blog post 15: little kids cooking meth

So the blue rock candy and blue candy cupcakes that you might have seen have been to be somewhat controversial as I have stated before in a previous post. What about this show and meth makes it so popular? Why do we make every type of merchandise to sell? Tshirts, cups, candy, just about anything. Why do we glamorize this idea of meth? Before this show the idea of meth was it was a disgusting drug. While many people still think that, there is almost less of a stigma because of the show. Breaking Bad shows normal, decent looking Americans who are involved in the cooking, selling and using of meth.

But now Legos? Is this too far? While this show does have a more adult audience and a Breaking Bad Lego set would probably be a gift to a Breaking Bad fanatic, Legos are still associated as a child’s toy. While this is a harmless toy, it kind of shows how comfortable we are with the idea of drugs and meth in particular. Breaking Bad is just one of many series and that introduces drugs to its viewers. When we see things acted it out its almost as if we start to become okay with the idea of it.

blog post 14: uhh duh?

So it took Hank 5 seasons to figure out who Heisenberg was. That makes you wonder how Hank could possibly be a DEA agent. How did he not realize his own brother in law was the biggest meth cook in the southwest? He doesn't piece everything together until he reads the book of Walt Whitman's poems in Walt’s bathroom. After this he just about loses it because he cannot believe Walt was there all along. He doesn’t have any concrete evidence but it all finally made sense.

This just goes to show people are not always who we think they are. This is true when it comes to anyone in our lives. I think people get so deep into drugs; the people around them have no idea. I mean how many parents out there are clueless about their children’s lives when it comes to drugs and alcohol. As I’ve said before, everything in the series is somewhat exaggerated, but just like everything else, this idea of not knowing people as well as we think is very relevant to everyone’s lives during any time.

blog post 13: let's launder some money

The amount of money Walt launders is mind-boggling. Eventually Skylar rents a storage unit because she doesn't know what to do anymore. At first Saul agrees to launder Walt’s money for a fee. Walt declines at first because of his greed. He then has the money transferred to Walt Jr.'s charity account so that the money isn't coming from strangers and Walt Jr. can keep his site.

The car wash ultimately becomes the final decision for laundering the money. They scare the previous owner (Walt's old jerk of a boss) into selling. This is just another instance where the Whites are scaring others for their own personal gain.

But in the end they have more money to deal with than they can and eventually lose it all… The fact that Skylar at one point was putting it in spacebags and putting it down under the floorboard is crazy. This shows that Walt went to far. His original plan was only to get the money he needed, but then let his pride overcome his rational mind. Skylar even asks him to stop because she can’t launder any more money. He replies to her with anger that he refuses to sell out again, referring to when he let others buy him out of his company Grey Matter. I believe this is often what causes people not to be able to leave the drug lifestyle. They make a lot of money in a short amount of time. It becomes an addiction.

blog post 12: the killer carpet

So Ted, we never really see what happens to him. The last we see of him is in the hospital when Skylar visits him after he manages to trip over his own carpet and almost kill himself. This all started because he would not pay the IRS the money Skylar gave him. He instead bought himself a new luxurious sports car… Skylar was very upset and sent two of Saul’s associates over to scare him. They came in threatening him but really they were both harmless. Ted becomes frantic and tries to run which is when he tripped over the rug.

I think this shows how selfish people can be. I see a lot of people who come into money but don’t give any attention to their true priorities. Also in the end Ted and Skylar were only concerned about saving themselves, even when she visited him in the hospital. Ted was willing to let Skylar take a hit because he did not want to pay the IRS. Karma? Maybe. He did have an affair with Skylar… Eventually Ted agrees not to say anything about the whole incident.

Our decisions make larger impacts than we think. This is something that I’ve been reiterating throughout many of my posts. Breaking Bad obviously takes these situations to the extreme, but it’s true.

blog post 11: not even once

Often people think that if they are dealing or associated with drugs but not using they are somewhat superior. They become wrapped up in their own pride and ambitions. This is something that we really see with both Hank and Gus. Both of them had been screwed over in the past and had this strange drive to be the most successful drug head and meth cook.

