Now that you mention it... when the show first aired there was a teacher that got busted for doing the exact same thing that Walt is doing. He was just getting set up when he was snitched out. I think that it may happen again, but everyone should remember that this is just television and actions have consequences.

I think overall it's a very, very negative picture. They certainly don't make it look like a great lifestyle choice (Mr. & Mrs. Spooge, their kid; Windy Wendy; Meth Motel).

Like anything in life, people will make their own choices. If they're screwed up in their thinking, naive or self-destructive, they're going to do what they're going to do regardless of what anyone else tells them. Smoking, anyone? Drinking, anyone? Drugs, anyone? Prostitution, anyone? Gangs, anyone? Theft, anyone? People do what they think will either make them feel better, take away their pain or meet their other needs (emotional, financial, physical) according to their self-esteem and a whole lotta factors.

And, frankly, there are addictive personalities, some hardwired with a predilection towards drugs, I think. If they're lucky enough to never discover that about themselves, well, they should thank the gods for that good fortune.

Great topic, bigfreakinnaz! As for the criminal element you're talking about (manufacture, distribution) - I don't know. I always think most criminals operate under the illusion that they're smarter than the rest of us morons. That always seems to be their basic premise, and their downfall in the end. No one is ever that smart, and time and odds work against them, too. Eventually their number comes up. The devil is ALWAYS in the details to pull them down.

A couple of decades ago, I had an art studio with a partner. After the studio closed down, I lost track of him. Apparently, he turned to being a relatively successful distributor of cocaine to the locals, and thought he was immune and safe from capture. Problem was, he was cheating with a detective's soon to be ex-wife, Please fill in the blanks.......

No, prohibition doesn't stop illegal use of drugs, didn't stop illegal use of alcohol, the death penalty doesn't stop people from murdering people, I'm sure this show hasn't stopped anyone from producing and using. I think the one thing that this show is good for is showing that "The War On Drugs" is a really stupid waste of taxpayer money and law enforcment. This show would not be in existence if drugs were legalized, regulated and taxed just like alcohol,cigarettes and psudophed.

As much as I like Breaking Bad, its just a Television show and that's all. This show does a good job of depicting what types of people are involved in the Meth world. Will it influence anyone one way or another, again this is a Television show, that's all.

r.w., i had to respond to you... this is television, But to say, "...its just a television show and that's all."

how daRE you?! (gAsp!)

some are saying that this is the best show ever. of course i am sending subliminal messages to the masses so that everyone Knows about It.

if this show iNfluenced one person to make a bad decision to start manufacturinG meth, then it stands to reason that it may very well show a Bigger crowd thAt there are very real consequences in all aspects. there are repercussions. is it absurD to look at jesse and see someone you know? we see these people and It iS possible THat thEy are our family or neighBor. wE See These people wherever we go.

i don't think its just tv, but that is just my opinion.

BREAKING BAD IS THE BEST

It's just a tv show. Although I have no doubt that some addicted people are watching the show, I think their ability to see themselves in the characters is limited. It depends on the level of their addiction.

I imagine (but don't know) that those who are severely addicted are busy trying to scam for what they can get and don't put together the similarities between what is happening on the show and what goes on in real life. Those who have a lower level might be able to think a little bit about it, but I doubt it makes much difference.

I'm probably being really stupid and naive about it.

By tweeders1 on May 20, 2009 5:08 PM
No, prohibition doesn't stop illegal use of drugs, didn't stop illegal use of alcohol, the death penalty doesn't stop people from murdering people, I'm sure this show hasn't stopped anyone from producing and using. I think the one thing that this show is good for is showing that "The War On Drugs" is a really stupid waste of taxpayer money and law enforcment. This show would not be in existence if drugs were legalized, regulated and taxed just like alcohol,cigarettes and psudophed.

This guy is right. They have ended prohibition in Portugal and there has been no increase in usage. Prohibition does more harm than good and funds the black market and the cartels.

By laz3000 on May 20, 2009 10:35 PM
BREAKING BAD IS THE BEST

Once again, I must agree with laz3000 here. He's such a sensible young man.

I think Breaking Bad is a great deterrent simply because of everything you see Walt (and Jesse) struggle with, not even mentioning how the show depicts people who are addicted to meth. The show demonizes the drug and the territory that comes with it, and I'd be surprised if anyone actually came away from Breaking Bad with a base, or even more of a desire to smoke or sell the stuff.

