Watch Breaking Bad with Mumsnet: join the discussion and win an Xbox One

[AliceMumsnet]

Watch With Mumsnet, in association with Netflix, is back again this month – this time, with the critically-acclaimed series Breaking Bad, widely regarded as one of the most electrifying television shows ever to have come out of the US.

Breaking Bad follows Emmy award-winner Bryan Cranston as Walter White, a high school science teacher diagnosed with terminal lung cancer who, in order to support his family, teams up with a former student to manufacture and sell crystal meth. Millions tuned in to the epic finale last year; no surprise that Mumsnetters were among them.

Here’s what Mumsnetters had to say about Breaking Bad:

• "It's amazing - one of the most original dramas I've come across."

• "One of the best TV series ever … I loved it. The cast, the script, the acting...everything."

• "Now I've finished it, I realise it's almost as good as The Wire - so it's one of the best things I've ever watched on TV."

• "Just finished the last episode of Breaking Bad. It was intense. We've been watching at least one episode every night, sometimes three!"

With all five seasons available to watch on Netflix now, your viewing is sorted for the coming months (and, yes: we give you permission to binge-watch). Just come back to this thread and let us know what you think; everyone who joins the discussion will be entered into a competition to win an Xbox One console.

Note on spoilers: We want to hear your thoughts on everything, from plot twists to season finales and more - but if you’re talking anything that could reveal important plot details then please put Spoiler at the beginning of your post to warn others who may not have seen it.

Happy watching,
MNHQ

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I have now watched the first and most of the second and wow, what have I been missing and haven't I watched it before?!? Dh loves it just as much. Now I can't say there nothing to watch tonight until we get to the end!

I loved breaking bad so much! Dh and I started with the box set then signed up to Netflix for series 5.

We started off watching one episode a week, then 2 then one a night, then 2 a night, sometimes even 3 .

We were completely engrossed. I realised how immersed I was when I bought some new furniture polish which said in the tin it 'removed all fingerprints' and I found myself thinking 'hmm -useful'.

Loved the humour, the writing, the acting, the set... everything.

Can recommend- 'talking bad' on Netflix for those who have finished and need another fix.

Loved the first two series - found the episode with the stolen atm deeply disturbing and a great comment on the social repercussions of drug abuse and illegality. thought it tailed off a bit though and didn't like the last half of season 5. The neo nazis weren't enough of a 'big baddie', especially compared to Gus Fring. Great characters though: we loved Mike best. still one of my favourite series, after Buffy and the West Wing

POSSIBLE SPOILER

I was completely hooked on Breaking Bad.

Disturbed by the nightmarish life Walt finds himself in and creates after he makes the choice to cook.

Felt it was compelling and yet awful because I could understand without condoning the dreadful things Walt does. For example, the scene when he is with Jane. Terrible, inhumane and I felt somehow complicit. That's testament to the quality acting and writing. One of the very best tv series I've seen.

I've recently jumped on the netflix breaking bad bandwagon.

I say recently, I watched series one episode one on Wednesday and an half way through series 2 today(Sunday)

I was doubtful after episode 2, then somehow, somewhere it grabs you.

It's absolutely brilliant

I adored it and specifically got Netflix to watch it.
I had surgery just after new year and literally watched five episodes during my recuperation, often watching it with my headphones on late at night as I didn't have to be up for work.

Dh was a bit sulky as we normally watch series together so I'm going to watch again soon with him, it will be good to see it again as I did have a few unanswered questions.

I watched the spin off "talking bad" due in the last few episodes to string it out a bit.

Just started watching season 5 on Netflix this week- I have the first four series on DVD and watched them in bed whilst waiting for my son to come after his due date. Mind you, they are addictive so it didn't take long to get through them, leaving me a big chunk of the remaining 2 weeks of overdue-ness.

