Been quite a while since I logged into TRF and this is the thread I choose to reply to. . . hmm. . .
Anyway, I am a big fan of the show, also Sopranos and the Following. Haven't checked out Bates, but I will now.
One other show I personally am gigantic addict of that hasn't been mentioned is Sons of Anarchy. Here's why and how it relates to Breaking Bad.
In Breaking Bad, I was always jaw dropped with how the characters reacted to the situation they were put in. To prevent spoilers, I'll say it this way:
If given an untenable situation A, the character reacts in way B, while I as a person couldn't have even contemplated option B. Fast forward to situation X which is a direct consequence of choice B, D, F etc and I still couldn't react in way Y, but they did. Just very compelling to me how the choices were presented.
With Sons of Anarchey, I had the same experience. Given A, I would choose something very different than B, but for the characters as presented B makes sense to them. Very mind bending for me.
I will say that SOA is violent, covers topics that are not family friendly etc, but I think Breaking Bad had its moments to say the least, so I assume that most that found Breaking Bad good TV would not necessarily find SOA completely offensive. Having said that, it is very intense. I can say without question that one particular episode of SOA made me pause the TV, get up and simply walk away with my heart beating way too hard in my chest. I was actually on adrenaline beyond what is normal or maybe even good. Simply put, it was one of the most intense and hard to handle events I have seen in fictional TV for me. It was like eating one of those sour candies that makes your face twist up - good but almost painful.
Anyway, a huge fan of SOA myself and also a huge fan of Breaking Bad.
Sandy.
