Breaking Bad - Season 1

Release Date: January 20, 2008
Creator: Vince Gilligan
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, RJ Mitte

Alright, let’s just get this out of the way: if you haven't watched Breaking Bad yet... What are you doing with your life? I mean, do you even know what “I am the one who knocks” means? Have you ever had a 2 am existential crisis after watching a single episode, questioning your life choices, your morals, and whether or not you’d sell meth for a million bucks? No? Well, buckle up, because you’re about to take a wild ride into the world of drug lords, toxic relationships, and morally questionable decisions... and I haven’t even finished my first drink yet.

But seriously. Breaking Bad Season 1 is like a masterclass in character development, plot tension, and mind-blowing transformation. I went into this show thinking, “Yeah, it’s a drama about a high school teacher turned drug dealer... how edgy.” But what I got was a slow-burn, soul-crushing, edge-of-your-seat thriller that makes you want to hug Walter White and then slap him in the face... all at the same time. And that, my friends, is what makes Breaking Bad one of the greatest TV shows of all time.

So let’s take a trip back to the beginning, where Walter White first strapped on his Heisenberg hat and turned his life (and my brain) upside down. Here’s my review of Breaking Bad Season 1, with a side of vodka. Cheers. 🍸

The Plot: "Say My Name, B*tch!"

Breaking Bad kicks off with a guy named Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston), who is a high school chemistry teacher. Now, I don’t know about you, but I wasn’t exactly expecting to see a teacher become the world’s most badass drug lord. But that’s exactly what Breaking Bad gives us. Walter, struggling with the typical suburban life — boring job, a wife who loves him, and a son who... needs a little more of his attention — gets hit with a diagnosis that nobody wants: terminal cancer.

And just like that, his entire world flips upside down. Rather than go the "let’s fight for a cure" route (which would’ve made a boring show, honestly), Walter decides to make a literal deal with the devil—by diving headfirst into the drug trade. But wait, it gets better—he decides to team up with Jesse Pinkman (played by Aaron Paul), one of his former students and the most unqualified meth cook in the history of time.

I mean, there’s something oddly poetic about the fact that Walter White, who once taught students about the scientific properties of matter, now uses that knowledge to cook meth that could potentially destroy entire communities. He’s like Walter White, the man with unlimited potential—except for the part where he’s literally creating poison for people. But hey, at least he’s doing it for his family, right? Right?!?

But you know what they say, folks: you start small, then things snowball. It doesn’t take long before the consequences of Walter’s actions hit harder than that first shot of tequila on an empty stomach. The question isn’t “What will he do next?”; it’s “How far is he willing to go?”

Walter White: Chemistry Teacher by Day, Badass Meth Kingpin by Night

Alright, let’s talk about Walter White, or as I like to call him: "The Man Who Had It All... and Completely Ruined It." Bryan Cranston killed this role. Seriously, if there were a "Most Likely to Become a Meth Kingpin" award at the Emmys, Cranston would’ve won it. He starts out as this mild-mannered, sort-of-decent guy. He’s kind of a loser—he’s been passed over for promotions at work, his life feels like one big string of “meh,” and he’s dealing with the crushing reality of being diagnosed with terminal cancer. You feel bad for him... for about 10 minutes.

Then, BAM! Enter Heisenberg, the drug lord alter ego, and suddenly, Walter is the most intense, intimidating dude in every room he enters. He goes from “poor, struggling teacher” to breaking bad with a vengeance. Watching him slowly, painfully, and uncomfortably transform from a law-abiding citizen to a morally compromised kingpin is like watching a train wreck... you want to look away, but you can’t. The beauty of Walter White is that you’re never fully on his side—there’s always a part of you that knows he’s doing the wrong thing, but there’s another part that’s like, “Well... if I were dying of cancer, I might be willing to make some questionable life choices too.”

