• Network:
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 20, 2008
  • Season #: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5
Breaking Bad Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.4

Universal acclaim- based on 868 Ratings

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  • Summary: Walter (Bryan Cranston) and his friend Jesse (Aaron Paul) find their drug dealing threatened by Walt's DEA Brother-in-law and the local druglord.
  • Genre(s): Drama, Suspense
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. The first three episodes of Season 2 that AMC sent out continue that level of achievement with no evident missteps.
  2. Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    100
    Breaking Bad is extraordinary, and if the rest of the season matches Sunday, an Emmy nomination for best drama seems certain.
  3. Breaking Bad is indeed so flat-out superb it appears to be operating at a different level than just about everybody else save AMC's own "Mad Men" and maybe a couple of shows over at FX.
  4. 80
    Breaking Bad works as an unabashedly bold story about a man in extremis, told with the iconographic and ironic sensibility of Quentin Tarantino.
  5. Smart but never slick, funny but never glib, dark but never (praise all saints and angels) noir, Breaking Bad is actually not another addition to the Brotherhood of the Made Guy formula, it turns out to be the formula's antidote.
  6. Breaking Bad is tougher to watch than Showtime's "Weeds," about a suburban-mom drug dealer, or "Dexter," whose serial killer wields his bloody blades with good intentions. But the rewards of Breaking are great.
  7. 63
    The rest of Breaking Bad doesn’t consistently reach the level of Cranston’s performance. But for some, his depiction of Walt’s earnest desperation may be enough.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 59
  3. Negative: 0 out of 59
  1. CameronM
    Mar 30, 2009
    10
    The best show on TV right now. The production values are through the roof. The acting is top notch. The story is amazing and executed flawlessly. You really get a feeling for every character in the story even if they don't play a major role. This is how TV shows should be done and it makes all other shows look like child's play. I absolutely love this show! I never watch TV at all but this has restored my faith in TV. Thanks to all involved with this masterpiece. This will probably go down as my favorite show of all time. Recommended to EVERYONE! Expand
  2. Jun 29, 2011
    10
    You cannot predict Breaking Bad... it's impossible. Actually, I've just told a lie, and for that I apologize. You can predict Breaking Bad; in fact Breaking Bad is so predictable it's embarrassing. Before any given episode has started you can safely predict that what you are about to see is 45 minutes of television that is, in this reviewers opinion, faultless. 45 minutes of outrageous situation comedy with hilarious consequences, 45 minutes of gut wrenching and heart felt emotional drama, 45 minutes of impeccable acting from its two leads, who's on-screen chemistry (excuse the pun) has garnered them with a total of 4 Emmy's, and 45 minutes (im about to come back full circle here) of impossible to predict story lines that make the twists and turns in shows like Lost and Fringe genuinely feel like amateur hour. Season 2 doesn't let up for one second. There is no 'filler' here, none whatsoever. And in all honesty, hand on heart, having thought it through thoroughly, looked back at my favourite (almost immoveable) series from shows that are close to my heart, I might have to declare Breaking Bad season 2 as the best season of a tv show I have seen to date. I know that's a bold statement, but having sat through all 13 exquisitely put together episodes, it just makes sense to have that opinion, it really does. Expand
  3. MrMushroomer
    Dec 3, 2009
    10
    In every episode, I find myself smirking at the wit and clever story telling. I am also surprised more than once per episode in a plot twist or revelation. I'm also sure that the cancer approaching ending will be different than what my simple mind expects.. But that's the great thing about this show. What the heck is gonna happen.... Hands down the best storytelling and pacing on television of current. Expand
  4. May 24, 2013
    10
    After the disappointing second series of shows like 'Prison Break' and 'Heroes' I was a little worried that Breaking Bad may fall into the same category. Any doubts however were quickly put aside after the opening episode. In fact, if anything, this is actually an improvement on the first season (something I would not have thought possible) as we see Walter Whites continued attempts to establish his new business and the problems that entail.

    The only negative thing I can say about Breaking Bad is that I can't believe this has still not aired on a major UK channel as this is certainly one show that deserves a far bigger audience in this country.
    Expand
  5. Oct 2, 2013
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Along with Season 4 this is my favourite season of Breaking Bad, not one bad episode and so much happened that is still present in the main plot of Season 5. Tuco, Hector, Hank's suspicions, Skyler finding out about Walt's Empire etc etc. Great memories of watching this with my Dad, just fantastic, the acting, the writing, the EVERYTHING. Watch this show! Expand
  6. Sep 8, 2013
    9
    This series is a bit of setback from the last.. Walter White is getting angrier and it is very nice seing the changes he is going through... his family are great, Walter Jr is probably the best character of the series right now as he delivers every single line to perfection. he can either make us laugh, cry or feel compassionate for him. I don't know if I'm aloud to make fun of him nor should I. He has a big career ahead of him and I hope he gets somewhere even though he has a condition. I like Jesse once again yet I didn't see any big changes. I like walter white but his wife is... how do i put this... Quote from Jesse YOU SON OF A yes... she is a I hated how Tuco was the main villain for a short while as he seemed like the biggest ever.. Expand
  7. Dec 20, 2011
    8
    A lot better this season but what is scary about this show is that its this good and still has yet to reach it's peak. It was a little predictable at times though and a little boring as well but it still kept you interested and it just has that addictiveness to it. Cranston once again steals the show and proves why he is easily the best actor on TV. Expand

See all 59 User Reviews

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