The Prof watches Breaking Bad (at last)

Sir Martyn Poliakoff discussing the pilot episode of Breaking Bad --- See also the review of episodes 2 and 3: • The Acid Bathtub in Br...
The acclaimed TV show was produced by High Bridge Entertainment, Gran Via Productions, and Sony Pictures Television - www.sonypictures.com/tv/breaki...
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From the School of Chemistry at The University of Nottingham: bit.ly/NottChem
This episode was also generously supported by The Gatsby Charitable Foundation
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[@periodicvideos]

See also the review of episodes 2 and 3: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHLCpZeba9GIfqs

[@jacobsimwanza5514]

This guy looks exactly how everyone thinks a professor looks.

[@Killerkraft975]

Looks alot like my CS professor too

[@markpoidvin5382]

He does and I can't understand why nobody asked a hip guy like that, even in jest, if he knew how to make drugs. LOL

[@deeeznuuuts9406]

Nope He looks more like what pops in my head after hearing "a crazy scientist"

[@alex.g7317]

@@deeeznuuuts9406 same here

[@alex.g7317]

@@markpoidvin5382 tbh, I’m pretty sure a chemistry teacher would just know how to make drugs as a byproduct of them knowing all about chemistry.

[@bestonyoutube]

Fun fact: "Not bad" is the highest rating the professor ever gave for a TV series in his entire life.

[@pythagorasaurusrex9853]

That's british understatement.

[@billythepigeon7345]

Yeah, in England, "not bad" is high praise.

[@warb635]

I don't know, calling 'Breaking Bad' not bad is a compliment.

[@gertjan3329]

@@warb635breaking

[@maolcogi]

@@warb635 "Not Breaking Bad" Walter just keeps teaching and eventually the show ends because he dies. Fun!

[@BrendanBeckett]

I believe they intentionally used wrong ingredients and processes for making meth on the show, because they didn't want to teach people how to make meth

[@swillm3ister]

This is true.

[@bloodmaged]

Im sure it was that and some legal reasons too

[@swillm3ister]

@@bloodmaged I'm certain of this. I remember reading about it way back when they were still making this show...

[@TG22222]

Red Phosphorous is actually used in methamphetamine synthesis though

[@MsJavaWolf]

@@karlajaeger2082 You are right, I wanted to comment that Fight Club did a similar thing.

[@Fusionater]

4:29 he won me over when he criticized the lack of safety glasses not just from a chemistry perspective, but from a character consistency perspective.

[@kayzeaza]

Meh he’s got really glasses on. In shop class we didn’t need to wear safety goggles if we wore regular glasses

[@Fusionater]

@@kayzeaza there’s a considerable distinction between something that you should do and something that you have to do. Besides, in chemistry you are concerned with splashes, not so much in shop class.

[@Grey-sq7dy]

Sure. Like walter white was ever consistent in whatever he was doing.

[@georgewootten4428]

@@Grey-sq7dy the one thing he was very consistent about was keeping the chemistry very professional

[@Inquiringmind0]

It's because it was a pilot. It was before they ironed out such things.

[@tekuaniaakab2050]

The day after: *“Neil I’ve got a proposal....”*

[@jonathanshepard1517]

:D aye give it time

[@trevorreynafarje9395]

Not gonna lie, I could see Neil selling amphetamines

[@summertilling4023]

"So I persuaded Neil…"

[@guitaristxcore]

🤣

[@ahmetrefikeryilmaz4432]

Best comment here. Please upvote.

[@GimliLordOfGlitteringCaves]

"it's been quite a while since I've handled a firearm" professor Don't mess with the professor

[@Bustin_cider00]

He’s made drugs, owned fire arms, what else has this man done?

[@rfmerrill]

He was in the Army

[@youneedsomejuicelol5325]

@@rfmerrill as a cadet 😑

[@COMPL3XGAM3R]

@@youneedsomejuicelol5325 Ok? Back off

[@youneedsomejuicelol5325]

@@COMPL3XGAM3R 😎

[@tombarnes7889]

The guy with the eyebrows who owns the car wash is actually a professor of chemistry and that was his first acting job

[@eodico]

He's an actor and a top scientist in Romania. I think I've seen him before bb

[@h4skey2001]

Yeah he has a masters in physics and a phd in chemistry and works in scientific research. Also from my country Romania. The man is really funny.

[@LU-jz8ci]

Bogdan😎

[@leonardnose5695]

That’s crazy, I never knew that. Thanks for sharing.

[@hobbs1015]

400th like

[@Colt1911Novice]

“I tried to cook in a volumetric flask.” Professor, what aren’t you telling us sir?

[@htf5555]

cook what...?

[@fungalchamber7463]

@@htf5555 I think it's meth and formaldehyde

[@himanshubhambi4690]

@@htf5555 it’s MDMA, chemical form for the street meth

[@jacket5456]

@@himanshubhambi4690 MDMA and street meth are not at all the same thing. MDMA is more comparable to a psychedelic where as Meth is just...exactly what you think it is.

[@cozyjuu2740]

@@jacket5456 actually MDMA is an amphetamine, so it is more comparable to meth than a hallucinogenic. However it is definitely still far from being a “street version of meth” as that other guy suggested

[@1700NX]

“I never asked you to make drugs” Brady with shear panic realising that the professor has blown his cover.

