Breaking Bad | How the War on Drugs Traumatizes Everybody

[@hankboog462]

I think another great way addicts are humanized I'd through badger and skinny Pete, in that they're by far the nicest, most caring people on the entire show. Drugs don't always turn you immoral, just like mental illnesses don't. Almost like addiction is a health issue and should be addressed as such or something

[@Corrupted]

Agreed, I also loved the scene where skinny pete could show off his amazing skills on the piano, if I remember correctly - while Badger might be a goofball, he seems like a genuinely nice dude, while pete always came off as a really intelligent person, 2 great characters for sure

[@alk8k]

jbi

[@Bighomie39]

Badger and SP are literally just two dudes who are trying to chill, get stoned, and play video games. Other than the time they tried to deal drugs to rehab patients and drug dealing in general, they're the two most chill dudes in the show

[@howtoavenge1016]

@@Bighomie39 even then, selling the drugs to the rehab people didnt sit well with them

[@Bighomie39]

@@howtoavenge1016 that's true. It still is pretty messed up though

[@jumthro]

There's a short scene of Walter attempting to have Hank empathize by quizzing him "do you ever think about why these people sell and use drugs?", resulting in Hank struggling to answer. Just another example of what Breaking Bad demonstrates to its audience

[@kingofsomething3250]

vravo bince, truly

[@aliveormedicated]

do you have the concise answer to that question?

[@jumthro]

@@aliveormedicated the failure of a system that encourages imprisonment rather ensuring people's well-being.

[@aliveormedicated]

@@jumthro can you give me specifics on how the "system" encourages imprisonment. through what channels are we encouraging people to do drugs, be drug dealers etc..

[@callfororion8846]

@@aliveormedicated The CIA literally gave crack to poor communities. Prison labor is lucrative, so locking people up to push the business is only natural.

[@dominicellis1867]

Finally someone does an honest critique of Hanks police work. I think he was always “corrupt” but he really gave up all his morals once he found out Walt was his Heisenberg. He attempted to manipulate skylar, punched Walt (who def deserved it), he manipulated Jesse into snitching on Walt without regards to how horribly this could affect him, and he kidnapped Huell and manipulated him. Did Walt deserve to get caught: yes absolutely, but he was never going to win in trial with the shotty means he employed to catch his Moby Dick.

[@DonDadda45]

I always interpreted Hank to be the point of people on the 'good side' of the law being able to be just as awful people as the 'dirty criminals'. From the moment Hank is introduced, he is shown as a overly masculine, power abusing, racist piece of shit. Speaking personality wise he is by far the most awful and despisable of the entire cast in the show. I think the people idolizing Hank or saying that he's the good guy were half asleep while watching BB.

[@santeri5921]

@@DonDadda45 that's some of the dumbest shit I've read all day lmao

[@nicolemusic2242]

I get what you’re saying but I think you’re going too far. And in the context of catching criminals involved in the drug cartels obviously morally grey means are required - are the Salamancas suddenly going to repent their sins and happily go to jail just because they are interrogated or told that what they’re doing is illegal? Furthermore, Hank’s actions were a means to an end and his purpose to stop all that further suffering is greatly justified, in my opinion.

[@aarnavchaturvedi2552]

@@nicolemusic2242 it's a well documented fact that a "strong ruthless" approach to law enforcement just doesn't work. Hank's a shithead, and just because his violence is sanctioned by the state, doesn't make it more ethical.

[@thespiciestmeme1181]

@@DonDadda45 uuuuuhhhh Todd? Tuco?

[@hellofrominside8524]

One of my favorite things about Hank’s character is that he’s also a drug manufacturer who takes (likely too much) pride in his product. It’s both funny and infuriating for him to arrest Hugo for a blunt knowing he brews beer in his garage, puts his name and face on it, and shows it off to everyone in the DEA office.

[@Xpwnxage]

Not to mention alcohol is such a harder drug than stupid, little, boring pot.

[@AholeAtheist]

This. This is one of a few scenes that many of the poorly educated and highly propagandized to fans of the show miss. The other two are a scene in S1E4, where Walt talks to Hank about how at one time the alcohol they were drinking would also have been illegal, and the other is the scene where Walt gets Walt Jr. drunk while Hank watches on. They're missing the subtext of those scenes, and essentially that the show is about how prohibition, privatized healthcare, and Hank, are bad. Most of them say things like, bReAkInG bAd Is AbOuT hOw ThErE aRe No GoOd GuYs, and express how they think Hank is cool or how they're sad that he gets killed. I think it's obvious that while Walt isn't a hero by any stretch, especially with regard to standing by and watching Jane die and poisoning Brock, and that Gus, Tuco, Lalo, Don Eladio, Todd and Uncle Jack are all temporary villains to Walt's, Jesse's and Mike's anti-heroes, Hank and Gomez, and even to some extent Marie and Skyler(because they largely support prohibition), are actually the ultimate villains of the story.

[@franklinbadge1215]

I'm impressed with BB's subtlety. One of my favorite moments a of character growth comes after Hank barges into Jesse's house and beats him senseless. He's given the opportunity to spin the story in a way that paints Jesse as the assailant, but doesn't, and accepts whatever charges may be pressed, acknowledging that what he did was not "part of the job"

[@fuckfannyfiddlefart]

Which is UTTERLY unrealistic and in reality Hank is the SYSTEMIC EVIL

[@alexman378]

How? How do you turn Jesse into the assailant when he was beaten inside his house?

[@wesleyscott1633]

@@alexman378 it’s America they’d believe the cop over a suspected drug user any day

[@tatersalad76]

@@alexman378 he could have spun it that Jesse called him claiming that he would rat out Heisenburg and then totally jumped him with his big bulging muscles

[@alexman378]

@@tatersalad76 OK, so what happens when they check their calls and see that Jesse didn’t actually call him?

