CRIME DRAMA SERIES:

BREAKING BAD

MEET AND GREET

JESSE PINKMAN AND WALTER WHITE

LET’S TALK GENRESeemingly impossible to constrict the long-form serial

narrative Breaking Bad down to one genre

Thick crime drama filled with killings, suspense and mystery that leads you to

the edge of a cliff

Laugh out loud comedy mixed with black humour and

characters that don’t fit the generic serious ‘crime’ mould

Breaking Bad is a complex narrative series. Complex television employs a range of serial techniques, with the underlying assumption that a series is a cumulative

narrative that builds over time – with the imagined audience searching for clues, hints or hidden meanings - rather than resetting back to a steady-state equilibrium

at the end of every episode.

MEET THE CREATOR

"Television is historically good at keeping its characters in a self-imposed stasis so that shows can go on for years or even decades. When I realized this, the logical next step was to think, how can I do a show in which the fundamental drive is toward change?” - Vince Gilligan (Klosterman, 2011)The narrative thrust behind Breaking Bad is much more forward moving, with minor insights and flashbacks peppered throughout the series revealing key aspects of a character’s history rather than creating deep mysteries for viewers to

attempt to piece together.

‘PHOENIX’ EPISODE: SERIES 2 EPISODE 12

Both Bryan Cranston (Walter White) and Vince Gilligan have noted today’s excerpt as one of their favourite scenes as it is one of the most pivotal to the Breaking Bad plot (Breaking Bad Wiki, 2011). Also IMBD users have rated it in the top 10 most crucial moments in Breaking Bad history.

THREE DIMENSIONS TO WALTER WHITE

WALTER THE FAMILY MAN

WALTER THE BREADWINNER

WALTER THE LIAR

THEMESO Life and death are prominent themes

O The episode’s title ‘Phoenix’ foreshadows the events that follow and culminate in this scene

O “To rise from the ashes of the phoenix” is to experience a rebirth or renewal - communicated through the birth of Walt’s daughter

and the death of JaneO A juxtaposition of innocence and purity

O Walt plays God and deals fates hand

IMAGERYO The colours red and yellow are reflected in the landscape

O The building is yellow, as are Jane and Jesse’s sheetsO Red steps lead to a tattered torn doorway, as red cloth covers

broken windowsO ‘Yellow’ suggests caution, prompting the viewer to expect

somethingO ‘Red’ indicates anger, self-loathing, passion, addiction, power

and death

SCENE ANALYSISO A long shot of Walt approaching Jesse’s front door

O Wind whistles in the background with no response from Jane or Jesse - this gives the viewer a feeling of desertion

O This shot could be an early signpost for Jane’s passingO ‘Red’ is again shown in the red brick archwayO The archway could have a religious connotation

O ‘Red’ candle symbolises an inflammatory presence, but also represents vitality, courage and determination

O The genre of ‘crime drama’ is shown through Walt dressing in black from head to toe

SCENE ANALYSISO Shots appear to be handheld, which makes the viewer feel a part of

the scene, and communicates a feeling of uncertaintyO Has the nature of a traditionally action-less scene, but the slightly

shaky movement builds anticipation - this is emphasised when the camera follows Walt to the back of the house

SCENE ANALYSISO The scene purposely does not reveal Jesse’s state on the other side of

the door until Walt is aware of it himselfO Our first shot is a POV shot of Jesse and Jane lying in bed from Walt’s

perspectiveO Walt’s reaction indicates something’s wrong

O A somber low score plays, yet it’s almost peacefulO Walter reacts despairingly to their view

O A shadow cast down his face from overhead lighting - this creates a hopeless feeling

SCENE ANALYSISO Jane and Jesse’s home is unkempt - their poor living conditions as

‘junkies’ is reinforced to the viewerO Walter’s voice saying “Jesse” becomes prominent against the peaceful

musicO A shadow remains across Walt’s face as he tries to wake-up Jesse

O The melancholic mood of the scene provokes the viewer to question Walt’s character

O Walt appears antagonistic in this scene

SCENE ANALYSISO As Walt tries to wake Jesse, he nudges Jane onto her back – reminding us of Walt talking about his baby needing to be on her

side to spit up. O Walt sees the syringe which confirms their drug addiction

O Walt’s disappointment may indicate contempt, and therefore motiveO Highlighting his flaws could be used to further detach viewers from

this characterO Walt places the syringe down, cutting back to a long-to-mid shot

O A disturbing moment of silence, as Jane begins to choke

SCENE ANALYSISO Jane is dressed in a purple top - this makes her appear more

sympatheticO Jane’s youthful appearance conveys the ‘life’ in her, juxtaposing

with Walter’s aged face.O An overhead shot, almost like a view from God, gives us a wide

and omnipresent view of the scene.

SCENE ANALYSISO We are put inside Walter’s mentality as he pauses before helping

Jane O A side shot with Jane at the foreground is out of focus - this may

symbolise how far away Walt is from her situation, despite being by her side

O The angle may represent an out of body experience, perhaps Jane’s dying spirit is judging Walter’s disregard for her life

O An overhead shot of Walt is a reminder that “He” is watching, and he is being watched

SCENE ANALYSISO Jane’s eyes in a MCU as she passes away, this is a final goodbye

to Walt, perhaps introducing guilt and betrayal, whilst also forcing Walt to face the eyes of his “victim”

O The final shot is a close up, as Walt composes himself. His face is still half in shadow as he takes a deep breath and opens his eyes

looking upO This questionably sinister glance puts caution to the viewer of his

character

In the broad scope of Breaking Bad, where does ‘Phoenix’ leave the imagined audience?

Considering that we do not know how the entire

situation will play out exemplifies the show being

shrouded in mystery.

Will Jesse find out the truth behind

Jane’s death, and if he does what does this mean for his relationship with

Walter?

This exemplifies

why the show is so

THRILLING to watch.

Genre aside, this episode is pivotal for character development:

Why did Walter White allow Jane to die before his

eyes?

Did Walt kill her because she attempted to take a cut of the money that he and Jessie had

cooked so much for?

Or did he see her as a threat to the welfare of his surrogate

meth son who was being thrown into oblivion through

excessive heroine use?

REFERENCESBowman, D (2009) ‘Phoenix’, A.V. Club, viewed September 7 2013, available at http://www.avclub.com/articles/phoenix,28398/ 

Klosterman, C (2011) ‘Bad decisions’, Grantland, viewed September 7 2013, available at http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6763000/bad-decisions

Reed, J (2013), ‘Desert Island: How Breaking Bad became the next Lost’, Crikey, viewed September 7 2013, available at http://blogs.crikey.com.au/wiresandlights/2013/08/27/desert-island-how-breaking-bad-became-the-next-lost/

Romano, A (2011), ‘TV’s most dangerous show’, The Daily Beast, viewed September 7 2013, available at http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/06/26/breaking-bad-the-finest-hour-on-television.html

Surette, T (2010), ‘Breaking Bad: Genre Bender’, TV.COM, viewed September 7 2013, available at http://www.tv.com/news/breaking-bad-genre-bender-23082/