It's amazing to pure hatred I've developed for Skyler. Any time she's on screen, my blood starts to boil.
As for the pacing, I prefer one excellent story line, even if it's slowly paced, over a story line that goes down false avenues, throws out red herrings, etc. to keep the action up while still making the main plot last the entire season.
These "slower paced" episodes are where the character development takes place, which, along with superb writing, is the key thing that separates a truly great series like Breaking Bad from something like The Killing or The Walking Dead.
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These "slower paced" episodes are where the character development takes place, which, along with superb writing, is the key thing that separates a truly great series like Breaking Bad from something like The Killing or The Walking Dead.
100 percent agree, but I don't think we have learned anything different about these characters in these first 3 episodes so the development hasn't been there. I would totally be okay with slow episodes if the development was there, but i haven't got that impression at all.
I think the most interesting character development this season has been that of Hank.
100 percent agree, but I don't think we have learned anything different about these characters in these first 3 episodes so the development hasn't been there. I would totally be okay with slow episodes if the development was there, but i haven't got that impression at all.
I think the most interesting character development this season has been that of Hank.
Hank's reaction to his injury, including the dynamic between Hank and Marie, Marie's acting out in ep. 3, and Jesse's personal meltdown have all been great character-driven story lines that would have been omitted or rushed if they'd just pushed the action on the Walt & Jesse vs. Gus main plot.
And this has been only 2 episodes after a tense, main plot-centric first episode.
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I'm surprised people haven't liked this season more. I have found it to be pretty good, especially the most recent episode. There was lots of funny parts and steady progression of the story. I like that they brought Hank back in with that lab journal.
I'm surprised people haven't liked this season more. I have found it to be pretty good, especially the most recent episode. There was lots of funny parts and steady progression of the story. I like that they brought Hank back in with that lab journal.
Go back and watch any episode from the last 3 seasons and you'll understand why people are underwhelmed by this one. Its far slower and more heavy on the dramatic elements.
I miss shootouts and the hilarious meth-lab on wheels antics of the days of old.
The earlier episodes were good for what they were, but I am personally glad the show progressed beyond funny meth lab mishaps and antics (which I do love).
My least favourite part of the series was probably the beginning of season 3.
Some of you fine folk need to stop being so mature and artsty fartsy. There is nothing wrong with wanting a good shoot out or seeing Walt and Jesse in some RV fun. The most intense moments of the show and most memorable moments are the shootouts or action scenes or when Jesse and Walt are in deep.
Yes, the character development is important and story is more important, but is it so wrong to think this season has been pretty tame in comparison to season's past?? Is it so wrong to think this season hasn't had a great moment yet?? It's been a very mediocre season so far.
I'm totally on board with giving this show the benefit of any doubt, and right now, there is one out there.
There are great moments coming and I know that, but at the end of the season, when I'm breaking it down, I won't be thinking of any of these first few episodes as being spectacular. Not funny, or cool, I'm talking great, unforgettable moments. I mean, what scene in the first three episodes stands out to people?? The Gus/Victor incident is the only one that comes to mind. Maybe Jesse and Walt in Denny's which was very good as well IMO.
Breaking Bad is amazing. We all know it. But for all the great characters, top notch writing and amazing acting by Cranston and Paul, there is also a ton of "holy ####!" moments that really haven't happened yet in S4. That's my main point here.
Last edited by VANFLAMESFAN; 08-01-2011 at 11:59 PM.
For all of the people who think the episodes are progressing too slowly, how many just discovered the show a month ago and watched every episode over the course of a weekend? Yeah, the pace will seem slow now that you have to wait a week.
For all of the people who think the episodes are progressing too slowly, how many just discovered the show a month ago and watched every episode over the course of a weekend? Yeah, the pace will seem slow now that you have to wait a week.
Watched Season 1 and 2 in rapid DVD fashion, but was on board with S3 on a week to week basis. I don't remember having this feeling last season. I know it will pick up and be amazing, so I'm not worried at all.
I thought this episode was a slower episode, but I haven't been disappointed with the show at all. I think the main reason why I'm thinking this particular episode is slower is because I want to see Jesse and we didn't get much of him with this one. What is going on with him right now, is the most interesting part of the show. Aaron Paul is killing it this season with the limited time he's been on screen thus far.
I didn't mind the stuff with Marie, but I found it to be a bit much. They probably could have trimmed it down a little. I figured her sticky hands would come up again in the series. This doesn't seem like the kind of show to just have something happen for the sake of it. It usually means something.
