorbed, self righteous teenager would do, caused a scene. No matter how one may look at it, he knew it would be disruptive. To what extent, he didn’t care. If he was so passionate about his ‘cause’ about his ‘bible’, then go about it in the right way. How else can it not be seen as a ‘hate crime’? This stigma will never change. Just because someone is something you are not, you will hate them for it in the name of something else. The bible made Mr. Harper speak out about its teachings on this particular day? It even sounds asinine.

 

It’s sad that those inflicted with guise of torment continually have to turn the other cheek, be the bigger person, and love thy neighbor for self preservation more so than anything else. Being different isn’t easy. No one chooses to be different, who is. It is those that wish to be different that make a point to highlight them, sometimes exulting most times shaming, all for attention to their ordinary lives, to ride the coat tales of ‘freedom’ they will never know as their ordinary lives portray. I’m just speculating, letting my thoughts run down the rabbit hole of why people do the things they do. The want, the lust, the power is so great, the purpose driven with cause to rally a cry for their own sense of ‘justice’.

 

I do hope in 10 years, Chase, married to his wife with the two gay siblings, going to his job with his gay manager breathing down his neck about productivity, his favorite lunch prepared by the gay chef to take the pressure off his morning from the obviously gay co-workers love life, wakes up to realize before he has a stroke, just how diverse this world really is and how shallow it is to judge or hate someone by a tag that is none of his business-sexual orientation being the flag-in the first place.

 

If he was an average sex driven teenager, he should be concerned about a girls skirt rather a boys g-string. I do understand this ‘event’ was a climax to other homosexual slander taken place in and around the school- all thought apply to al parties involved. My thought: be original, be progressive, start your own celebration, holiday if you truly believe in freedom of speech.

Breaking Bad Season 2 Episode 10 Over

Its Back!

@ Zook’s 9ish pm til the break of dawn

Its back! The stuff around the pool in plastic bags in now being gathered and moved to plastic bins, this is not cute. What is this about?  We have seen these images three or four times now? Each time mounting to some climax. Honestly, I’m scared. Just the fact that something has been brought to his front door. That’s the one thing all drug dealers try to avoid, having mess come to their home. Will Skyler finally find out? It’s my secret, silent prayer for the season that she does. Amen. Did I mention I hate the curtains in the house? The pattern is in every room!

 

What’s with the drunken tirade and giving Walt Jr. all that alcohol? I was cool with the first sip. I believe if a child is going to drink, they should learn their likes and limits in a safe environment, but then it got to be a bit much. Walt Jr. was only concerned that he kept up, like a true teenager, concerned about his image.

What do you truly feels Walt? He is hurting. “Why me?” No one can understand that, or will unless they have been through ‘it’, whatever ‘it’ maybe on any level. Walt needs a release? Why does it always seem that way. He can’t handle the internal combustion. So if that wasn’t Walt, who was it? It’s the Walt we see when he wigs out; he is good for pounding. If only Skyler would pay attention, instead she is too busy crying woe is me. Seriously Skyler, hormones? She is such the jerker of emotions. “Nothing really changed.” Crying on the shoulder of Ted, who you can tell likes her and apparently she is going to play up to it. Instead of turning to one another, they have fallen prey to their denial. Both feel guilty for the outcome in some way. They have fought most of the way, and now that Walt is in remission, the cause is mostly won; Skyler has nothing to focus or channel her emotion into. The baby is going to be an emotional wreck! When is this baby due to drop?!

Walt looks great for a skinny bald guy. What is Walt getting himself into with the home improvement- like Jr.?  gives a darn? I think Walt needs to go back to work. I can’t get into his home improvement fix, obviously he needs something, and Skyler sees it too, though there brief chatter never gets to the heat of the matter. They need therapy. Walt is out accosting the meth maker in the building supply store, tells us where his heat is at. He likes it became a part of him. At first I assumed he was being helpful and maybe Walt thought he was too until introspection, then out in the parking lot he went. The piss test, “stay out of my territory”, so Walt is ride or die! It’s this dawn for him?

Again, Jess appeals to the big kid in me- the super hero element from his child hood mind- What’s with Janet and her dad? Jess is thinking he has a great catch, now what? He really cares for her. I know think I know Jess’s problem, who cares too much. Both Walt and Jess deal with manipulating women, emotionally robbing them, each is willing to do what ever it takes to keep their woman happy, but what is that really? No seriously? Is Janet serious about Jess? The picture was dope and all, but it’s obvious she is a little twisted.

I rate this episode a 3 for the fact I can’t stand dingy broads who are all about manipulation.

Breaking Bad Season 2 Episode 9: 4 Days Out

Season 2 Episode 8 4 Days out@ Zook’s 9ish pm til the break of dawn

How much money does Walt have? $16K? $9960 after he gets it laundered. I don’t understand the concept of laundering money. Who knows where it originated from? And why does it matter? So the big bricks of money that Jess brings him, they don’t have to have that laundered?