[@nahmaing8268]

I've got an observation about Jesse escaping to Alaska in El Camino. Last summer I worked at a lodge in Alaska that employed multiple bush pilots. I saw firsthand how complicated and daring the work they did was, and how crucial general aviation is to the Alaskan community as a whole. When Jane tries to blackmail Walt into giving Jesse his share, they are ecstatic over the possibilities that the 500k or so would allow for them, and Jane asks what Jesse would want to do and where he would want to go. Jesse replies that he wants to be a bush pilot in New Zealand. He also at one point mentions to Walt that his favorite show is Ice Road Truckers, where similarly daring people navigate the difficult, remote landscapes of Alaska with similar end goals as that of the bush pilots in that state. I love that it ended up being Alaska for him, and I like to think that somehow after the events of El Camino, he found a way to get his pilots license and use his need for excitement, daring, and/or a "high" in his life in a way that is more legitimate and straightforward in helping heal himself and providing a valuable service for the community he's now a part of.

[@ssjvidel3786]

this thought makes me happy

[@no.7893]

Although el camino leaves it a little open ended I like to think that jesse got a job he enjoyed whether that be carpentry or bush piloting and settled down and lived a happy life after all the trauma he endured, He deserves it. Happy Jesse headcanon is real

[@matiasjacobsen2647]

Ive always thought about being a Pilot and this warms My heart

[@Wackaz]

Wonderful comment :)

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

Ice Road Truckers being Jesse's favorite show really says a lot. It shows he's not still thinking "fat stacks partying and hos". His favorite show isn't action movie violence glorified crap, but it's a show about truckers leading a simple life doing a dangerous job.

[@dani01949]

Desensitization to awful crime is real. I'm Mexican and, since 2006 (the start of the "war on drugs" here) we've become more used to horrible things happening. The last one I remember and still amazes me due to its absurdity is that someone left a corpse sit on a bench at noon in the center of a very popular place. It was covered in duct tape. It's horrible but at this point a good part of the population is used to hear those news, shrug their shoulders, be sure not to be involved with anyone who is suspicious and keep on living.

[@notverypog]

Riddler? 😳

[@threatassessment606]

Im sure you must be happy now that the drugs are off the streets for good huh

[@eggsbruhnadict4298]

@@notverypog if you are justice...

[@notverypog]

@@eggsbruhnadict4298 please do not lie..

[@Johnnysmithy24]

@@notverypog what is the price..

[@epremier20050]

Having the politics of the drug war be a political focus of Breaking Bad, I can't help but think about the systemic nature of how it all went wrong, and thinking that, I realized that is essentially what the equally amazing prequel spinoff, Better Call Saul, essentially focuses on with Jimmy McGill trying to make an honest living but gets systematically shafted in every opportunity only for him to willingly break the rules .

[@mj.l]

capitalism is organised crime. hence, it's hard to tell the difference between the 'criminals' and the establishment - there really isn't one.

[@jirkazalabak1514]

No, he doesn´t get shafted at all after leaving HHM and getting away from Chuck. He had an amazing career ahead of him in D&M, but he could not handle being burdened by rules and regulations, so he started his own practice instead. He´s a con-man by nature, which is the entire point of the show.

[@wesleyscott1633]

@@jirkazalabak1514 it’s also clear he never got the chance. Jimmy was turning things around and initially denied doing illegal actions like helping nacho, but Chuck embodies the derogatory mentality mentioned in the video of thinking people can never change or get better, and keeps Jimmy from being able to get a job, keeping him poor and forcing him to break the law to make ends meet

[@outasi_official]

@@jirkazalabak1514 Chuck's role throughout the series is to brainwash Jimmy into thinking that he CAN NOT change, that he is and always will be a con-man, a criminal, slippin' Jimmy. We all saw that Jimmy for all of his time growing up, early adulthood, and a big part of BCS has looked up to Chuck, the smart man who's always on the money. Chuck made him a self-fulfilling prophecy. The point of the show is not "you were born this way, you're forced to be this way, it's in your nature", otherwise Kim wouldn't become as bad as Jimmy. If someone "pure" can be "corrupted", then clearly it's not "in his nature".

[@jirkazalabak1514]

@@wesleyscott1633 Stop making excuses for him. He was offered a great job at Davis & Maine, which he accepted. He eventually left, simply because the company required him to do annoying things like discussing his public actions with the partners first, because he was just a grunt at the time. He got bored and did everything he could to leave the firm. Chuck might hate him the most, but actually, Saul/Jimmy is his own worst enemy.

[@jaadytetty9377]

I was watching this show and my mom came in a told me "IT ENCOURAGES DRUGS" It literally shows how drugs destroy a man's life; He went from a respected teacher to a washed-up hobo.

[@TV-cv1eb]

But here's the thing, his life wouldn't have been destroyed if they were legal. The drugs weren't the problem, the laws were

[@Miyukiareyouintroubleagain]

​@@TV-cv1eb yea exactly if they legalised murder I wouldn't have been in jail for 23 years

[@mckenzi4608]

​@@TV-cv1ebmost of the laws are created not cuz of how harmful something is, it's how dumb people are to these things There isn't a law that forbids people from jumping into a volcano, or one to drink mercury but why for drugs, eventhough both ruin lives of the 'victim' and the family members? Because of people. If people could just behave, laws won't be necessary. I've heard a good quote from another show, doctor who. 'Good men don't need rules' maybe it's out of context but it still works here.

[@alim.9801]

​@@TV-cv1eb you're joking?

[@TV-cv1eb]

@@alim.9801 nope. There is nothing inherently wrong with drugs

[@soorian6493]

One more frustrating thing about the criminalization of meth and how it hurt Jesse. Adderall is also an amphetamine. Jesse shows multiple symptoms of ADHD, such his hyperactivity when left unattended, his ability to make odd connections and think creatively, and his struggles in school. 90% of what he was trying to solve with drug use probably could've been taken care of with an Adderall prescription, and if meth were legal it would've probably have been prescribed to him in safe, predictable, helpful amounts.

[@SlapShotTakes]

Well meth basically is, because adderall is meth.