And then, of course, we have his signature look: bald head, sunglasses, and that soul-crushing “I’ll do whatever it takes to win” attitude. Heisenberg is terrifying in a way that’s almost impressive. You kind of want to be scared of him and kind of want to be him—just me? No? Moving on…

Jesse Pinkman: The Most Lovable, Screwed-Up Drug Dealer Ever

If Walter White is the king of this meth empire, then Jesse Pinkman is... well, he’s like the court jester who somehow ends up running the entire kingdom. Played by Aaron Paul, Jesse is the most unassuming, screw-up-to-end-all-screw-ups in the world of criminality. This guy couldn’t even spell “meth” properly, and now he’s running drugs across state lines? But here’s the thing: Jesse is so darn likable. You want him to do well. You want him to be that one guy who isn’t completely messed up, despite all his bad decisions.

Jesse’s transformation in Season 1 is one of the most satisfying aspects of the show. In the beginning, he’s a cocky, punkish, “yeah, I sell meth but at least I’m not dying like Walt” kind of guy. But by the end of the season, you see him start to regret his decisions. You start to feel like maybe Jesse could be more than just a dealer—maybe he could actually make something out of himself. And just when you think he’s turning a corner... nope, he makes more terrible choices, but you just can’t help rooting for him. He’s a walking disaster, but damn, he’s a lovable one.

And let’s talk about the dialogue. Jesse’s catchphrases like “Yo” and “bitch” become iconic not because they’re groundbreaking or original, but because Aaron Paul delivers them in such a way that they feel like they’re part of his DNA. Honestly, Jesse could’ve just said “bitch” for an hour straight, and I’d still be watching with popcorn in hand.

Skyler White: The Unwilling Partner in Crime

Now let’s talk about Skyler White (played by Anna Gunn). Skyler is Walt’s wife, and when the series starts, she’s just another wife whose husband is apparently on his way to a slow death from cancer. But as the season progresses, Skyler’s arc becomes one of the most tense and gut-wrenching parts of the show. She doesn’t know what’s going on with Walt at first, but slowly, she starts to realize something’s... off. I mean, when your husband suddenly becomes obsessed with chemistry and has a knack for making crazy amounts of money... red flags are raised.

Skyler's suspicion grows, and you, as the viewer, feel her anxiety. Her journey is heartbreaking because you can see her trying to hold the family together while knowing deep down that her husband is spiraling into something he can’t get out of. And yet, when she finally confronts him about his shady dealings, you kind of want to scream, “Skyler, honey, it’s way past that point.” But the beauty of Skyler’s character is that she’s a reflection of the audience: you want to be there for Walt, but you can’t excuse what he’s doing.

The Bad Guys: Not Just Your Average Villains

No Breaking Bad review is complete without acknowledging the bad guys. And let me tell you, the villains in Season 1 aren’t just your “evil for the sake of evil” types. They’re complicated, messy, and—dare I say—just as human as Walter and Jesse. From Tuco Salamanca (the wildly unpredictable drug dealer) to the various low-level thugs, Breaking Badknows how to make every interaction tense and thrilling.

You know, I have to mention how terrifying Tuco is. The man is a walking time bomb. Every time he steps on screen, you feel like he could blow up a house—or your whole life—in an instant. Watching him interact with Walt and Jesse makes you realize just how precarious their whole operation is. You just know they’re one bad decision away from getting killed, and that makes Breaking Bad even more addictive to watch. You don’t want to look away, because if you do, you might miss someone getting a head smashed in.

Final Thoughts: Is Breaking Bad Season 1 Worth the Watch?

YES. 100%. Absolutely. If I could rate this show 15 out of 10, I would. Breaking Bad Season 1 is an unforgettable start to one of the most iconic TV shows of all time. It’s intense, it’s addictive, and it makes you question the very essence of right and wrong. If you haven’t watched it, I’m sorry, but your life choices are seriously questionable.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10 out of 10 stars)

If you’re not watching Breaking Bad, what are you even doing with your life? Go grab a drink, hit “play,” and prepare for your moral compass to be totally obliterated. You’ll thank me later.

🍸 Cheers to bad decisions... and excellent TV.