Both Gus and Walt belittle those who use especially Jesse. They talk down to him and do not trust him because he uses. Gus especially refuses at first to let him be part of his “company” because he is a junkie.

But ironically, Gus and Walt both end up dying due to their choices. Neither of them ever used drugs. They were both very clean cut. I think what most people do not realize is there are a lot people out there that deal but don’t use. The consequences however are the same. You are still putting yourself and those around you at risk as we saw throughout the series. Not many people in the show actually did drugs. The only ones really did were Jesse, the hookers, Tuco, and occasionally Jesse’s drug dealers who eventually clean up.

blog post 10: true colors

Something that I think most people don't realize is the colors of each character's wardrobe. The only person who somewhat stood out was Marie who just always wore purple. But each character had a specific color pallet to go along with what was going on in the series.

Hank's color's for example changed as he became more and more uneasy about his job. When he started to move up in his career he had more anxiety since the cartel is notorious for having horrific crimes. One instance in particular was when Hank was in the desert and their informant had been decapitated and blown up causing the deaths of multiple DEA agents. But eventually his colors change back as he becomes more confident. While Walt’s color change as his cancer changes. When he is sick he has drab neutral colors on. When he is in remission his colors change.

The list goes on and on for each character. I believe colors have more of an impact on our minds than we think. Color is a huge aspect when it comes to advertisement. The colors of each character help the viewer understand what the character is going through. We associate certain colors with certain feelings. I believe this is something that can even relate to the drug world. Gangs and drug rings associate themselves with certain colors as well.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/08/12/breaking_bad_colors_infographic_clothing_provides_a_clue_to_understanding.html

blog post 9: brock the orphan

One of the most devastating deaths throughout the series is in the second to last episode. Todd shoots Andrea, someone I like to consider Jesse’s true companion, in order to motivate Jesse to continuing cooking for him. What makes this so devastating is that she really had nothing to do with the situation. She was a clean recovered addict who loved her son and would do anything for him and she was the only one who truly cared for Jesse throughout her presence in the series. She hadn’t seen him for what we can assume to be months, and she was still concerned about him and wanted to see him. She didn’t forget about him.

While this was a more extreme situation of imprisonment, it is very similar to the real world. People who try to leave the drug lifestyle or anger the wrong person end up causing others more pain than themselves. To gangs and drug rings, their people are assets. They don’t want to dispose of them, but rather things that mean the most to them to scare them.

This is also another aspect of the drug lifestyle that is really scary to think about. Andrea not once had anything to do with Jesse’s “work”. While Jane’s death was also a tragedy and had more serious consequences, she wanted to take all of Jesse’s money and run off to Europe. She became more interested in his money and stopped caring for him the same way. Because of this, Brock now grows up without a mother.

blog post 8: the plane crash

The plane crash that takes place about half way through the series becomes a major component throughout multiple seasons. The bear in the water is referenced many times and you see body bags outside of Walt’s house. The viewer can assume Walt probably had something to do this. The viewer might even think that Walt killed these people. Turns out he did… Just not directly

By letting Jane, Jesse’s girlfriend, overdose and not rolling her on her side to prevent her from chocking to death, her father cannot cope with the idea of her being gone. She was supposed to go to rehab the day before. Because he cannot handle reality, he does not perform at his job to the fullest, which is the directing of aircrafts through their altitude and speed. He in a sense leaves his body and lets two large jets crash into each other right over Walt’s town causing a high loss of lives. Walt and Jesse begin to carry this guilt from it because Walt knows he let her die and Jesse got her to start using again.

