I Have A Confession: I Never Finished Breaking Bad And I Don’t Regret It

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Let me share an open admission: Despite hailing from St. Louis, where I should perhaps have a greater affinity, I’ve never been a fan of green beans or custard. This dislike extends to a show that many consider a television masterpiece – Breaking Bad. My husband and I persisted for over a season, butting through the critically acclaimed drama series with its excellent acting and writing. Eventually, I decided it wasn’t for me and moved on without a moment of remorse.

I didn’t stop watching “Breaking Bad” due to disliking it. Instead, my decision was influenced by a busy life; even with a hectic schedule, I’ve managed to watch an entire decade’s worth of “Masterchef.” It wasn’t because I harbored ill feelings towards Bryan Cranston, Vince Gilligan, or because I preferred Dean Norris in “Under the Dome” (Sidebar: I didn’t actually prefer Dean Norris in “Under the Dome,” but I will admit that the first season is quite good.)

At the point when “Breaking Bad” was airing, and especially towards the end, it seemed like my colleagues could hardly talk about anything else. Notably, during my time as a freelancer for that distinguished website in 2013, “Breaking Bad” was a major topic of discussion at TopMob.

I chose to leave my position as it was too grim, disturbing, and disheartening for me. Just like Michelle McNamara’s book “I’ll Be Gone In The Dark“, it kept me awake throughout the night whenever I could make it through an episode or two. Even if I watched an episode at 4 p.m., it would still worry me till 1 a.m. It wasn’t due to the engaging characters or strong writing; instead, I found it impossible to tolerate the universe portrayed by Vince Gilligan that my work was situated in.

It’s not just me who finds “Breaking Bad” too anxiety-inducing to watch, but I haven’t come across anyone else who openly admits this. Despite being frequently ranked among the greatest TV series and popular streamed shows, there are many reasons for its acclaim. Interestingly, there are so many fans of the Bryan Cranston-led drama that there are actual guides to help viewers discover similar shows.

Based on feedback from my colleagues, it seems that “Better Call Saul” might suit me better in terms of tone. They’ve labeled it as a series that’s easy to get into, and Bob Odenkirk being quite humorous in real life adds to its appeal. Interestingly, I learned that Saul Goodman was initially intended to work at Hot Topic, which I find quite amusing. However, I’ve had difficulty sleeping after watching “Breaking Bad,” so I haven’t been eager to fully immerse myself in Saul Goodman’s story either. Perhaps my streak without a “Gilligan” character will end when his new show with Rhea Seehorn premieres?

As an individual who spends most of my time online, I’m fully conscious that I’ve missed out on significant cultural landmarks and iconic TV moments by stepping away at the time I did. This is evident because scenes like Walter White tossing a pizza onto the roof were all over the place. However, for me, there were certain activities I preferred to engage in that didn’t involve immersing myself in well-crafted narratives about a teacher-turned-crimelord and the risks he was ready to take when he felt like he had no more to lose.

Although I spend my days critiquing TV shows for a career, it’s essential to take breaks occasionally due to the enormous amount of new content being produced these days. We have many talented team members who can eloquently discuss their favorite (and least favorite) episodes and which “Gilligan” series resonates most with them personally. However, that’s not my role in this context.

And in case you are wondering… No, I haven’t been able to finish Sons of Anarchy either.

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2025-01-14 22:07