A Critique of The Tv Show Breaking Bad

Introduction

On January 20, 2008, AMC television network released what would soon become a major hit television show called Breaking Bad. This TV show revolves around a chemistry teacher named Walter White. Diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer, he was given just two years to live. Unable to afford the treatment, he turned to the drug business in an attempt to pay for it. He had a wife named Skyler White, who was a short-story writer and a bookkeeper. They had a son named Walter White Jr., who suffered from cerebral palsy. The family resided in Albuquerque, New Mexico. An article published on DailyMail.com, written by Alexandra Klausner, titled “Breaking Bad: Good or Bad? The Popular TV Show Faces Criticism for 'Glorifying' Meth” (Klausner, 2014), explores the show's impact on society.

A Critique of the TV Show Breaking Bad

Klausner delves into how the concept of the show might influence different kinds of people in various ways. According to her article, there are considerably more cons than pros. Klausner cites Blake Ewing, an assistant district attorney from Austin, Texas, who stated, “It’s the greatest show of all time, but may actually draw more people closer to experimenting with the drug” (Ewing, 2014). On the other hand, Ewing claims, “while the show may not glorify meth in the sense of making it attractive to the average viewer, it does normalize the idea of meth for a broad segment of society that might otherwise have no knowledge of that dark and dangerous world.” In this regard, the show might possibly educate people about what to look for and be aware of certain surroundings. Ewing, being a prosecutor in Austin, Texas, is located in a town where methamphetamine is a conundrum. “Just because the show is good, doesn't mean that's not bad,” says Ewing. Klausner then states, “Even though he (Ewing) thinks that Breaking Bad is great art, he reminds audiences that great art affects culture negatively.”

With help from Ewing, Klausner forms a rebuttal for his argument. She argues that the show might increase the number of people willing to experiment with the life-threatening drug methamphetamine, believing that “the use of meth in the show may ‘normalize’ meth among users.” Klausner's concerns are further substantiated when she discovers a toy company called “Citizen Brick” (no affiliation with LEGO), which makes a playset called “Superlab.” This company released this set for children to build their very own drug lab. The set includes exact replicas of what the lab looked like in the TV show, complete with “fake” names like "world's best grandpa," aka Mike Ehrmantraut. Also included in the kit is the “chemistry enthusiast” character, aka Walter White, and the “chicken enthusiast,” aka Gus Fring, an undercover meth dealer and the owner of the fried chicken company, Los Pollos Hermanos, in Breaking Bad.

Conclusion

Overall, I believe Klausner presents her facts accurately, and Breaking Bad could indeed be a negative influence on society today. It showcases meth labs, violence, and the ruthless actions of Mexican cartels, all of which could glamorize or trivialize serious issues in the eyes of the audience. While the series is critically acclaimed for its storytelling and character development, the ethical implications of its content warrant careful consideration.

References:

• Klausner, A. (2014). Breaking Bad: Good or Bad? The Popular TV Show Faces Criticism for 'Glorifying' Meth. DailyMail.com.
• Ewing, B. (2014). Personal Interview.