 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Breaking Bad
Common Sense Media says
Morally ambiguous show is all about crime, iffy choices.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this show isn't intended for kids; its intense, morally ambiguous characters and storylines are a much better fit for mature audiences. The main character starts out as an essentially good person who's driven to extreme negative behavior (manufacturing methamphetamines and more) by depression and desperation; over the course of the show, his good side becomes less and less evident. There's a good bit of swearing (though "f--k" is muted), frequent violence (sometimes extremely graphic), and some sexual content (a woman is shown topless, but her breasts are blurred, etc.).
What's the story?
Walt White (Bryan Cranston) is a high school chemistry teacher working a second job to support his family: his pregnant wife, Skylar (Anna Gunn), and his teenage son, Walt Jr. (R.J. Mitte), who has cerebral palsy. Desperately hard up for money and constantly put down by those around him, Walt reaches the breaking point when he's diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He connects with former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) to start making and selling methamphetamines in order to raise money for his struggling family.
Is it any good?
All of the characters in BREAKING BAD are flawed (many very deeply), and they all make mistakes and, sometimes, baffling choices. The line between good and bad isn't clear; in fact, nobody comes off looking particularly good here, including Walt's DEA agent brother-in-law, Hank (Dean Norris), who's brusque and often insensitive. Some episodes move a bit slowly, while others have more momentum -- sort of like Walt himself, as he tries to cope with the mess his life is becoming.
Cranston's phenomenal performance is the best thing about the show. Forget the spacey, clueless dad of Malcolm in the Middle. Walt may be tired and beaten down, but Cranston manages to bring enough dignity to the man that it's possible to believe him when he's acting like an idiot and being socially responsible at the same time (such as when he narrowly escapes the bad guys, then tells his drug dealing partner, "We have to clean this up").
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why it's interesting to explore what happens when good people go bad. Is Walt's behavior justified? How do you think you'd react in a similar situation?
Do you think the media is the right forum to explore this kind of negative behavior? Why or why not?
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AGE
Okay...I'm Hooked...
FORGET THE REVEIWER!
This is an amazing show! I love it so much! Bryan Cranston is amazing in this show! He is a phenominal perfomance! The show has some swearing and sh*t (I can't belive I had to cencore that) is not bleedped out. But the violence is pretty gross but nothing to wory about, the worst part is when a body is disolved in a bath tub and the floor breaks sending the spongey chunks of the gun to the ground. The drugs are used alot (as of episode 3 they have used: Meth, Pot, Crack, and I think Coke) The sexual content is nothing. So overall a 13 or 14+ on it.
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AGE
Would be: Rated R for extensive drug use, violence, and some sexual material
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AGE
Good show, content review is a bit misleading (Spoiler Alert).
Unfortunately, the review on Common Sense Media only covers the first couple of episodes of the first season. It also does cover the DVD version (as stated by another reviewer) which does not blank out any curse word, nor does it blur nudity and sexual content. Throughout the seasons, there is more grotesque violence (including a man having his head chopped off with a machete) and sexual content/nudity (including an uncensored scene in the VIP room of a strip club). Language is extreme, using most swearwords under the sun. This show is definitely not for kids, and I would have a hard time recommending it for the violence, language, and sexual content.
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AGE
Breaking Best
Parents need to know that this AMC program does, in fact, contain uncut material on the DVD and Blu-Ray releases, meaning any strong language ("f--k," "s--t") and occurrences of nudity and strong sexuality are completely uncensored. Therefore, I do believe that it should only be viewed by mature audiences. With that said, Breaking Bad is, in fact, a terrific show with a riveting story and spectacular actors. I do rate this for 17 and up, but even if your child is an upright and mature 15-year-old who can handle violence, strong language, and mature subject matter, I think he or she'd be able to handle this. Fans of action and complex story need look no further than this.
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AGE
Drug use :-)
LOts drug yes for older teens must see!
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AGE
Breaking Bad breaks new ground.
This great series from Writer/Creator Vince Gilligan makes me wonder how Actor Bryan Cranston went from low-brow humor on Malcolm in the middle to great dramatic actor in Breaking Bad, but it's not only him that carries the show it's the very talented support Aaron Paul that brings Cranston in the drug business. I recommend this clever fast paced show to anyone who likes good drama.
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AGE
hmm
it depends how mature you are...it's a really good show though
if you can deal with all the drug use etc
then go for it
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AGE
Moms must speak up!
In the pilot the main character is depicted as transforming himself into a better , bolder, "awake" (his words) person when he decides to make illegal drugs. It is clearly suggested that his decision will improve him and his quality of life. Sexual advanced. Drug use depicted as common and very profitable. This may be an amusing concept for a TV show but teens are attracted to this. Fathers, get some backbone and say no to this! For at least 15 and over with parent watching for discussion purposes.
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AGE
Great Show, not for younger audiences
This show is AH-MAZING. There are a lot of drugs, and some sexual content, and a lot of violence. The story and acting is superb. I'm pretty mature for my age so I was able to handle the show just fine, but generally it is really only for older teens +. Sex isn't as bad as people are saying it is, (although i didn't see the first season) It shows sex between a married couple, I think once or twice between two others, and it's not very explicit. There is a graphic strip clubs scene with nudity but I just skipped over it. There is a lot of violence and blood, so if you don't like that than this isn't your show. And of course the whole story is about drugs, so, lots of drugs. But really, great show.
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AGE
Parents, pause before you let kids watch!
It is about making and selling illegal drugs, so there is quite a bit of them. One of the main characters is an addict. There is quite a bit of sex, including a relationship with a prostitute. There's also a lot of swearing, and especially violence. There are some particularly gory and disgusting scenes. I would not reccomend it to anyone under 16, and, parents of 16 and 17 year olds need to pause, and watch it before they let their kids. There is a positive message- It shows that life as a drug addict is not fun, and you can get in quite a bit of trouble. Overall, it's a good show, but not for children.
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| TV rating: | TV-MA |
| Network: | AMC |
| Cast: | Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Bryan Cranston |
| Genre: | Drama |
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