Breaking Bad: The Official Book

by David Thomson (Editor)

One of the most critically acclaimed series ever produced, Breaking Bad (Sony Pictures Television/AMC, 2008–2013) won legions of avid viewers who debated its every nuance as they followed the evolution of terminally ill high-school teacher Walter White as he became the drug kingpin Heisenberg. This one-of-a-kind book—the ultimate official guide to the show—covers the evolution of Breaking Bad from the pilot to the final episode and beyond. Adapted and expanded from Breaking Bad Alchemy , the interactive e-book for the iPad, it highlights the unique elements that made the series so magnetic. The book is filled with insider secrets about the making of the show and the meanings behind its iconography, as well a complete Breaking Bad timeline; in-depth looks at the series’ groundbreaking cinematography, music, and special effects; exclusive interviews with creator Vince Gilligan; and new text from noted film critic David Thomson. Bad fans will enjoy the book's updated design, more than 100 new images, and perceptive captions. Renowned critic David Thomson reveals an extensive interview with Vince Gilligan just for this edition, and provides an insightful introduction—arguing that Breaking Bad is not only a great show, but one of the most significant works of fiction in the new century. In addition to exploring how this epic series came to be, Thomson sets Breaking Bad in the context of both crime literature and long-form television.

Genres: Nonfiction, Tv, Crime

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2015

About the author

David Thomson, renowned as one of the great living authorities on the movies, is the author of The New Biographical Dictionary of Film, now in its fifth edition. His books include a biography of Nicole Kidman and The Whole Equation: A History of Hollywood. Thomson is also the author of the acclaimed "Have You Seen . . . ?": A Personal Introduction to 1,000 Films. Born in London in 1941, he now lives in San Francisco.

Reviews

[Michael Finocchiaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an essential companion for fans of the amazing AMC show Breaking Bad (which led to the current spinoff Better Call Saul). Since we don't review TV here, but since I loved this show so much, below is my final blog post about the show. Warning - this does contain spoilers for those who did not watch the show - particularly about the final episode "Felina".

There has been lots of virtual ink spilt over the masterpiece that Breaking Bad was including 21 articles on my blog (http://mfinocchiaro.wordpress.com) . I know it sounds awfully repetitive but I have been saying since back in Season 2 that this show was simply incredible and as we moved through Season 4 and Season 5 Part 1, it just kept improving episode after episode. It was exhilarating to watch Walt transform into Heisenberg and all this with no shark jumping or pandering or sentimentalism or cheapening of the plot. It stayed complex and violent and intense and highly credible. Walt was definitely "smarter than [we] are, luckier than [we] are". Despite his evil nature, I could never really root against him. Like Vince and his incredible writing crew, I wanted him to at least attempt to right some of the universal wrongs that he did for the sake of being "alive". How cathartic was the confession to Skyler that he did it all for himself. The last time he held Holly, the last time he watched Flynn. It was not overdone or over-wrought, it was perfectly balanced. From the manic pace from Confessions to Ozymandias and the relative slow pace of Granite State, Felina crescendos into a swan song for Walter White over the words of Badfinger "I guess I deserved it". Yes, he most certainly did, but we will not miss him any less. I personally want to see more directing from the amazing Michelle MacLaren, more editing from Kelley Dixon, more music from David Porter, and another serious, quirky masterpiece from Vince Gilligan. Some have criticised Aaron Paul for taking on the star role in Need for Speed. I am really happy for him. He struggled for work for so long and has come into his own thanks to Breaking Bad and his success is well-deserved. Anna Gunn was rightfully compensated by the Emmy's this year. Bryan Cranston once again proved that he WAS Walter/Heisenberg with one of the most riveting and complex character portrayals ever attempted on the small screen. Even at the end of the show, he moved effortlessly between the two personas - so much so that we were not sure at many points which one we were looking at.

