Breaking Bad - The legacy lives on

So I may have been a little late in finding out about Breaking Bad. When I first heard about it only a couple of months ago I was a little dismissive about watching the show, but after some persuasion I decided to give it a watch. It was by far one of the best decisions I've ever made.

For those who like me have been living under a rock, the show follows a chemistry teacher called Walter White who turns rogue and "breaks bad" after discovering he has lung cancer. In a bizarre turn of events, Walt decides to produce and distribute crystal meth in an attempt to raise money for his family to live on after Walt dies. He could have just got a regular second job in a bid to earn cash, but what would be the fun in that? Walt decides he cannot start his own meth lab on his own so he teams up with ex-student/amateur drug dealer Jesse Pinkman, which soon becomes the strangest yet most loveable tag team ever.

The most astounding aspect of Breaking Bad is how intricate the storyline is. It is evident that every little detail had been thoroughly planned out in order to make the show the success that it is. For example, the mastermind of Breaking Bad, Vince Gilligan has created the ultimate protagonist turned antagonist in Walter White. Everything he does in the first couple of seasons has good intentions with family in mind, but when him and Jesse become more successful in the industry, thanks to their ultra pure and blue in colour meth, you can see how power and money overtake morals. Towards the end of the show, you feel slightly ashamed for confiding in Walt, but he is such a brilliant character it's hard not to forgive him. Played by the fantastic Bryan Cranston (Hal from Malcolm in the Middle - yeah I know, it's hard to believe it's the same guy) it adds a sparkle of genius that is rare in most programmes.

Aaron Paul, who plays Jesse is also an incredible actor who at first doesn't strike you as anything special, but the further into the series' you get, his character truly takes a grip on you. Whilst being simple, his quotes are legendary. For example if his sentences don't end in "bitch" or "yo" then it is a sad moment. Jesse is a sterling example of how you gain sympathy for a "villain" as he has a change of heart and wants out on an evil industry which has caused many fatalities to harmless people.

So much happens in the five seasons of the show that it would take forever to mention everything, but the overall message I have taken from Breaking Bad is that not everything is what you expect. The show has such an array of moments and takes an extremely dark turn in the final season, but it doesn't put you off. If anything it keeps the viewer hooked wishing that it would never end. But as with all great things, they must come to an untimely demise. However just because the show has ended, doesn't mean its legacy has. If you're like me and have watched it late, avoid spoilers and enjoy an amazing show which captivates every emotion in your body.