Damon Lindelof Approves of this 'Breaking Bad' Fan Video...

...and so do I.

Another montage of the transformation of Walter White, with more current story elements.

So Long, Mike

There has been a wind of change in storytelling these days. No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood are recent films that have explored the ethos of the anti-hero, the villain we hate to love. We can't help it. In their world, there are monsters far worse, whether it's society baring down, or false profits who try to swindle them. 

Mike Ehrmantraut- one of the most intimidating elements on Breaking Bad left this moral coil last Sunday. Walter White killed him. In a few shots, the man we feared, maybe at one point hated, died in peace by a river bed. And it was devastating.

Those who watch the show can atest, Mike was one cold bastard. At least at first glance.  I'm not sure if Mike's backstory has been touched upon, but I don't care. I live by my own theories. In my mind, Mike was a veteran of the Vietnam war. He saw dreadful things that hardened his already hardened ass, cut like a diamond during his childhood on the hard streets of  'bad-side-of-the-tracks USA'. He has the survival instincts of a man who was a prisoner of war. He can take a bullet. Live on the lamb. Disappear if he had to.  After Vietnam he became a cop - a bad cop turned rouge. The kind of cop who would would mingle with evil minds, just to get the truth out of them. The kind of cop who fell in with the worst of the drug cartell, hoping to nab them, but ended up defending them because they gave him money,  money the police force couldn't, money he could save for his grandaughter.  This temptation made him spiral downward into the very thick of the muck.

He was a soldier for drug lord Gustavo Fring. Mike would kill anyone who proved a threat to the king. He had the opportunity to off Walter a few times, but was always talked out of it. Probably because among the immorality within this show, Mike had a modicum of heart. Perhaps that's what makes an antagonist into a villian we can get behind. Heart.  Daniel Plainview in Blood was motivated by greed, but what made us cling to his story? He was a devoted father, until the boy grew up and the truth of his relationship was revealed.  Mike's fatherly respect toward Jesse gave him that human side. Walt thought of himself as a father figure to Jesse, but he screwed with the young man's mind, all to keep him in the clutches of White Inc. Mike had Jesse welfare at heart. He knew he could do better than cook meth. He knew that they all had to get out of this game.

Farewell Mike Ehrmantraut. The DEA is no longer on your tail, and Walter White will no longer nag you into cooking meth.

Special kudos to the amazing Jonathan Banks, an actor supreme, who gave us this intriguing character.

Breaking Bad "Dead Freight"

Breaking Bad is killing me. When it's not being absolutely jaw dropping good, it pisses me off.  Why? I want to see Walter dead.  I want Jesse to turn on him, get out from under his thumb. I want to finally see this once hero, now toxic monster drug man, get his comeuppance in such a way, that it will make Gus Fring's death in the nursing home look like an episode of The Golden Girls. (Imagine Sofia as Salamanca ringing that bell.)

One fascinating element of the season so far is the situation Skyler is in . She's now trapped by her own mistakes, living with a monster who is so full of his own danger, that he moves back in without warning, and tells little mind fucking tales to the family to make her seem unstable. Danger is in her home, nipping at the heals of her children to the point where she must bow to his mind games and feign mental illness to get Holly and Walter Jr. out of the house. It's a sad and fascinating character dilemma, having her chose to live with a poisonous force in order to protect  her kids and her own nasty secrets.  This is a riveting stuff.

However, Walter and Jesse's solid track record of getting out of the most impossible scrapes has become extremely frustrating. It's my hope that creator Vince Gilligan is making Walter so invincible that his ultimate fall is mighty. Walt has gone from being a Mr. Nobody to an anti-hero to a toxic asshole. Something has to happen to tear him down, and apparently, as the first scene from this current season shows, Walt is on the run. Something bad has undoubtedly happened. One of his high minded, ridiculously dangerous schemes must have gone awry. Perhaps Jesse cracked, and is after him? Is Hank, the affable brother-in-law and a high member of the DEA, now on his trail? (It's interesting to note that Hank's sudden promotion in the DEA which removed him off the case, is highly suspect. Is there an influential element in his branch that wants him out of the picture? Remember, when he told them that Gus Fring was a drug lord, there was a hint of uneasiness from his colleagues - as if they were protecting Gus by not believing him.)

Masterminding the murder of Fring in last season's finale was masterful and exhilarting. Jesse and Walt hiding in a truck and using the power of magnets to wipe out a computer hard drive containing incriminating evidence inside a building - pretty cool. But robbing a train carrying a giant tankful of methylamine? Come on. The more this man succeeds in doing the improbable, the more it feeds into that monstrous ego of his, and falling flat on the viewers who hate his damn guts. How can you root for a man who is doing horrible things and continues to win the day doing something more horrible?