On one hand, although Vince Gilligan has expressly said on the podcasts that he didn't want the show to educate it's audience on how to produce and/or push meth, I can see how your average amateur may pick up a few pointers, but I think those cases would be few and far between those who recoil at the prospect of dealing with the massive headache. Besides, the idea that anyone would seriously treat this show as an actual resource for learning the tricks of the trade deserves whatever trouble they run into.

Oh, and can we please stop with the "it's just a tv show" sentiments? They only serve to state the obvious without commenting on the actual the merits of Breaking Bad's capacity to act as a deterrent. In fact, it's pretty dismissive to write off the power or truth in a show's message simply because it's fiction. To me, this just says that you're incapable of commenting on what the show is trying to convey. It's one thing to form an opinion of it's effect based of the show's content, but that's worlds apart from forming an opinion on the flimsy premise that it's not effective because it's not real. Way to miss the forest for the trees, guys.

laz, Its is a Great show, Great entertainment. It appears that you and several others have gone from Fans to Cult worshiper status. Its great entertainment, maybe I could have said it differently, but when you get down to it, its a Television show...

I look at it this way: On one hand you have a person that may have grown up in a bad enviroment, hangs around with a bad element, has no money, trouble following them wherever they go that may see the show and think "Shit man, this is for ME! I can make some serious cash, gain power among my peers, and get some babes too! I'm too smart to get caught, and if anybody gets in my way, I'll kill the fuckers!

But on the other hand, you have a law abiding citizen from a good background, has a decent job and family that would look at this show and think "Wow! Look at all that Walt an Jesse have to go through! There is NO WAY I'd do that shit!"

It's all in how a person is wired.

laz3000: I wonder how many people you had hunting for pen and paper to figure out your "message" Sort of reminds me of Ralphie from "A Christmas Story" using his Orphan Annie de-coder thing!

I am not meaning to cut down the show, when I say it's just fiction, but I truly believe that most drug users and dealers are not seeing themselves in this program. Like I said, maybe I'm naive. I have very limited contact with drug users and manufacturers.

I did find out shortly before this season first aired that I have a relative who is in deep, but beyond Christmas, birthdays and the occasional phone call, I don't keep in touch. She lives far away from me. I won't be sending money in my letters anymore. I doubt she's all that broken up about it, for the most part. I think she is too busy trying to run a scam. She's been arrested at least once and lost her family (husband and child), so I doubt watching a TV show on Sunday nights at 10 pm is going to factor into her thought processes about continuing on this course of destruction.

However, last season, there were a few people who posted on the talk forum who were drug counselors and social workers and they did say they had some clients who were in recovery who watched the show and saw themselves in the characters. So, it happens, but not exactly as a deterrent. I guess I could see that happening in some cases, but for the most part, if you're heavily addicted, you're really only caring about one thing and it ain't how to pay the cable bill so you can watch "Breaking Bad"!

Did anyone actually read my second post and notice the subliminal message that was hidden and then spelled out at the end? I wonder...

bigfreakinnaz, I didn't notice your the last line of your post! Thanks for noticing! LOL!

bigfreakinnaz I laughed when reading your description of how someone could view this show, and think "Hey, this is for me, I could earn $$, babes," etc. because it's so true. Some people actually do think that way. I always tend to think when people take that approach "How can I earn big money, and fast" and specifically look at the drug trade as the easiest way to do it (like my studio partner), they're not too evolved as people. Something is missing in them; some element of social intelligence or moral beliefs to even entertain the idea of going in this direction. But their sole focus is gain to the exclusion of everything and everyone else.

Which, actually, Walt was missing (besides a few other character flaws), to ever even contemplate cooking meth in the first place regardless of his terminal diagnosis.

Hey true thanks for the comment. I'm a girl though. Anyway Arnold the governator is trying to get pot decrimilazied in califonia because the state can't afford their prison population bill. Though I'm not a libertarian nor a republican Ron Paul is really going public with his campaign to legalize pot. Laz, I did notice the caps in your message and thought you were trying to imitate the elements abbv. I thought I read in one of the forums here that there is a past dealer posting. I may have read it on the YouTube forum though. I think there are dealers and producers watching the show, much like a lot of mafia used to watch the soprano's. I do have an autographed pic of Tony Sirrico aka Pauly Walnuts my favorite comedic character on that show. I would love to get one of Aaron Paul. Jesse is my fave. Vince better not kill him, I will cry and have to smoke a bowl (pot,not meth of course since my blood pressure meds would stop working)or ten in memoriam.

Jamm54> I do agree with you that Walt is missing "something" central to his moral core. I believe that he knows this and in fact, way back when he was mopping up Emilio in the first season, he was trying to figure this out. That was when we first met Gretchen in the flashback. I think he was trying to figure himself out and maybe even lamenting the idea that he'd ever considered that people were "merely" chemical and had no souls.

