Breaking Bad: A Cultural History

The Cultural History of Television

by Lara C. Stache

As one of the most critically acclaimed shows of all time, Breaking Bad explored the life and crimes of a high school chemistry teacher turned meth kingpin of the American Southwest. As Walter White and his former student Jesse Pinkman become deeply entwined in the drug world, their narrative leaves a trail of bodies strewn across the show’s five seasons—a story that resulted in more than 15 Emmy awards.In Breaking A Cultural History, Lara C. Stache offers an engaging analysis of the program, focusing on the show’s fascinating characters and complex story lines. Stache gives the show its due reverence, but also suggests new ways of understanding and critiquing the series as a part of the larger culture in which it exists. The author looks at how the program challenges viewers to think about the choices made in the narrative, analyzes what did and did not work, and determines the program’s cultural significance, particularly its place in twenty-first century America.The author also explores how Breaking Bad grapples with themes of morality, legality, and anti-drug rhetoric and looks at how the marketing of the series influenced the ways in which television shows are now promoted. Breaking A Cultural History captures the spirit of the series and examines how the show had an impact on viewers like no other program. This book will be of interest to fans of the show as well as to scholars and students of television, media, and American popular culture.

Genres: Nonfiction, Tv

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2017

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a fan of Breaking Bad, I liked the chance to revisit episodes and characters through Lara Stache's discussion of them. I'm glad publishers thought the t.v. series merited a cultural study. However, as a literature professor and student of cultural studies, I thought the analysis was a little on the light side. The series is so rich that it would be impossible to cover all its themes. Yet I felt that the topics Stache included were a bit repetitive and relied on the same handful of key episodes (e.g. Jane's death figure in at least 3 sections). I didn't necessarily learn anything new about Breaking Bad, but the book did make me want to continue the conversation about a series that I have (admittedly) already dissected this way and that. For fans of the show, it's a fun read.

[Xin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book about the tv phenomenon of Breaking Bad. I also understand why author didn't receive such high reviews. She actually touches upon these reasons indirectly in the book. What it boils down to is basically that AMC did such a good job connecting the audience, that everyone is pretty much an expert on the show. With that being said, Lara didn't really offer anything new or exciting for avid BB fans. And for those who haven't seen the tv show, they would not be reading this book either.

However, credit given where credit is due, she did a good job summarzing the important concepts mentioned in the book, however trite they are to a fan. I also liked at the end of the book, there is short synopsis of every episode, so people can relive the show. However, then again, these content should all be readily available online.

[Rome · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun but I feel like most of the observations were rather obvious? I will say I did like the point regarding Lydia as representative of corporations’ treatment of people as disposable, I really wish the author had elaborated on that more, as I think it’s an excellent analysis. However, other than that, I think most critical viewers will have already made these conclusions and given more thought to them. Would have loved to see some analysis of cinematic techniques, storytelling structure, more on the alignment with the tragic hero, and a history of the real world’s response to the show. Still, it was a fun and easy read.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

From my days of reviewing books for libraries that word that comes to mind is "serviceable" it will provide some fodder for literary thought but no great revelations are here. This book makes me glad I watched the series and may have to rewatch it. I am glad I wasn't wasting my time in front of the tv all those hours. The series really did make me think about the characters and their actions.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

All these years later and I still enjoy a Breaking Bad fix- well written and interesting

[Deanna Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Figgy Pudding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truly okay. The writing is somewhere between fan-girl and competent college essay (written clearly but w/o saying anything particularly novel). I found it through an academic database, but it definitely seems aimed at a casual audience. I appreciated going through material about the series, and I did appreciate some insights (she speculates about how the series would have gone differently if Walt had won the coin-flip in the first season, for example). Much of the content reads like blog posts about the subject as well (the lists of villains). Not bad. Nothing wrong with it. Just not amazing.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is neither good nor bad. The questions are asked are what one would expect. I did appreciate how they examined at the aspect of Skyler & why she was so unlikeable.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entry in the "Cultural History of Television" series is a stunning dissection of Breaking Bad, the critically acclaimed AMC TV series following Walter White's (Bryan Cranston) path from schoolteacher to drug lord. Stache's debut is both a close reading of the series and a delight for fans as she analyzes the marketing and fandom while also highlighting intense Internet speculation over promotional posters as one example of audience engagement. Stache delves into whether Walter is an antihero or outright villain, illustrates how binge watching on Netflix increased the viewer numbers, and takes a close look at the supporting cast in relation to the main character. Finally, the author concludes with a self-proclaimed "opinionated compendium" of episode synopses. Never losing her witty voice, she guides readers through a well-researched discussion of what made this a landmark series. VERDICT: Stache manages a scholarly take on a television show about the meth trade and turns it into a fast, fun read, making this a essential for fans of the show. Library Journal 07/01/2017