Why I Watch Breaking Bad

This blog normally discusses news and reviews of books available in the church Resource Center, but I want to depart from that today. One of the reasons I started this blog was to get Christians to look beyond the doors of the church to the culture around us. Movies and television are an important part of that culture and Breaking Bad is one of the most talked about television shows in years, important enough that I felt I should discuss it here. The show may not be for you, and that's okay. But as I've mentioned before to many Christians, people in the arts (and I'm focusing mainly on television and film) who may not necessarily share the Christian worldview are asking some good questions, questions about morality, right and wrong, actions and consequences, and "Is there an order to the universe? To my life?" While Breaking Bad may contain some offensive elements to many Christians, I believe at the very least, it offers great opportunities for discussions among Christians and non-Christians on ideas, concepts and worldviews that really matter.

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People in my church know that I love movies, so they frequently ask me what I’ve seen lately. They know that I like to look for biblical concepts and Christian worldviews in movies that may seem completely foreign to such concepts, films like No Country for Old Men, orThe Dark Knight, for example. When I tell them that I’ve been watching a TV show called Breaking Bad, the conversation will usually go something like this:

Them: “I keep hearing people mention that show. What’s it about?”

Me: “Well, it’s about a high school chemistry teacher who has cancer and wants to provide for his family after he’s gone. He does this by making meth (methamphetamine) and selling it through one of his former students.”

Them: (Long blank stare) “Is that supposed to be funny?”

Me: “Well, yeah, sometimes it is. But usually it’s not.”

Them: (Another long stare, furrowed brow, possibly squinting eyes) “So, you actually enjoy this show?”

Me: “Yes, I do. It has a lot to say about the nature of evil, morality, rewards and punishment, justice, atonement. All of those things.”

Them: (Longest blank stare yet) “Yeah... Listen, I’ve gotta go. See you later.” I can envision this person walking over to the church Ministry Center to pick up an excommunication form, writing my name across the top and going from there. 

Of course, I exaggerate about the excommunication part. (At least I hope so.) But otherwise the conversation is fairly accurate.

Many Christians won’t watch Breaking Bad because the premise horrifies and/or disgusts them. Well, it is a horrifying/disgusting premise. But Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) does have terminal cancer and literally doesn’t know what else to do. He has a pregnant wife (Anna Gunn) and a teenage son (RJ Mitte) to provide for. And he’s supposed to provide for their futures on a high school chemistry teacher’s salary?      

Walter meets up with a former student named Jesse (Aaron Paul), who was a slacker in Walter’s class a few years previously and walks/talks/acts and probably smells like a thug. They concoct a plan to make (Walter’s part) and distribute (Jesse’s part) meth. Now Walt really isn’t a bad guy according to the standards of most 21st century Americans. (At least not yet.) He knows what he’s planning is both morally wrong and illegal, that he and his family will suffer immeasurably if he’s caught. But to him, it’s worth the risk.

The show takes place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which seems something of an odd setting at first. Although a state since 1912, New Mexico remains a symbol for the new frontier, one of the last places to have a presence of law and order. Yet law and order feature prominently here; it’s even in the family, as Walt’s brother-in-law Hank (Dean Norris) is a DEA agent who may uncover Walt’s entire operation at any time.  

Breaking Bad is an exceptionally well-written and produced show that’s filled with tension, suspense, action and drama. It’s also filled with graphic depictions of drug culture, violence, lying, death, deception and flat-out bad people. 

Really. Bad. People. 

I understand why some Christians would not want to watch Breaking Bad. And I’m a firm believer that Christians should not violate their own consciences. If you think it’s sinful to watch certain programs and shows, you should not watch them. But if you can watch it, Breaking Bad may turn out to be one of the most powerful shows ever on fallen human nature and the gradual descent into darkness. One thing that becomes clear early on is the idea that ultimately, no one gets away with anything. In the midst of Walt’s downward spiral of evil, it becomes easier and easier for him to rationalize the wrongness of his actions. But actions have consequences and they are beyond human control.   

Breaking Bad is also a superbly written show with fascinating characters, played to perfection by an extremely talented cast. The unsung hero in this show is Anna Gunn, whose range of emotion, thought and expression is simply stunning to behold. Yet the transformation of Walt from a pretty decent guy to a power-hungry empire builder is a monumental performance, worthy of every award Cranston has won. (If you want to get an idea of what King Saul in the Old Testament might have been like, just watch the story of Walter White.)

The final eight episodes of Breaking Bad start this Sunday night. I’ve been speculating with one of my co-workers on how the series will end. Creator Vince Gilligan has so many plot elements going on that almost anything could happen. Trying to figure them out is part of the fun, but one thing seems frighteningly clear, both in Breaking Bad and in life:

Actions have consequences.