[@someguy8375]

​@@SlapShotTakesadderall isn't methamphetamine, it's amphetamine, they're similar molecularly but different

[@anonymousanonymous6796]

@@SlapShotTakes wrong, adderall is much weaker than meth. the difference between meth and adderall in terms of produced dopamine and serrotonin is the same as fentanyl and oxycodone. Meth feels just like Adderall but way stronger thats the whole point. Also Adderall cannot be smoked or injected which produce much stronger possible effects

[@4x_AE]

​@@SlapShotTakes No, it fucking isn't. The "meth" in methamphetamine is because of a methyl molecule attached to it, which greatly improves its ability to be absorbed in fat - like the brain. That's why meth is (at least) 5 times as potent. There's a massive difference between the two. It's like saying margarine is the same as plastic.

[@AnCapDanny]

Meth is legal. Google Desoxyn. Just shows how even meth can be much safer if it isn't made on the streets.

[@coopjo20ify]

Hank’s reaction to Marie’s kleptomania is a perfect representation of his, along with broader society’s, hypocrisy on this issue. He regards drug addicts as hopeless wastes of space who aren’t worthy of respect or even basic humanity, but as soon as his wife starts compulsively stealing shit, he insists that the issue must be treated delicately and that she needs all the support they can give. Just goes to show how propagandized people are when it comes to drugs in particular.

[@parastroika2393]

Yeah bro. Hank is such a hypocrite, Marie is totally in the same box as the meth-heads that rob Skinny Pete and kept a child in deplorable living conditions. They're basically the same thing.

[@nolives]

I never thought of this but this is really insightful. Both were addicts, only one got sympathy. I also think it shows how quick people change their tune when it affects someone they know as opposed to someone they dont.

[@bob31481]

I don’t think drug addiction and a mental disorder is comparable. Most drug addicts willingly chose to take drugs and formed an addiction. People with kleptomania were born like that

[@klondike3112]

​@@bob31481 Drug addiction IS a mental disorder. Marie was as liable for her stealing as Jesse was for meth addiction. The difference is, only one got therapy, a support circle, and did not have to face consequences for her actions (Marie avoided legal consequences twice that I can remember, because of her connections within the DEA).

[@nolives]

@@bob31481 you havent looked at any of the research then. Addiction is a mental disorder. Look up the term "predispostion to addiction". We are finding there are even genes that are a contributing factor. Idk how anyone can watch breaking bad and still not understand addiction as a symptom.

[@johncerasi]

I always thought it was telling that Walter sees the meth bust on the news before he finds out about the cancer. The news makes it look almost glamorous, and I feel Walter gets this little daydream of “I could cook meth and make easy money..” then the cancer gives him an excuse to do it.

[@bobkerr2755]

Walt actually called out Hank for being a hypocrite with his illegal Cuban cigars to which Hank responded, "sometimes forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest"

[@volkzmusic8499]

Dude I can’t stress how underrated you are this is amazing. Probably the best analysis ever made of the best show ever made

[@diamondbrook]

THANK YOUU I'm flattered truly 😊

[@true_nr1]

Watch Aleczandxr m8, but yeah this is really one of the best analysis of BB out there

[@thetruth830]

@@true_nr1 I loved his video about Walt and Jesse's relationship

[@cutehunter9659]

@@diamondbrook goddamn it man you gave breaking bad a new perspective for me to look at, your video was truly 👍

[@AholeAtheist]

Definitely the best analysis of Breaking Bad I've seen. Most people say it's about how there are no good guys. But really it's about how prohibition and capitalism(with regards to the privatized healthcare system) are bad. And I didn't even watch the last part about El Camino because I haven't seen it yet.

[@carlosdumbratzen6332]

Not sure how anyone could not read this as a political show. The reason Walt becomes a drug lord is purly political and makes this already a clear critique of modern american society. A highly qualified professional cannot get a job that is paying for his family. No, he has to work two jobs he is woefully overqualified for. On top of that, the sociel security system is so bad, that if something goes wrong (aka you get sick), becoming a drug lord seems to be a viable option. This is the pilot episode and all the other episodes build on this critique. It is pretty obvious

[@joshuafischer684]

To be fair, it's not that Walt is incapable of getting a better paying job. He is too proud to accept Elliot's offer to come back to his own company. Walt is given multiple chances to get out and make good money legitimately, but he chooses his fate.

[@carlosdumbratzen6332]

Yeah, that is obvious. He could have done alot of things. Selling the shared and quitting the company was unfornuate. Not taking the job offered was his ego standing in the way. The underlying structures still exist though. And if you see walt as a representation of modern day american society it becomes even clearer. The US is constantly shooting itself in the foot even if they know of said problems. Take school shootings for example. It is pretty obvious from a european perspective. An overabundance of easy access to weapons, combined with underfunded public achools (and some other problems america and europe share). But american pride is in the way

[@chodxnielmobile671]

@Gr8sc0tt uhh, no he didn't forget that fact? What are u talking about. How is that relevant to what he had to say?

[@josephkurape7415]

@Gr8sc0tt I thought it was because of his falling out with Gretchen.

[@willyum1620]

@@joshuafischer684 no he litteraly his ego is why he becomes heisenberg his childhood trauma of having to be the man of the house saw to that but the fact that a man that should be in history books best option to support his family is to become a drug dealer and thats seen as normal in america is a social commentary in itself

[@mikelomez9313]

When you really think about it, the DEA really has no incentive to "win" the war on drugs. If they do that then they're all out of a job

[@alexfc679]

Of course, it's also why terrorism has remained more or less the same since the 2000s. The military-industrial complex makes billions providing the "good" guys and terrorists alike weapons to prolong various conflicts around the world.

[@mikelomez9313]

@@alexfc679 You are right on point. Imo any "war" that the United States starts with an entity that can't be defeated should not fly with voters. You can't ever destroy terrorism or drugs completely. All it takes is for one person to decide to make, sell or use drugs or in the case of terror, one person to decide to plan an attack and bam war still going on.

[@debordeleur2005]

God that’s so deep, we really live in a society.

