Corey
I want to start this by saying That I do not intend to offend anyone with this review. The subject of Manhood was ripe for examination when Breaking Bad came along. I want to be transparent and say I’m not a feminist but I’m not any kind of ist. I don’t like the idea of us vs. them. But I must say I think that the pendulum has swung so far that the male identity in this country is becoming lost.
This is the strongest of the themes in this extraordinary Television series. Walter White is the picture of a mild-mannered father whose greatest passion apart from his family is Science! Walt’s an ubernerd science teacher whose masculinity is at odds with the other men in his life especially his DEA agent brother-in-law Hank. Hank’s got testosterone oozing out of every pore. An interesting detail is that Hank is bald which is proven to indicate high levels of testosterone. The toughest men in this series are folicly challenged. As the series progresses the follicle decrease in Walt is in equal proportion to the increase in his courage.
Walt’s story is one of a man who will go to any and every length to protect what he loves. He is constantly underestimated by everyone which provides him a perfect alibi. It also provides him opportunities to surprise criminals to their peril. Walt never estimated the one major side effect of his plans would be finding his identity as a criminal.
Creator Vince Gilligan kept the show grounded in reality yet took sharp plot turns that made Breaking Bad the drug of choice for millions. Brian Cranston’s signature performance is brave. The audience is almost dared to like this character who tests their allegiance with the dark depths he’s willing to pursue. Aaron Paul’s Jesse arcs in the opposite trajectory Jesse’s self -absorbed stoner rises to become a caring mature man. Paul’s extraordinary ownership of his role makes one think the production spirited a soul out of a crack house and put him on camera. Jonathan Banks has been on TV since I was a kid playing bit parts and it’s great seeing him in a role he can sink his teeth into. His presence is magnitude; his silence authority.
If the subject matter of drugs has kept you away from this show, know that there is nothing stereotypical about this crime story. Breaking Bad is a constant revelation into the darkness that can be accomplished when good intentions meet desperation.
This is the strongest of the themes in this extraordinary Television series. Walter White is the picture of a mild-mannered father whose greatest passion apart from his family is Science! Walt’s an ubernerd science teacher whose masculinity is at odds with the other men in his life especially his DEA agent brother-in-law Hank. Hank’s got testosterone oozing out of every pore. An interesting detail is that Hank is bald which is proven to indicate high levels of testosterone. The toughest men in this series are folicly challenged. As the series progresses the follicle decrease in Walt is in equal proportion to the increase in his courage.
Walt’s story is one of a man who will go to any and every length to protect what he loves. He is constantly underestimated by everyone which provides him a perfect alibi. It also provides him opportunities to surprise criminals to their peril. Walt never estimated the one major side effect of his plans would be finding his identity as a criminal.
Creator Vince Gilligan kept the show grounded in reality yet took sharp plot turns that made Breaking Bad the drug of choice for millions. Brian Cranston’s signature performance is brave. The audience is almost dared to like this character who tests their allegiance with the dark depths he’s willing to pursue. Aaron Paul’s Jesse arcs in the opposite trajectory Jesse’s self -absorbed stoner rises to become a caring mature man. Paul’s extraordinary ownership of his role makes one think the production spirited a soul out of a crack house and put him on camera. Jonathan Banks has been on TV since I was a kid playing bit parts and it’s great seeing him in a role he can sink his teeth into. His presence is magnitude; his silence authority.
If the subject matter of drugs has kept you away from this show, know that there is nothing stereotypical about this crime story. Breaking Bad is a constant revelation into the darkness that can be accomplished when good intentions meet desperation.