[@Da5idc]

😁😁😁

[@transkryption]

"medicine"

[@blacknight6200]

Sheer

[@glenncordova4027]

For legal reasons, they have to say that. Remember, you heard it here in case you are called to testify.

[@TAP7a]

That's one of those sentences you can put emphasis almost anywhere to change the meaning "*I* never asked you to make drugs" "I *never* asked you to make drugs" "I never *asked* you to make drugs" "I never asked *you* to make drugs" "I never asked you to *make* drugs" "I never asked you to make *drugs*"

[@johnr797]

"I tried to cook in a volumetric flask" Knew it

[@noahdirkse4468]

I was looking for this comment

[@mattnelson9123]

Glad someone else saw this

[@Jonbo117]

Right though. Man's a straight up kingpin.

[@petrab9399]

was looking for this comment, had to be here somewhere :D

[@cornishpasty7853]

Remember Jesse? This is him now. Feel old yet?

[@denismilic1878]

When we were in a chemistry lab for practice synthetizing nitro-benzene, I asked my teacher what is stopping me from creating nitro-toluene (TNT), a very similar process. He calmly answered: "Nothing."

[@epithat4582]

you could have done a little trolling ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) BOOM

[@sinsoftheswamp8346]

Did you learn chemistry from Ted Kaczynski

[@pietrotettamanti7239]

To be fair trinitrating an aromatic ring is much harder than minonitrating it. You need oleum and RFNA. Although it's a fact that many explosives are much simpler to make than the public believes. The hard part is having them consistently blow up when you want them. A chemistry degree can help you manufacture the explosive, but can only get you so far regarding the hard part.

[@brighamruud5090]

@@pietrotettamanti7239 hehe ammonium nitrate fertilizer go brrr

[@MrFichstar]

@@pietrotettamanti7239 Go on...

[@OFOTCN]

In a few years we’ll see the professor as one of the most prolific drug czars the world has ever seen. Don’t let him fool ya…

[@matt.willoughby]

A drug Czar is not what you think.

[@jaycuthbert245]

With his head shaved and a goatee and that kind smile dissolved into and evil frown as his mugshot lol

[@TheBlunder-00.0]

He did say “i used to cook in a volumetric flask.”

[@captainmccuckin2698]

Tsar"

[@Adhjie]

​@@captainmccuckin2698middle English spellings before printing press standardization*

[@nickyjlyons]

2026 - "Say my name" "Sir Martyn Poliakoff" "You're goddam right"

[@volgg]

I totally read that in his voice LOL

[@jmurockstar]

You're Jolly Well Right!

[@nickyjlyons]

@@jmurockstar Hahhahah

[@cucabeludo3452]

jmurockstar /wosh hahahahahaha

[@mikewite4025]

@@cucabeludo3452 You're quite right.

[@AlphaMikeCharlie]

He lied, he said he would watch it when he got old but he still isn’t old yet

[@capitalm417]

I think he was trying to say that he would never watch it because he won't ever get old

[@Brandonien]

LONG LIVE SIR MARTYN! PS, I really enjoy your work, Sir.

[@kingjames4886]

right, I can still see a spot without wrinkles.

[@kingjames4886]

@MichaelKingsfordGray cyka.

[@Touuraab]

What else did u watch during pandemic

[@bplup6419]

I love how I can take one look at this guy and be like, "Yeah, he knows science."

[@goose300183]

"I started wondering whether you could fly trousers as a kite" haha a true scientist, asking the right questions.

[@seb16x2110]

"I know very few chemists who have mustaches" the prof is so precious

[@TheNess667]

He always notices things that the rest of us mere mortals miss

[@RWBHere]

My old school Chemistry teacher, always sported a 'tache. He died in his 90's only a couple of years ago. So I guess it never caught fire.... until he was cremated.

[@brandon3872]

Maybe most of them had it burnt off by a bunson burner 😅

[@ClanWiE]

I love how he associated having a mustache with science communication / pop science

[@DeerKoden]

... few mustaches left, if any? That time when science goes beyond mind blowing, gotta be moustache-blowing aswell.

[@jasonpatterson8091]

My chemistry students ask me if I can make meth every single year. My response is always, "If a meth-head can make meth, don't you suppose I can?"

[@hokiepokie333_CicadaMykHyn]

WILL YOU make meth for them is the real question... I has gotz a futur 2 git ready 4!!! Dollar, dollar bill, Y'all!!! Lol 🙈 YOLO

[@dreadedenterprise51]

@@hokiepokie333_CicadaMykHyn you’re a follower of the crystal I assume?

[@its1899]

i cant help but only read that in walters voice

[@osbberjen]

So you make meth for them?

[@Nanakiyami]

Kinda lame really. Meth isn't that challenging. More fun to synthesize tryptamines tbh.

[@horseradish4046]

he actually points out an interesting fact that I never realized, if the pants flew off the RV then they couldn't have ended up ahead of it and have floated down under the wheels like that

[@yig_501]

lolol cinemasins detail

[@BloggerMusicMan]

Yeah ... But it looks so cool ... XD

[@alan62036]

Wind?

[@TomMathesonColes]

Typical scientist taking the fun out of everything and being too blind to realize what artistic license is.