[@41052]

@@debordeleur2005I don’t know if you’re being sarcastic or not

[@vegetablackpotato4700]

​@NowYouSeeMe why not both

[@spongebobfan190]

My interpretation of Heisenberg is that Heisenberg is years, if not decades, of Walt's bottled up anger and frustration slowly emerging little by little rather than exploding all at once like a bomb. This is honestly one of the rarest analyses of Breaking Bad that acknowledges that there is not one set moment where "Walter officially becomes Heisenberg", but that Walter was Heisenberg since the beginning, and Heisenberg only begins to emerge more and more when Walter finds himself exposed to dangerous and life threatening situations. Or when somebody hurts his pride, as is the case with his "I am the danger" monologue to Skyler and when he kills Mike.

[@Shield-Theyden]

Fantastic video! One comment: the War on Drugs doesn't destroy *everyone* involved. It greatly enriches politicians and others profiting from the prison industrial complex, as they are the only intended beneficiaries. Granted, it costs them their souls, but they appear to have ceased feeling that pain long ago.

[@aliveormedicated]

do the people benefit when one less drug kingpin gets put behind bars?

[@AholeAtheist]

Based take.

[@nolives]

Imagine spending millions of dollars and time fighting a war on drugs. Then imagine still losing for decades. People have put stuff in their body to feel funny since the dawn of humankind, it wont stop anytime soon and throwing non violent people in a cage for what they put in their body is immoral.

[@callumWillmer-ko6hg]

Exactly, we should end the war on drugs. It doesn't work. Education, harm reduction and helping people with drug problems is way more effective than throwing them in with violent offenders.

[@drpepper3838]

In civilized countries you don't get put in jail for possession anyway

[@Axius27]

_Back at the Dawn of Humankind_ "Oi Dave, I dare you to lick that toad!" "No way, Alan ate one of those things and was vomiting for a week." "I'm not saying eat it, just lick it. Maybe a smaller dosage of the toad's neurotoxins will not be enough to trigger an adverse reaction from the immune system and instead induce a sustained state of delirium!" "...you already licked the toad, didn't you." "I saw the face of god, Dave, and he has the head of a jackal." "...well, you're still alive. I guess it can't be 'that' bad if it's just a little..."

[@vettebodee]

"waaaah, why are you trying to force politics into my show full of symbolism and social commentary." mfers will complain you're trying to politicize anything as soon as they realize they were too thickskulled to see the commentary on their own.

[@antipsychotic451]

So tired of people claiming that Hank was some innocent beacon of light when he was just as implicit as someone like Walt. The only difference is that Hank ruined lives in a socially acceptable fashion.

[@BigWheel.]

To be fair Walt was dissolving bodies and roping young adults into cartel work. Hank was just a morally flawed person. He thought himself to be a good example and compared to someone like Walter, who worked with neo nazis, and poisoned a kid, he was. In general though hank was a judgemental opinionated person, and was willing to break rules to get things done. It's not like Walt didn't do the same mental gymnastics. But the thing to keep in mind is while Walts doing this to provide for his family (a BS excuse by the way) hank is doing this because it's literally his job and he's trying to take down some unknown yet very dangerous drug manufacturer. If I remember correctly every person hank killed was trying to kill him first, Walt slowly begins justifying more violence going from self preservation in the case of Tuco, Emilio and crazy 8 and then evolving into the aggressor by the final 3 seasons

[@gandalf_thegrey]

He's by far not perfect but to put him on the same stage as Walter is absolutely ridiculous.

[@michaelbdougherty]

The idea that Hank ruined Tuco’s life is the most morally obtuse thought imaginable.

[@Tomohasen]

@@michaelbdougherty the hanks of the world absolutely made the tucos into who they are.

[@agrastiOs]

@@BigWheel. idk, Walter actually turned into the aggressor in Season 5A only.

[@takke9830]

I love how much the show actually attempts to empathize and make the audience care for a junkie like Jessie instead of judging him harshly and painting him as a worthless lowlife. I mean the way they wrote him was just so excellent. From him always trying to do the right thing but barely being able to, to him trying to get off of the drugs multiple times while Walt and the Drug trade itself does everything to pull him back in. I mean it‘s great that they are also making walt the bad guy despite never using any drugs himself because he‘s actually the greedy one with no goodness in his heart and neither any morals or boundaries in terms of who has to be sacrificed for his ego trip next. It points the finger possibly rightfully so to the people who actually don‘t care about others and treat them badly instead of trying their best all because of money are shown as the villians. Not the addicted with nowhere to go. It‘s about powerful people on the side of crime and also law who are framed as bad mostly because they tend to abuse their power to actually hurt and ruin vulnerable people.

[@ststst981]

He took the fall for his little brother's joint, and took his bag of weed. He didnt want him following in his footsteps and wants him to have an honest shot at a good life, even though taking the blame meant he would become homeless

[@vegetablackpotato4700]

Walt does end up smoking a joint in season 1 but that doesn't really matter

[@ruby71406]

idk how anyone could watch breaking bad and think “ah yes a completely apolitical show about drugs, the DEA, policing, addiction, and the cartel” edit; brba is a pretty clear indictment and dissection of the war on drugs, policing, toxic masculinity, etc., and just because some of y’all couldn’t pick up on it doesn’t mean you need to let me know in the replies for the millionth time 💀

[@RustyRants]

some people just get upset whenever you mention political stuff in their media, unless, of course its the same political view that they share

[@megax5000]

@@RustyRants bingo

[@dylanrainey8576]

Cost of healthcare and teacher pay as well

[@rishabhanand4973]

@@dylanrainey8576 like yeah, if walt was in a country with universal healthcare, the plot of breaking bad wouldn't happen. Episode 1, he gets diagnosed with cancer and then next day he starts treatment.

[@jordannewman177]

@@rishabhanand4973 besides the fact that universal healthcare is a scam and I’m not giving my money to druggies so they can get hospital treatment, Walt still would have done what he did. He didn’t build a meth empire to pay for his treatment, he says it himself, he wanted to die but leave behind enough money for his family to keep going. He also did it just for the rush. If you think he did it for his medical bills you haven’t watched the show.

[@chesternutz8682]

As a life long hard drug addict thank you for the incredibly accurate analysis on it

[@briannabonilla110]

i hope you are prosperous in the future and doing better now

[@xeibei4804]

Junky hehe

[@Naahi95]

@@xeibei4804 Are you five?

