Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2023, Breaking Bad proved how well the show has aged. Continuing to be the type of series that keeps on giving, the Vince Gilligan-created show expands the legacy of Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston. Depicting the role of a terminally ill chemistry teacher turned murderous meth manufacturer, Cranston’s character became the epicenter of Breaking Bad.
However, while one discusses the popularity of the show, it is important to address how Vince Gilligan and Bryan Cranston worked together to create something so epic. Evidently, during an interview, Gilligan mentioned erasing lines from the actor’s dialogues as Cranston often appeared “telepathic”.
Bryan Cranston Made Vince Gilligan Cut Out Major Scenes
Recalling Breaking Bad on its 15th anniversary, it is difficult to overlook how Bryan Cranston made a complete legend out of his depressed character, Walter White. Created by Vince Gilligan, the show became one of the most acclaimed TV series of all time. Earning the status of an all-time classic, Breaking Bad turned into a timeless epic.
While audiences celebrate the legendary show; the ruthless commitment with which its creators and actors, namely Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul stuck to the series’ original mission, is indeed Breaking Bad‘s most impressive accomplishment. Although Cranston’s job was to make his acting work and deliver an engaging screen presence, he evidently interfered with the creation of the show
During an interview, creator Vince Gilligan mentioned how the actor made him edit and remove major scenes and dialogues from the show due to his physical acting.
“He’s telepathic…I can’t tell you how much dialogue we’ve cut out of this show over the years in the editing room”
Gilligan further added,
“We got to the editing room and we said to ourselves, ‘You know, we don’t need this line. It’s not necessary, because I see exactly what he’s thinking.’”
Eventually, no one can blame Bryan Cranston, as he delivered an epic performance and turned Breaking Bad into a legendary show.
Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad Became A Timeless Epic
Airing the first episode of Breaking Bad on AMC in 2008, the show reached its fifth and final season in 2013. And since the end of the legendary show, the series has seen two extensions to the story, serving as a prequel and a sequel, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie and Better Call Saul. And while the Vince Gilligan-created show still lingers in people’s minds, it is worth exploring how the show turned into this timeless epic.
Considering the quality of the show, intertwined with its well-written characters and themes, Breaking Bad remains the gold standard on how to write TV. Further gaining the subtle sympathy of audiences over Walter White’s unfortunate life of being forced into crime due to the failure of the US healthcare system, the show excelled in all aspects. Perfectly setting up the events of the series and Walter White’s evil turn, Breaking Bad gained major respect.
It is no doubt that the show has one of the best-written protagonists in media history. But on the other hand, it also typically portrays Walter’s simultaneous antagonism. While most crime shows depict criminals as one-dimensional and irredeemable, Breaking Bad masterfully humanized Walter White’s character. Further, focusing on the perfect scenes and aesthetics, the Vince Gilligan-created masterpiece earned fans’ appreciation over the course of a decade.
Watch Breaking Bad on Netflix.
Source: GQ, Screenrant
