The series probably, if not one of the best made for television, is certainly one of the most watched and critically acclaimed. I’m talking about the multiple award winning “Breaking Bad.” Just in time for the holidays, a special edition packaging of the complete series has been released, excellent fodder for the Biff Bam Pop! Holiday Gift Guide, and a terrific gift for the television connoisseur on your list. Check it out, after the jump.
The Premise
Creator Zach Gilligan’s tale of transformation is told over the space of six television seasons. High school chemistry teacher Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, is diagnosed with inoperable cancer. After a chance encounter with former student and amateur drug dealer Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul, White comes upon the idea of making crystal meth as a way to provide for his family once he’s dead. The road to transformation begins.
At first, it’s a one time money scheme, then White finds he is not only good at making the drug, by far the best quality seen in his region, but he also likes the money and the power. Taking on the identity of ‘Heisenberg,’ he becomes somewhat of a feared drug lord, and bumping up against the true bad asses in that field. Can Walter protect those he loves as he moves up and down the insane power ladder of his newly chosen occupation? And can he do it safely before the cancer takes him?
From family man and friendly teacher to power mad drug czar, from death to resurrection to death again, this is a journey that has enthralled audiences the world over for several years, and will continue to do so for many to come. Univision is preparing a Spanish language version of the show, an opera is in the works, and AMC, the network that aired “Breaking Bad,” keeps talking about a prequel spin-off. The phenomenon continues, and now you can own it. And more.
The Package
“Breaking Bad: The Complete Series” is no mere boxed set of discs. Not only does the Sony package contains all seven years and sixty-two episodes of the TV series, but it is also shaped like a barrel, a barrel very much like the ones that Walter buried his money in out in the desert. Each season disc is packed individually and make up an iconic image from the series when lined up, as well as apparently a drink coaster.
There is also a two-hour documentary on the making of the series, a booklet about the series, season by season, a Los Pollos Hermanos apron, and an official “Breaking Bad” challenge coin. The documentary disc also includes the tongue-in-cheek alternate ending where the entire thing is just a dream of Bryan Cranston’s “Malcolm in the Middle” character in a brilliant homage to the end of “Newhart.”
The Promise
“Breaking Bad” will be remembered as one of the most amazing television dramas ever produced, up there with “The Sopranos,” “The Wire,” and “Mad Men,” among others. Even now in reruns, streaming, OnDemand, and through this fabulous disc package, it gains new viewers every day. People are still talking about it and still obsessed with the show. If you listen to The GAR! Podcast, you know my partner always references it, no matter what we’re talking about, it has become so much a part of our culture.
If you get, or you’re getting, “Breaking Bad: The Complete Series” this holiday, get ready for some pulse pounding, intense, character driven, and just fascinating television – the like of which you’ve never seen before, and perhaps won’t see again. “Breaking Bad” is awesome.