[@lesigh3410]

wish you the best life you can have

[@blazko_wicz2222]

You deserve the world be there for yourself

[@albionmerrick]

TW: My friend convulsed for two hours before dying because the girl he was with was too afraid of calling 911. If overdose wasn’t so stigmatized he’d still be alive today. “F*ck a cop” - Bambu

[@iamthetable8131]

@@redrustyhill2 nice bait

[@hellothere-dw3sf]

@@iamthetable8131 they're probably not bait and just an asshole but it's still good to treat comments like that as bait yeah

[@downbad_gamerz5136]

@@iamthetable8131 what did he say

[@KN-hg2nv]

​@@iamthetable8131 what's the bait here

[@terigonUSAS12]

thats awful

[@chodxnielmobile671]

I've watched a lot of breaking bad video essays, and this is without a doubt one of the most insightful and well crafted ones I've seen. 👏👏

[@yazidefirenze]

You have no idea how happy I am to see something described! With adjectives!

[@tadeojablonski105]

This video is simply a Masterpiece. The way these story themes were implemented so subtly is a testament to the genius of the writers, and yours, for being able to read between the lines. Probably the most unique take i’ve ever heard of this show. Also, the editing is on point. The old school beats are really nice and compliment the subject very well. And the short edits you did of Walt and Jesse were a great touch, haha.

[@spookiedooks]

This show is so obviously political it's insane anyone could NOT see that?? The war on drugs and most conversations surrounding drug abuse, our treatment of addicts/ the mentally ill, etc is all political at its core

[@homerdripson406]

You should make a video on Better Call Saul. There's a lot of interesting commentary on how the justice system incentivises criminality through its inability to provide opportunities to the downtrodden.

[@joshuafischer684]

It's not the court's job to do that. The court's job is to prosecute and punish crime.

[@_ee75]

@@joshuafischer684 punish? I thought we were doing this for rehabilitation?

[@Foreverfreeusa]

Joshua Fischer- In others words might=right. Nice justification.

[@redrustyhill2]

@@joshuafischer684 society has been brainwashed and the modern idea about "crime" is nefarious. The most dangerous true criminals are those who have imunity from "the law".

[@ennuiii]

@@joshuafischer684 ratioed

[@PwninDevil]

When you start off Walt’s section, “when many scenes critique the dea machine” just flows so perfectly with the song playing, I thought you were gonna continue rhyming Also incredible work on this video. Highly enjoyable

[@craz5634]

Lmfao now I keep replaying that part

[@connordervoncyberlifegesen8529]

@@craz5634 so you’re the one who made that giant spike on the red bar!

[@davidbray5982]

The most obvious political point I see in the show is healthcare. Walter only got started to pay for his cancer treatment. In most any other country in the world, the state would have provided that healthcare for free. Also, despite being a well qualified teacher, Walt is so underpaid he needs to work at a carwash too? How insulting! Teaching is a difficult and important job, and should absolutely pay enough to support his entire family comfortably (like it does in the rest of the world). Breaking Bad is a uniquely American critique of the society Walt finds himself in, and how all of it could have been negated with a strong union and a decent healthcare system.

[@thespiciestmeme1181]

Funny. That kinda sounds like socialism

[@eyeamstrongest]

@@thespiciestmeme1181 "government helping out their constituents bad"

[@antipsychotic451]

@@thespiciestmeme1181 Socialism is not when you have free healthcare and unions. By that measure, most developed countries in the world would be socialist, and that's obviously not true. Socialism is when workers themselves, not employers, possess control over the means of production - the tools, materials, and other things required to produce commodities. Free healthcare simply doesn't fit that criteria.

[@pradyumnabanerjee3333]

@@antipsychotic451 it does fit the criteria. The State (the representative of the people), controls the means of production of healthcare services, and hence charges the services at zero price. The State represents the collective. Socialism is in essence collective ownership of the means of production, rather than individual.

[@Morgan_of_the_Maxilla]

@@antipsychotic451 Socialism is not when cooperatives you Proudhonist

[@HappyAccidentVideos]

Thank you for taking down Hank. He’s never been the “good guy” to me.

[@TheSorrel]

I wouldn't see this as a takedown. Hank is trying to be a good guy, but he is indoctrinated by a system that is trying to abuse him. That is as good as you can be in capitalism.

[@DonDadda45]

People who say it are either kids or were half asleep while watching BB. He's the impersonation of horrible people existing on both sides of the law. From his very introduction he's shown to be a racist and overall awful guy.

[@sauldownbadman876]

@@DonDadda45 I think you're the one half asleep pal. This show is not as simple as "he said a couple racist remarks and is now racist and a horrible guy" it goes alot deeper than that

[@_ee75]

Did anyone really say that?

[@_ee75]

@@sauldownbadman876 that's not what he said, he said that this is the image we get from his introduction.

[@yonical2trap]

this made me look at everyone, especially hank, in a brand new way. hanks never been one of my favourites, but this video completely changed my perspective.

[@WinderTP]

The funny thing is that some of the DEA "stormtroopers" at 3:24 are actual DEA officers per Vince Gilligan in the BB commentary. It may be exaggerated in the show, but DEA actually has the resources to do something like that in real life, and that's mildly terrifying

[@crypt0sFX]

Well they are closer to the border so it makes sense to have multiple guys swarm in due to it possibly being a compound of some sort. They are cooking meth in there and cartel boys are going to protect their product.

[@Journey_to_who_knows]

The single most important theme of the show is probably that almost nobody is a good person, before or afterwards. Not the government, not the innocuous kid from chemistry class not even the housewife. In a war, there are only friendlies and uncertain targets.

[@b-zar8912]

Walt Jr and Holly are the only exceptions, I suppose.

[@dewidumortier8552]

@@b-zar8912 Holly is the only exception. Even walter jr is not that great of a person to me. He does care a lot about his father but he is quick to judge on his parents (skylar in particular, but also Walt, doing a complete 180 from the rest of the show) call them names, can be greedy at times with the car and all that, and even tells his father to die at the beggining of the show without any reason whatsoever, just because he lacks patience with the situation. He isn't as bad as the others for sure, but he's not an angel either tbh.

