Remote Controlled : 'Breaking Bad' seeks sympathy for dealer's plight
Opinion by Gerald M. Gay
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 03.08.2009
Actor Bryan Cranston knows exactly what he would do if he were diagnosed with a terminal illness.
"I'd go on vacation with my family and tell them, 'I've only got a year-and-a-half to live, let's really live it,'" Cranston, 53, said in a phone interview last week from New York. "I would seek experiences and adventures, see old friends and have good meals."
That's a far cry from the path Cranston's character Walt White on the AMC hit show "Breaking Bad" chose to take.
White was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in the Season One pilot. Rather than live life to the fullest, the high school chemistry teacher started his own meth empire to secure his family's financial future.
The first season lasted only seven episodes, thanks to the writers' strike, but it was enough to earn Cranston — who was nominated three times in years prior for his role as Hal in Fox's "Malcolm in the Middle" — his first Emmy Award.
Season Two of "Breaking Bad" begins tonight at 10 on AMC.
Are you recognized on the street more as Hal from "Malcolm in the Middle" or Walt from "Breaking Bad"?
"It is almost like my own little Nielsen ratings thing. Primarily, it is 'Malcolm in the Middle.' Second is 'Seinfeld,' where I played the dentist Tim Whatley. Now, things are growing for 'Breaking Bad.'
"It is amazing how in just seven episodes we were able to garner such attention, when you have this environment where there is every kind of video game, the Internet, e-mails, texting, so many things that can distract you from watching our show."
Were you worried about the writers' strike not giving you that opportunity?
"I didn't think there would be enough of a sample. It was definitely on my mind. My primary concern was, 'Is there enough here for audiences to stay with it so that once reruns start, they won't go off in droves and have the show completely collapse out from under us?' "
What were your first impressions of Walt?
"This character is so profound and dynamically written. I was grateful to be the one selected for the role. I am focused on the work and what I need to do to honestly portray this guy and his plight.
"I think that is what people are responding to. They know this man. They feel his angst. They might be going through money problems themselves and dealing with medical insurance companies. God forbid you ever have a terminal illness or a serious illness. You have the insurance companies, co-pays and deductibles. It is enough to make you sick.
"During these hard economic times, if they can watch this show and relate to me and have sympathy for my character, that is what we are hoping for — not to condone the actions that my character takes. Just to know why he is doing what he is doing."
What do you like best about Walt?
"I think that he is very human and that he is presenting himself in an honest way. He is depressed from missed opportunities years and years ago, carrying the weight of regret on his shoulders and having to have two jobs to hold the creditors at bay.
"I think he is doing an honorable thing in wanting to help his family, but he is doing it in a dishonorable way and he knows that. The thing about it is, he is purposefully leaving the blinders on. He doesn't want to see the effects of this drug. He doesn't want to know the names of these customers. He tells himself, 'Let me just be selfish this one time in my life, make this money for my family, then please let me die.' That is what it comes down to, a life-or-death decision."
What can we expect from Walt this season?
"In Season One, we were introduced to this world and what he was about to get into. In Season Two, we really delve into it and we see the ramifications of this decision. He has gone way too far to pull back. I'm beyond excited to see where this can go.
"None of us really know for sure. It is like having an enormous jigsaw puzzle on the table but no box to tell us what we are making."
Contact reporter Gerald M. Gay at 573-4137 or ggay@azstarnet.com.
0 Comments on this story