[@WladylawGomulka]

@@TomMathesonColes lol just because something is tv show doesnt mean that it cant be critisized for being unrealistic

[@markbaker5599]

"I knew he was a chemistry teacher, I knew he made a drug and I knew there was a lot of episodes" hahaha

[@rustymustard7798]

Nobody's ever had to ask the professor if he knows how to make drugs, they see the hair and his mellow attitude and just assume the answer is 'Yes'.

[@TheSkytherMod]

You can have all of my likes ( Bar the one on the video ;) )

[@auracle6184]

He doesn't know how to make them, but he's got the best hook-up in town.

[@marsulgumapu2010]

i see someone whose disposition naturally doesn't need them.

[@edtufic]

I would watch that!

[@onebronx]

His brain cooks all endogenous drugs he wants, so no additional intake required.

[@kingjames4886]

"I had to look up methamphetamine..." all of this is just precious.

[@ArKritz84]

Sure he did...

[@SobrietyandSolace]

5 mins later: 'if you want large crystals you need to grow them slowly...' Lol jk, forming crystals from a solution is the sa,e whether it's meth or copper sulphate. I know what you're saying;I love this man and wish he was my grandpa. I would love to hear his evaluation and opinions on so many topics. But I also really want to smoke weed and talk terpenes with him.

[@jacksawildjackschan9469]

A world class chemist looking up meth probably had the national crime squad raising their eyebrows.

[@BaconHer0]

"Next I'll actually try to make a batch"

[@haileymccurry3756]

"I wasn't quite sure what the point of the red phosphorus was..." hahahaha

[@TheYellowTuxedo]

I feel like asking a chemist "Do you know how to make drugs?" is like asking a chef "Do you know how to cook -insert food type here-". They might not know how to, but they know they understand the core conecept

[@starletscarlet]

I mean if some random addicts can do it with a Gatorade bottle then I think a professor of chemistry could

[@masspwnagedGames]

It's interesting that he mentioned captain cook being murdered and suspecting that jesse might get murdered later in the series, Which is what the writers originally planned. So it was actually most likely a real forshadowing intended that eventually got canned because of Aaron Paul's brilliant acting.

[@siggyretburns7523]

You know a professor knows his stuff when he's got hair like that. If I was on jeopardy and he walked out as an opponent, I'd erase my name off the placard and walk back in the dressing room.

[@KrzysiuNet]

Check out Clifford Stoll :) Not a prof, but still one of the best cases of eccentric scientist. I'd suggest his TED talk "The Call To Learn". Even a few seconds shows what I mean :)

[@Eidelmania]

Hair like that is begging to catch fire.

[@stepbroimstuck1591]

Einstein's hair is essential to a scientist's reputation

[@TaposhDesai]

Professor got old in 6 years! Never noticed! He's evergreen!

[@Qermaq]

Heh. When you're in your 20s you can do all the things you could as a teenager. In your 30s, you can still do most of those things, but if you do it two days in a row, you're gonna hurt in the morning. In your 40s, and maybe your 50s if you're lucky, you can do it for only one day, and you will hurt in the morning. Finally, when you are old -- you can do absolutely nothing, and you will hurt in the morning. I dunno if he's old. Maybe he's wiser than he's old. :)

[@MortisObscura]

@@Qermaq I must be old then. I can barely get out of bed without some sort of pain.

[@dinamosflams]

We all Will be older than him at some point at this rate

[@MortisObscura]

@@dinamosflams no I wont, I have tons of health issues and no insurance.

[@dinamosflams]

@@MortisObscura F. I Hope you get better

[@chaoticneutral7573]

Next episode: Professor watches Full Metal Alchemist

[@jlouzado]

yes please. xD

[@youzerable]

@Chaotic Neutral He'd probably find some inaccuracies in that too.

[@derjansan9564]

When I was studying at university, we once looked out of the window of our drawing room and saw a smoke plume coming from one of the buildings on the campus. Later we learned that this was from a storage room for chemicals and a person there had been smoking and caused an explosion. He actually died from the explosion. So yes, do not smoke in the lab, and if possible nowhere else.

[@norxcontacts]

LOL

[@aravnjak]

“Nobody’s ever asked me.” Is it me, or did he have a hint of disappointment in his voice, when he said that?

[@ChaosTyrant]

His tongue movement told another story.

[@PhilJonesIII]

He does know how to make crystal meth though.

[@-godsspeed-9159]

He probably can just looks at the drugs structure and makes it from scratch

[@Bustin_cider00]

Nah nah nah the video is low resolution but he pushed his tounge into his cheek, im taking that as “i have but i can’t say that on camera”

[@accidentallyaj5138]

@@PhilJonesIII i can guarantee, that most chemists know how to cook up methamphetamine

[@jamoyky1]

born too late to explore new lands born too early to explore space and the galaxies born just in time to watch the Prof react to breaking bad

[@drinkthekoolaidkids]

To old to start over and to young to give up .