[@bakonzetaim]

@@dewidumortier8552 Holly might be an exception, but eventually she will not, as every person is not perfect, at all. she might lie, might be a chance she will be a bully online or in school, etc. literally no one is good, even babies. well when they grow up at least

[@vegetablackpotato4700]

​@BakonZeTaim you CAN not judge somebody for what they will do in the future

[@nadiaromantini8836]

@@dewidumortier8552 No angel? He's just a moody, slightly bratty kid. He's not even remotely comparable to everyone else here lmao

[@diamondbrook]

Lol it will never not be surreal to see something I made get any attention. Thank you all for the support in the comments, yall are too nice to me. You can be a tad bit meaner don’t worry, I won't call the police. Hope you stick around

[@emilioramirez9462]

sopranos.

[@stephgunther3879]

what was the song from 8:50?

[@nekozombie]

You are a master of your craft

[@eskikanal6325]

finally a video essay youtuber who addresses Hank's and the polices corruptness. subscribed

[@SlugKingsly]

Just re-watched this show and all I could think about the whole time was the politics of the drug trade, United State policing, and much, much more. Really glad to hear someone talk about this aspect of the series

[@SidPhoenix2211]

What a great video, man! You also summarised why I think that El Camino was important and necessary. I've seen too many people write it off. I truly believe that it was an important conclusion to Jesse's arc. Thank you for this video !

[@mw5803]

Only thing i disliked about el camino is that he didn’t adopt Brock, i get why he didn’t do it but it would be a happier ending for our man.

[@OmniversalInsect]

@@mw5803 By adopt you mean kidnap from the place he was currently staying at since there's no way adoption would be allowed

[@PsychorGames]

that "Flapjacks and Bacon" part of that song coinciding with the images at 8:50 was a stroke of genius

[@cameronmorris2039]

truthfully, this is the best breaking bad analysis video I have every seen AND the best analyzation of the drug war I have ever seen. It is methodical, honest, perceptive, and real. It doesn't glorify the "bad-assery" of Gus, Walter, Jesse, and Mike, but allows us to see them as human beings who are victims of those in power.

[@arkankusuma1100]

This is probably one of the best video essays I've ever seen about breaking bad. Good job!

[@alonsoarana5307]

I love that intro with how shows try to interweave politics and can be very hit or miss. Supernatural in its later seasons failed epically with trying to place politics because they were very much just "Trump bad" and never delved into many of its own more problematic elements that would have been an otherwise better show. Brilliant video

[@MegaNightmare4]

When the hell did Supernatural ever talk about Trump?

[@smellsuperb1]

Just one aside: In terms of Walt's character, I don't think he ever became desensitized. I think he just embraced the violence and ruthlessness as part of his own personality. I think accustomed might be a better description.

[@mountainaccident2001]

exactly. i dont understand why so many people think he "became" heisenberg. in my opinion he always was.

[@smellsuperb1]

@@mountainaccident2001 yup. Just needed an excuse/catalyst to bring "Heisenberg" out.

[@calebkaufman7852]

This is a great video. I was wondering if you could make a video analyzing the political aspects of Avatar the Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra. Those shows both have really cool political concepts baked into their plots, especially for a kids show. Keep up the good work

[@diamondbrook]

Ouu I should look into that. I used to watch TLA religiously as a kid. Thank u for the suggestion Koffman ☝🏽

[@BonJoviBeatlesLedZep]

Dean Norris is a great example of meta casting that people don't even realise. He's played many cops in the past and was almost not picked because of that. But I think it was a great idea to take this regular cop actor and deconstruct the idea of a hero cop. It's sorta like what Westworld did with James Marsden.

[@ctkairos]

Beautifully done! Thank you for making the effort to unpack something that normally gets left on the shelf when talking about this show. 👍🏾

[@sharrpshooter1]

One of my favorite contrasts in the show was always that of jesse and walter in terms of drugs and morality. Jesse who is a obvious drug user throughout most of the show, since is a caring person with a soul throughout everything. And then there is walter who has basically never really been tempted or tries drugs much who becomes a soul less sociopath

[@laura1031]

Thank you for this wonderful video! I love in-depth Breaking Bad analyses. Especially your section on Jesse, he is probably my favorite fictional character ever and your thoughts on him here are literally mine. One of my (few) flaws with this show is I thought they missed a big opportunity with Hank’s character development. Like you showed, at the end of s5 (instead of finally seeing some humanity in an enemy), Hank says Jesse can get killed if it means catching Walt. Hank could’ve redeemed his long-running gross attitude toward addicts by treating Jesse decently, instead he had barely any real character growth. I wanted to like Hank but he was such a blockhead with that stuff.

[@diamondbrook]

I'm glad you liked. And I agree to the fullest, he was very blockhead. Hank was beaten up and discarded by a system that was meant to protect and guide him, but he never uses that experience to see the humanity in the people he hurts and discards. Maybe I should do a criticism of Breaking Bad! I haven't seen any on this site

[@Andyatl2002]

I think there is a change in Hank in the episode Ozymandias with his treatment of Walt he doesn’t demonize him the same way but by then it’s also too late.

[@thetruthlies7]

Sometimes characters don't need to change. Pride is a central theme of the BB universe, and almost everyone suffers from it.

[@teodorb.p.composer]

actually Walter White died happy. He was doing something in which he was good and valued.

[@TheT3rr0rMask]

Only thing I like about El Camino is that of all the protags Jesse is the one who makes it out alive with a new chance at life. He's the one who deserved it the most- he was always the victim, never the victimizer.

[@jetmcgee4218]

Ahh yes the victim who tried to sell meth at rehab. Total victim

[@gutierrezaguilarianalberto4186]

This is by far one of the best video essays I've heard period, not just about Breaking Bad. The way you introduced us to a new angle of the show is astonishing, and the parallels to real life that you pointed out are ironic, sad and thought provoking. The video is nearly perfect. Thanks for doing this.

