Breaking Bad

[irishjayhawk]

Anyone watching this magnificent show?

[Lex Luthor]

Originally Posted by Cave Johnson

Eh, I don't think it's the right theory, but it's definitely a possibility. It's reminiscent of the third act in Ambrose Bierce's An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (props to my dad for that reference).

The theory is bullshit. I guess the author of that article REALLY likes it when TV shows have finales that either don't explain anything or destroy the whole integrity of the series by saying it was all a dream.

That author should go die in an AIDS tree.

[siberian khatru]

http://www.abqjournal.com/275038/new...s-closure.html

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by NewChief

If it were Walt's dream, then why not have Skyler, Flynn, and Jesse all forgive him? Everyone acts like Walt found redemption, ignoring the fact that he still died hated by those closest to him. He certainly strove for redemption and tried to right his most grievous wrongs, however, in the end he died despised by those he supposedly loved.

On this I agree with it not being a dream scenario.

It doesn't seem plausible that in his psyche that when he's trying to pack and rush them to flee and the whole knife fight ensues, or his admitting to Skyler that he didn't do it all for the family to a lesser degree would be how events would unfold as Walt is the omnipresent director of his supposed dream. There is some some degree an altruistic archetype that every person holds and even in a dream I find that 1st scene mentioned just too far outside the scope of logical ever rationalizing Walt to depart from unless he was actually really faced with these external circumstances by Skyler and Junior.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

On this I agree with it not being a dream scenario.

It doesn't seem plausible that in his psyche that when he's trying to pack and rush them to flee and the whole knife fight ensues, or his admitting to Skyler that he didn't do it all for the family to a lesser degree would be how events would unfold as Walt is the omnipresent director of his supposed dream. There is some some degree an altruistic archetype that every person holds and even in a dream I find that 1st scene mentioned just too far outside the scope of logical ever rationalizing Walt to depart from unless he was actually really faced with these external circumstances by Skyler and Junior.

Did you read the article? Author didn't say the whole thing was a dream... specifically from the point in the last episode where the keys fall from the sun shade.

[Silock]

Which is still a neat mental exercise, but ruins the ending and fails under scrutiny.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

Did you read the article? Author didn't say the whole thing was a dream... specifically from the point in the last episode where the keys fall from the sun shade.

No, I hadn't had a chance to, and then forgot with everything going on on a Saturday with sports, news, etc. I have it pulled up in a browser tab and will give it a read through.

[Lex Luthor]

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

Did you read the article? Author didn't say the whole thing was a dream... specifically from the point in the last episode where the keys fall from the sun shade.

The author clearly loved the finales of St. Elsewhere, The Sopranos, Newhart, and Lost. Thank God the author was not the writer for Breaking Bad, because his ending would have sucked.

Walter didn't win redemption. He still died as man hated by his family. It's nice that he was able to kill Jack's gang and free Jesse, but it was not a happy ending.

[Gonzo]

In retrospect, I really liked the ending. At least there was closure. Maybe we didnt actually see WW bite it, they left that a little open ended. I mean, we presume he's dead but it's not like he had brains leaking out of his ear and I'm ok with that. You know, just in case they want to do a movie or whatever.
I was exceedingly happy that Jessie lived. However, does he have any money left? I'd hate to think he went thru all of that just to end up a broke ass mental case...

[SLAG]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

In retrospect, I really liked the ending. At least there was closure. Maybe we didnt actually see WW bite it, they left that a little open ended. I mean, we presume he's dead but it's not like he had brains leaking out of his ear and I'm ok with that. You know, just in case they want to do a movie or whatever.
I was exceedingly happy that Jessie lived. However, does he have any money left? I'd hate to think he went thru all of that just to end up a broke ass mental case...

Hopefully he has Equity in his house

[rico]

This has probably been discussed many times. I wouldn't know, for I haven't been able to check these boards as much as I'd like due to being so freaking busy lately with school, work and parenting 1 and 2 year old girls. Apologies in advance if this has already been covered dozens of times...

So.... Todd Alquist:



I was absolutely terrified of this character. Not only did I perceive him as the most terrifying character in the entire series, but probably the most terrifying character I've ever seen on TV. And I'm relatively thick-skinned when it comes to watching TV...it takes a lot to scare me, but this character managed to do so. I can't pinpoint why exactly, Todd Alquist terrifies me 1000 X more than other notoriously terrifying TV characters, such as Hannibal Lecter. I think it's the fact that I found his portrayal of a psychopath to be so spot-on and realistic. His personality can be so sincere, yet he is simultaneously able to do horrific things, such as killing the kid as if it were nothing.

I think the unique combination of the characteristics of sincerity in his personality, his awkward behavior in his interactions with people, his loyalty, his utter nonchalance in unbelievably strenuous situations, his cunning physical resemblance to an "off" version of Matt Damon, his glaring need for approval from his superiors, his lack of ability to merely comprehend let alone distinguish between right and wrong and his capability to do things that are horrifying beyond comprehension without showing a hint of empathy is what makes his character so frightening to me. I find his portrayal of a sociopath/psychopath...more believable than anything I've ever seen.

In my life thus far, I've known psychopaths/sociopaths...a couple-few of them very well. I worked as an Intensive Psych Practitioner/Service Coordinator of a mental health facility for 5 years following my graduation from college (in which Psych was my major...dumb choice). Some of his behaviors/characteristics remind me of some of my past clients who were psycho-sociopaths as well as a couple people I have gotten to know real well in my personal life, who were/are psychopaths.

I dunno, I've just literally never seen anything like him on TV and have never been literally "shook up" from being scared due to something I watched on TV until the last few episodes of Breaking Bad in which he was a prominent character.

Anyone else affected by Todd the same way I was (am)?

Sidenote: Todd reminds me of the type of guy who is predisposed to be a sociopath, but the tendencies are multiplied by a thousand due to not having a positive and/or consistent father figure in his life. I would guess that if the show had a chance to expand on him a bit more, this would likely be reflected as a contributing factor in terms of what made him the way he is. Anyone else catch that vibe from him?

Ugh! (chills thinking about it).

[Baby Lee]

THERE's the Rico we know and love!!!

[-King-]

They're making a new spin off. Skyler gets lung cancer due to her cigarette addiction so to take care of her family, she'll have to become a hooker.

[rico]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

THERE's the Rico we know and love!!!

Hahahaha. So, I assume you aren't as skeeered of Todd as my wussy ass?

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by rico

Hahahaha. So, I assume you aren't as skeeered of Todd as my wussy ass?

I was referring more to the verbosity of the post than to the specific sentiments.

[rico]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

I was referring more to the verbosity of the post than to the specific sentiments.

Oh, I know, I know.

But still....were/are you scared of the dude? Or am I a wussy mcwussypants?