The parallels and throwbacks in the finale are almost too many to mention. In the final image of Walt dead in the lab, I am reminded of him lying down and laughing/crying hysterically in 'Crawl Space'. In fact, Jesse's cry/laugh as he busted down the gates of the nazi compound and sped away also reminded me of that same ambiguous reaction between sorrow and relief that he certainly felt at that moment. I think that he left the watch on the phone to say "Time's Up: I have put into motion my last Master Plan and I will not survive it. Also, I don't want the cops to get the watch that Jesse gave me. It feels better to leave it here in the middle of nowhere than to have it on my dead body 48 hours later. The look on Walt's face resembles that when he goes into the MRI machine in S01E01 and later in S05E08. He came full circle from sleepwalking through his life post-Gretchen/post-Grey Matter and alive to living the adrenaline heights of the drug trade and dying from it. The last gest saving Jesse was necessary and critical for our acceptance (but not forgiveness) of him as an audience. The Talking Good podcast mentioned that there was some Christ imagery in here: wounded in the side, having his life taken in the place of Jesse's, the pose with the arms wide apart...perhaps a bit of a stretch but it is curious how he said a prayer (to whom? above or below) in the car to get him home and he'd take care of the rest. Perhaps it was his Faustian deal (echoed by the airs of Faust that were playing in Gretchen and Elliot's house when he sneaks up on them. In any case, I am sure that there will be a slew of Master's Theses for the next few years in schools across the US analysing and re-analysing the rich treasure-trove of material for literature, culture, and cinematic students that Breaking Bad will ultimately leave as a legacy. As for me, I am proud to have watched this show from about episode 3 of season 1 to the end.

I felt that Felina really gave me closure for Walt, Jesse and the immediate family. The only possible open question is about whether someone will free Huell and why Don Eladio was scared of Gus. But I'd rather wonder about those than face an unsatisfying ending like that in The Sopranos or no ending at all like in Deadwood. I think the next best closing episode in terms of closure was that of Six Feet Under which was incredibly masterful and complete. Perhaps the weakest in recent memory is the end of Dexter where it is too rushed and jumps the shark with Dex somehow surviving a hurricane and swimming to some kind of logging camp? Yeah right. Walt's death on the floor of his true love - a meth cooking lab - the ONE thing in his life that he earned unquestioned respect and power from - was appropriate and fulfilling and will live on as an eternal portrayal of the futility of human greed -

"He meets some fragment huge, and stops to guess
What powerful but unrecorded race
Once dwelt in that annihilated place."

Goodbye Breaking Bad. We will miss you Walt. RIP.

[Paul Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is total fan fodder and completely inessential but it's so very very pretty and since all this stuff is on Amazon for around two of your English pounds I'm just saying if you like this show you could do worse.


This is fun : in one episode Walter in a fit of irritation storms out of his house and throws the giant pizza he has just bought onto the roof.... here he is remorsefully cleaning it up the next day...



The house was a real house and now fans track down the real house in Albuquerque and throw pizzas onto the roof (or try to). Much fun for the family actually living there! Many laughs all round!

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

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I recently finished watching Breaking bad (I have no idea why I hadn't watched it till now) and I absolutely loved it. Instantly it became one of my all time favourite shows, along side my favourite show- Game of Thrones. This is a really good book for fans of the show. However it does contain spoilers, so watch the entire series first.

[kutingtin · Rating 5 out of 5]

binge worthy! 🔥

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with so many books on film noir, the hundreds of photos that visually support the narrativity discussion are worth the price of admission. The book description lays it all out so no need for me to recount and will just add that although the focus is on the intersection of production and theme, I added this to my writing shelf because, despite the focus on production, the writing came first and is effervescent throughout. That and for the insightful interviews with series creator Vince Gilligan who drove the story from inception to its conclusion.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not sure what genre to place this book. Breaking Bad:The Official Book" Is just what it looks like. A book all about the TV series Breaking Bad. I am a big fan of this show so I was delighted to read a book all about Breaking Bad. It is loaded with all kinds of facts about the show. Each chapter focuses on how Breaking Bad was put together. From creating the characters, coming up with plot lines. Costumes, set designs. locations. There are interviews with Vince Gilligan the creator, producers etc. One chapter goes season to season and describes each show. Even the music they chose to go in episodes. For fans of this well done show this is a fun fact filled book all about Breaking Bad. Glad I got the chance to learn more about what went into making this series. Those of you who enjoyed the show may find this an enjoyable read.