[@spencerfalter3063]

fantastic video my guy, instant sub

[@cliffbot638]

Makes me wonder how different society would be if the war on drugs never happened or was handled better. Great video.

[@crypt0sFX]

Meth heads would throw a bigger party.

[@pix3lpancake]

World would be worst if it never happened

[@BillyBasd]

​@@crypt0sFX meth heads would look more like adhd patients. Don't you know that adhd meds are legal pure meth?

[@BillyBasd]

​@@pix3lpancake was the usa a better place before, after or during alcohol prohibition? Your answer is there

[@dashx1103]

The world would be infinitely better if we didn't have the war on drugs.

[@hugoblick5800]

Someone has to say it, you're introduction to the Walter segment was literal genius, I know its only a few seconds but making something like that requires time and quality, thought it was badass.

[@HeatherHolt]

Props to Hank for when he tried to prevent Walter from giving Walt Jr tequila by the pool. Never disliked Walt more than at that exact moment. Walt Jr is the true victim of the show.

[@hariskrajina956]

Bravo. Got to love youtube algorithm, 604 views and recommended for me. 10/10 video in my eyes.

[@hjer731]

Sometimes it gets it right

[@diamondbrook]

OH STOP thanks a million that’s so kind . Hope you stick around

[@hariskrajina956]

@@diamondbrook Honestly too good for the first videos. Don't fall into the perfectionist trap, just keep creating!

[@jeffbrownstain]

The difference between an addict and a junkie: Eventually, the addict takes responsibility for their own place in the world. The junkie makes it everyone else's problem until the day their fire burns out. I know both types very well.

[@stevebobjd4751]

I agree with a lot of your points. The stigma against drug addicts is particularly problematic. They should be viewed as people who need help and empathy, like with any other illness. Sure, if they do something horrible to hurt others, they shouldn’t be excused and should face consequences; but that’s also true for anyone who hurts other people in any other context. The reality is though, the vast majority of drug addicts only hurt themselves. Especially those who don’t have kids that can be neglected.

[@NaimHrustanovic]

Excellent video. I really like how it's structured, with an opening statement, an even distribution of parts, and arguments to back up the main thesis throughout. It stays focused but manages to feel relaxed at the same time, which is a big plus in my book. Your voice is also pleasant as hell. The politics of BB is a criminally underrepresented angle, so I guess it's only fitting that a criminally underrated channel would talk about it. What's incredible as well is that you really didn't use coded political language to talk about the War on Drugs or GWB, it was pretty objective and concise. While clearly anti-conservative, there's no obvious pandering or meme-speak to sell your points - it's all just facts and honest opinions. Very good job, and best of luck in the future.

[@forgetful9845]

In 2022 the failure of the War on Drugs is a pretty politically correct take, everyone on the spectrum agrees it was a failure

[@57hound]

Wow, this is without a doubt the most insightful analysis of Breaking Bad I have ever seen. You deserve a much wider audience. Subscribed.

[@DennisMartenssonOfficial]

This video was a great watch! Deserves much more views.

[@nolives]

I also think its important to note that, yes, while most drug use and especially addiction is born out of mental illness, distress, abuse etc not all drug use is inhetently tied to bad things or done for bad reasons. Drugs can be used to escape and cause addictions sure, but they can also be used to help people self realize, expand their conciousness, create amazing art, and even be used in psychotherapy itself. Drugs arent good or bad. Theyre a tool that, like everything else, can be abused. I just wanted to say that cauuse we often only focus on the negative of drugs and hardly ever look at the positives.

[@aliveormedicated]

the most brilliant & artistic minds the worlds ever produced were not taking these drugs… the drugs don’t make the art!

[@nolives]

@@aliveormedicated of course drugs dont make the art, thats not what I said. Humans make art. But drugs can be used to percieve things differently and open up new creative avenues for those humans.

[@vegetablackpotato4700]

​​@aliveormedicated Steve Jobs joe rogan Jon jones I'm pretty sure Mark Zuckerberg and Elon musk also was willing to do drugs

[@JosefinaQB]

k but there’s a video that says it best, there is no alternate version of Walt that is Heisenberg, he was that monster from the beginning and the progression of his insanity is him feeling more comfortable and empowered to do the things he wants to do. Walt wants to do, not Heisenberg, Walt.

[@maybechrissy]

Fucking phenomenal video, in every sense of the word. The humour of the opening lines drew me in, the editing was slick and had style without being distracting, it was clearly very well researched and, remarkably, you made a video essay about Breaking Bad that didn't seem to repeat anything that anyone had already said a thousand times. One thing that struck me was how little you played back scenes or snippets of dialogue, instead only reminding us of your evidence with the footage, because of course in 2022 everyone interested in Breaking Bad has already seen those scenes a dozen times and doesn't need to hear the lines again. When you did include dialogue, it was for smaller scenes that a viewer may have forgotten about, which was a smart idea. Really masterfully made, one of the better videos essays I can remember seeing not only on BB but on visual media in general. Thank you!

[@IAMHAPPY5290]

Was wondering if i was ever gonna see an analysis of BB that focused on the war on drugs. Amazing video, keep up the good work!

[@kaylaarias9362]

Look

[@Mikopath]

this is a fantastic video, heres to you and your channel growing as it should!

[@J.CH1ggins]

This is a certified heisenbreakfast moment.

[@bobbybingo4506]

I click on this video and immediately hear a 1930s Louisiana Black singer in my ears Love it

[@antianarchy5262]

Who :o ? do you mean the rhymes like dimes instrumental? Or the video creators voice?

[@modman287]

The final true ending of El Camino, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul is just Jesse walking on the moon. Perfection.