[@noirekuroraigami2270]

You can explore the oceans 🤷‍♂️

[@zSleepless]

@@noirekuroraigami2270 fax

[@thetooginator153]

Jamoygali - True, but this is a VERY exciting time to be alive. Here’s an example: when I was a boy in the late sixties, my father had bought one of the first handheld calculators, which was pretty expensive at the time. The calculator could add, subtract, multiple and divide (possibly exponents, but I don’t remember). I “borrowed” the calculator and my dad found out and spanked me! A calculator like that is basically free now. You have a very powerful computer on your phone, and can do very accurate language translation and very advanced math - as well as take very high-resolution photos. The amount of computing power available to you is truly astonishing, which allows you to do almost anything you can imagine. Not to mention that virtually all publicly available information on the planet is available to you in a few seconds. I find that pretty exciting!

[@FireKeepersDaddy]

Your statements true, what else can i venture that hasnt been done or touched!! Such limitations in this world hold back progress too much :(

[@TecraX2]

8:11 - "Earlier in my career when I didn't know things so well, I tried to cook in a volumetric flask" => Busted!!!

[@dotanon]

Actually cancelled tbh.

[@GSPV33]

Loved this guy's explanations in science videos growing up. So cool to see these videos are still being produced now that I'm grown.

[@discordlexia2429]

By which you mean Sir Martin Poliakoff, or Walter White?

[@soliscrown1272]

He should be in a series called "Breaking Quite Bad."

[@whitestork3896]

Breaking not so bad :P

[@DASyam-tb7qt]

Breaking slightly bad

[@brandonobaza8610]

"Popping Off"

[@JiveDadson]

Breaking Rather Badly

[@johnmclaughlin4778]

That's awesome. 🤣

[@soggy_burrito]

Sir Martyn Poliakoff is a national treasure.

[@nemomonteflores3890]

A global treasure.

[@Nikioko]

I wish my professors were more like Prof. Poliakoff. It is great how he is dedicated to his subject and transfers his passion for it to others.

[@charlesm127]

I had a chemistry set some 60 years ago, I distinctly remember it had strontium nitrate in it. In those days you could buy any old stuff, I made some ammonal, nearly blew my fingers off when I lit the touch paper. Those were the days

[@spectralspectra2282]

If Walter had used my school's glass equipment to make meth the end result would be so contaminated that it would be just meh

[@RaidenGen]

So meh-thamphetamine?

[@polishedmeat6399]

meh-contaminaphetamine

[@RWBHere]

Eh? In Canada.

[@GeorgeMonet]

Mr. White this is pure MEH grade! You're an even worse cook than I am!

[@Sashazur]

Yeah but he would have cleaned it all perfectly before starting.

[@TNaizel]

I remember the producers of the show at the time saying that the chemistry was wrong on purpose not to teach people how to make meth

[@Nothing-pb8hu]

You can still just google it anyways

[@alessiobenvenuto5159]

@@Nothing-pb8hu and be monitored 24/7 by security services for the next 6 months

[@s.e.c.u.8340]

@@alessiobenvenuto5159 Funny moment

[@TrueREAL]

Its not wrong but its not all the necessary steps.

[@s.e.c.u.8340]

@@TrueREAL I'm going to report you to fbi

[@GandWizard]

Please show the professor next time: - Walter using the fulminated mercury to cause and explosion in Tuco's office and get things his way - Walter and Jesse using thermite to steal the methylamine they need - The racin poisoning I liked this a lot and am hoping for a sequel!

[@user-ex7yq6xq9s]

- the scene where walt uses different chem process instead of pseudo - melting bodies with acid in bathtub - gus underground superlab - jesse buying all the meth ingredients - the scene where saul trying to find places for them to cook meth

[@aa-dt5bf]

Nobody with common sense (and knowledge) would grow such a big crystals of Mercury fulminate, for they could detonate spontaneously from cracks coming from tension in crystals. In fact special care is given to avoid forming any crystals, than small portions of powder should be kept wet until further preparation like encapsulation and pressing into shell of igniter. Use of these is to start explosion of more 'lazy' but stable explosives like TNT. Crystals of size shown in a movie are off the scale, probably impossible to grow, and for sure impossible to hold, or carry them dry in a bag like that, without an explosion. Those are far more delicate than shown in a movie. Not used as standalone explosives. Yes they would explode probably only if they would exist and for 100% when thrown like that. I doubt that any of present person would keep their hearing (at best) after such explosion in a room.

[@ILoveSoonkyu]

OMG YES PLEASE

[@sam8404]

@@aa-dt5bf I don't think they were asking about the plausibility of it, just saying they would like to hear what the professor thinks about it.

[@alwayswatching662]

His heart is as warm as he is old I love this man he has a love of chemistry and a human side not the average master chemist.We need more teachers with these qualitys

[@rarrmonkey]

In the UK "It's alright" is the highest form of praise we are capable of.

[@MrRedeyedJedi]

"nice" is also pretty high level stuff

[@ForeverMan]

You all right love ?

[@landroveraddict2457]

Not half bad and you've reached the summit

[@Siarawaszympanemjest]

Pretty decent statement.

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Thank you all for making my day 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ClickBeetleTV]

In Korean, chemistry is called 화학, literally "the study of change"

[@fonkbadonk2957]

So, essentially, alchemy?

[@TheLivetuner]

化學 in Hanja, “change/conversion study”. This term's first official appearance was in 六合叢談 in 1857. The invention/translation of it was probably earlier, owing to the Chinese translator 徐壽, who was translating the inorganic section of the English chemistry textbook to his version 化學鑒原. The Japanese then took that term from China, and then also adopted in Korea.