With the help of Todd, the robbery was a stupid success. But when one little boy on the hunt for tarantula's gets an eyeful of what they did, the final moment may hopefully, somehow, be their undoing.

Because I can't take Walter White and his Heisenberg bullshit anymore.  And you know what? That's a good thing. Gilligan is playing with our emotions, giving us a new lesson in the mythological archetypes of storying telling. A hero doesn't always win us over. A hero may be someone we will ultimately want to see dead. 

Having said that, Walt's bad karma needs to show up soon and provide him a barrel full of whup ass.

Walter White's Transformation

While doing some research on Breaking Bad, I stumbled across this stunning tribute video on YouTube. Although I don't usually post fan appreciate clips, this one provides a unique view on the Walter White's transformation from mild mannered shat upon chemistry teacher who has lung cancer, to meth cooking, blood thirsty, greedy monster, who probably still has lung cancer.

Nice work Daniel Thomas McBride.

If Saul Goodman's Comb Over Could Speak...

...what would it say? Would it speak of how this dastardly attorney got into the game of ambulance chaser who promises legal aid to tax dodgers, bail runners, parking ticket violators and pimply drug dealers? What made him such a sleaze bucket? And how about the meth head underlings of the Mexican drug cartel? What secrets have they shared in return for favors Saul has used to get Walt out of a tight spot? We could find out if  Breaking Bad's Saul Goodman, the snakey lawyer from Hades, gets his own spin off.

Saul is so slithery, corrupt and crooked, he leaves a visable oil stain from Albuquerque to Juarez. He's also, in a very dark way, hilarious. Comedian Bob Odenkirk has created one of the most enjoyable and lovable weasels, sparked by the brain of Breaking Bad's mastermind (and showrunner) Vince Gilligan.

According to EW, Gilligan is only in the thinking stage of this possible new show. Here's a quote from their website.

“I would love to see a Saul Goodman spin-off show when it’s all said and done,” Gilligan tells EW. “I think that would present itself pretty nicely, storywise. While Breaking Bad is by design a show that is finite and limited in its scope — it’s a story of transformation that cannot go on forever — I think a Saul Goodman show could have great legs. I love the idea of a lawyer who will do anything to avoid going to court. He’s always going to settle on the courthouse steps.” Gilligan cautions that the Saul spin-off is just in the idea stage at this point. And he issues an all-important caveat, given that the writers are currently constructing the second half of the last season: “No viewer should breathe a sigh of relief that Saul won’t expire by the end of Breaking Bad,” he says. “Everything is on the table… Who knows where Breaking Bad will take us?” (Asked about the possibility of a Saul-centric series, Odenkirk seconds: “Saul has got to survive this show first.” He adds with a quip: “And if he doesn’t, then maybe it can be done as a prequel.”)

Let's hope this happens! It would make saying goodbye to Breaking Bad a little easier when Walt shuffles off in the second half of the final season, due to air next summer.

'Breaking Bad' Season 5 Premieres Tonight

Photo by Ursula Coyote/AMC

Sunday nights are going to be exhilarating again. Jaws will drop and hearts will race.  Breaking Bad, the fifth and final season (stretched out over two seasons, really) begins tonight on AMC at 10pm ET.

With Gus Fring dead, and Walter White's transformation into the mythical Heisenberg complete, it could be a case of "heavy is the head that wears the crown" for this new drug Kingpin. Walt still has Hank on prowl. His wife Skyler now fears him. Jessie's own ambition and fight for survival could come into play.  We've seen Walt outsmart the most cunning, evil mastermind of the drug cartel. In order for him to survive, he'll have to be five steps ahead of those who are out to get him, while living the rest of his life looking over his shoulder. Unless Cancer kills him first.

Here's a sneak peek at what we can expect:
 

July 15th: Get Ready

Breaking Bad premieres July 15th at 10pm.