I can’t believe Walt used his mother as an excuse to go cook meth! It’s bad! Really bad!  Where are at episode 9.There is no turning back now. Just when I think I can handle what is to come, they throw a curve ball!

This and the first episode when they made meth in the R.V. for the first time are two of my favorites, for the science element. The technical aspect that Walt explains to Jess is almost like Sex- I think I have always had a thing for nerds, science guys, techs. To hear them talk about it then see the finished product. The lighting is amazing and the photography angle gets real close and personal with the process. The technical and ‘chemistry’ side reminds me pastry classes and the distinction Professor Lorenzini would make between a cook and a baker. A cook can tweak with flavor, but it must be prepared properly. But in baking everything must be exact, even if you add extra flavor, something has to be adjusted or it will not have the right consistency. Watching the clear meth being poured into the Pyrex dish from underneath is an element I enjoy seeing executed well in this series. Every time this technique is used it extenuates the affect on the scene. It was slightly orgasmic as the clear putty meth with air holes was being spread out to dry. When all was said and done and the camera paned out to the stacks of meth cut and packaged, it was sheer bliss if television and a moment can capture such an enraptured moment of success. As Walt calculated in his scientific mind the amount their success would bring: 42lbs. /40 – distribution = $672K EACH…..the mother load. I guess there is a reason I can’t watch porn for long, it doesn’t hold my attention visually for long…there is a bitter sweet feeling to not have been amongst the crowd when this aired-the fan fair-but being able to rewind is definitely a plus at the moment.

I must also say that this was one of the worst episodes for me as well. Skyler is like a roller coaster ride for me, and perhaps for Walt. She is a kill joy. She always seems to be crying me me, me all the time. Ok I get it, she doesn’t want the husband to die, but as he has said, she really needs to climb down out his ars. I think Walt is very positive! This moment when they were in bed and she says this, I almost felt like the ‘other’ woman. If Skyler only knew what Walt was doing…I keep wondering if she would be able to handle it. Skyler in all her wonderfulness doesn’t seem to see Walter for who he is, but who he has become or maybe she envisions him still to be. The scene with Jess and ? showed that element in a way that made me sad for Walter. He is doing all of this for them and yet he can’t tell her the truth. When he needs a break, she always puts some guilt trip on him, so we the viewers, seem like his mistress, the one he tells all too- and stupid side kick Jess.

I tell ya’, that boy! Just when I have hope for him. He gives so many attitudes with no real reason and or action for his consequences. I sometimes feel like Walt is being really hard on him intone and demeanor, but I also feel Walt may view Jess has his son and a male figure who is going to tell him straight like it is, Walt has never held his tongue with Jess- so why didn’t Jess suck the gas?! Jess and the water! Seriously Jessie- look at your surroundings, your partner disappears, pause for a moment- I loved Walt’s face when he came back and saw the water all gone-which was maybe enough to get them home, which they weren’t going no where fast now. I really didn’t feel for them in this moment. I am gladder that Walt said it, “I deserve this.” Yes you do. They do need to work on their communication skills, which I think they realize but they both are hot headed for reasons we have seen. Walt has to constantly deal with Jess Neanderthal behavior, the cancer, the lie. Jess has to deal with himself in a way he has not trusted, he doesn’t learn. How poetic that Walt looks like a Sheppard on pilgrimage.

All evil deeds must be repented. But I feel like now then in the after life and being that Walt does not have much time to live, I rather he suffer here on earth. I look at the cancer as a set back. It set his time back, so though he thought he had more time to live, he really doesn’t. He always feels like a failure or he let himself down. His face is always so forlorn. Also, that is what he gets for looking at the x-ray. At first I was with Marie, but then it got Walt’s head spinning and infected the entire episode, though they were productive, the burden he felt intensified and for sure he thought he was dying faster-felt like a Dave Chappelle moment with a “gotcha” when Doctor Delcavoli told him his tumor had shrunk by %80. I saw his fear and relief in the doctors office, then the twisted vision in the bathroom dispenser made me think of the distorted feeling his must feel from himself hearing the news, knowing what he just went through- when ever he strikes out violently he makes he even more angry at Skyler, he has no release for his aggression, in the form of confidant.  She doesn’t seem built to understand. It made me mad Walt knew she checked his cell phone bill-seriously?! I don’t want Walt to loose his family, but I do want Skyler to be the ‘ride-or-die’ chic she appears to be. Walt is willing to do anything for his family. We have seen some illegality in this household, even with Walt Jr., so where does Skyler lay on the line? She is not the voice of reason. She is the character I feel like I want to shake or rattle my fist at as in “A Knights Tale” “you’re just a silly girl!” says William played by Heath Ledger.

your just a silly girl!

I rate this episode a 5
It is one I both love and hate for the elements it brings drama to life. It pulls at the emotions and psyche.