[@tatianatub]

in Dutch chemistry is called scheikunde, literally translates to the study of separating

[@koushuu]

Vietnamese also, it's also literally "the study of change" too (hoá học)

[@rayhans7887]

In Bangla Chemistry is called "রসায়ন (Rosayon)" meaning the science of mixing

[@Dad......]

As an American who works in a gunshop, the gun's were depicted in a pretty realistic frequency. Especially considering the criminal underworld these characters are a part of.

[@marcushendriksen8415]

Since it's an American show, isn't it unsurprising that the gun details would be accurate?

[@Dad......]

@@marcushendriksen8415 Sure, I was only stating as such because he says in the video "Not sure if it's exaggerated for TV or if it's accurate..."

[@larrybuchannan186]

@@marcushendriksen8415 just like warcrmnls from europ who started two worldwars and slautrd more than fifty million people during their disgusng histries.

[@discordlexia2429]

Gun's.

[@Aabicus]

10:48 Love this point on Jesse's nickname foreshadowing him being killed later. That was originally the plan but they scrapped it due to really liking the actor's performance, but they were probably planning on initially making this parallelism come true!

[@MagicNash89]

The "quite good" and "not bad" anbimations were fucking hilarious and amazing

[@b2a1c3d4e5]

For real, those had me rolling

[@Nastyswimmer]

He understands the difference in meaning of "quite" in Britain and the US though

[@electronicsNmore]

Breaking Bad was one of the very few shows that had me hooked.

[@blorb2120]

There's a joke to be made here

[@Deathhead68]

@@blorb2120 it's a pretty oft-made joke tbh

[@jmw9904]

Did you get your fix every day?

[@j.mangum7652]

It took me a week and a half to binge-watch it all on netflix.

[@Mwhosay]

*addicted

[@cubencis]

Interesting that part about Captain Cook. Originally Jesse was supposed to be murdered in season one but they liked him so much that they kept him on. Had they not changed that you would’ve been exactly right

[@BamaChad-W4CHD]

This is the best thing on KZbin! The Professor has a unique outlook on everything and i especially love his thoughts on Breaking Bad.

[@andrewworgan9905]

I read somewhere that certain aspects of the "cooking" was deliberately made to be incorrect, just in case someone tried to make Meth using the series as a guide.

[@niconeitorrr]

i came to the comment section to post this, yes, the cooking was intentionally inaccurate for this reason, should tell the prof next time too

[@SilvaDreams]

Yeah they intentionally made it completely hog wash so people couldn't just copy the show to start making meth.

[@OrchidAlloy]

That's a shame honestly, feels less authentic

[@ismaellanda9018]

The part with the pseudoephedrine and the phosphorus is accurate, however they omitted two steps of the reaction

[@shredz999]

Actually, I'm pretty sure most of my 3rd grade students in organic chemistry can figure out a viable synthesis route based on the reagents mentioned in the series

[@6alecapristrudel]

"Has anybody asked you if you can make drugs?" "No" - said no chemistry student ever since breaking bad came out

[@9cwai958]

Well i actually know so.....

[@RisqueBisquet]

To be fair, even a non-chemistry student could pull it off. Maybe not crystal meth, but something like chloroform is easy to make. It's more about willingness than ability.

[@sijmenkroon5972]

@@RisqueBisquet chloroform is not a drug?

[@Hashishin13]

@@sijmenkroon5972 Its definitely a drug, maybe not a party or recreational one though. They used it to knock people out for surgeries etc.

[@sijmenkroon5972]

@@Hashishin13 aah okay but its not used anymore as a drug since its mutagenic and carcinogenic. Its almost only used as a solvent or reagent

[@johnnymaximum3828]

you can tell how badass a chemistry teacher is by how unkept their hair is

[@coleozaeta6344]

He’s one of those Dark Souls people.

[@dirty1994]

"Study of change" was a foreshadowing. We watch Walt go through change.

[@lucienskinner-savallisch5399]

He could react to the state of art laboratory Gustavo builds and Walt's cooking process in that lab, the explosive "meth" scene, the homemade battery scene, Jesse even cooks later in the series and does well.

[@Sebastian-ip5py]

Omg yes!!!!!!!

[@sijmenkroon5972]

Omg show him the walt: "and what conducts electrkcity? :DD". Jesse:"wiiiiirreeeee" walt:"D: copper..." scene

[@ToxicMrSmith]

The mercury fulminate has been busted by myth busters.

[@OMGshinyobject]

I’m a chemist and I get the “oh so you can teach me how to make meth hahahahaha” all the time, I get it more from when I’m doing community volunteering and something tells me our dear professor exclusively associates with academics which is why he hasn’t heard it before

[@Astral_Alchemist]

Yep it's usually the first thing people ask me when they find out I'm a chemist

[@avatar1867]

@@Astral_Alchemist LOL. My first question would be. Hm🤔 I mean I have a liter of 88% lactic acid I need to dilute? But I can do that =p. ( cheap AHA acid). Its food grade and used for brewing. Just need diluted and BOOM! Beauty acid. My question would be, know any biochemistry? 😆 I like exploiting stuff. For 2 dollars I found a reliable way to release large amounts of endorphines. Or manually shivering 🤔 I got questions for that one. Lol

[@psychedelicfoundry4474]

@从 Deadpoppin 从 No. If you had pure LSA you could hydrolyze it to lysergic acid (which is illegal) which could then be reacted with diethylamine (also Illegal) and a coupling agent to produce LSD (obviously illegal). But the LSA you're refering to wouldn't be pure enough to do it, as it would contain all the alkaloids present in the plants which includes clavines, and other ergolines.