Breaking Bad Season 5

Breaking Bad's Baddest Moment

'Breaking Bad' - Box Cutters Aren't Just For Boxes

See? It's not real. Look at those crazy Breaking Bad boys laughing in that picture above. Walter White and Jesse Pinkman are just fictional characters Vincent Gilligan concocted. So, last night's incredible, horrific season premiere was not real. Jesse is really Aaron Paul, a guy who is not a street criminal turned murderer with a heart calloused over by the many violent, gut explosive situations he's been through. He's really a cool, talented, Emmy Award winning actor who made a character turn from sniveling little drug dealer with family issues, into a raving, fucked up killer. Walter is really Emmy Award winning Bryan Cranston, the cool dad from Malcolm in the Middle, a funny man who booked roles as a weirdo (see weirdo dentist in Seinfeld, and weirdo neighbor in King of Queens) with a loving daughter who fainted during the Breaking Bad premiere screening during THAT scene. Giancarlo Esposito is a nice man and incredibly fine actor who just joined ABC's Once Upon A Time in a major recurring role. See? He's not really a cold, steely, terrifying, placid maniac who is the most frightening monster on Earth. He's really cool. I'd wager a guess that he only uses box cutters to open boxes, or one of those blister packs when he buys a new set of earphones.

And David Costabile will always be the ever faithful and sweet Doug, husband to Mel on Flight of the Conchords. He's not dead. Those lab notes aren't real.

See? It's all a fevered dream. And Jess...um...Aaron isn't going to pop a bullet in Gilligan in that photo above, and Cranston isn't going to burn a hole in his chest with an evil stare, telling him it's time to make the meth. No. They're going to head over to Craft Services in a minute.

Breaking Bad premiered last night, and it didn't skirt away from it's reputation of being bad ass, explosive television. Watch it on Sundays at 10pm. And wear a diaper.

Saul's Back...

Did your pet tiger maul the neighbor again? Did you have to murder a Mexican drug cartel king and his minions, and now your meth lab is in trouble? You need a lawyer. Better call Saul.



The new season of Breaking Bad starts on AMC July 17th.

Breaking Bad Returns July 17th

Season four was delayed, but it's on the AMC slate for this summer. The only thing I can say is get your adult diapers on. This show is insane. Never has my jaw dropped to the floor so fast as it did during the glorious, suspenseful season three.

Breaking Bad Just Got a Little Funnier...

..thanks to its new home on ABC.

Breaking Bad is now on ABC - watch more funny videos

Breaking Bad Blows Your Mind and Gets Renewed

Riveting, jaw dropping, exhilarating, Breaking Bad has proven time and time again, especially in season three, that it's probably the best drama on television today. That includes pushing the wonderful Mad Men aside.

It's a psychological roller coaster ride into the darkness of drug dealing and morality. Breaking Bad startles viewers at every turn. Yet each and every time the devil incarnate appears in Walt's life and holds his head under its thumb - whether it be Tucco or Gus - Walt is one bloody step ahead of their game, wiggling his way out of traps and certain death like a rat.

His father-son bond with Jesse plays a sinister role in his moral make up. Walt has a two faced way of protecting him, while at the same time, throwing Jesse under the bus, making him road kill. All the while, Walt makes Jesse a killer, a meth cook, and a criminal despite the kid wanting out.

The good news came after the last scene aired on Sunday night: AMC is renewing Breaking Bad for a fourth season. And the sky is blue. Of course it's renewed. It's too good to to have it end as it did last night. There is more story to tell, more blood to be shed, more souls to be corrupted. AMC is building a brand of original programming that is paving new roads in scripted television, and Breaking Bad is one of the jewels in the crown.

So, we'll have about another year to wait until Walter returns to cook again. It'll be a long haul, but worth the wait.

Read Joel Keller's take on Breaking Bad over at TV Squad. My views are pretty similar to his. His discussion on the series hits all buttons.

Summer Drama

As the mind blowing current series of Breaking Bad winds down to its season finale this Sunday (10pm - AMC), there is still much to look forward to in cable viewing as we get into the dog days. AMC specifically. Their original series have, so far, been stellar, beautifully written, produced and performed morsels of drama delight.

As Walter White's moral code crumbles further into darkness in the New Mexico desert, Madison Avenue of the sixties returns on July 25th (10pm) with the season premiere of Mad Men.

When we last left Don Draper, he went rogue on his British bosses and took the best and brightest of Sterling Cooper with him to begin his own agency. As he paves new ground in his professional life, his personal world will take a turn. Betty has left him for a new man, beating a retreat to Vegas for a quickie divorce, searching for something she'll probably never find. Don is now a single man living in New York City - free to boink any broad with a Dippity Do hairdo and pumps.

Since AMC is two for two in the groundbreaking department, their newest series, Rubicon, looks interesting and could round out the stats. Starring James Badge Dole as an intelligence code specialist, the program delves into paranoia and mind bending scenarios. (Special shout out to Miranda Richardson who also stars.) It premieres on Sunday, August 1stat 8pm and will continue to air in that timeslot.