[Susan Liston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good. If you are fan of the series, of course, this was quite interesting. Focused a lot on the production aspects of the show; music, costumes, set design, cinematography. And lots of tidbits I hadn't heard before. Example...it was originally set in Riverside, CA, not Albuquerque. They changed the location mainly because New Mexico gave them a tax break. Since ABQ became almost a character itself, hard to picture it set in Riverside.
Makes me want to go back and rewatch and pay closer attention.

Oh, and it does contain a lot of spoilers, so don't read this in advance of watching all episodes.

[Faith Neece · Rating 2 out of 5]

While there was some interesting info in the book, the author was so pretentious 😂 it made it hard to get through and take seriously. I have honestly found more value from video essays about the show.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

indispensable! - my full review here: http://paullevinson.blogspot.com/2015...

[AntonMediGz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book and good tv adaptation

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that treats BB like the true great American novel it is. English teachers could have a field day with it🔥🔥

On a side note, the music supervisor said he created a whole playlist of music he thought Hank Schrader would listen to and omfg I NEED IT TO BE RELEASED.

[Ana Costa · Rating 4 out of 5]

O livro tenta colocar em palavras e em imagens muito bonitas a grandiosidade de BB, primeiro através da introdução do organizador do livro, o crítico de cinema David Thomson. Durante várias páginas ele reavalia a série olhando em retrospecto, relembrando o quanto ela é violenta, imoral, nojenta e sombria, mas acima de tudo, engraçada. A cena do pai de família Walter White de cuecas no meio do deserto pode inicialmente ter afastado muitos espectadores em potencial, mas ela era fundamental na formação do caráter do nosso protagonista: a partir da descoberta do câncer, ele perdeu tudo, principalmente sua dignidade. O livro vai abordar praticamente todos os aspectos na construção desta história do professor que vira traficante.

Intercalando capítulos temáticos com entrevistas do criador da série, Vince Gilligam, o livro faz um retrospecto da linha do tempo e seus elementos, apresenta todos os principais personagens (e alguns que apareceram no decorrer da história e cativaram o coração dos fãs), figurinos, inspirações, e até mesmo o papel dos fãs em alguns momentos da história. Um trecho muito bacana mostra qual o significado dos títulos de TODOS os episódios da série, e também faz uma contagem de quantas pessoas morreram.

Temos também uma aula de química e aprendemos quais as substâncias que Walter White usou no decorrer da série, muito além daquelas usadas pra produzir sua metanfetamina.

Uma das partes mais legais pra mim é a entrevista em que Vince explica algo que se tornou uma das características mais marcantes da série: as tomadas com ponto de vista, onde a câmera segue personagens, ou está dentro de geladeiras, vasos sanitários ou no tambor de uma arma.

Outros capítulos falam dos carros, da música e figurino dos personagens, com entrevistas de vários membros da equipe, ou seja, é uma jornada muito legal sobre o processo de criação de Breaking Bad a partir de vários ângulos.

[Nancy Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really the BB story but very interesting facts about show, photography, actors, etc in fact everything about the series. Made binge watching the series more enjoyable. Amazing how much attention to every little detail went into making the series.

[Adriano Tiegs · Rating 5 out of 5]

O livro oficial de um dos maiores fenômenos da TV mundial é tudo o que eu, como fã, esperava. David Thomson traz, em pouco mais de 200 páginas, uma coletânea magnífica de entrevistas com Vince Gilligan e várias outras mentes por trás da série, como produtores, figurinistas, aderecistas, compositores, entre outros. A obra traz também análises sobre personagens e seus desenvolvimentos, além de informações sobre locações, equipamentos utilizados nas gravações, gambiarras e improvisações, sinopses e significados dos nomes de cada episódio, sobre o fantástico uso de cores para demonstrar diferentes emoções e a mente de cada personagem e muitas outras curiosidades,tudo isso ao lado de centenas de fotos da série e bastidores. Obra indispensável para quem quer se aprofundar no universo da série e entender um pouco de todo o processo que envolve desde o esboço de um roteiro até a exibição de um episódio para TV.