[@aarontheperson6867]

Obviously this video is amazing, but also: your music choices!!! So good! When you start talking about Jesse, you play the beat of My Mind's Playing Tricks on Me, which is just perfect for what you're talking about!! (idk much about rap and maybe its a common beat but still, awesome)

[@diamondbrook]

Noo ur absolutely right it’s that beat, transformed a bit but yeah one of the most underrated beats I’ve ever heard, the entire track honestly hits. I think you’re the first person to point out that instrumental lol thank you for the kind wordss

[@armoredmilkman3288]

@@diamondbrook whats the song used for walt

[@dionizoskafari439]

Hey man, whats the jazz tune used for the Hank part@@diamondbrook

[@KenMabie]

Breaking Bad is literally Walt and to an extent Jesse having a "real life" (in the plot of the show) Milgram Experiment. From Pilot to FeLiNa they both commit small crimes then stepping it up a small step, then another step, and then another step. it happens faster with Walt but it also happens with Jesse too .. which is kinda ironic cause in the end he kills the Neo Nazis when in reality the Nazis were the inspiration (in particular Adolf Eichmann) as Milgram wanted to know how someone who started off as a good guy ended up one of the most evil Nazi scientists to ever exist .

[@_ee75]

Wasn't there also a scene of the DEA having a cake for Hank and cutting a piece out of the US flag on it? I always liked that scene

[@madisonblackmusic]

My mom was an addict when I was growing up. She started using pills before I was born, and around the time I was 5, she started shooting up morphine, eventually she started using heroin, then cocaine, then meth, up until I was about 11. She was still a good mom. She tried so hard to be one. She wasn’t a bad person. When I turned 15, she had a surgery that had a fairly high causation of alcoholism. That surgery is what changed her, I think she stopped being my mom. She then became a total asshole, but I know it wasn’t the alcohol that made her that way, but her brain. Addicts aren’t bad people, bad people are everywhere.

[@basedchimera5859]

The ending got me teary eyed. Thank you

[@YossarianAssyrian]

Damn, this was a good video essay. You got right to your main points and informed your audience without coming across as superior or holier-than-thou. This really opened my eyes about the character arcs I had missed when watching BB. I wish more KZbinrs did analysis videos like yours!

[@ninjaloving1]

Great video, you put a lot of pieces together that show a great picture on the damage the War on Drugs does to society with one of the best shows on television. Instant sub!

[@zursca]

For the first five minutes I thought I was watching a channel with hundreds of thousands of subscribers, I casually stumble a crossed. Then I realized and holyyyy shit you are good, heavily underrated!

[@kazmiller7195]

All it took was hearing DOOM to earn a sub now I'm here for the long run Edit: Just finished the video and wow, your mic is a perfect volume, your voice is smooth and doesn't make me zone out and every transition had a banger song. Keep this up I look forward to your journey

[@jmangini3704]

opening a breaking bad video with an MF DOOM track made me subscribe in the first 30 seconds. excellent video!

[@charles3840]

It should also be pointed out that the only success someone sees in quitting drugs is through compassion. There are still better methods (in real life, like through harm reduction facilities; 12 step programs are only effective for specific people), but the strong through line in healing from addiction was only shown to be compassion in Breaking Bad through Jessie's therapy sessions. He got clean for a good long while, and he could have stayed clean if he had cut off Walter and the other abusers in the drug war.

[@osh-dy6tc]

one of the only breaking bad video essays i was actually interested in. great work

[@canyounot4814]

Thank god someone finally put a good analysis of Hanks character into words. I had always had an off feeling about him that I could never quite put into words

[@1_benjy_1]

You did an awesome one on this, I completely agree and that’s why I love how brutally honest the show can really be!

[@abdur4754]

Better thumbnail would help you out I feel, good background music and editing but the transitions (fonts) could be better. Your audio levels are good aswell and your camera is clear, topic is discussed well. Good work man

[@bardo1269]

Tight video man. So many people just see Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul as exciting stories that are really only about interpersonal conflict rather than societal conflict.

[@ryanknight199]

Very interesting content. I think you did a really good job with things on what I am guessing is no budget?? I think you really have something good here and I hope you continue putting yourself out there. All the best.

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

What would a budget be needed for? You don't need money to have ideas and critiques, and KZbin uploads don't cost anything.

[@ryanknight199]

@@Corn_Pone_Flicks Well when I'm referring to budget I'm talking about effects. These cost money. You COULD build things from scratch... but that can take a tremendous amount of time.

[@MichaelBNegron]

Great video man! I'm totally looking forward to what you put out next!

[@levirain5411]

lowkey that was a sick edit 8:48

[@jeremywrentzel]

As someone who understands that ugly side of the world better than most, great video man. Hit the nail on the head. Well Done.

[@salutic.7544]

holy shit I’m glad this popped up on my recommendations I remember you from tiktok lmao, Ik this about to be a banger I was right, this is a banger. I’m glad others finally see the deep sociopolitical undertones of the show and the way society interacts and realistically both empowers and disempowers various characters throughout the show. The main premise of the show is literally the Drug War and how the ruthless drug trade with its own internal politics operate and how “civil” society fuels this violence like gasoline over a candle.

[@zenolord2242]

He sounds like Mike, He should say "Waltuh, no one wins"

[@billepperson2662]

Good on ya calling out harm reduction as a rational answer to the situation. I work as a drug counselor @ the only harm reduction facility on the Chicago's West side, the battle seems sisyphean at times, but it's a battle well worth fighting for...

[@galleryofrogues]

Good on you! My mom also works with harm reduction organizations like Food Not Bombs.

[@galleryofrogues]

We need more people like you.

[@MrDAvIx63]

You're going places mate, your video essay style of production is just amazing.

[@isopropyltoxicity]

This is the most genius analysis of this show I’ve ever seen, well fuckin done

[@anarchistmaverick9507]

This guy has no clue what he is talking about

[@isaiahdemeule8090]

Brother with the Rhymes Like Dimes instrumental

[@ruby71406]

amazing video!! i hope to see more from you in the future

[@OffTheTopPodcast21021]

Can confirm there is no way out. I’m stuck over here making this shit for these mob bosses. One time tried to escape, fell asleep in the same hole but wit a bullet in my leg

[@TheBoxingCannabyte]

If you're for real contact me. I can help.

[@basim9459]

could we take a moment to appreciate the fucking BRILLIANT editing??

[@ai-bino]

A minute 40 into the video and I already subscribed, I look forward to seeing more of your content man. Fantastic video!

[@leef9242]

bro I was expecting millions of views, wtf. this video was extremely well put together, thank you