Picking up where I left off, it takes me back to last year where I would be watching 'Heisenberg' and co. with a castor oil smoothie in my hand, trying to kick start things. The scenes in 'Los Pollos Hermanos' did nothing to quell my fried chicken cravings.

I'm liking the final season so far, I'm on episode 3. I've had to be careful to try and dodge spoilers from Facebook and the media, to no avail sadly. I know of a couple of things that happen but hopefully it doesn't take anything away from the alleged greatness of the finale.

I only have 2 episodes to go and am completely dreading it being over
I have been in love with Jesse throughout until recently, I really don't want him to tell all. I also like hank until recently and thought he'd have a little more loyalty to the family, especially seeing how happy things had gotten recently.
Skyler has annoyed me from the beginning with her mood swings and inability to see what was obvious. Marie is also a massive pain in the ass! Especially recently - who does she think she is?! I love the lawyer, love love love him! Such a great character.
And Walt, I love him. I totally love him. What an amazing character. Everything he has done however twisted it may be has always had good intentions (in his opinion). He just wants his family and thought of Jesse as family until he crossed him. He was such a walkover all his life and now he was in control and someone important yet is losing everything bit by bit. I feel for him so much

SPOILER ALERT

I have just finished watching a scene where he takes holly and she is crying for mama then he, with very sad eyes, leaves her in the fire station to be taken home - omg the tears! Even now I can barely breathe thinking about it

I woke up for a pee at 2ish. I have been watching BB since then because I thought "OH, I can fit a few episodes in".

Today will be long but so worth it .

Halfway through the 3rd season and I am fascinated with the character Gus. Eve ry thing about him is just so precise.

I absolutely love BB, in series 3 at the mo. so daren't look at any of the other responses. Their son is my favourite character at the mo.

If you like Saul deck there's hope. A prequel 'Better Call Saul' starts later this year. It also has Mike in it and apparently others will be making cameos.

Deck - how can you think Walt always has good intentions? Most of the time (maybe all), he's only ever thinking of himself and his family are just an extension of that. My feelings for him ranged from pure hatred to compassion and I think it's incredible that the actor is able to make us feel such a range of emotions for one character.

Am nonplussed that a couple of people have watched the series and still haven't 'got' it . I just loved it so much.

DH and I finished watching last week and I'm still in mourning. I refused to start watching any other series - I just want to go back to BB . It was simply brilliant.

We're 4 episodes in then faltered. DH is keen to get back to it, but I'm not so keen. It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I'm busy and I don't find it that relaxing - and I'm knackered in the evening and don't really want to watch people being chopped up (and I've heard it gets more shocking). Although I do see to enjoy the muskateers..... hm.....

I will watch it, but I need more energy to get to the bit where everyone says it becomes unmissable.

smithy40 How on earth did you manage 15 episodes back to back?!?! I am gobsmacked lol For us, a 'marathon' is at most, 2 hour long episodes back to back when the little'un has a nap - And that has to be timed perfectly!!

My husband and I started watching Breaking Bad sometime last year. We were excited about it and decided to give it a go as we had heard lots of good things about it from friends in America. As well as being subtly and obviously funny, it's quite an emotive and powerful show, too, so I can't always watch too many episodes in one go and prefer to spread it out. So I am glad that 5 seasons are on Netflix for me to watch at my leisure! (I just hope they don't take it down before I finish it like they did to another show I was watching last year -cough- Lost -cough- Ahem... (Only 7 episodes I needed to watch to finish it!!))

To be honest, I am struggling with it a bit, too, mostly became of the length of the episodes so I can't always watch a full episode in one gotoo but I have been told that it does pick up particularly in the second series so I will stick with it for a bit longer! My husband has raced ahead of me now and is on season 3 and he is still enjoying it, so hopefully I will too!

Is anyone else bothered by spoilers for shows/movies/books in general? I'm honestly not anymore and I think it's since becoming a mother, sometimes I have to run out of the room during a film or tv programme and miss parts so even if I am told the plot twists, I am happy to carry on watching! I don't seem to mind anymore lol Is the same for anyone else?

