Just a friendly reminder that Sunday brings the return of "Breaking Bad," one of the best dramas on television (you can read my reviews of last season here). I've seen the first three episodes of season three, and they're very strong. Meanwhile, today is the release of "Breaking Bad: The Complete Second Season" on DVD. Giving potential new viewers only five days to catch up isn't ideal (and unlike the similarly-tight window between the "Chuck" season two DVD release and season three premiere, can't be blamed on the TV premiere date moving up unexpectedly), but the episodes really hold up (and look gorgeous on DVD), and with DVRs and On Demand, you can let season three episodes pile up until you finish.
A fairly healthy dose of extras, too: at least one commentary on each of the four discs (and Bryan Cranston and Vince Gilligan keep things very light but informative), behind-the-scenes documentaries on every episode, 11 other featurettes, deleted scenes, and a bunch of hilarious webisodes from last season. (Warning: the one involving Hank and Marie's love life may have scarred me a little.)
Column review coming Friday, blog review of the premiere coming Sunday. Get pumped.
I was fortunate enough to see the Season 3 Premiere at Paleyfest last week in LA, though not the other two episodes. It was really good and fully engaged me in the show again within the first few minutes. I can't wait to see what everyone thinks, including Alan when he can post it.
ReplyDeleteSo happy it's back!
ReplyDeletePicked up both seasons on blu-ray today. Will be a great re-watch on the weekend for sure.
And very nice to hear the new season starts strong. Can't wait!
The scene from Season 2 with the hotel bell (you know the one) was probably my favorite scene in all of television last year. It reminded me of the Alfred Molina scene in "Boogie Nights" (you probably know that one, too). Great tension. But why Sunday (at 10 p.m.?) What's to clean the palate between "The Pacific" and this?
ReplyDeleteI am very excited, and am extremely pleased to see you've liked what you've seen of Season 3 so far.
ReplyDeleteAMC is showing the whole series most weeknights around 2-6 am (ET -- varies somewhat by weeknight, but usually 3-5 am). They're into Season 2 now, but it was worth recording a lot of hours in a short time to re-watch the series.
AMC is so fortunate (and courageous) for having two of the best shows on television.
Ooooh, can't wait for season 3!
ReplyDeleteFor the DVD commentaries, do they have 'new' ones in addition to the podcast commentaries they had during the S2 run?
Belinda, are you talking about the podcasts run by Kelly Dixon, one of the show's editors? Those weren't really done commentary-style, and those aren't the tracks that go with the handful of episodes that get commentaries on the DVDs.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's what I meant. Thanks, good to know before getting the DVDs.
ReplyDeleteI was let down by the conclusion of the built up in season 2. That's to say, it wasn't bad but too coincidental for my tastes. I do like the writers planned it in advance; it's nice to see shows with an end game for a season. In general I thought it was a poor way of showing the negative consequences of the lead's career choice.
ReplyDeleteThis is the only show that I've bought a Season Pass for on iTunes in HD. I like how most of the plot is based on character's personalities, desires and actions.
ReplyDeleteYes, AMC is fortunate to have two of the best shows on television, and yet they'd rather show "Pearl Harbor" over and over. A nice "Breaking Bad" marathon would have been a nice little holiday treat, but instead they'd show marathons where the likes of "End of Days" was the high point. That they're rerunning the show at 3:00 AM EST is sadly indicative of the way they treat their original programming.
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