Breaking Bad (2008–2013)
Director:N/A
Runtime:49 min
Starring:Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn
When chemistry teacher Walter White is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given only two years to live, he decides he has nothing to lose. He lives with his teenage son, who has cerebral palsy, and his wife, in New Mexico. Determined to ensure that his family will have a secure future, Walt embarks on a career of drugs and crime. He proves to be remarkably proficient in this new world as he begins manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with one of his former students. The series tracks the impacts of a fatal diagnosis on a regular, hard working man, and explores how a fatal diagnosis affects his morality and transforms him into a major player of the drug trade.
Analysis Details
Political
The series presents a nuanced view of its characters and societal issues, aligning more with a neutral perspective that does not strongly favor left or right ideologies, similar to outlets like Reuters or Forbes.
Diversity & Inclusion
The series features a predominantly white cast with limited diversity, reflecting traditional casting practices. While it does not explicitly critique traditional identities, it does explore moral complexities and the consequences of choices made by its characters, which can be interpreted as a subtle critique of traditional male roles in society.
LGBTQ+ Portrayal
FemPower Rating
Religious Portrayal
The series features Christianity primarily through the character of Walter White, whose moral decline is juxtaposed with religious imagery, often highlighting hypocrisy and moral failings. Other religious elements are represented through various characters and situations that reflect a broader critique of morality and ethics in the context of crime and desperation.