Breaking Bad: Critical Essays on the Contexts, Politics, Style, and Reception of the Television Series by David P. Pierson (Editor) (1-Jan-2014) Hardcover

by David P. Pierson

Breaking Critical Essays on the Contexts, Politics, Style, and Reception of the Television Series, edited by David P. Pierson, explores the contexts, politics, and style of AMC's original series Breaking Bad. The book's first section locates and addresses the series from several contemporary social contexts, including neo-liberalism, its discourses and policies, the cultural obsession with the economy of time and its manipulation, and the epistemological principles and assumptions of Walter White's criminal alias Heisenberg. Section two investigates how the series characterizes and intersects with current cultural politics, such as male angst and the re-emergence of hegemonic masculinity, the complex portrayal of Latinos, and the depiction of physical and mental impairment and disability. The final section takes a close look at the series' distinctive visual, aural, and narrative stylistics. Under examination are Breaking Bad's unique visual style whereby image dominates sound, the distinct role and use of beginning teaser segments to disorient and enlighten audiences, the representation of geographic space and place, the position of narrative songs to complicate viewer identification, and the integral part that emotions play as a form of dramatic action in the series.

Genres: Tv

Hardcover

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[ERIC PECHINOT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't pretend I am a television series buff. As a rule I have very little time for, and even less interest in, such things. Yet I am quite sure that in this field, Breaking Bad will remain outstanding for yonks. It masterfully reminds us how good intentions pave the way to ruin.
Past the exciting and trailblazing way it was shot, (quite a sensation in the early 2000s!), it provides so much food for thought on the subject of how Mr Smith can all of a sudden turn so bad so fast that I wanted to delve further into it.
The deep exploration of morality and the unintended consequences of good intentions are not the only themes.
There is also the fascinating question of what to do with your life when you know that your days are numbered. In this respect, Walter White's confrontation with his mortality (in his own words:"any life comes with a death sentence.") and his subsequent transformation put me in mind of "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" by Leo Tolstoy, and its reflection on life, the choices made by the high-ranking judge, and his search for meaning, in his last days.
Morality vs mortality?!...
Of course, it can't be that simple. We just have to think of two other main characters, Jesse Pinkman and Skyler White, to see that there's more to it.
Jesse Pinkman: his struggle with guilt, redemption, and the consequences of his actions adds a layer of moral ambiguity. His journey is a stark contrast to Walter’s, highlighting the impact of their choices on their humanity. I think I can see in Jesse's misgivings a modern rendition of what we have in Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky.
Skyler White: her moral quandary and attempts to protect her family while grappling with the truth about her husband's actions provide a nuanced perspective on morality and survival. In other words, I think she could well be the Anna Karenina of today!
The bridge I am building between the two Russian authors and the series gives in my opinion credit to the rich content developed in Breaking Bad, and its profound exploration of human nature in dire straights.
So to treat myself, I patiently waited for the paperback edition. Not that easy to come by, even online, and ouch, don't expect knocked-down prices for the hardcover! - my goodness, do they think we are rolling in it?
Anyway, good things happen to those who wait and I just loved the book as much as I did the show!

[Arnel Šarić · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is reviewed in my Breaking Bad Books Special:

http://www.onajkojikuca.com/?p=605

(Bosnian only, sorry!)