I believe this scenario became such big part throughout the middle of the series to emphasize how much actions can have a chain reaction. This is just one of many instances in the series where Walt and Jesse’s actions affect those who are not even involved. It’s kind of scary to think about. This was probably the biggest chain reaction throughout the whole series. Hundreds and hundreds of people died because of a junkie and a selfish man.

blog post 7: hair vs. no hair

This might be one of the funniest cartoons talking about Breaking Bad. If you’re a true follower of the series, you understand all the “weapons of choice”. You understand what it means by “ATM” and the scratched out “rocks” replaced by “minerals”. This is an interesting analysis of the characters’ appearance. It is something that once you start thinking about, it’s actually pretty accurate.

While this idea of hair and violence was most likely done on purpose by the writers, it is something that we can think about in real life. We judge people based on appearance. Walt has a much more intimidating persona once he decides to shave his head. He continues to shave his head to appear more intimidating and I think it gave him some confidence. The same goes for Jesse when he has shorter hair in later seasons and longer hair in earlier seasons. Throughout the series they both become more violent. However, in the last episode when they both finally leave the drug life behind, they both have more hair than they did at the very beginning.

Even in the drug world, I think it is more than plausible that people try to look more intimidating. People in gangs have tattoos directly on their faces. I think there is this general stigma that when we see tattoos in general we think something, let alone if they are on someone’s face. Drug dealer's WANT to look scary.


-----> http://theoatmeal.com/comics/breaking_bad_hair

blog post 6: it's finally over

Well, Breaking Bad is officially over… ☹ It was an amazing series and luckily had a “happy” ending. The people who “should” die end up dying. While people like Walt’s family and Jesse, who you might even consider Walt’s family, live. Lydia along with Todd and his “gang” are taken care of thanks to Walt’s mastermind. He of course comes up with a brilliant plan to take care of the people who screwed him over just like Gus.

So Walt? He does die, but with dignity. He finally admitted that cooking wasn’t for his family; he was doing it for him. He doesn't even try to find out what Jack did with his money. All he wanted to was kill him for killing Hank. He had no desire for money anymore. This is the biggest change we see in Walt the entire series. I think when he finally admits this to Skylar he can be at peace and so can Skylar. He’s finally doing the right thing. He is able to finally give every one closure. He can give Walt Jr. the money he wanted for college. He makes amends with Skylar. He saves Jesse’s life. I think when he is walking through the lab in the basements he finally lets go. He lets himself die. While he was wounded, he was ready to let go. I believe people who are ready to let go can.

I believe people who are part of the drug lifestyle will be stuck there until they can stop trying to justify why they do it and can admit they don't want the money anymore. Walt throughout the whole series tries to justify that he was doing it for his family. But they had all they money they needed about half way through the series. By then he was just doing it for his own pride. He wasn’t going to sell out. Once people can admit what they are doing is wrong and realize it is not worth the damage I think they finally leave the drug lifestyle behind.

Oh and Saul? Don’t worry, he gets his own series now.

blog post 5: now you can buy heisenberg's meth

So throughout the series “Blue Sky” is the main focus. Heisenberg’s signature product is this blue ice. Unlike most meth cooks, he actually has some serious knowledge about chemistry. People look for his blue product because they know of its outstanding purity.

Breaking bad “gear” is just about everywhere now; anything from beer glasses, to t-shirts, to now blue rock candy that looks like meth. But is blue rock candy maybe going too far? I definitely think it’s a little borderline. While this show does have typically an older audience, there are still some viewers who are younger. By no means is eating rock candy imply you do or will do drugs but just the principle of it is a somewhat questionable.

