5 reasons to watch Breaking Bad

For about a month now, I've been obsessed with the hit American TV drama Breaking Bad. I heard so much about it on the internet and through friends, but due to living in the UK I never got a chance to see it on television due to no channels showing it regularly. Once I bought the box-set of seasons 1-3 however, I was hooked, and it wasn't long before I was purchasing seasons 4 & 5 in preparation for the final 8 episodes which have begun being aired in America and will conclude towards the end of September. The following are 5 reasons why you should check out this phenomenal drama right now: 

1) Unique storyline

        Under-achieving chemistry teacher Walter White (Bryan Cranston) is diagnosed with lung cancer and is soon bombarded with expensive bills to pay for his therapy. Following a DEA drug-bust which he tags along on with his brother-in-law Hank (Dean Norris), Walter soon realises that he can apply his extensive knowledge of chemistry in order to cook the purest batches of methamphetamine available and set-aside large amounts of money for his family after he's gone, and once he partners up with his old student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), the pair of them soon get wrapped up in a world of crime and the intimidating individuals who run it all. This short synopsis doesn't fully give credit to how interesting and unique the plot of Breaking Bad is, but trust me when I say there really isn't anything else like it. 

Walter H. White (Bryan Cranston)

2) Intense drama mixed with hilarious humour

        Certain scenes in Breaking Bad will have you on the edge of your seat with how tense things get, and yet others will have you in hysterics. The show brilliantly blends comedy with drama which results in a roller-coaster of emotions which range from dark and disturbing to funny and jovial. The humour isn't as present in the final few seasons as much as it is in the early ones, and at times the show is intensely serious, but this is no bad thing as it is always appropriate and incredibly entertaining to experience. 

Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul)

3) Phenomenal acting

       Usually in a TV drama there are a few stand-out performances surrounded by mediocre ones, but this is not the case in Breaking Bad. Every member of the cast portrays their character to a believable standard and they grow and develop hugely as the show progresses. Breaking Bad has been nominated for 4 Golden Globes and the actors themselves have each won numerous awards for their contributions towards the show, specifically Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston who play Jesse and Walt, respectively. Jesse Pinkman in particular is a character who you will go through many attitudes towards, from loathing him to loving him. The villains in Breaking Bad are also easily the best in any TV programme I have seen, from the obnoxious and terrifying Tuco (Raymond Cruz), to the quietly intimidating Gustavo Fring (Giancarlo Esposito). 

Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito)

4) Exceptional writing

   When I say "writing", not only do I mean the incredible script which has countless quotable lines that have become a part of pop-culture, but also the way in which the plot never becomes predictable. The writers somehow back these characters into a corner with seemingly no escape and then brilliantly get them out of it, usually through violent or questionable methods. Foreshadowing also plays a large part in the show, such as a seemingly small detail hinting at a huge part of the story later on. It'll keep you guessing throughout every episode, and Breaking Bad will very rarely play out how you expect it to in your head. 

Mind-blowing levels of foreshadowing

5) Heisenberg

     When Walter White puts on a black porkpie hat, he is no longer the innocent chemistry teacher trying to support his family. He is Heisenberg. A name used by Walt to keep his identity in the criminal world a secret, the character of Heisenberg is incredibly iconic and intimidating. Vaguely similar to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Walt gradually embraces his powerful presence amongst those who fear him through the persona of Heisenberg, and this shows true testament as to how drastically the characters change over the course of the series. Without spoiling anything, the Walter White by season 5 has almost no similarities to the Walter in season 1. He even shaves his hair following chemotherapy and later grows a goatee beard, adding hugely to Heisenberg's recognisable image. 

Heisenberg (Bryan Cranston)

So there you have it, five reasons why you should check out this cult television programme right now. Although the UK has no way of watching it on TV, Netflix have ever season available right now and are adding the final episodes as they are aired weekly in America, so there really is no reason not to watch the phenomenon that is Breaking Bad. Sign up for the 30-day trial, find a weekend spare and enjoy what is easily one of the best things I have ever seen.