Since 2008, an empire has been expanding, running the lives of 5.9 million people. Not unlike Walter White’s monopoly on crystal meth, “Breaking Bad” has monopolized Staples students’ DVRs.
Now, after five seasons, the end has come.
Even if you don’t watch “Breaking Bad”, it is simply impossible to have not heard of Vince Gilligan’s masterpiece. Baxter Stein ‘14, a “Breaking Bad” fanatic, has an explanation for this.
“Everyone who watches ‘Breaking Bad’ is sort of known for telling [everyone else] how it’s the best show ever,” said Stein. This word-of-mouth publicity is partially what helped the show become so popular.
That and the fact that it’s the highest rated show on television.
The fifth and final season scored a 99 out of 100 on Metacritic.com, earning a Guinness World Record.
The show has won 46 awards and has been nominated for 150. Many agree that the show is so successful due to the amazing writing from Vince Gilligan (“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!”), with a spotlight on the character development and relationships.
Nick Ribolla ‘16 is one of these people. Ribolla loves the strong characters. “I mean Walt, the main character, goes from being the protagonist to the antagonist, but some part of you, even though he is an awful person, just wants him to succeed so bad,” Ribolla said, “but you don’t know why.”
Ribolla knows that there are people who watched from the 2008 beginning, whereas he only watched it for the last “two very lonely months.” He said he is still sad to see “Breaking Bad” go because it is such a good show.
As for the conclusion itself, everyone has his or her own 12-step program for recovery. Stein, for instance, invited a support group of friends over for each of the final episodes.
For many, the end of “Breaking Bad” will leave a hole in the television schedule. Kevin Watt ‘15 has a plan for recovery: he’ll probably begin to watch more football. “It’ll be hard to fill that void,” said Watt.
Brooke Wrubel ‘17 has her own idea. “I plan on possibly starting ‘Lost’ or ‘Weeds’ to replace ‘Breaking Bad.’ However, I think it will be impossible for any show to [take the place of] ‘Breaking Bad.’”
There is a little phoenix spawning from the ashes that is “Breaking Bad.” This is the spin-off, recently confirmed by AMC, following the life and events of Saul Goodman, Walt’s lawyer who specializes in criminal activities. Watt is looking forward to seeing how they present Saul and his business in relation to the “Breaking Bad” universe.
Stein is excited for Bob Odenkirk (the actor who plays Saul Goodman) due to his comedic techniques.
“I’ll definitely give it a try,” Stein said.
Even with the glimmer of light that is the Saul Goodman spin-off, the close of “Breaking Bad” dismays many. Wrubel puts it simply. “I think that at the end of the season there will definitely be many broken hearts.