[@ananthropomorphictalkinggo6641]

Why would they need to approach a chemist about it? It can't be that hard. I mean, have you _seen_ the people who get arrested for making meth? Not exactly the academic types.

[@Phaeton667]

Chemistry teachers in the US probably get asked that a lot more than other countries

[@diegoisawesome1]

“It’s been a long time since i’ve handled a firearm” Hol’up...

[@paulpaulington3907]

Heisenkoff

[@9998thegrimeater]

I would watch so many of these. If the professor decides to continue the series I'd be so happy to see his impressions of the rest of the show

[@Haedox]

I like this better than those “Criminals React to Crime Movies!” Genuine and a cool watch!!

[@inzanienyamagata8160]

That's what i thought too..

[@wktodd]

Probably better than criminals reacting to chemistry videos ;-)

[@Qermaq]

We have had "mathematicians react to mathematics movies" over on Numberphile. When will we see Keith in a "librarian reacts to library movies"?

[@newgothwhosdis]

I don't need to see a criminals reaction I got my eyes for that

[@aidencross9016]

Hi haedox :)

[@JoeFF85]

I like how Martyn thought Walt's second job was highlighting lack of status and not just money, because it was the status Walt gained that kept him Bad after the money started to flow

[@ummaisumigualdois7761]

genius observations

[@Absurdword]

He nailed it exactly, I was a bit bummed that the host glosses over it by saying it’s about Walt being under paid (the lesser side of Walt’s pain)

[@SomeIdiota]

@@Absurdword Same. Money can be found, made, or stolen in some small amount in some way. How society views you or your position is not so easily altered. Walter's ascent into megalomania had little to do with money. Money was sometimes an excuse for his actions, that or a biproduct of his actions.

[@theslavicimmigrant4795]

because the prof. is detached from reality.

[@MultiMarkoB]

I wish the Prof the best, I love his chemistry talks

[@dis_myswamp1903]

I just happen to have this video in my recommended. I’ve watched a few videos all ready and I’ve got say I’m very happy to find this channel.

[@JackFChannel]

"...and it's a long time since I've handled any firearms" - I'd love to hear more about the background to this!

[@AlexssandroMeneses]

Wasn't he in the british army?

[@ewetoob1924]

@@AlexssandroMeneses I think he fought at the Somme.

[@CamMci]

He went to a posh uk school. Would have had shooting (game) lessons.

[@jcon5698]

@@ewetoob1924 that would make him about 125 years old today

[@aleisterlavey9716]

He carried Pulver on Nelsons Vessel...

[@peskyseagull]

8:12 "earlier on in my career, when I didn't know things quite so well, I tried to cook in a volumetric flask"

[@chrisakaschulbus4903]

i had to laugh there quite a bit :D

[@itsmeracoon7907]

@Helliosophist he has a knighthood?

[@ottop1377]

@@itsmeracoon7907 well his title is sir...

[@Literally-God]

This is the first video I've seen of this guy, and I already love him. He's so affable.

[@kafkaesquee521]

This is one of the most wholesome videos I have ever seen.

[@ericpowell96]

I love how understanding he is. He could have easily torn it to shreds for the inaccuracies, but he was completely fine with the need for artistic flexibility.

[@coder0xff]

I think it comes with being free from the need to prove yourself. Once you're an established professional, you understand that artistic license is necessary for fiction.

[@tedsretardretardium6174]

Very clever that he predicted Jesse's murder based on "Captain Cook." At this point in the show's development, Jesse was not supposed to survive the first season.

[@bxdxggxdxb2775]

I can't imagine the series with Jesse dying, early in the story. The relationship between Walt and Jesse is the whole story- In a way, I kinda think of Walt as the villain (even though he's the protagonist), and Jesse as the hero of Breaking Bad.

[@Bollibompa]

@@bxdxggxdxb2775 Have you seen El Camino?

[@hexagonist23]

@@bxdxggxdxb2775 The real villain is Skyler White. Walter is the hero.

[@lvanb9082]

@@hexagonist23 you are right.

[@dodman3043]

@@hexagonist23 casual take

[@beano9343]

Great interview. Always been interested in chemistry, particularly after finding random youtubers like this channel along with Cody's Lab, NileRed and Explosions and Fire/Extractions and Ire. Some pretty fascinating stuff all round. I kinda wish I followed a career path in it instead of manual labour repairing vehicles. (although, a lot of it these days is technical with all the electronics involved which I really love too)

[@leapintothewild]

I spend a lot of time reading about science as an adult and think I would’ve enjoyed studying botany and even medicine, but barely made it through the one year of required biology because I kept vomiting when we were supposed to be dissecting a fetal pig. Raised on a farm and was bottle-feeding orphan pigs when I got home from school! Eeek

[@mlburkh]

My first time seeing one of your videos today. Thank you. It was very entertaining and enlightening.

