Introduction
Breaking Bad is a crime-drama television series set in Albuquerque new Mexico. It follows the life of a chemistry teacher with cancer turned methamphetamine cook. The main character Walter White falls deeper into the criminal underworld trying to widen his distribution line and begins blurring the lines between good and bad.
Genre
The genre of Breaking Bad is a "Crime-Drama." This means that the show revolves around criminal acts and creates drama. Crime-drams often revolves around a criminal and shows you their experiences in crime. A notable example would be the show "Dexter" which follows the life of a serial killer. Crime-dramas can also revolve around the "good-guys" trying to take down the criminals. Many detective type shows such as "Sherlock" use this technique.
In terms of Breaking Bad it focuses on the criminal and his rise to power as he avoids getting caught. The show is very intense and exciting which may draw people who are looking for escape to it. This is due to the fact that their own life may not be as exciting as the show. Therefore, they use Breaking Bad as a way of escaping their own boring life and replace it with the main characters exciting life.
The average person may also be drawn to this show. By "average person" I mean somebody who lives a relatively normal life in terms of the NRS social grade maybe C1'S an B's. Again the criminal acts might excite them. Due to the things the main character does being illegal. The average person generally can't do this sort of things or they may face consequences. Therefore, they can live out the criminal lifestyle through the show without the worry of being prosecuted in the real world.
Overall, I feel that people gain excitement and entertainment through watching breaking bad. The shows ever-changing and intense keeps people coming back for more excitement to find out what happens next.
The average person may also be drawn to this show. By "average person" I mean somebody who lives a relatively normal life in terms of the NRS social grade maybe C1'S an B's. Again the criminal acts might excite them. Due to the things the main character does being illegal. The average person generally can't do this sort of things or they may face consequences. Therefore, they can live out the criminal lifestyle through the show without the worry of being prosecuted in the real world.
Overall, I feel that people gain excitement and entertainment through watching breaking bad. The shows ever-changing and intense keeps people coming back for more excitement to find out what happens next.
Codes and Conventions
Conflict keeps the story going and keeps the audience entertained and on the edge of their seat.
Polar Opposites
It is very common practice for two or more of the main characters to be the complete opposite in terms of the type of person they are. In Breaking Bad Walter is the straight edge compliant family man whereas his business partner Jesse is the cocky unemployed rule breaker. Both these characters are the complete opposite however they need to put their differences behind and work together. This is another way in which conflict is created by having to opposites having to work together to reach a common goal in this case being money.
As with many shows this duality between characters is often skewered or in breaking bad's case completely switched around. By the end of the series Walter is everything Jesse used to be (rule breaking and non conformist) whereas Jesse becomes what Walter once was. This change is often progressive in order to create a sense of momentum in the show and make it apparent to the audience how much the characters really have changed.
Secrets
Characters having secrets is what helps drive the narrative of a show, especially when they have to hid them from another main character or loved one. This is because the character has to constantly out smart and be on step ahead of other people. This in effects keeps viewers on the edge of there seat as they don't know when the characters secret is going to be revealed. When the secret is being hidden from someone the character is close to it creates more tension as the character may not want to hurt the person they are hiding it from. They also will spend a lot of time close to this person constantly having to be on guard which creates even more tension. For instance, in breaking bad Walter has t constantly outsmart Hank who doesn't know Walter is the criminal he is looking for. Secrets are often a huge part of crime-dramas such as "Dexter" were the main character is a criminal such as a murderer.
There will often be many "close calls" between the character hiding the secret and other people in the show. For example, the part in the first series of breaking bad were Skyler asks Walter abut Jesse Pinkman. This strikes fear in the viewer that the character is going to be found out building tension. Usually, the character will come up with a solution for these close calls which repeatedly happen throughout the show. However, often the close call will not be so close later on in the series. This is because the viewer has gotten use to the close calls so the how catches them by surprise and makes it so the character can't come up with a solution and their secret gets found out. For example when Skyler discovers that Walter is a drug distributor.
Cliff Hangers
A cliff hanger is when something suspenseful happens just before the episode or show is over. or example a character may be in a life or death situation before the credits roll. This is done to leave the audience hungry for more and keep them wondering about what is going to happen. This is done at the end of nearly every series of breaking bad in one way or another. The best example is when Hank realises that Walter is the meth cook he has been looking for all along.
There are many re-occurring themes in television shows which are dependent on it genre. For example, a sitcom will generally contain canned laughter. Crime-dramas such as breaking bad are no different and follow a set of codes and conventions which show up in many other similar shows.
