Breaking Bad: Is It Worth Watching? A Comprehensive Review
Breaking Bad is often hailed as one of the greatest TV shows of all time, with its gripping storylines, complex characters, and intense moral dilemmas. For years, people have raved about the transformation of Walter White, a mild-mannered chemistry teacher turned ruthless drug kingpin, but is it really worth the watch? With an astonishing 9.5 IMDb rating and a massive fanbase, the show has undoubtedly made its mark.
Yet, if you’re like me, the initial premise—a high school teacher who starts cooking meth—may not immediately grab your attention. For the longest time, I didn’t think Breaking Bad would be my kind of show. However, after finally diving in, I found that there’s so much more beneath the surface than just a story about drugs. It's a compelling exploration of human nature, morality, and the consequences of our choices.
In this comprehensive review, I’ll break down the key aspects of Breaking Bad—its plot, characters, and deeper themes—and explain why this show is not just worth watching but a masterpiece of television.
Breaking Bad Review and Personal Thoughts
For years, I heard friends and social media buzzing about Breaking Bad. The common consensus was that this TV series is one of the best ever made. People praised it endlessly: the transformation of a mild-mannered chemistry teacher into a ruthless meth cook seemed to captivate everyone. Despite all the hype, the plot—“a chemistry teacher turns into a drug dealer”—never really caught my attention. It felt too simple, and I didn’t see the appeal.
However, recently, I decided to give it a chance and see for myself why Breaking Bad is so highly regarded. Even on IMDb, it's consistently rated as one of the greatest shows of all time. After watching it, I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed it from several angles. It’s not just a story about a teacher cooking meth; it's a deep, gripping drama that explores much more than I expected. So, let’s dive into some details about what makes Breaking Bad truly stand out.
Related: Movie Review: The Wages of Fear (1953) – A Masterpiece of Suspense and Danger
Breaking Bad Plot Summary
Breaking Bad follows the story of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher in Albuquerque, New Mexico. When Walter is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he becomes desperate to secure his family’s financial future after his death. Faced with mounting medical bills and limited means, he turns to the illegal drug trade, using his chemistry expertise to produce highly pure methamphetamine.
With the help of his former student, Jesse Pinkman, Walter begins to manufacture meth, leading him down a dark and dangerous path. As his operation grows, so does his moral descent. Walter’s transformation from a mild-mannered teacher to a ruthless drug kingpin, known as "Heisenberg," unfolds against the backdrop of his strained family relationships, conflicts with law enforcement, and the violent world of drug cartels.
Throughout the series, Breaking Bad explores themes of power, morality, family, and the consequences of choices, making it much more than just a crime drama.
Main Character: Who Is Walter White?
Walter White, the central character of Breaking Bad, is introduced to us as a high school chemistry teacher. In the early episodes, we see him living a mundane life: after teaching, he works part-time at a car wash, where his boss humiliates him by making him wash cars—a task beneath his qualifications. Walter’s situation sets the stage for what we might call a “loser,” someone stuck in a life that doesn’t reflect their true potential. As the famous Italian writer Umberto Eco once said, “good literature is about losers,” and perhaps that’s what makes Walter White so intriguing to viewers. Heroes, Eco argued, are often dull because they win by luck, but losers are compelling because of their struggles. In this way, Walter White captivates audiences with his quiet desperation and untapped potential.
But why label him a “loser”? As the series progresses, we learn that Walter is far more than just a regular chemistry teacher. His knowledge of chemistry is exceptional, allowing him to cook methamphetamine with near-perfect purity—something few others can achieve. His skills go beyond drug-making; when the situation calls for it, he can even use his expertise to make bombs out of household chemicals, proving that he’s far from ordinary.
Walter’s backstory also reveals a deeper tragedy. Years earlier, he co-founded a company with a friend, contributing many of the ideas and even coming up with the company’s name. Yet, he walked away with only $5,000, while the company grew into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. Despite his brilliance, Walter is left working two jobs just to support his family, a reality that gnaws at him.
Walter’s true descent begins when he’s diagnosed with terminal cancer. Faced with the fear of leaving his family in financial ruin, he turns to cooking meth with his former student, Jesse Pinkman. This decision sets off a chain of events that transforms Walter White from an unassuming teacher into a feared and powerful figure in the drug world.
Who Is Jesse Pinkman?
Jesse Pinkman is another pivotal character in Breaking Bad. A former student of Walter White, Jesse was already involved in the drug scene when the series begins, both making and using methamphetamine. Walter first reconnects with Jesse when he witnesses him escaping a police raid. With his cancer diagnosis and limited time left, Walter decides to cook meth and enlists Jesse’s help. Walter handles the chemistry, while Jesse is responsible for selling the product. This partnership is the catalyst for everything that follows in the series.