[@frankvonfrauner]

He didn't like that the class wasn't paying attention to the science demonstration. Where did this keep this guy for the last 70 years to preserve his innocence?

[@futurestoryteller]

He just means that students aren't empty husks, despite what some more jaded people would tell you, and that such a passionate and illustrative demonstration would surely capture the imaginations of a not insignificant portion of them. Surely most scientists had at least one really great teacher, after all.

[@Nofixdahdress]

@@futurestoryteller True, but from a story telling perspective it's important that it feels like Walt isnt appreciated as a teacher. He might actually be a brilliant educator, but from his point of view he's undervalued and having his talents wasted. That's the more important thing to get across, that Walt *feels* like his students dont take him seriously.

[@futurestoryteller]

@@Nofixdahdress Believe it or not, I understand that, in fact kudos to the show, because it does manage to do that without being utterly subjective about it. If you go back and rewatch the scene quite a few kids seem captivated by his demonstration. The show exploits our innate negativity bias.

[@XX-121]

well he's use to teaching in college where all the students not only want to be there but are paying to be there so they're probably a lot more engaged.

[@theslavicimmigrant4795]

he's detached from everyday realities; the man's been an university researcher/lecturer for about 40 years.

[@peczenyj]

Breaking Bad is like McGyver: the most dangerous stuff presented in TV was altered to avoid people try to mimic in home

[@thecloneguyz]

That's old news check out Hamilton's pharmacopeia on TV they're literally showing you how to make methamphetamine on TV now

[@ghostofsparta6877]

@@thecloneguyz The Prof should react to this next

[@rambo-cambo3581]

@@thecloneguyz to be fair you can look it up pretty easy I don't know why you sound surprised. You can look up how to make a homemade bomb for example

[@thecloneguyz]

@@rambo-cambo3581 You obviously do not understand FCC laws. Try reading sometime. Step by Step Chemical reactions on TELEVISION? PFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTBWUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Ok buddy.

[@callmeshaggy5166]

Not so much altered, but a *LOT* of steps are intentionally left out.

[@digus]

We need more of these! Please.

[@IOnlySmokeDaFinest]

I got a great laugh when you did that edit at the end for his definition of the shows rating and it's reflection via the periodic table.

[@ItsSansom]

11:10 Knowing that the original plan was for Jesse to die at the end of season 1, that's a super interesting theory

[@salamancamoney5165]

It’s worth mentioning too for Better Call Saul that King John, signer of the Magna Carta, died in 1217, a year after it was signed...

[@callmeshaggy5166]

The Captain Cook explorer connection actually makes sense when you realize Jesse was supposed to die in S1

[@Zorklis]

Exactly!

[@MinaF99]

I’m pretty sure it’s a play on words with popular breakfast cereal captain crunch

[@sertu1462]

@@MinaF99 Nah, I think it's a refference to Captain Hook from Peter Pan.

[@Cherry-bq4oh]

I think I remember watching this guy in primary school, glad to see you're still out here spreading knowledge!

[@katieturner6685]

I love love love this professor! Great interviewer too xxx

[@36736fps]

I would suggest an episode from the later seasons that show large automated labs. And by all means the signature BLUE meth.

[@wireboar7321]

the Fring's Blue

[@ferrazdiego1]

Never ceases to amaze me how good Brady is at interviewing. That is an art, and technique! Love it

[@periodicvideos]

Thank you!

[@AdmiralQuality]

It helps to be able to hear his questions for once. ;)

[@GuyFromTheSouth]

It is a rare talent

[@ferrazdiego1]

@@GuyFromTheSouth indeed!

[@jmbs9833]

This was quite entertaining, since i used to ask my chemist teacher back in the day, if some things from movies are realistic. I think this needs more episodes

[@TheBroz]

Funny that Sir Martyn mentions that he goes to the cinema more often, pre-pandemic I frequently would see him at my local cinema. I’m always too shy to approach him and bother him during his time off.

[@gmrads]

Takes him a year of quarantine to finally watch breaking bad... Has the professor still never tried Coke or Pepsi? Because that’s the obvious next step :)

[@youkofoxy]

He never, and doesn't intended to do so. Is kinda a funny badge.

[@volundrfrey896]

Nah it's gross anyways, let him live pure and happy.

[@anthonycurby4606]

Dr pepper is better

[@runcycleskixc]

Being a biochemist w/o a TV, it took me a year in quarantine to watch it.

[@anononomous]

Probably wouldn't know what they taste like but would know exactly what they react with.

[@Guru_1092]

"I don't actually watch much TV." Yeah honestly, I can relate.

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

Tv rots your brain. My parents was actually correct... i find it strange with all the options we have nowa days that people pay for TV.

[@martiddy]

Tbh, almost no one watches TV anymore besides of the TV News.

[@matsv201]

Is program tv even a thing any more?

[@carnsoaks1]

me neither. I stream everything to my laptop.

[@snobrder4evr]

Watching KZbin isn't somehow different you realize

[@alisong826]

My heart is very full watching this gentleman! Can’t wait to watch the bathtub review next! ⚗️👨‍🔬

[@youraverageguy8431]

Look at this guy. He even got the hair and everything. Like dude. He's a Textbook example of a chemistry professor.

