I am addicted to the AMC series "Breaking Bad" and know that I will experience some serious withdrawal when the series finale airs this Fall. For now, however, I wait along with millions of other rubberneckers for Season 8 to begin on August 11th.Why do I love this show? Ten reasons:
1. Whether he is running for his life or negotiating his share in the meth cooking business, Jesse Pinkman (actor Aaron Paul) defers to his days as a high school student and always addresses his former chemistry teacher and current business partner as "Mr. White."
2. The Albuquerque desert is a major character.
3. The writers manage to inject humor into every episode regardless of how dark the storyline.
4. These infamous lines: "You clearly don't know you you're talking to so let me clue you in. I am not in danger, Skyler; I am the danger. A guy opens his door and gets shot and you think that of me. No, I am the one who knocks." Walter White
5. While drug use is part of the show, the primary focus is the drug production/distribution world's underbelly. Viewers have a front row seat to the deadly compelling business.
6. Another beauty: "Just because you shot Jesse James, don't make you Jesse James" Mike Ehrmantraut (actor Jonathan Banks)
7 Brilliant, unexpected music choices.
8. Each character grabs viewers by the lapels - there is no rest.
9. Bryan Cranston's character range from "Malcolm in the Middle's" clueless father, Hal to the ingenious, delusional meth cook, Heisenberg - priceless.
10. Saul "Better Call Saul" Goodman (actor Bob Odenkirk) and his endless supply of legal sleaze.
Here is a YouTube video link showcasing his better lines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBeQO1nBThQ
How will it all end? I'd love to see the desperate video Walt takes of himself in the pilot episode somehow woven into the conclusion and for Jesse to wind up with a better life. What is certain is the conflicted relief I'll feel when Sunday nights simmer down to a lordly gentility as "Downton Abbey" returns in 2014.
This YouTube link is of Vince Gilligan (show creator/writer/director/producer) and the cast in a panel discussion at the 2013 Comic Con in San Diego, CA. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EXZPJwfuTY