Somehow, he's been able to fool the world, his wife and family, into thinking he's a decent person. Well, a decent person doesn't flip the way he did!

From day one, I've wanted things to work out for Walt. I wanted him to do what he thought he had to do and get over it and go back to being milquetoast. But that's the pretty package and I know it won't end that way. As the saying goes, "you can't unring a bell".

Quote by: By laz3000 on May 21, 2009 11:38 AM
Did anyone actually read my second post and notice the subliminal message that was hidden and then spelled out at the end? I wonder...

OMG...Sorry, for not responding then!! But, YES!!! That is...until I got far enough to the bottom of your post, to see the answer!!! D'OH!!! =) Hee hee hee!

Quote by: tweeders1 on May 21, 2009 12:57 PM
I think there are dealers and producers watching the show, much like a lot of mafia used to watch the soprano's.

I do not doubt that, in the least! And prolly, as well as...the DEA & Vigilante "Task Forces"...
IMHO...ALL of their backgrounds are, HIGHLY interesting!! (No pun intended.)
And, a direction, I'd love to see the show expand more into.

Oops...sorry! Meant to put..."Underground Backgrounds!" My bad! =(

Another thing, that I feel needs to be added...

Sometimes, the "Good Guys" aren't always "Good"...
And, the "Bad Guys" are'nt always "Bad".

DR Kellogg It's funny you should mention that flashback scene between Walt and Gretchen where they're breaking down the elements of the human body, and the percentage that isn't an element called the "soul".

I have never quite figured out the point of that scene, to tell the truth. Establish that Walt and Gretchen were involved? Focus on Walt's sweetness, enthusiasm and naivete about what makes up a human body? A contrast of the young Walt to the older Walt at 50?

I've also never felt Walt's breaking bad as being comparable to Jesse's breaking bad. Not even sure I can explain why I feel that way.

Probably because it can be assumed that a person of 50 would have a fairly well established set of morals, beliefs, and values that have been the guiding force in their life and in forming their identity, their self, by that point. So, to have a 50 year old do a 360 degree reversal of all that is extraordinary, and seems indicative of someone who was either superficial or shallow with no real sense of an internal identity.

Whereas Jesse, because he is so young, is still in the early stages of his life, and still forming his values, morals, beliefs, and identity. I still consider Jesse to be experimenting, and finding himself. Though, after this last episode, Jesse did finally break bad, and lost himself, for now, at least.

Of their alliance, you could say Walt represents the Intellect while Jesse embodies the Soul in the partnership.

jamm54: I'm glad I made you laugh (I like to make others yuk it up), but I was just being realistic. I just imagined some stoned-out guy sitting there just after toking off this huge bong watching the show saying that! I wonder how many people fire up blunts or bongs and watch the show stoned to the bejesus (a little Bill Murray from "Caddyshack" there)? Unfortunately, I can no longer partake in burning any weed or anything. All it would take is one random pee test from my job, and it'd be the unemployment line for Mikey!

jamm54 great summation that Walt is the intellect while Jesse embodies the soul. I'd say that's dead-on.

bigfreakinnaz Well, I know that my former studio partner thought along those lines when he was busted and splashed all over the front pages of the Seattle papers for being the Silk Stocking Cocaine dealer. He was dealing to some of the city's prominent sports and local celebrities. He'd been wiretapped, and when you read some of the conversations between him and his "partner", OMG, the shallowness and stupidity coming out of their mouths was pitiful. All I could think (because this happened a decade after our venture) was, "Geez, I know this jerk?! What an idiot." Let's just say, when you're 20 years old, sometimes you really aren't a very good judge of character - LOL. I've certainly known my share of unusual people from all walks of life, but he turned about to be the most notorious.

Walt has been flying under the radar for most of his life. People look at him, see the geek that he is and don't give him a second thought. It's worked to his advantage and he has literally banked on this image.

With his diagnosis, he had to figure something out, The idea of making meth occurred to him, but after his chance encounter with Jesse, it became a prime opportunity.

Who knows if Walt would have ever broken bad if it hadn't been for the catalyst of his cancer? But the potential was certainly there.

I'm excited by the prospect of meeting another character similar to Walt, Gus Frings. I hope he sticks around for a little while so we can get to know him better!

You're right, DR Kellogg, there was premeditation on Walt's part! Between asking to see the lab, and seeing Jesse fall off the roof, he was contemplating it - I had NEVER realized that before. D'uh.

