The brilliant Breaking Bad

In a departure from my usual musings, I'm going to do a quick plug for the Vince Gilligan's hit US serial drama, 'Breaking Bad', in advance of its release in the UK.

I've watched the first 2 series' so far and series 3 is currently airing in the US.

The plot is based around Walter - a 50-year-old chemistry teacher who is diagnosed at the outset of the show with incurable lung cancer. He has never smoked. His son is disabled and wife is pregnant; and having never 'made it' in his career, he is hit by the terrible financial burden that will cripple his family after his inevitable death. So, after accompanying his somewhat deplorable brother-in-law (a gung-ho Drugs Squad officer) on a raid for crystal meth one afternoon, the desperate Walt is consumed by an elaborate plan. To 'cook' and sell as much crystal meth as he can before his death. The aim: to preserve his pride, redeem himself for a lifetime's wasted potential and make it possible to provide for his family from beyond the grave. And so it unfolds from there.

This is truly one of the finest examinations of character I've ever seen depicted on TV; and the plot, while simple to follow, is delightfully pacey, twisting and absolutely riveting. Somehow, Breaking Bad manages to be a black comedy, thriller, tearjerker, tragedy and romance all in one - moving effortlessly between gripping tension, violence, decay, human tenderness and gut-wrenching dilemma.

The sensitive subjects dealt with in the plot are also incredibly cleverly handled, perfectly juxtaposing the excitement, adrenaline and euphoria of the drugs world with the bleak and haunting realities that make it such a dark and hopeless place. It's deeply cautionary without being preachy - just as Trainspotting was, to great acclaim, back in 1996.

I love it I love it I love it.

Shake off any preconceptions you may have about these kind of American serial drama and buy the first two series' on DVD here and here.