Something about Walter White’s struggle with his inner demons resonated with us. The idea that his foray into meth production was not merely a dalliance with darkness, but was actually a full-blown awakening intrigued us. And most of all, the idea that we came to have no respect for the protagonist of our favorite show utterly fascinated us.
Breaking Down Breaking Bad attempts to poke into the dark corners of Walter White’s mind, explore the traits that make this show special, and revels in the joy of what is arguably the best drama ever to appear on television. In doing so, it also peels back the layers of what makes characters like Jesse Pinkman tick, explores why we were so drawn to characters like Gus Fring and Mike Ehrmantraut, and relives some of the greatest moments of this already legendary show.
Because the show may be over, but the discussion about it certainly isn't.
Excerpt
Considering how dark the show eventually became, it’s easy to forget that Breaking Bad essentially began life as a black comedy. There were grim moments of seriousness, yes – it’s clear early on that this show won’t compromise when we see Walt strangle Krazy 8 in Jesse’s basement – but there is also an air of absurdity in those early seasons that is hard to ignore. The banter between Walt and Jesse is often hilarious, and there is a borderline slapstick quality to the physicality both bring to the screen. READ MORE.
Praise for Breaking Down Breaking Bad
"I've been looking for ways to continue my relationship with these characters, and this was just what I needed." - Brian Spaeth, author of Flight of a Super Airplane
"San Juan has a knack for this type of exploration, coming off his last book, 'Hitchcock's Villains: Murderers, Maniacs and Mother issues', where he dissects the villains from the master of suspense. Here, he explores perhaps televisions greatest villain, Heisenberg and the protective societal shell that is Walter White. I still haven't been able to stop talking about this show and this book gave me a much needed fix." - Rick Lundeen, Epoch Comics
"San Juan clearly articulates the complex ideas and emotions experienced by lovers of Breaking Bad. Now it's time to start watching the series again, this time with my eyes and mind a little more wide open." - Amazon.com review
"This book was damn near as intriguing as the television series. It gave me pause to think deeper on so many levels. I understood more about the actors, the characters and the whole piece of art. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a devotee of the show." - Amazon.com review