Evaluation: Breaking Bad

In the world we live in today stereotypes are evident everywhere. Specifically in school students would never think anything bad about their teachers or the lives they live outside the school realm. Breaking Bad is show that has torn down the typical stereotypes of high school teachers, in this case a high school chemistry teacher. Premiering in January 2008 on AMC, Breaking Bad has captured views from many people and has become so popular that it has won seven Primetime Emmy Awards. The show breaks down preconceived notions about the type of people who cook and deal drugs, as well as sending the message to not completely rule out the unexpected. Nobody would expect an older man who is dying of cancer, such as Walt, to cook drugs and to be such a bad influence on society and young people, who he teaches.

The main character, Walt, has been diagnosed with lung cancer and in order to make money for his cancer treatments and for his family after he passes away he decides to cook crack cocaine. He develops a recipe so pure that it is wanted by everyone and he gets himself and his accomplice into a tremendous amount of trouble. In order to hide their secret they lie, steal, and even kill. This is not what students expect of their teachers. Personally, I would have never expected my high school chemistry teacher to be able to use her abilities in the realm of chemicals and reactions to do something completely illegal.

Also, parents want to think that their children are in a safe environment while at school. Well, if your chemistry teacher is Walter White then there may be a slight issue with that. Walt steals from the chemistry department and puts his entire family into danger. Being so close to death, due to his illness, one would expect Walt to not be doing anything to risk his or his families lives, however he also breaks this pre conceived notion and is almost killed several times, either from explosions or from people trying to get the drugs he cooks.

After hearing rave reviews from all my friends about the show I decided to watch it on Netflix. I started with the first season and am currently on season two, and I am totally hooked! I cannot stop watching this absolutely amazing show; the action and suspense gets me every time. I never would have thought that a show about a chemistry teacher stealing drugs would be so amazing, but the unexpected is actually what makes the show better.