I caught the Hank and Marie wedding one on Youtube along with Marie doing her own video blog and an S&M Hank and Marie that was too funny! Marie definitly wears the pants and stilleto's in their relationship. Anyway on the legalization of the hard drugs like H and Meth. There is a school of thought that if these drugs were legalized a higher quality form of them would be available to the public. In the case of Heroin there are almost as many problems with what the drug is cut with as well as the drug itself. If there is a regulated form put out to the public the addict would know the amount they are injecting leading to fewer OD's. The cleaner form of the drug would also have less wear and tear on the system. Also needles would be more freely available leading to fewer addiction related deaths such as AIDS and Hep more often times killing the addict long after they've stopped using. Being a capitalist myself who pays taxes I would prefer not to pay for preventable and unnecessary treatments. Its pretty obvious that even keeping these drugs illegal isn't working. I know that H and Meth are very addictive drugs for some people. I think that there is a myth being perpetuated however that everyone who's used these drugs automatically becomes addicted to them. In my experience that was not the case. I did my fair share of coke, H and Crystal in the 80's and early 90's on a recreational basis and did not become a daily user. Niether did most of my friends. If harder drugs were at least decriminalized for use as opposed to sale I think alot more addicts would come forward for treatment without fear of repercussions on both a personal and legal basis. The police couldn't use the users as snitches either. Also addicted parents could feel more at ease that they would not loose custody of their kids on a permanent basis. Also meth used to be sold over the counters in the drug stores not very long ago. Doesn't this show make the argument that when something becomes illegalized and made unavailable that if the masses want it, the masses will figur out a way to get it, legal or not. Psuedophed now has to be purchased through the pharmacist with limits, the next step is going to be that we will need a script. It was due to that problem that Walt and Jesse had to steal the Methlamine to begin with. Also the same with phychedelics. Shrooms are illegal, the kids have now found Salvia. I hear that has quite the kick to it, but its not yet illegal everywhere. Lots of people are growing it. Anyway 1 hour till showtime.

I think it will have a positive effect in deterring some people. People will do crazy things under enough pressure. And we are under it with the economy tanked and tent cities popping up everywhere, right here in the USA.

Besides, even though "it's just TV" lots of closet cocaine addicts are white collar workers... that watch TV. And what's that drug for kids with ADD that Moms take? How many people like that could watch this show, not having a clue as to what it takes to deal drugs, but wondering if it might be a way out of this mess?

Maybe they weren't thinking about getting into as deep as Walt, but it might keep them from thinking about getting into it at all.

I know I never had any idea it could be so difficult.....Guess I'll have to cross drug trafficking of my career list...;-)

And I do agree to the poster who said that it's a good reminder for people who been there/done that. Just as a true show about alcohol and the problems that go with that, could be of some help to the right people if it is the right time.
Sorry for the ramble!

Well, I watch Breaking Bad and rationally understand that its a television show. Everyone else should, too.

I'll admit that meth is a serious hardcore drug that can have some major negative side effects. Still, it's the PEOPLE'S fault stuff goes bad. Not the drugs'.

Drugs get a bad rap, IMHO. Most of them are a HELLUVA lot safer than legal drugs such as tylenol, aspirin, alcohol, cigs, etc. The media and the government demonize them and stupid people believe everything they see on TV or read in the newspaper. Like ecstasy burned holes in your brain (false), that tons of drugs have rat poison in them (false), the list goes on.

We don't outlaw fast food, do we? That stuff is WAY worse for people than any illegal drug out there. It's killing MILLIONS of Americans slowly but surely. Still, we let people eat themselves to death, don't we? It's a ridiculous double standard.

Personally, I do dabble in illegal substances. I do so because I've actually done my research and I know how to use them correctly and responsibly and because I don't have an addictive personality like a lot of people. I don't think I'd ever deal illicit drugs, because it's not worth going to jail over. Especially when rapists and murders get less jail time than people that use/sell drugs do. You grow a few pot plants in your basement? 25-LIFE. You rape an old lady and then kill her by stabbing her 50 times? 15-20 with the possibility of parole in 10.

We live in a backwards ass society folks. In any event, it's just TV. I know plenty of folks that handle drugs and none of them have been shot, liquefied in acid, allowed to choke on their own vomit, or anything else.

And just a parting piece of knowledge to chew on....Would there be any violence associated with the sale of illegal drugs like meth, coke, heroin, etc. if they were made legal and regulated by the government? Would things be worse in America if instead of locking people that do drugs up in jail and ruining their lives we spent that money on rehab and real education about drugs? Think on that a bit.

