Thoughts on the end of Breaking Bad... A Triumph Of Character Study: Breaking Bad Ends By Blending Internalized Morality With Selfish Rationality. There is a debate that the hit AMC drama series “Breaking Bad” has been the best one hour drama series in recent history, surpassing the ever beloved HBO spawned “Sopranos”. I can say that both the lead characters, Tony Soprano and Walter White, are embedded in American pop culture. It has been a long time since two actors ( James Gandolfini and Bryan Cranston) OWNED their respective roles the way these two gentlemen did. My article is not a debate as to whether which show was “better”. It is to simply deliver my sentiment of how “Breaking Bad” concluded their five year run…..and, what a conclusion is was. I can actually say it was perfection. “Breaking Bad” has been a pure character study since it’s inception. A character study concerning vast complexities of one man: Walter White. I would like to focus on the series finale because it revealed and closed all of the layers of psyche that immersed Walter White (WW from this point on). In the final episode, WW satisfied inner-morality struggle. WW knew he had to make things “right”:. Mr. White had created enemies that caused death and destruction to his family and friends. In one superb episode, these amends were accomplished. WW created a vessel that would monetarily provide his family’s future. He secure a viable way that would prevent his wife from lawful punishment. Mr. White exterminated those that would present any future harm to his loved ones. Lastly, Walter gave his long life partner a future. To fulfill these inner morality issues that plagued WW, his planing and execution had to be exact…..and it was. For WW’s moral being, these things had to be done to give he the peace he needed before his death. Those actions fulfilled a fan base that wanted WW to “make things right”. What was revealing was the selfish reasoning for Walt’s actions. In talking to his wife Skylar, Mr. White said, “I did it for me….I was good at it…..I was alive”. This was not an instant internal revelation, however, an outward confession of who he really was. The ending two minutes of the series depicts a man who died contently….on his terms. The final shot is of brilliance, because it makes a person wonder if WW had to do it all over again, would he? I think not. WW is a brilliant TV character, He was no hero. He was not necessarily a villain. Walter was flawed, as we all are. He enjoyed the craftsmanship of what he did, the money and power that came along with it and the pride that he had for his “Baby Blue”…his third child. There was an obvious story arc set out from the beginning by series creator Vince Gilligan. As a fan, that is refreshing: having a beginning, middle and end to a sharply written, well acted, supremely directed show that leaves fans satisfied.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 05:10:33 +0000
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