Conflict
With the show being a drama, conflict is an essential aspect which is the foundation of any drama. In breaking bad there is always conflict between Walter and his wife which develops and becomes more dramatised as the show progresses. The conflict slowly progressing until reaching a climax is what generally happens in these instances. The climax in Breaking Bad being Walter and Skyler's fight, kidnapping his daughter and then running away.
With the show being a drama, conflict is an essential aspect which is the foundation of any drama. In breaking bad there is always conflict between Walter and his wife which develops and becomes more dramatised as the show progresses. The conflict slowly progressing until reaching a climax is what generally happens in these instances. The climax in Breaking Bad being Walter and Skyler's fight, kidnapping his daughter and then running away.
Conflict keeps the story going and keeps the audience entertained and on the edge of their seat.
Polar Opposites
It is very common practice for two or more of the main characters to be the complete opposite in terms of the type of person they are. In Breaking Bad Walter is the straight edge compliant family man whereas his business partner Jesse is the cocky unemployed rule breaker. Both these characters are the complete opposite however they need to put their differences behind and work together. This is another way in which conflict is created by having to opposites having to work together to reach a common goal in this case being money.
As with many shows this duality between characters is often skewered or in breaking bad's case completely switched around. By the end of the series Walter is everything Jesse used to be (rule breaking and non conformist) whereas Jesse becomes what Walter once was. This change is often progressive in order to create a sense of momentum in the show and make it apparent to the audience how much the characters really have changed.
Secrets
Characters having secrets is what helps drive the narrative of a show, especially when they have to hid them from another main character or loved one. This is because the character has to constantly out smart and be on step ahead of other people. This in effects keeps viewers on the edge of there seat as they don't know when the characters secret is going to be revealed. When the secret is being hidden from someone the character is close to it creates more tension as the character may not want to hurt the person they are hiding it from. They also will spend a lot of time close to this person constantly having to be on guard which creates even more tension. For instance, in breaking bad Walter has t constantly outsmart Hank who doesn't know Walter is the criminal he is looking for. Secrets are often a huge part of crime-dramas such as "Dexter" were the main character is a criminal such as a murderer.
There will often be many "close calls" between the character hiding the secret and other people in the show. For example, the part in the first series of breaking bad were Skyler asks Walter abut Jesse Pinkman. This strikes fear in the viewer that the character is going to be found out building tension. Usually, the character will come up with a solution for these close calls which repeatedly happen throughout the show. However, often the close call will not be so close later on in the series. This is because the viewer has gotten use to the close calls so the how catches them by surprise and makes it so the character can't come up with a solution and their secret gets found out. For example when Skyler discovers that Walter is a drug distributor.
Cliff Hangers
A cliff hanger is when something suspenseful happens just before the episode or show is over. or example a character may be in a life or death situation before the credits roll. This is done to leave the audience hungry for more and keep them wondering about what is going to happen. This is done at the end of nearly every series of breaking bad in one way or another. The best example is when Hank realises that Walter is the meth cook he has been looking for all along.
This was the last episode before the lat series Having such a huge realisation right at the end of the series keeps the audience excited for the next one and teases them. Therefore they are more likely to tune in and buy into the next series as they want to find out what happens.
Cat and mouse
This technique is used heavily in crime dramas in particular. It is when there is to opponents who are often polar opposites have to consistently outsmart each other. In breaking bad this would be the constant battle between Walter and Hank. One of the main characters, usually the main character will be much more superior to their opponent. It is also common practise for one of the opponents to b unaware of the other existence. For example, hank doesn't know that Walter is Heisenberg so Walter has to constantly outsmart hank to keep his secret. This at and mouse technique is used to keep the story going by putting obstacles in front of the main character.
Death of important characters
In dramas it is common for important character to be killed of. The deaths that are dramatised are characters that the audience have built a connection with. Often, a character will be explored and developed for a long period of time before their death. This is so that the audience understand them and in a way build an emotional connection with them. Therefore, when they actually do die it is more of a shock and the audience feel emotions towards the character. This keeps the audience emotionally engaged with the show making it seem more real therefore making them want more due to the real emotions it makes them feel.
It's not always a well developed character that is killed of to evoke emotion. Sometimes it is someone close to an already developed main character such as a lover. When this happens the pain that the person close to the deceased feels is what is used to evoke emotion in the viewer. For example, when Jesse's girlfriend is shot in front of him.
Change and morale
Change is important in dramas as it creates a sense of momentum and pacing throughout the narrative. In Breaking Bad it is one of the most important concepts. In this show you see the main character Walter change from a boring middle aged man to a criminal anti-hero then a villain. However, the lines between good and bad change and this is when morale come into place. As Walter White hangs it is up to the viewer to decide if he is a hero or evil. This fully engages the audience in the story-line by making them use their own ideals and morale to make a choice about the shows concepts. This is very effective as it really immerses the audience within the show and has them asking questions.