Liquid Vision: I agree with all you say. But I can just hear everyone on the other side of the fence screaming "DENIAL" at you and pointing to your selfish motives for promoting legalization. Well, everyone, guess what? I do not use illegal drugs and I still think he's right!! Got yer back, LV ; ) I just wish us "straight types" would have more balls to speak out on this, as prohibition is really destroying more lives than anyone can comprehend. Legalization and regulation!

Legalization would also ebb the flood of violent gang members over our border and the virtual hostile takeover our country is experiencing in the border states of Texas and Arizona, for example. You think your hometown has a drug or violent crime problem? Go live in any of the metropolitan areas in TX or AZ and see how you feel then. Phoenix and Dallas are overrun with illegal immigrant crime and violence. And guess what the driving force behind it all is??? THE WAR ON DRUGS. CLOSE THE MEXICAN BORDER until the drug policy is changed so that there is no financial incentive to set up shop here. We send out factories there and they send their dope and violent criminals here. Do the math. It is destroying our country. Zero tolerance for illegal immigration, not drug use.

Zero tolerance for illegal immigration sounds like a good idea, but we can't do it because (without getting too political) we have "people" here in this country that wouldn't stand for that because they would say they have "rights" and "our grandparents and great grandparents were immigrants to this country, why are they any different?" Well, my grandparents came over from Ukraine, but they sure as hell didn't bring illegal drugs or any violence here. Nowhere even close to the scale of shit that comes in here everyday. And guess what? The first thing they had to do after they got here was to make a commitment to learn the english language. They didn't demand that everybody here learn Ukrainian, like the immigrants of today from south of the border demand that we learn Spanish.

I think this show has done a great job of showing how anyone can be sucked into the world of drugs if the right circumstances are put together. Noone is immune. Not even a brilliant scientist, a teacher, a family man, an upstanding citizen. It shows the nasty side of the drug world, how insane it can be, how the Tuco's can kill just because they don't get the right "respect" and how someone like Jesse can stumble into deeper and deeper involvement. If anyone thinks it can never happen to them, this show should open their eyes and put them on alert, that yes, it can. And be aware, be very aware.

I am reminded of the adage "cause and effect". I firmly believe this series is a simple but effective message of people making decisions, whether right or wrong and what the consquences may be for the decisons we make. The series is not a "sugar-coated" by no means, but a reality kick for those who believe its just only the slumest areas that have problems and doesn't affect them. I find Vince's creativity of portraying the out-of-control world a scary one and without guidance and support from family or friends, its a hellish double-standard world to live and survive the temptations that confront all of us.

I think they made a real point about the truth of the meth problem with that crash pad Walt got Jesse out of.

People will do what they're going to do. But maybe this show will make people stop and think. You can't ask for more than that.

Yes, that awful place Walt retrieved Jesse from was hideous. I used to run into meth addicts at my local grocery store. Once found an addict sitting at my apt mailbox, probably looking for a place to rest, but so dishevelled and dirty with sores on her face. She was young, too. Really a waste, and very, very sad. They do all kind of look like Mrs. Spooge.

Yes, maybe this show will reach someone - you can only hope it will do some good.

I used to be a drug user, including the use of meth and heroin and almost everything else. I also have a college degree just so you know I am not some degenerate. When i saw the first episode of breaking bad online I didn't stop watching it until I had seen every single episode. I have to admit that the show makes me want to start using drugs again, but I know from personal experience that it wouldn't be a good decision. A few things bother me in the show that I know probably bother drug users when they watch it, making the show seem unreal in their eyes. I do not like it when jesse smokes the meth because he blows out tiny clouds of smoke and this is not how it is in real life. The better the meth the bigger the cloud you will blow out. Also you can not tell how good meth is by instantly snorting a little amount of it like crazy eight and tuco do to test the stuff Jesse and Walt give them. Another thing is that Jesse's friends do a very bad job acting when they are first seen at his house and ask him if he has any ice. People do not just come over and then decide to leave right away when they find out there are no drugs in the house. They would have tried to find that out before they had got there. There are also some unrealistic parts of the way jesse and his girl act when on heroin and the way she ODs. Besides those few mistakes, the show is probably the best I have ever seen. Anyways, when it comes to the question of whether the show makes me want to deal drugs the answer is yes, but that doesn't mean I am going to because I know the consequences and it is definitely not worth it.But I think that someone who is smart enough with nothing to lose like Walter, will be very influenced from the show to try something crazy whether it be cooking meth or some other illegal activity because the show is so exhilarating that it makes an average persons life seem boring.