Iv'e watched all 5 series of Breaking bad at break neck speed . Utterly engrossing, Bryan Cranston is just an amazing actor. I went from loving Walt to hating him and yet despite it all I wanted him to succeed
Jesse Pinkman is a fabulous character, I just wanted to take him home, give him a cuddle and make it all better for him
I have to admit I was slightly disappointed in the ending, over all though it is highly recommended viewing.

We started after everyone raved about it. We have watched season one and two and are just starting season three after a break. I loved it from the first episode - love the way it gives you a situation at the beginning and then goes back and shows how you got there iykwim. Love the comedy elements too and the way how I feel about the characters change over time. Did find some of season two a bit slow hence the break but I would have carried on - it was dh who wanted to stop for a bit. However we are back and watched 3 episodes yesterday and I'm instantly hooked again :)

Found this terrifically good, loved the combination of verbal subtlety and physical humour/horror, and amazing performances. The confidence and vision it must have taken to make it, to plant seeds in the first season and not fully explore them until the fifth.
Looking forward to re-watching in a little while, and quite excited to read about Better Call Saul!

I really liked it - It peaks at series 3 imo
in the middle of series 4 i could have taken or left it

We were the chicken brothers in a recent quiz.
those in the know LOLLED

We watched the first episode on Netflix and really didnt get it!
We tried again after all the hype ages after so netflix caught us right up to date and loved it from then.
Never thought id finish it really liking Jessie :D

I have just finished watching the last episode. I am bereft.

The Wikia guide is quite good for trivia. And I love with Aaron Paul

Also pleased to see very little in the way of gratuitous nudity or sex scenes (looking at you there Game of Thrones) although we see quite a bit of Walt...

Thank goodness for Netflix and Breaking Bad....DH and I now have something to replace our previous obsessions with The Wire, Mad Men and Game of Thrones, and have managed to cancel our Sky contract in the process!

Absolutely loving BB...The black humour of the first few episodes completely sucker punched us, and that was it - we were hooked! We have gorged our way through series 1-4 and are already at the beginning of series 5. I love the way that Netflix just automatically loads up the next episode, even if it's the next series, without making you go off and search for it.

Although we have had far too many one or two rather late nights as a result of not being able to control our viewing habits, so have now had to agree to (mostly) limit our 'meth habit' to the weekend.

It's totally brilliant. I love the plot twists and the fact that although there are plenty of 'bad' characters, there aren't any who are straightforward to just 'the good guys'. The relationship and tension between Walt and Jesse plays so well against the wider background, and is an unlikely and really clever way of juxtaposing a fantastic range of characters and ideas.

Did I mentioned that we love it? Rather like when you're reading a really amazing book, we are now consciously trying to slow down our viewing habits as we get towards the end, as we don't want this ever to finish!

We are onto the third episode and are hooked! There are simply not enough hours in the evening once the children are in bed!

Hmm. I've tried the first few episodes, but it doesn't seem to be going anywhere fast.

My fave tv programme ever . Every episode was like a film, in how detailed and breathtaking it was. Loved it. We signed up to netflix for the final series and agree with a previous poster on how easy it makes it to go from one episode to the next - dangerous on a school night!

Possible spoiler...

Skylar was annoying because she should have kicked him out, but didn't, they were obviously similar enough and worked well as a team - I her morals were better than his or if she cared about the safety of her children, she would have kicked him out. Can you imagine if Skylar posted on MN? 'AIBU to help my DH launder money for his massive illegal drugs manufacture and sales business?' LRB would be the least of it. I just didn't find her character as believable as all the others. We're supposed to believe she's this doting mum but when was she actually ever seen with the baby?! Typical of tv to just gloss over the practicalities of having an actual baby.

But apart from that, faultless. Loved Jesse, fave character probably Saul. I liked Marie, neurotic as she was, she was a kind and flawed, believable character.