Travis Marmon
What do we do now that Breaking Bad is over? The greatest show on television ended last Sunday in perfect fashion. In the face of almost impossibly lofty expectations, Vince Gilligan and company once again delivered a stellar episode to wrap up a series that never once dipped below an “A-minus” level in quality (with the exception of the episode “Fly,” which fans are still divided on). And Gilligan was kind enough to do it in a way that didn’t kick all of us in the gut the way the rest of season five did. I would not have put it past him to let the Nazis win, which is why it was so suspenseful when they took away Walt’s car keys and put a gun to his head. Thankfully, most of us got we wanted: the most hated characters are dead, the most innocent characters can move forward and Walt is neither redeemed nor punished.
But now there is a huge hole in our television-watching. Perhaps it’s for the best. The stress of each Breaking Bad episode combined with I.S. and other schoolwork was not good for my health. But as a fan of great television I am now worried that I will never fall as in love with another show again. I realize that that statement sounds hyperbolic, especially considering that Breaking Bad debuted during the same year that The Wire, which is also arguably the best show ever made, ended. But right now there doesn’t appear to be anything on the horizon that can compete.
I’m sure many of you will say that Game of Thrones or Mad Men are on the same level, but while I respect those shows, I am wholly indifferent to them. I still haven’t gotten around to Homeland but, from what I’ve heard, it needs to make a recovery from a shaky second season before it joins the all-time great discussion. Same with Boardwalk Empire. The Walking Dead and The Newsroom remain the two most disappointing shows on television, although both are improving. Meanwhile, the networks have trouble making dramas that rise above being unintentionally hilarious — I highly recommend CBS’ Hostages for this kind of entertainment and am looking forward to the reboot of Ironside for the same reason.
For now, though, I’m going to heal my wounds through comedy. Bob’s Burgers and Parks and Recreation are back. Stephen Merchant’s HBO comedy Hello Ladies looks promising. These are the kinds of things we need in a post-Walter White world. Tina Belcher and Ron Swanson may save me from the suffocating stress of senior year. But what I really want is something as gripping, intense and most of all perfect as Breaking Bad, and that may not happen for years. Damn you, Vince Gilligan, you magnificent bastard. You’ve spoiled us all.