The relationship between Jesse and Walter is one of the most complex dynamics in the show. Their bond constantly shifts—from moments of trust and loyalty to near-deadly confrontations. Despite the tension and conflict, both characters save each other from numerous life-threatening situations, making their relationship a key driver of the story’s emotional depth.
Jesse also struggles with his own personal demons. His meth addiction and lifestyle come at a heavy cost, affecting his health, relationships, and sense of self-worth. As the series progresses, Jesse's character arc becomes one of tragedy and redemption, with his internal battles reflecting the larger themes of the show.
Family Drama: Walter White’s Complicated Home Life
Beyond the drug empire, Breaking Bad delves deep into Walter White’s personal life, portraying a family caught in a web of secrets and lies. Early in the series, Walter learns that his wife, Skyler, is pregnant with their second child. Already financially strained, Walter begins cooking meth to ensure his family’s financial security after his impending death from cancer—he believes he only has a year to live.
At first, Walter hides everything from Skyler. However, as his meth operation grows, the truth eventually comes out, and Skyler’s world is turned upside down. Their relationship unravels, leading to Skyler asking for a divorce. To pressure Walter, she openly cheats on him, adding even more tension and emotional drama to their fractured marriage. The family drama becomes a critical element of the series, showcasing how Walter’s choices wreak havoc on those closest to him—especially his wife and two children.
The Drug World and the Cartel: Breaking Bad’s Dark Underworld
A major aspect of Breaking Bad is its intricate portrayal of the drug trade, cartels, and meth distribution networks, alongside the relentless efforts of the DEA to bring them down. One of the most fascinating elements of the series is how Walter White, known in the drug world as "Heisenberg," becomes entangled with both sides of the law. On one hand, his brother-in-law, Hank Schrader, is a dedicated DEA agent who is unknowingly hunting for the very meth kingpin sitting at his family dinner table. On the other hand, Walter becomes the chief meth cook for Albuquerque’s biggest drug lord, Gustavo Fring, who is deeply connected to the dangerous Mexican drug cartel.
This dual connection between the law enforcement side and the criminal underworld creates intense, high-stakes drama. Walter’s ability to balance his role as a family man, brother-in-law to a DEA agent, and a notorious meth manufacturer, all while hiding his identity, is a central tension in the show. The closer Hank gets to catching Heisenberg, the more the suspense builds, making it one of the most gripping aspects of the series.
The Drug World and the Cartel: Breaking Bad’s Dark Underworld
A major aspect of Breaking Bad is its intricate portrayal of the drug trade, cartels, and meth distribution networks, alongside the relentless efforts of the DEA to bring them down. One of the most fascinating elements of the series is how Walter White, known in the drug world as "Heisenberg," becomes entangled with both sides of the law. On one hand, his brother-in-law, Hank Schrader, is a dedicated DEA agent who is unknowingly hunting for the very meth kingpin sitting at his family dinner table. On the other hand, Walter becomes the chief meth cook for Albuquerque’s biggest drug lord, Gustavo Fring, who is deeply connected to the dangerous Mexican drug cartel.
This dual connection between the law enforcement side and the criminal underworld creates intense, high-stakes drama. Walter’s ability to balance his role as a family man, brother-in-law to a DEA agent, and a notorious meth manufacturer, all while hiding his identity, is a central tension in the show. The closer Hank gets to catching Heisenberg, the more the suspense builds, making it one of the most gripping aspects of the series.
Standout Characters: Saul Goodman and Others
While Breaking Bad is packed with memorable characters, a few truly stand out and became fan favorites. One of the most iconic is the fast-talking, crooked lawyer, Saul Goodman. Full of energy, wit, and shady legal expertise, Saul is the go-to attorney for Walter White and Jesse Pinkman whenever they need to fix a problem or find a loophole. His character became so beloved by viewers that it led to the creation of a highly successful spin-off series, Better Call Saul, which explores his backstory and rise in the criminal legal world.
Other notable characters include the enigmatic Mike Ehrmantraut, a former cop turned fixer for Gustavo Fring, and Gustavo Fring himself, the calm, calculated drug kingpin who hides behind his legitimate business, Los Pollos Hermanos. Both Mike and Gustavo play critical roles in Walter’s journey and later become central figures in Better Call Saul, further enriching the Breaking Bad universe with their complex personalities and motives.
Breaking Bad Sequels and Prequels: Expanding the Breaking Bad Universe
The success and lasting impact of Breaking Bad led to the creation of both prequels and sequels, expanding the storylines of key characters and adding depth to the already complex universe. Two major spin-offs stand out: the prequel series Better Call Saul and the sequel film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.
See also: El Camino: A Breaking Bad Sequel – What Became of Jesse Pinkman?
Together, Better Call Saul and El Camino enhance the legacy of Breaking Bad, providing a deeper understanding of its characters and the world they inhabit. Whether you're interested in the backstories of key players or want to see what happens to Jesse Pinkman after the dust settles, these spin-offs are essential viewing for any Breaking Bad fan.