Mise-en-scene
Mise-en-scene refers to how the whole of the scene is put together in terms of how it looks and the message in which it portrays. This can be done in endless amount of ways and generally everything within a shot is there for a reason or to add to the overall mise-en-scene.
Lighting
Lighting can often be use as a layer to set the mood of the shot whether it be sad, moody or uplifting. In breaking bad Walter home is usually light up very well with the lighting pretty much in uniform which portrays a sense of safety and normality. However, when he is his alter ego "Heisenberg" the lighting is generally more darker and cryptic. This gives a clear distinction between Walters two personalities the family man Walter White and the Villain Heisenberg.
What's interesting though is that the lighting of Walters house slowly changes over the course of the show as he grows more and more estranged from his family.
There are many props in breaking bad which are there to convey hidden meanings and messages. This means that the viewer has to think about the props use in order to understand the messages that they are trying convey.
Pink Teddy bear - The teddy bear is a re-occurring prop which is meant to show the damage which Walter has done to his family and the people around him. Many people have also speculated that it is also a representation of Gusto Fring, a drug distributor which Walter murders.
Eyeball - The plastic eyeball is also seen many times throughout the series. It always shows up when Walter is in the midst of making a bad decision. It in a way represents his conscience looking back at him whenever he is about out make a bad choice.
Colors
Colors are often used within the show to tr and get across the type of person that somebody is. The colors in which the characters wear and live in change corresponding with how the characters change. They are also often used to represent something in which the character is going to do.
I the episode "crawl space" Walters gym bag full of money is the color red. This is sued as a way of conveying his guilt and also that something bad is going to have as red symbolises danger. This color can also be seen as a rug below his pile of money in a later episode.
Lighting
Lighting can often be use as a layer to set the mood of the shot whether it be sad, moody or uplifting. In breaking bad Walter home is usually light up very well with the lighting pretty much in uniform which portrays a sense of safety and normality. However, when he is his alter ego "Heisenberg" the lighting is generally more darker and cryptic. This gives a clear distinction between Walters two personalities the family man Walter White and the Villain Heisenberg.
Walters house on the left. Heisenberg's lab on the right.
What's interesting though is that the lighting of Walters house slowly changes over the course of the show as he grows more and more estranged from his family.
The image above is from a later episode were Walter has completely alienated his family and has become much more immoral. As you can see the lighting is much darker then it was earlier in the series. This has been done to show how much Walter is hurting his family and how his criminal alter ego has come into his home and become is normal life. This is due to the fact that now the lighting is dark in both Walter Whites world and Heisenberg's world.
Props
There are many props in breaking bad which are there to convey hidden meanings and messages. This means that the viewer has to think about the props use in order to understand the messages that they are trying convey.
Pink Teddy bear - The teddy bear is a re-occurring prop which is meant to show the damage which Walter has done to his family and the people around him. Many people have also speculated that it is also a representation of Gusto Fring, a drug distributor which Walter murders.
Eyeball - The plastic eyeball is also seen many times throughout the series. It always shows up when Walter is in the midst of making a bad decision. It in a way represents his conscience looking back at him whenever he is about out make a bad choice.
Colors
Colors are often used within the show to tr and get across the type of person that somebody is. The colors in which the characters wear and live in change corresponding with how the characters change. They are also often used to represent something in which the character is going to do.
I the episode "crawl space" Walters gym bag full of money is the color red. This is sued as a way of conveying his guilt and also that something bad is going to have as red symbolises danger. This color can also be seen as a rug below his pile of money in a later episode.
This use of color subconsciously gives the view clues about what is going to happen and also encourages them to come back later to locate more of these hidden messages.
At the beginning of the series when Hank is first introduced he were primarily brown which is a very earth color portraying masculinity and stability. However after his fight with Tuco salemanca he becomes less secure and his clothing starts changing to more of blue and pink colours portraying more innocence and weakness.
Again the colour red is used to portray a sense of impending danger in the episode were Hank dies.
Narrative Structure
Narrative structure is how the story is how the narrative is played out and paced. Breaking bad is a non-linear narrative story as there are many flashbacks with it flashing back and forth. However, there is also a linear narrative happening at the same time amongst the flashbacks which keeps the story going. This is why I believe the show is so successful as although it has an interesting non-linear format it also has an ongoing linear story going in chronological order to keep the main story on a set path. The flashbacks like in most similar shows eventually some together and are explained. In breaking bad they can be quite illusive and confuse the viewer. This is effective as it keeps them guessing as to what it means wanting them to watch more.
