Breaking Bad: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 4199 Ratings

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9.2

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9.2	Your Score
9.2	User Score Universal acclaim based on 4199 Ratings

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Breaking Bad

Now Playing: Breaking Bad

Season Details & Credits

AMC | Season Premiere Date: January 20, 2008

Starring: Giancarlo Esposito, Bryan Cranston, Bob Odenkirk

Summary: A chemistry teacher decides to start a Meth lab.

Creator: Vince Gilligan

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

7.9
S1:E7. A No-Rough-Stuff Type Deal
Air Date: March 9, 2008
8.8
S1:E6. Crazy Handful of Nothin'
Air Date: March 2, 2008
8.0
S1:E5. Gray Matter
Air Date: February 24, 2008

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Linda Stasi

The acting is as good as you'll see on TV (take a hard look at the genius of RJ Mitte, who really does have CP). And the script and plot are as out-there as creator/writer/producer Vince Gilligan's other series, "The X-Files." Read full review

San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times

Charlie McCollum

Occasionally, something will pop up to remind us of just how good television can be when smart writers come up with an intriguing concept and execute it well. A case in point is Breaking Bad, an edgy, challenging new series. Read full review

Barry Garron

Give Gilligan credit for a pilot, written mostly as one long flashback, that is suspenseful and surprising. Cranston is always fun to watch and Bad is no exception. What's more, a strong supporting cast suggests there is a lot of room for this series to grow. Read full review

Julie Hinds

It sets up a scenario that sends Walt, played by Bryan Cranston ("Malcolm in the Middle"), on an unpredictable, surprisingly fun-to-watch journey that frees him from his law-abiding past. Read full review

Alan Sepinwall

Cranston's performance alone is enough to keep me watching for a while, but I'd like to see something resembling a completed formula, and soon.

Rob Owen

In such rare instances [in the second episode], Breaking Bad achieves a perfect moment of nerdy believability, but too often the series fails to provide details that would help explain its characters' illogical choices. Read full review

Doug Elfman

Breaking could be a good study of acting, since Cranston and Aaron Paul (as his partner, Jesse) get under the grimy skin of their characters. But there's not enough of the good stuff, like writing, directing, mood, cinematography--you get the point. Read full review

SEE ALL 27 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

9.2

User Reviews

bugrakurban

Jun 28, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This series is directed very well. And I can say that Bryan Cranston is an brilliant actor. Moreover, Aaron Paul should be respected for his performance.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BrandonR

Mar 31, 2010

The best show I've seen on TV in years.

46 of 54 users found this helpful

Earthman

Sep 18, 2013

Stunning, funny, dark, thrilling, shocking, tense, touching, warm, deep, involving, enthralling, roller-coaster-ride of superb and unrivalled acting, writing, casting, soundtrack and cinematographical talent

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jdealz

Aug 9, 2017

Those that don't like Breaking Bad don't have the patience or lack the understanding of what the show is saying. Some of the best acting in a Tv show ever, and probably the best show ever.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

twood1911

Mar 21, 2012

its sad that the 5th season will be the last, but the story will remain timeless due to this shows wonderous philosophical agenda best show on basic cable in years

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

FantasyCritic71

Apr 9, 2015

Breaking Bad is an amazing masterpiece and I enjoyed it. I really wish there were more shows like this one. The only other show I think may come close is Dexter.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

thesoothsayer17

Apr 2, 2021

This is literally THE most over-hyped show of all time, and it definitely does NOT live up to it. I actually watched Better Call Saul first, and fell in love with that show, the story, the characters, and the acting, so I figured I'd give Breaking Bad a try and wow, was I disappointed. TheThis is literally THE most over-hyped show of all time, and it definitely does NOT live up to it. I actually watched Better Call Saul first, and fell in love with that show, the story, the characters, and the acting, so I figured I'd give Breaking Bad a try and wow, was I disappointed. The characters are horrible, unbelievable, and thoroughly unlikable, the plot makes zero sense as it meanders around in some half-assed attempt to tell a story, and you are left constantly wondering why you are even watching it to begin with as you are bored to tears. Even Walt, who has cancer, is nearly impossible to sympathize with, and Jesse plays the most unconvincing drug addict/dealer of any show I have ever watched. It is like watching something written by a person that has never even been in the same room with a drug, let alone ever done one themselves. I literally can't even finish the third season because every time I try it feels like pulling teeth, and I feel like I would literally watch just about any other show than this one. The first season actually showed some promise but with each episode the show just gets worse and worse and worse. I honestly don't think I will even be finishing the show because it doesn't even make me want to know what happens because of how completely awful the writing and storytelling is. I literally cannot believe that so many people like this show when most shows I have watched in my life are much better than this. If you have never tried watching this show by now my advice is don't even try. It is not worth your time. Even a Nic Cage movie is more entertaining and has better writing, and that is really saying something. Honestly, the only bright spot in an otherwise terrible show was the character Saul Goodman and the acting of Bob Odenkirk. I personally cannot wait for the last season of Better Call Saul, but I feel like the show is permanently stained due to the fact it was inspired by such a horrible and uninteresting show as Breaking Bad. I literally made this account solely to review this show because it was so horrible that I was compelled to let other people know so they could avoid the horrible experience of having to watch it. One of the all-time worst shows ever produced.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SEE ALL 441 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

87

Series Overview
Season 5

99
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: July 15, 2012
Season 4

96
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: July 17, 2011
Season 3

89
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: March 21, 2010
Season 2

84
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: March 8, 2009
Season 1

73
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 20, 2008
- 7.9
  S1:E7. A No-Rough-Stuff Type Deal
  Air Date: March 9, 2008
- 8.8
  S1:E6. Crazy Handful of Nothin'
  Air Date: March 2, 2008
- 8.0
  S1:E5. Gray Matter
  Air Date: February 24, 2008
- 8.0
  S1:E4. Cancer Man
  Air Date: February 17, 2008
- 8.6
  S1:E3. ...and the Bag's in the River
  Air Date: February 10, 2008
- 7.7
  S1:E2. Cat's in the Bag...
  Air Date: January 27, 2008
- 7.8
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: January 20, 2008