I did like the scene when Marie finally broke down. She managed to keep it together so far, but it was finally too much and she collapsed under the weight of her husbands injury.
I think people are too harsh with Skylar frankly. I don't think she acts unreasonably in this scenario at all. Her actions seem like they are on par with a wife being put in this situation. I am not saying she is the most enjoyable character, but I also think she gets too much flack.
As for Walt, it did seem unlike him to be the one suddenly telling someone else it's okay and they won't get caught. I suppose though that is part of his progression into the criminal element. He used to be extra special careful to the point of paranoia, but now that he's been in the seedy world of drug manufacturing for a little while, it's old hat to him and he's starting to get comfy and thus a little more arrogant, leading to mistakes. Though, I will say, I always thought Walt was a touch arrogant. Some of the lies he told to Skylar about his two cell phones, etc, were downright insulting and the shock on his face when she figured out that he was involved in drugs was fairly telling, he really wasn't giving her enough credit and putting too much stock into his cover stories.
I honestly can't say enough about how great Cranston is on this show. Just an amazing actor, especially when considering his other comedic roles. He's interesting to watch and versatile. It's great.
I think the next episode will definitely pick up. The stuff with Gale's notes should be good watching.
Some of you fine folk need to stop being so mature and artsty fartsy. There is nothing wrong with wanting a good shoot out or seeing Walt and Jesse in some RV fun. The most intense moments of the show and most memorable moments are the shootouts or action scenes or when Jesse and Walt are in deep.
One of the things that has made Breaking Bad so much better than anything else on television since it began its run is the fact that they don't force the action and explosions unless it makes sense. Walt has tried showing up at Gus' to shoot him on his doorstep (or whatever his plan was) and tried to get Mike to switch allegiances, but gotten shut down both times. He just doesn't have a play right now.
I wish the third episode had revolved around anything other than the women, but I'd say the first two couldn't have gone any other way logically. Its kind of refreshing after watching SOA the past two weeks where there's a shootout every episode and miraculously no one ever dies.
Some of you fine folk need to stop being so mature and artsty fartsy.
No!
Quote:
There is nothing wrong with wanting a good shoot out or seeing Walt and Jesse in some RV fun. The most intense moments of the show and most memorable moments are the shootouts or action scenes or when Jesse and Walt are in deep.
I have to disagree with you, at least partially. I love the intensity of the show too. I mean when I think back on the show, it's those OMGWTF moments that stand out first and foremost in my mind -- the guts of the disolved guy crashing through the roof in Jesse's house, Walt choking out that Mexican guy with the bike lock, Walt blowing up Tuco's headquarters, Walt running over those gangsters and shooting them in the head and so forth.
But what makes those moments so great is all the tension that leads up to them. Breaking Bad is masterful at the calm before the storm. If the show crammed one shocking moment in after the other, the show would feel cheap forced and they would have to sacrifice that element that adds realism to the show by cutting out plot points to ram in as many explosions, murders and crimes as possible.
Most of the characters seem relatable, and what makes the show compelling is that we can understand and sympathize with them. One shocking moment after another would make it seem more like a circus act than well thought-out unfolding of a story.
The only time, in my mind, where they fell short of that well thought out nature was with the plane crash. They spent all season starting off the episodes with little clips hinting at some major explosion at Walt's home and building up this tension when you'd watch the show looking for some clue of what was going to happen. Then when they seemingly couldn't find a way to work it into the story they though "oh what the hell, let's just make a plane crash", which had nothing at all to do with the story up until the last two episodes of the season, and even then only very loosely connected.
I enjoyed the latest episode. We saw how Hank's callousness towards Marie is affecting her, we saw Jesse's further descent into a black hole, we saw Walt's growing anger and paranoia and we all know it's going to blow up in spectacular, glorious circumstances.
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Where the heck is Mike taking Jesse too? Reminded me of The Sopranos when Sil took Adrianna to the pine barrens to finish her off in that classic episode.
Yep, the season took a very solid turn tonight. Was waiting for something like this to happen and it finally did. I guess the talk from some posters last week in regards to the build up and how it makes these moments all that more special is bang on.
Hopefully they don't decide to go anti-climactic with Jesse and just take him to a shrink or another 12 step program to pull himself together.
I am hoping for maybe a hostage situation or maybe with Jesse's new lack of fear / empathy, maybe recruit him for some kind of suicide-ish mission or be Mike's sidekick?
Its really too early in the season to kill a main character off.