Representation
- Gender
- Age
- Ethnicity
Males
The main male characters within the show are generally presented to be quite stereotypical and masculine. The central character eventually becomes more masculine and dominant however initially he is more of a weaker less masculine character. Each character has different masculine traits here is a list of the most important and relevant ones.
The main male characters within the show are generally presented to be quite stereotypical and masculine. The central character eventually becomes more masculine and dominant however initially he is more of a weaker less masculine character. Each character has different masculine traits here is a list of the most important and relevant ones.
Walter White - Walter starts of as more of a weaker less alpha male. This can be seen through his attitude towards life and how he is constantly out done by his colleges in terms of achievement and general masculinity. However, he uses his alter ego Heisenberg to become all the things he never was in the real world. Eventually he becomes his alter ego and his colleges become inferior to him. This can be seen through the uses of costumes and colours. As Walter becomes stronger his clothes evidently start getting darker colours whereas the people who were once superior to him such as hank's clothes get lighter and less masculine.
In terms of age Walter lives a generic middle-aged man life by going to his day job everyday and coming home to his wife. When he gets cancer this makes him aware of his own mortality. He realises that nothing exciting ha happened in his life and along with jesse's youth and immaturity he re-lives a more exciting existence before he dies.
Hank Schrader - As with most of the characters in the show hank goes through many changes as the series progresses. He starts out as a tough and masculine character until certain events which happen as a result of Walter's crimes (Gunfight with Tuco) which damage his mental state. This has him questioning his own worth on top of the fact that he can't track down Heisenberg. However, he is generally a stereotypical male with masculine hobbies such as beer-making.
Jesse Pinkman - Jesse tries to be tough and masculine however the Truth is he is weak. This weakness is shown through the range of emotions he shows as him and Walter go deeper into the criminal underworld. Jesse wants out due to the awful things they have done but Walter seems to show know remorse.
In terms of age, Jesse is portrayed as an irresponsible teenage unaware of the consequences of his actions. This could be taken offensively as all the people in the show his age are generally drug users. This could be seen as an unfair representation of young people.
Females
Similar to the males in the show, females are portrayed pretty stereo typically in terms of their attitudes and actions.
Skyler White - Skyler is Walters wife in the show. Their relationship becomes more and more estranged as the series progresses due to Walter always being away all of the time. She is always on Walters back and is often portrayed as a bad person due to the bad things she does to Walter such as cheating on him. This could be conceived as portraying women negatively. She also wears a lot of black as the series progresses portraying here negativity towards current circumstances.
Marie - Hanks wife Marie is similar to Skyler in that she is an obstacle between Walter and what he wants. When she gets in his way and begins catching onto what he is doing, Walter simply lies to get out of the way. This is very similar to the way in which Skyler is treated. This could possibly be a negative offensive representation of women. Suggesting that they are obstacles in succeeding and should be just put out of the way. This could however not be the representation. Although, the two main female characters and the way they are represented could suggest otherwise.
Ethnicity
The cast of breaking bad are primarily white which could be conceived as offensive due to it being an unfair representation of America.With it being set in new Mexico there are many Mexican characters within the show but not much of any other ethnicity. This could also be seen as an unfair representation considering that there not the only ethnicity within the region.
There is also the fact that the only black character within the show is Gusto Fring who is a villain and eventually dies. This could offend people of a similar race as this is the only black representation in the series. Therefore, people could be lead to believe that the writers only perceive black people in this light. Being a villain.
Many critics think that the show is taking a stab at the privileged, white American stereotype. This is due to the main character Walt being white. At the start of the show he has a relatively good normal life. A big house with a swimming pool, a loving family and a baby on the way straight away represent his decent life which he feels is bad. After he gets cancer and descends into the criminal underworld he tells himself it is for his family. However, after the feeling of power it stops becoming about his family and being about him instead. This can be proven as he continues cooking, long after his cancer is cured. Walter begins seeing what he wants and takes it just because he feels he is privileged and it is his right. People could believe this to be the generic white-privileged male psyche.
The racist politics comes together and becomes more apparent later on in the series. This is when Walter is hired by the only black character in the show. Gus is eventually murdered by Walter who sets up his own similar business operation. This could again be showing Walters privileged white male stereotype. He sees something that he wants (Gus Fring's job) and takes it because he feel he deserves it. What makes this more relevant is the fact that Gus is black. Walter the white male takes away black male Gus's position. Many people believe this is used to represent the white man's power and privilege over the white man. Or rather the power that the white man believes to have over other races.
Overall, I don't think that the creators of breaking bad particularly put much though into representation. Rather their energy went into the way in which the characters develop, change and interact with each other. However, I do feel that it is plausible that the show has and undertone of race politics. This is due to the consistent focus on how Walter takes what he want as he feels privileged.
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