Crystal Clear: AMC's Breaking Bad is Addictive and Daring

In these troubled times in the world of entertainment, it’s more important than ever to appreciate quality original programming while we can. That’s why I’m hoping that, during this ongoing writer’s strike, you might find the time to check out the new original show from cable network AMC, Breaking Bad. AMC is fast establishing itself as a haven for daring, innovative television---if not for, well, classic American films. Heh.
Breaking Bad isn’t as impressive as this summer’s Mad Men, but this pitch-black comedy is as dangerous and addicting as its subject matter.

Created by former X-Files writer Vince Gilligan (he scripted personal favorite Bad Blood), Bad stars former Malcolm in the Middle father figure Bryan Cranston as a chemistry teacher and family man whose midlife crisis finds him using his science knowledge to cook methamphetamine. That’s simplifying it quite a bit—I assure you there are plenty more twists and turns involved that I want any potential viewer to experience themselves. The conceit of a middle class parent resorting to selling drugs to provide for their family may remind some of Showtime’s hit show Weeds, and on paper those comparisons are understandable. In practice, however, Breaking Bad is even more twisted in its humor and its unexpected twists.

It may be a little too early to tell if Bad can keep the pace of its first two offerings. In all honesty, its strange tone-which I'm currently enamored with-could grow grating as early as the next episode. Still, even if it were to dip quality significantly--I'll take merely good scripted television over the deluge of reality and game shows the networks are offering.

The first two episodes of Breaking Bad are available for download on iTunes and on demand through various cable systems. My recommendation would be to tune into AMC this Sunday night (Feb 3) after the Super Bowl when the network will repeat the first couple of episodes before resuming with a new episode the following Sunday. Follow this recommendation ONLY if you’re looking for a show that will get under you skin and keep you itching until your next fix.