Breaking Bad: A Cultural History(The Cultural History of Television)

As one of the most critically acclaimed shows of all time, Breaking Bad explored the life and crimes of a high school chemistry teacher turned meth kingpin of the American Southwest. As Walter White and his former student Jesse Pinkman become deeply entwined in the drug world, their narrative leaves a trail of bodies strewn across the show’s five seasons—a story that resulted in more than 15 Emmy awards. In Breaking Bad: A Cultural History, Lara C. Stache offers an engaging analysis of the program, focusing on the show’s fascinating characters and complex story lines. Stachegives the show its due reverence, but also suggests new ways of understanding and critiquing the series as a part of the larger culture in which it exists. The author looks at how the program challenges viewers to think about the choices made in the narrative, analyzes what did and did not work, and determines the program’s cultural significance, particularly its place in twenty-first century America. The author also explores how Breaking Bad grapples with themes of morality, legality, and anti-drug rhetoric and looks at how the marketing of the series influenced the ways in which television shows are now promoted. Breaking Bad: A Cultural History captures the spirit of the series and examines how the show had an impact on viewers like no other program. This book will be of interest to fans of the show as well as to scholars and students of television, media, and American popular culture.

About the Author :
Lara Stache is an assistant professor in the Division of Communication, Visual, and Performing Arts at Governors State University (Chicago). She is also an affiliated faculty member in Gender and Sexuality Studies.

Review :
This entry in the 'Cultural History of Television' series is a stunning dissection of Breaking Bad, the critically acclaimed AMC TV series following Walter White's (Bryan Cranston) path from schoolteacher to drug lord. Stache's debut is both a close reading of the series and a delight for fans as she analyzes the market and fandom while also highlighting intense Internet speculation over promotional posters as one example of audience engagement. Stache delves into whether Walter is an antihero or outright villain, illustrates how binge watching on Netflix increased the viewer numbers, and takes a close look at the supporting cast in relation to the main character. Finally, the author concludes with a self-proclaimed 'opinionated compendium' of episode synopses. Never losing her witty voice, she guides readers through a well-researched discussion of what made this a landmark series. VERDICT Stache manages a scholarly take on a television show about the meth trade and turns it into a fast, fun read , making this a essential for fans of the show. Although its last episode aired in 2013, enthusiasm continues unabated for Breaking Bad, the TV show about a dying high-school chemistry teacher who begins to cook meth. Stache’s book has three parts, the first on Walter White and his alter ego Heisenberg; the next, on the show’s cultural significance; and the last on the role each character plays in Walter White’s life. Stache posits that Walt is neither antihero or villain but a wholly new kind of character. He’s deeply flawed and ultimately evil, but he earns viewers’ loyalty and admiration. Walt’s bad choices are distinct from those of his partner, Jesse, whom viewers also love, but who has more redeeming qualities. Stache offers a plausible explanation of why most viewers hate Walt’s wife, Skyler, suggesting that the writing did not do her character justice in early episodes. With its notes and bibliography and an ‘opinionated compendium’ on each episode, the book should make any fan appreciate its exploration of the much-loved series ‘as part of the larger culture in which it exists.’ A recent addition to the new "Cultural History of Television" series centers on the award-winning television series Breaking Bad, which ran on the American Movie Channel from 2008 to 2013, and continues to find new viewers on Netflix. Stache (Governors State Univ.), who states that she has been a loyal fan of the show since its inception, has written a detailed analysis of the series, which revolves around the character of an American high school chemistry teacher in the Southwest, Walter White. Upon learning he has a terminal illness, White enters the methylamine drug world to make money to support his wife and children after his death. His personal transition from teacher to drug lord and his role as the protagonist are examined through five seasons. In nine chapters, Stache describes how the writers scripted the series, evaluates in detail the main characters, discusses the role of culture in an evaluation of the success of the show, and concludes with a chapter of the episodes with a compendium. This is a readable book for general fans of the show and is also an academic look at culture and television.