Customer Reviews

Breaking Bad: The Complete Second Season [Blu-ray]

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I'll try to keep this short. If you've read the other reviews, you know the premise of the show. It has received many accolades and some awards. But you know what, there are many really good shows out there now, and it can be hard to keep up with all of them. So if you are still undecided as to whether this show is worth an investment of your time and money, I hope this helps.

If are an avid fan of the Sopranos and The Shield, you will love Breaking Bad.

Do you remember how both of those shows would, at their very best, leave you staring at the screen, with your heart pounding, saying to yourself "Holy S---"? Well, there are moments like that in Breaking Bad. Like the Sopranos, it effectively mixes dark comedy and violence. Like The Shield, it has episodes and plotlines that are incredibly intense. And like both of those shows, it features a protagonist leading a double life. The performance of Bryan Cranston, like those of James Gandolfini and Micheal Chiklis is one of the finest ever seen on televison. Your move.

I watch A LOT of TV and I can honestly say there has never been a show that was so riveting and so gripping from beginning to end as Breaking Bad. This show is a masterpiece through and through.

During the first season, we come to see how Bryan Cranston's character (acted brilliantly, by the way) could not be any more desperate. And just when you think things couldn't get more low, in comes season two with more problems and more desperation.

I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen this season, but my God, if you haven't seen it, get this DVD collection it will be so worth your time.

Now that everything was established in the short first season (writers strike) the second season gets things really going.

I will not spoil but I will say this show is now falling into history. It's one of the greatest shows of all time and will most likely only get better from here.

I'm glad they are finally giving this amazingly filmed show a Blu-Ray release for it's second season and they are going back to release the first season on Blu-Ray as well. The second season of this AMC series starts right where the first dramatic season left off. From there it winds down a dark path where you can't see what's coming while still managing to up the stakes and get you more involved with the characters with each passing episode. While I wasn't quite prepared for where this season ended I have high hopes for the third season that will premiere this winter and highly recommend the first and second seasons to fans of well made television and certainly for fans of this series to rewatch it and notice things they've missed in first viewing. This 3-disc Blu-Ray set will contain the following episodes from season 2 of Breaking Bad (No Spoiler's):

Seven Thirty-Seven
Walt and Jesse try to end their deal with Tuco. Meanwhile, Hank attempts to repair Marie and Skyler's relationship.

Grilled
With Walt and Jesse trapped with Tuco, Marie and Hank comfort Skyler over his disappearance.

Bit by a Dead Bee
Walt and Jesse's become short on cash when they try to cover their tracks. Meanwhile, the DEA has a lead that could get them straight to Walt and Jesse.

Down
Walt attempts to reconnect with his family, while Jesse struggles to rebuild his life.

Breakage
Hank suffers from the aftermath of his encounter with Tuco. Meanwhile, Jesse hires a crew to get their product out on the streets.

Peekaboo
Walt's secret is in jeopardy when Skyler thanks Gretchen for paying for his treatment. Jesse tries to please Walt by 'manning up' and getting back some money that was lifted from one of their new crew, but he runs into complications.

Negro Y Azul
Rumors fly about Jesse's recent actions as he and Walt discuss expanding their business into new territories. Hank struggles to fit in with his new co-workers in El Paso. Skyler pursues a new job opportunity that reconnects her with a former colleague. Jesse gets to know his landlord, Jane

Better Call Saul
When Badger finds himself in trouble with the law, Walt and Jesse seek the legal advice of a shady attorney, Saul Goodman. The DEA believe they may have finally caught up with the elusive 'Heisenberg.' Hank returns to Albuquerque, but his troubled mental state and demeanor cause Marie to worry.

4 Days Out
Walt interrupts Jesse's weekend plans to inform his partner they'll have to cook for four days straight, or risk losing their batch of methylamine. Out in the desert things get heated between them when they wind up stranded.

Over
With Walt's disease in remission, the Whites throw a party for all those who've supported him through the ordeal, but the mood is ruined when Walt and Hank argue. Skyler is worried about Walt's emotional state as Walt tries various home improvement projects to occupy himself. Jane continues her relationship with Jesse but keeps this secret from her father.

Mandala
Saul suggests a new business partner for Walt. Skyler discovers something shocking at work. Jesse tells Jane about his 'job'. When an unreliable Jesse isn't there at a crucial moment, Walt must choose between an important moment in his familie's life or possibly scoring a big deal.

Phoenix
Skyler deals with newly developed family dynamic. Walter Jr. launches a new website to raise money for the family. Jane convinces Jesse to stand up to Walt. Walt makes a decision, or lack thereof, that sends him further down a path of darkness.