[Leslie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really hoping to get more from this book, but it fell flat. I LOVE the series, but seriously, you get more info online and from the imdb trivia than you do this book. Disappointing.

The first part summarizes every episode, which was a little tedious. (why else would you buy this book if you haven't already seen the series?) There were a few interesting parts (emphasis on FEW) and humor the way the author writes, but nothing great/worth remembering.

It could have been so much better: behind the scenes, better photos (again, behind the scenes), and just other fun stuff you might see on a documentary or "making of".

[Yuri Fidélis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very interesting getting in-depth looks at behind-the-scenes aspects of the show, specially around design, direction and effects decisions that help build the show's universe. I wish it was more structured though, some pieces of information repeat themselves and reappear again in a way that makes the book flow like an unstructured mish mash of interviews, random anecdotes and essays. In that sense, I would prefer some of the quotes from interviews to be inserted at points of the essays when they would be relevant to enhance the background that was being given.

[Swayam Khanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing insight into the making of one of the best pieces of television in modern times. Only wish there were more of pre-production documents and floor plans included. Apart from that, excerpts from the writer's room notes, interviews and detailed explanation of character arcs are spot on. Love the show and love this book!

[Eric Carzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved breaking bad, you'll love this book. And it's surprisingly kind of deep for a book of this nature. The show runners really tell you a lot about how they reached certain decisions, it goes into production, lighting, color, music, the characters. A lot of content, but in great bites, a very easy read.

[Zali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking Bad: The Official Book is full to the brim with interesting facts, behind-the-scenes fun and other intriguing pieces of information about the TV show. From analysis of the colour scheme for each character to a breakdown of every death and who caused it, I could not recommend this book enough for anyone who wants to know more about Breaking Bad and how it came to be. :)

[Miroslav · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is really good!
Walter White, is a teacher of chemistry in the high school.
He make methamphetamines for many money.
He him cancer.
Her wife is pregnant.
Is the best book.
Five Stars.

[Tony Tower · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty pics and some good insights from creator Vince Gilligan. But other than the rather-good introductory essay, the book is pretty slight overall. Well worth the $6 I paid at a second-hand store, but I might feel otherwise if I'd paid retail.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cancer and blue crystal
A perfect book for Breaking Bad fans, it has exclusive interviews, images and a very interesting analysis of the series by David Thomson. I can only say that I love the series even more after reading the book and realizing some small details that went unnoticed by me.

[Ryan Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

It gives you a very in depth look at the behind the scenes, cast interviews and special features about went into making the show. I enjoyed it a lot. My #2 all time favorite show

[Nicola Flammini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un must-have per i fan della serie, ma potevano aggiungere più particolari/curiosità.

[Chris Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight to one of the greatest shows ever.

[David Cavaco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great compendium book to one of the best television shows ever. Awesome insight into the themes and background information on the groundbreaking series. Great photographs and illustrations.

[Joannemarie O'Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I have been watching the show on Netflix, are about halfway through the final season and really enjoy it. I spotted this book in my local library and really thought that he would like to flip through it, but I wound up reading it from cover to cover. Sure, there were some spoilers for me, but I don't care about that at all. There is no spoiling for me. I want to know everything about everything, all of the time.

The photography is amazing, much like the cinematography on the show. There are lots of insights into the characters, how they were imagined, how they progressed. The creators tell their stories and share so much with the viewer/reader. If you liked the show, definitely consider looking into the book.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. It contained a lot of behind-the-scenes facts and stories that were entertaining. The next time I watch the series, I'm going to pay more attention to the episode titles. The one aspect I didn't like was that there was a lot of summaries of the show. As someone who already watched each episode, I know what happened. That was just repeat info.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for any obsessed Breaking Bad fan. It has amazing details that you may not have noticed while watching the show. I have almost finished re-watching the entire series and have noticed so many things this time around simply by reading this book.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The interviews were the strongest element of this book. The editor, for some reason to me, had a slightly irritating tone. Otherwise loved it, made me want to re-watch the series immediately (which is what a BTS book should do)