If a serial killer like Dexter can be a likeable
protagonist, why not a meth dealer?
Walter White does have a lot of sympathetic characteristics; he's a
talented chemistry teacher who has to work a second job and is treated with
contempt by his students and coworkers.
His teenage son has cerebral palsy and his wife just found out she's
pregnant. Then he gets diagnosed with
lung cancer, and for some reason, his insurance company won't cover the
illness.
What's a guy to do?
Well, as a skilled chemist, he knows how to cook methamphetamine. He finds a former student willing to sell the
stuff for him, and he's in business.
Of course there are complications. His wife knows there's a secret and is ready
to leave him if he doesn't come clean with her.
His brother-in-law is a federal narcotics agent who is looking for this
new meth supplier and sometimes does come close to suspecting Walt.
Like Dexter, the series is exciting, with lots of intricate
plots and subplots. Each season has a
unifying theme so you're drawn from one hour to the next. The music is stirring, but forgettable. All in all it's a good show to help working
out, but it falls short of Dexter for a few reasons. Walt is dour and not nearly as likable as
Dexter and the show has much less humor.
But the biggest problem for me is that Walk has an alternative to
cooking meth; an employer who swindled him years ago is now willing to hire him
so he can get health insurance. But Walt
refuses the offer; that he'd rather cook meth makes the series a lot less
appetizing for me.
Still, I give it ++++ - it gets your pulse up as much as a
run.
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