ABQ
Skyler's frustration with Walt's secrecy boils over; Jesse heads further down a path of self-destruction, and only Walt is willing to help him; and a grief-stricken Donald experiences more tragedy. Walt's recent poor decisions have a much larger negative affect on others than he could ever have anticipated.

'Seven Thirty-Seven' is an amazing season opener that leaves one anxiously awaiting the rest of the season. 'Grilled' provides a level of tension and excitement so high it leaves one wondering how the rest of the season will follow. While it does level out excitement-wise from there each episode is amazingly well crafted and dramatic from beginning to end. Other stand out episodes for me this season were '4 Days Out' and 'Mandala'. ABQ is also an incredibly well done season finale that leaves things in total chaos and wide open for the third season. Truly though, every episode stands out as excellently entertaining television making.

Special Features Announced For This Blu-Ray Release Include:

The Writer's Lab- An Interactive Guide to the Elements of an Episode. (Blu-Ray Exclusive)

Cast and Crew Commentaries (The First Season Commentaries were very informative and entertaining)

Inside Breaking Bad- 13 Featurettes About the Making of Each Episode.

11 Behind The Scenes Featurettes

6 Breaking Bad Original Webisodes

Walt's Warning Featurette

As Well As
Cop Talk With Dean Norris, Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel, "Negro Y Azul" Music Video, "Better Call Saul" Commercial, Vince Gilligan's Photo Gallery, a Season 1 Recap and a Season 3 Sneak Peak.

This set is well worth the money with the amount of in depth bonus features you are getting along with the full season of 13 episodes as opposed to the first season set, which on account of the writer's strike, only had seven. These episodes are truly great televsion making and will certainly look great in High Definition. I highly recommend this set to any fan of well made television drama and obviously fans of this series. Thanks for your time.

It didn't take long for me to come to the conclusion that "Breaking Bad" is one of the best shows I've seen since HBO's "The Wire," and that's no easy feat considering I came to this realization during the first season that was only 7 episodes long (due to the writer's strike). Those 7 episodes were more than enough to get me hooked. Well, I have finished the second season and I still hold that very same conclusion. This season is longer, darker and even more devastating--while still containing all of the dark comedy/humor of Season 1.

I'm not going to go into a long synopsis of the show or season. There are a lot of surprises and secrets and I would never forgive myself for giving any of them away. I will be brief about describing the season: Walt and Jesse get deeper and deeper into the dark and unforgiving drug world that knows of no innocent victims, and every step of the way only gives way to more complications and dangerous predicaments. While Walt has always participated in this new illegal enterprise with the only reason being that he wants his family to have something after he dies (especially with a new bouncing baby on the way), his moral compass is pushed further and further and he starts to realize that there is a part of him, as much as he doesn't want to admit it, that actually enjoys doing it. With this season it is more difficult than ever to continue with the lies to keep his family out of the loop... not to mention, keeping them safe. This season, it's all about chain reactions. Every act can, and will, create a consequence.

Once again, I found myself invested with the storylines and characters. I don't think there is an episode where I didn't feel some kind of tension or fear for what could happen next. A show like this is very hard to pull off and it would be impossible to do so if it wasn't for the terrific writing, directing and casting. Bryan Cranston is a force to be reckoned with and although his character is growing darker and scarier layers, he is still very much human and you care about him even if he's doing terrible things. He's not some emotionless or flat character who craves power, and that's what makes the transformation all the more terrifying and heartbreaking. I also have to say that even though he was outstanding in the first season, Aaron Paul really shines more than ever as "Pinkman" in Season 2 and there is an episode called "Peekaboo" where he completely owns every frame. It is one of his best performances ever and this is his best season.

The Blu Ray editon of Season 2 looks and sounds fantastic. There are TONS of extra features to play around with such as commentary, a number of behind-the-scenes featurettes, webisodes and much, much more. You won't find this package to be lacking, that much is for sure.

The second season of "Breaking Bad" once again shows us a show that doesn't cut corners or slack in any way. Every episode is engaging, tense and masterful. The show continues to be filled with drama, suspense and humor. If you were a fan of the first season then chances are that you will love what lies ahead in Season 2. Moving up in the drug world ain't easy, and Walt and Jesse are about to find that out the hard way. A+ material all the way! - Michael Crane

Many people I know will say that Mad Men is the best drama on AMC and TV in general. Honestly, I enjoy Breaking Bad much more than Mad Men, especially the second season. While Mad Men is a great show that makes you feel like you are in the time period, Breaking Bad offers the full spectrum of entertainment. Awesome acting, gripping storyline, funny moments, action packed scenes (from time to time), and the list goes on and on. I feel that this series is a must watch for anyone who enjoys drama.