[@tomallen2953]

Of the top of my head there are a few scenes where Chemistry is heavily included in the plot, I think the best ones are: - When Jesse dissolves the body in hydrofluoric acid. - The scene when Walter throws Fulminated Mercury when he first meets Tuco - The multiple ricin poison attempts throughout the whole show.

[@teliots]

How about when Walt redesigns their process to use methylamine so that they can scale up production?

[@pozzowon]

The Fulminated Mercury is one i wanted to see too.

[@_rlb]

Also when Skyler makes coffee.

[@cooperbaird1192]

When Walter makes a battery cell to start the RV in the desert

[@blindsniper35]

@@pozzowon I believe the channel explosions&fire has a video on the production and properties of Mercury fulminate.

[@theofficialczex1708]

"I must say, earlier in my career when I didn't know things so well, I tried to *cook* in a volumetric flask." - Sir Martyn Poliakoff, 2021

[@PhilJonesIII]

In my early days as a lab-tech, the boiling flasks were used to make tea.

[@TheNess667]

We got banned from using the lab "oven" furnace thing because too many people kept burning their grilled cheese on it

[@JSMCPN]

FWIW, my high school chem. teacher still remembered me 10 years later, even though I got a D final grade. I was at the school for a stage performance, walking down the hallway, and out of nowhere I hear "Mister JS, how have you been?". That really put a smile on my face.

[@markwelschmeyer2426]

the professor is a man in his element. i envy that.

[@mesonparticle]

I see what you did there! 😂😘

[@GrizzlyDaddams]

I am never bored listening to this guy.

[@sbalogh53]

I watched the pilot episode of Breaking Bad, then immediately downloaded the remaining seasons and binge watched them for a week. It was probably one of the best TV series I have seen.

[@Jonathan-ih9sm]

I did the same

[@InfamousJJ420]

I’m gonna guess you like Dexter? You excited for the new series?

[@lj1453]

Brother it’s the best show of all time

[@marcusfanning7513]

watch the wire. even better.

[@sbalogh53]

@@InfamousJJ420 ... Yes, I did enjoy Dexter

[@addy7464]

He looks exactly like how i imagined a scientist to look like when i was a kid.

[@SuperLulzinator]

Fun reaction video.. I can clarify one bit of confusion though: I think the aspects of the chemistry that he found confusing in the montages relate to a failure to realize that all the tools needed in clandestine laboratories need to be synthesized from home materials; this includes acids and solvents. Red Phosphorous is utilized in the synthesis of Hydrophosphoric Acid which is in turn used to actually reduce pseudoephedrine to Methamphetamine base. The green fumes are a byproduct of this reduction process. This is the most common route chosen for methamphetamine synthesis in clandestine laboratories today. So yes, that aspect of breaking bad was on point.

[@Loweren]

Good opportunity to call it "Chemistry professor reacts to Breaking Bad" and cash in on the views

[@qzbnyv]

Chemistry Professor and Commander of the Order of the British Empire reacts to WALTER WHITE COOKING METH

[@qzbnyv]

p.s. what do we have to do to get him promoted to KBE (Knight Commander). Sir Martyn would be the best knight since Galahad.

[@rivkahlevi6117]

@@qzbnyv your wish is granted. He was knighted in 2015.

[@qzbnyv]

​@@rivkahlevi6117 Ahhh that warms my heart!

[@EebstertheGreat]

@@rivkahlevi6117 He was made a knight bachelor in 2015, not a knight commander. The system is rather confusing, but this seems to entitle him to use the honorific _Sir_ (which most CBEs cannot), but not the letters KBE, only CBE. So I think he is technically both a knight bachelor and a commander of the OBE, but he is not a knight commander. A few old sources do use KBE after his name, but at least one has since been corrected to CBE.

[@zuzusuperfly8363]

I had a chemistry teacher that had quite a funny interaction with me. I decided halfway through high school that I really wanted some kind of science degree, and I had a lot of catching up to do. I did a summer class to get university level English squared away. After that, I needed to do university level chemistry back-to-back. It was grade 11 and 12 in the same year. The chemistry teacher found me in the grade 12 class, after having taught me grade 11 chemistry earlier that year. He said, "Are you familiar with the phrase 'glutton for punishment?'" I was amused, because honestly high school chemistry is mostly nomenclature and learning about very soft quantum mechanics. I was thrilled just to be there because, considering the alternatives, I would have been bored. In retrospect, I'm very lucky to have the teachers that I did.

[@misterdarwin]

Hmmm... I think I know how to start my college chem class next year.

[@despacitodaniel801]

This is the type of teacher who is boring in actual classes but if you catch him in the cafeteria he's a blast to talk to.

[@eraser0artem]

Plot twist: A white door is actualy another giant book.

[@HainjeDAF]

Can't help but love this man. Scientist from his toes to his hair.

[@CRAZYCR1T1C]

His hair is the definition of a scientist

[@chadd990]

well he has hair on his toes.

[@drinkthekoolaidkids]

Obviously a High Functioning individual

[@Native_love]

I love this professor! He looks like an enthusiastic teacher!

[@jameswest7945]

Love these expert analyses