Does this mean we are too comfortable with the idea of drugs? While this is just harmless rock candy that you might gift to a breaking bad fanatic, it shows that society has become more comfortable with the idea of drugs and the lifestyle that is associated with it. I believe younger generations have become too comfortable with the idea of drugs or being arrested and the aspects of life that drugs can bring on. What makes breaking bad so controversial is how explicit they are about particular aspects of the drug world. They are very precise and open about how they make the meth and almost giving society ideas. While it is just a TV shows and it is just candy, it does give that small percentage of the population ideas in a sense.

blog post 4: not so happy ending

Breaking Bad is just about to end with only two episodes left. In this week’s episode we hit what most people would suspect to be the climax. We watch Walt finally get caught and everyone learn his secret. We also watch Hank, a big player throughout the whole series, die. For me watching Hank die was almost weird. Being an avid follower of the series it was almost surreal and kind of emotional. Along with Hank, his partner Gomez is killed as well.

Throughout the series you watch Walt’s actions ruin many lives. Walt makes bad choices one after another. This shows how the drug lifestyle can cause a butterfly affect on people’s lives. I believe that people often think that because they aren’t using the drug and only selling it they are superior or justified. Throughout every season you see Walt talk down to Jesse because he uses and calls him a “junkie”. But is that really fair? In this week’s episode you see that Walt’s actions in turn actually had worse repercussions that Jesse’s and he was the one actually doing drugs.

This episode goes to show that any participation in the drug industry has risks. I think that’s a big misconception in today’s society. People do not truly understand the effect drugs have whether taken or sold.

blog post 3: pilot - are drugs really worth it?

During the Pilot episode we watch a chemistry teacher transform into a meth cook in a single episode. Many people might have mixed feelings about what Walt was doing. He was trying to give his family a safety net since he would most likely pass soon from Cancer. But he was putting himself and his family in potential danger by involving himself with drugs. Having a close family member pass away this summer from cancer made me have sympathy for Walt since I understand what medical bills can do to the family. But Walt is unaware of what the drug world can do to oneself and the people are them. So is it really worth it?

I believe the writers wanted its viewers to sympathize with Walt even if they thought cooking meth was wrong. This episode was going to give the audience a chance to choose a side and establish an opinion about Walt. There are endless views and opinions about whether Walt's decisions were right, justified, or moral.

So does something justify the use, selling, and/or making of an illegal substance? I believe that no matter your opinion or feelings about the substance the bottom line is if it is illegal you have to respect the law or be prepared to take responsibility for the repercussions. I believe there is always another alternative. The Pilot episode makes viewers think about what is really their stance on the endless issues there are currently with drugs. Walt could have gotten a life insurance policy or a better job since he was well qualified? (But then of course there would be no series.) Do the risks out weigh the rewards? To some people in the real world they don’t. I believe there is an ongoing battle between morals and the law when it comes to an illegal substance today in the US and the Pilot makes its viewers think about just that.

blog post 2: say hello to my little friend

Breaking Bad has been known to push the envelope whether it is with drugs, violence, or sex. Throughout the last 5 seasons, many lives have been taken. But if you do keep up with the series, most people are killed with a handgun. Only during season two is Tuco using a MRA1 rifle.

The writers of Breaking Bad have decided to avoid using an assault riffle similar to the one used in Scarface. With gun control being such a hot button, I guess it’s no surprise they decided to not use these being that the show is very controversial as it is. An AR-15 has become one of the most commonly owned and controversial guns in the US. I can say I even have an AR-15. Because of their looks people see them as being more dangerous.

But don’t worry, Walt is still going to have quite a powerful gun, just not one that you see everyday like an AR-15. As seen in a previous season, a prelude to what is to expect at the end of the series, Walt pulls a M60 out of his trunk. A gun only used by Navy Seals and shoots 550 rounds per minute… wow

Guns are something that isn’t going to just go away. Just like alcohol and marijuana, it only makes it more dangerous for people to obtain. Breaking Bad shows just how easy it is for people to get guns. Both Jessie and Walt obtain a gun illegally. Gun control is not the answer, gun awareness is. People will always be able to get guns. It is more important that there be more awareness of what to do when they are in a dangerous situation involving a gun.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/allenstjohn/2013/08/23/the-guns-of-breaking-bad-the-nra-and-walter-whites-not-so-little-friend/