What do you get when you take a series that had a great first season, and add it up with its downright brilliant second season? The best damn thing on TV, is what you get.

Vince Gilligan and his crew created something original and daring, I was aware of that the first time I saw the pilot episode. I was immediately fascinated by the use of camera, the clever editing and of course the beautiful scenery - which very quickly became a character of its own.

You get all those things in season two as well, but in addition the writing is as deep as it only is on one other show on TV right now(Mad Men). It's just an entirely different level.
The subject only got uglier this season, there are multiple scenes that are painful to watch, which is a testimonial to the writing and the acting alone - it feels incredibly real, and it is truly gut-wrenching.

Every character has its place in this season. Not only Walt and Jesse are the ones being developed, no, Hank, Marie, Skyler, to name a few, they all are very carefully written and not just being used as meaningless additions to fill some empty spots. Walt's continuing involvement with the drug world drives him further away from his wife Skyler, as he stays out longer and more frequent with no explanations or explanations that are obvious and demeaning lies. This makes for some very powerful scenes.
Hank's career takes an unexpected turn, and becomes surprisingly interesting as he struggles with some shocking events he had to experience - all due to Walt.

The performances by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are spectacular. This season is a lot more serious than the first. It's a process that began with the very first episode. Walt got himself into a world of trouble and he seems to be pulling down everyone around him, and this season showed some results of that already. This process the actors of course have to adapt to as well, and boy do they adapt fast and flawlessly. Aaron Paul is the breakout star of this season, it's not an easy job to shine when you have to work alongside an actor like Bryan Cranston, but he does. It's a given that both their Emmy nominations, respectively wins, were highly deserved.

There is too much to write about here, this season is packed with brilliant moments. I can obviously not address them all. Let me just say if they manage to continue on this level of quality, Breaking Bad will go down in history as one of the greatest shows of all time, up there with The Sopranos and the likes.

Spread the word, this one's a gem.

I wrote a rave review for the first season because of how incredible and sublimely perfect it was. I also pondered whether or not that kind of magic can be duplicated, and feared season 2 would have to be a letdown after a blockbuster first season.

I was so wrong. Season 2 blew season 1 out of the water. It was better in so many ways. Aaron Paul deserved the Emmy nomination because he was fantastic, Cranston once again was light years better than any performance you will see on tv. The editing, cinematography, music cues, scene location, and direction were just so perfectly blended. Everything about season 2 was great.

But it starts with the story, of course. And naturally youre left, after season 1's finale, wondering what direction the show is going to careen off into and carry a mesmerized audience. The conclusion of season 1 left us with a pretty good idea of what was going to happen, and then season 2 went break-neck speed further past that and well beyond. I was stunned at how beautiful and tragic some of the character developments evolved, such as the scene where Jesse's girlfriend dies, the scene just prior to where Walt is at the bar with (unknowingly) the girls father, and then the action Walt takes to save Jesse from his despair. Its madness and yet its so touching. Definitely one of my favorite sequences.

Or the scene where Tuco has Jesse at gunpoint and Jesse mans up and truly breaks bad by actually overpowering the lunatic Tuco. Real solid character development that had me howling for Jesse's triumph.

You can have your reality tv, your lame game shows, your crime dramas your adult swim whatever. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING compares to this masterpiece. There has never been a show so engaging, thrilling and groundbreaking as this show, and you will never see a show like this as long as you live. Everything pales in comparison, so enjoy this ride while it lasts, because it seems to me Season 3 may just be the end.

At the end of episodes 12 and 13, you will sit in your chair, mouth open, stunned in silence.
You have never seen a dramatic series like it. The best acting, writing and directing, and oh yes, CINEMATOGRAPHY, ever
created.
Vince G. , you are GENIUS.

Don't miss this series.

I thought the second season of Breaking Bad was really its breakout season. It continues the story of Walt who is a high school teacher who becomes ill and resorts to selling meth with his dubious partner in order to support his family. In this season, his relationship with his wife Schuyler is challenged, he has a baby on the way (and by the way you won't want to miss that part of the season when it actually happens), and his whole world is almost shaken upside down when he meets a potential new source to unload significant quantities of product. This show is well worth watching if you haven't started already and I am eagerly anticipating the third season.