TV-Reviewed

When I heard that Bryan Cranston was in another series, I knew I had to watch it. I loved his performance as Hal on Malcolm in the Middle. While I knew he could play comedy, I had not seen him in a drama before, though I figured he could adapt well. And I wasn’t wrong. His performance in the pilot episode of Breaking Bad was perfect.

Cranston plays Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher. He’s a very subdued person and not very respected by his peers and certainly not by the kids at school. Along with working as a teacher, Walter works at a car wash, but he quits that job once he learns he has lung cancer.

The cancer news really awakens him. He then realizes he needs to provide money for his wife and son while he is still alive. When he learns that meth cooks can make a lot of money, he decides to use his chemistry knowledge to make the best stuff in the region.

I couldn’t think of a better way to start off the series. The pilot was great, nearly flawless in my opinion. But what is Walt and his business partner, Jesse, going to do with the two bodies that are in their RV? With their supplies ruined in the accident, Walter will have to steal more of them from the school in order to continue his business as a cook.

If you haven’t seen this AMC drama, it’s a must. My only wish is that they air it in HD. It was probably filmed in HD, so why not air it as such? I hate it that some channels still air in standard definition but save HD for a separate channel (Discovery, History Channel, etc).

Breaking Bad - Pilot
Original Air Date - January 20, 2008

Rating: 9.5