Here's a sneak peek from AMC.

You Better Call Saul

I have him on retainer.

Breaking Bad Premieres on Sunday

Looks like I won't be getting much sleep for the next few months of Sundays. Breaking Bad season three premieres on AMC March 21st at 10pm. It's an emotional, topsy turvy, stomach churning, addicting, horrible, insane, beautifully satisfying ride starring Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. It riles me up. It haunts me. It keeps me tossing and turning. My Mondays will be miserable. It's worth it. Watch it.

Breaking Bad: Season 3

It's time to gird your loins for the roller coaster ride that is Breaking Bad. Season three is coming back to AMC in March, and previews are hitting the web. When we last left Walter White, the sky was literally falling in on him. His secret life of cooking meth and dealing was starting to be revealed to those he kept in the dark. Even the plane that exploded above his house connected to his wrong doings.

It looks like the new season will be filled with some exhilarating surprises. Breaking Bad has always been a rough, yet satisfying journey. It looks like we have more in store when Walter, Jessie and family return next month.

Breaking Bad: Season Finale

The season finale of season two's Breaking Bad ended in a shower of damnation upon the head of Walter White. His life defining decision in season one spiraled into a chain link of cause and effect, how one life's action can kick start the ruination of another - one by one. I won't deny that I felt a twinge of disappointment as I put two and two together: Jane's father's catatonic grief, his need to return to work to get his mind off his sorrow, the fact his line of work was in air traffic control - all season wide flash forwards suddenly came to light, and I knew what the horrific scene at the White house was - not a drug cartell destruction with his family members left dead and he on the lamb, but a mid-air collision.

The metaphorical implications did not escape me, and have resonated well enough to make me hungry for season three. The fall out will be beauteous. Skylar, not fully aware of his dealings, is now wise to her husband. Their estrangement will hopefully send brother-in-law DEA official Hank lose on his trail. As for Jesse, that beautiful fucked up warm hearted idiot kid - his soul must be gutted after losing Jane. Perhaps he's cleansed now. Perhaps there's some redemption for Jesse after his stay in rehab, with memories of heroine addicted beloved dead beside him. Either way, Jesse Pinkman is one of the most compelling characters on television. Aaron Paul spent a remarkable season two fleshing out his character's struggle, humanity and fear. You can't help but weep for this wayward soul. It's definite. Paul deserves an Emmy alongside Bryan Cranston.

Viewers are actually pissed at the outcome of last night's finale. I say, come on, it's not like they all woke up from suspended animation on a flight to Mars in 2035, and the protagonist you thought was part of your world in 2009, the guy you cheered to come back to us from 1973, was really just a future guy having a bad space flight dream due to a meteor shower. When Walter and Jesse wake up in a spacesuit on a mission to a inter galactic planet, then I'll be pissed. This outcome was fine.

Breaking Bad

Sunday's episode of Breaking Bad has been haunting me: Jesse spiraling further into the heroine abyss, Walt's torment for his partner's addiction. Daddy's little girl being born. Daddy's little girl being bad. Daddy's little girl dieing.

Perhaps I'm getting as hardened as Walter White. Indeed, it was horrid to watch Jane die. However, in the context of this story, it had to be done. She welcomed Jesse to heroine, joining their use like it was a grand romantic bond. This was hard to take. Claiming a stake in the money stash she had no right to claim was as infuriating to me, the viewer, as it was to Walt. Her death keeps Walt's dark secret alive. Her death sets Jesse free.

Major props to Krysten Ritter, whose beauty and sensitivity to the role made you love Jane, hate Jane, and mourn Jane. Aaron Paul's portrayal of Jesse continues to floor me. He really deserves an Emmy. Seriously.

Walter's paternal love for Jesse adds more texture to their multi-layered relationship. It's beautiful and sad, tragic and exasperating. Walter's own son doesn't even share this type of bond. Walter Jr. and Walt are de-attached beings, existing in a family tree that's rotten to the core. Yet, Jesse is part of his dark secret life, the personal "self" he perpetuates with mind games and driving ambition, infused with near death instances and violent scenes, dipping their toes in murder, facing death in Tuco's face. What cultivated from this web of deceit was empathy for Jesse, an uncle-like care for his welfare that went beyond business. What do you make of that? It's a bittersweet discovery.

And baby Holly was finally born. I'll wager a guess that Ted Beneke will be taking care of that child by the time this show ends. That is - if he stays out of white crime jail or avoids death.

Next week is the season finale, and somebody else is going to die. Cannot wait.