What Does Green Mean??
Okay. Before I ask my question I have to start this post with a few things. I enjoy this show tremendously. It has the intensity of The Shield with the humor of Weeds, two attributes that go very well together and that escape any network show to date, even though I rarely watch network shows because for the most part they are not worth watching. I have watched Malcolm in the Middle and Bryan Cranston is so far removed from that show he is almost unrecognizable. This is a great accomplishment. This show is a winner. Anyone comparing Breaking Bad to garbage like Lost or Heroes, (both okay shows, but out of their league in this case) should stick to watching network TV. 24 unfortunately starts again sometime in the future, stick to that. Jack Bauer is a pansy. Walt would choke him with a bicycle lock, melt his body in a plastic tub, smoke some pot, go have sex with his wife, and then go cook some flawless meth. Enough said.
I have read a few reviews on this site that call the show immoral, I have to agree a little bit, but I think before one passes final judgment, he or she should see how the show ends. Clearly they are going somewhere with this and it can't end well. Maybe the story line will get into the terrible side meth. I would have to guess that is where it is going. Is there really another way to go??? So I say give it a chance before ruling this show out. Don't let the kids watch and let your self enjoy a truly good show. Also if you seriously think about it, when was the last time a TV SHOW made you laugh and cry? It is just a very well told story about a desperate man. It makes you think about what you would do if you were in his situation. The show draws you in and doesn't let you go.
Okay now here is my question... What does green mean???
Or rather, what does it symbolize? Walt always wears green? I can't find any definitive answer to the symbolism. It could be anything from jealousy to some magical soothing/healing power "Suicides dropped 34% when London's Blackfriar Bridge was painted green." Anyway, Just thought I would start some sort of discussion on what you all think, as greens' spectrum of symbolism is so large.
Let me know.
- (0)
- Email this entry
Green can symbolize jealousy, a close relationship with nature, or money. In Othello, jealousy is the "green-eyed" monster. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, his greenness symbolizes his ethereal presence. And in Wizard of Oz there's the Emerald City. In regards to the properties of the color itself, it can be both very muted and very loud. Green, if it's in a muted shade, can blend into the background. But it can also, especially in a landscape that lacks a lot of green (such as the desert) it stands out. Green can be evidence of both rotting and growing. I like this explanation best. Walter is rotting, in a way, physically, as his lungs fill up with bad stuff. But he is growing mentally and emotionally and finally waking up.
In the "Breaking Bad" BTS (Behind The Scenes) it is mentioned that Walt starts off bland, even his name, Walter White, is colorless and empty, but as Walt changes the colors change. Kathleen Detoro, the costume designer, says the color green represents life to Walt.
Vince and Kathleen deserve kudos for their color palette. Walts, lab apron is green, RED phosphorous is used as a deadly weapon, and in a stroke of genius, Kathleen was able to make beige an eye popping statement in the 5th episode (Gray Matter).
PS. The BTS is available with On Demand HiDef.
Green is life and growing. Walt (in his own
wierd way) is clinging onto life and possibly even
growing (re:the pillow scene-I decide!)
Plus, green is the new black and everyone's
"going green" so why not here too? Or it could
be as simple as green is the color the costume
designer likes best.
I think I agree with Kristina--
It seems to me that green has two separate meanings for Walt. Before he breaks it's a symbol of his drab, placid, lifeless existence.
After he breaks, it contrasts starkly against his desolate surroundings as hope for life--it becomes his oasis in the desert.
That's just my opinion.
I am right now watching. Walter Whites decision, and his reasoning, to not get chemo treatment was spectacular. This show has really made a serious commentary regarding the patients right to not be treated. Bravo. I never go to show websites and comment; this was very moving.
Thanks for this.
The little green muse - thats me by the way - says...
When the going gets tough the tough go green.