Breaking Bad

[BatLobster]

Overall, I found the article to be downright laughable. Some points, sure, but very few that made me think she wasn't crazy biased. I mean, just look at this part:

Really, like Jesse never called Walt a "dick" during this show? I think Jesse just used swear words, cause he liked to swear, not that the writers of BrBa had some "masculine agenda" rolled up their sleeves. She is seeing what she wants to see, and forgetting that those aren't the only swear words Jesse used a ton during the show.

Well, not to belabor a point here, but while there may have been some reaching there, I certainly don't think the author of that article was implying the writers of the show had a "masculine agenda". If anything it seemed to me that she was a genuine fan of the show and was simply using it as a platform to discuss these issues.

And that's the thing, when you create such a densely layered work of art (and I think we can all agree that BB was), it tends to opens doors for all sorts of lines of interpretation and reaches different people in different ways. So even if you don't agree with a particular interpretation, it can only be seen as indicative of the show's quality that people are viewing it as a societal mirror and a jumping off point to discuss some of these issues and themes. I'm sure Vince Gilligan would be happy that such articles exist and find them interesting even if they don't align with his own point of view about what the show was trying to do.

 

[ThreadPool]

*edit* Original tweet. For context.

She was not joking.
http://hypervocal.com/news/2013/local-news-breaking-bad-tease/

1. Read story.
2. Follow #JoyceEvansTweets
3. Die laughing
4. Repeat step 3 as necessary

 

[Travesty]

Well, not to belabor a point here, but while there may have been some reaching there, I certainly don't think the author of that article was implying the writers of the show had a "masculine agenda". If anything it seemed to me that she was a genuine fan of the show was simply using it as a platform to discuss these issues.

Really, even with a title of an article called "The Toxic Masculinity of Breaking Bad"? Who else would she be implying that to? The viewers? She doesn't bring up the viewers in this article. The actors? Well, they kinda go by the script, hence, the writers.

And if she is an actual fan: good for her. But she has a very warped view on these issues, and it doesn't surprise me in the least, since I've seen some of her other articles on Wired. To say that every man who cries in Breaking Bad is "punished" cause it goes against the "masculinity" that the show is trying to cram down our throats is another ridiculous claim. How many times have we seen Walt cry for his family or the people he's loved? Tons! Yet, the way she writes this article, makes it out like Walt was some "no cry hard masculine monster"....you know, like most masculine men.

Manipulated by a long series of more powerful men, by the end of the series Jesse is shackled in a cell while the men around him watch videos of him weeping during his confession for entertainment. “Does this p**** cry through the whole thing?” asks Jack.

In many ways a boy trying to become a man, Jesse is the male face of the damage that toxic masculinity does – the cost it extracts not only from women but from men. He shatters against the rocks of the masculine ideal, and it’s doubtful he will ever be able to put himself back together. Taken to its furthest extent, this brand of masculinity punishes men for acting like Jesse, and instead produces men like Walt – and even Todd.

Again, some things she says is fine, but the majority of this article is so biased and stretching things so far, that it's ridiculously laughable.

 

[Shikamaru]

Damn. It's been a week since it ended. Feels like an eternity.

 

[terry78]

I may have to check out that Spanish language remake, haha.

 

[BatLobster]

Really, even with a title of an article called "The Toxic Masculinity of Breaking Bad"? Who else would she be implying that to? The viewers? She doesn't bring up the viewers in this article. The actors? Well, they kinda go by the script, hence, the writers.

I thought it just referred to the characters and the fictional world they inhabit. I mean, a lot of terrible, horrific things happened on the show as a result of Walt's "male power quest" so I figured "the toxicity" just referred to the fiction of the show, not the messages it was trying to convey to its viewers.

But to be fair, you're actually familiar with her whereas I just randomly stumbled upon this article today and thought she raised some interesting points. Maybe there's a larger agenda at play here that I'm missing, and if that's the case then I would totally change my tune and agree with you. Unfortunately you're making me not want to bother reading any more of her articles though, if she's actually bashing the show.

 

[HighFivingMF]

The bad guys were guys and also bad. Got it.

 

[JJJ's Ulcer]

*edit* Original tweet. For context.

She was not joking.
http://hypervocal.com/news/2013/local-news-breaking-bad-tease/

1. Read story.
2. Follow #JoyceEvansTweets
3. Die laughing
4. Repeat step 3 as necessary

It was stupid and she should just fess up and apologize, instead of trying to downplay it or justify it. But when I look at her Twitter responses, I can't help but feel a little bad for her. People like to get so self-righteous on the internet and they act as if they've never said something idiotic before.

 

[Travesty]

But to be fair, you're actually familiar with her whereas I just randomly stumbled upon this article today and thought she raised some interesting points. Maybe there's a larger agenda at play here that I'm missing, and if that's the case then I would totally change my tune and agree with you. Unfortunately you're making me not want to bother reading any more of her articles though, if she's actually bashing the show.

Well, she's made a lot of BrBa articles, and all of them sound the same. Not only that, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to read her bio, to see where her head is at while writing these write ups.

 

[Travesty]

The bad guys were guys and also bad. Got it.

Now I see. Got it.

t:

 

[BatLobster]

Well, she's made a lot of BrBa articles, and all of them sound the same. Not only that, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to read her bio, to see where her head is at while writing these write ups.

Well, after looking into it, she's obviously a feminist but I also don't think she was bashing the show. I think she's just a BrBa fan that simply doesn't like Walt. And hey, I've got her back on that one.

In response to the "WHY U H8 MEN?" lashing she took for that article:

Laura Hudson ‏@laura_hudson 11h
It's only an attack on men if you think men can only be one way. It's only an attack on BB if you think the show can only mean one thing

 

[Travesty]

I never said she was bashing the show, I just said her point of view is too warped to be taken seriously. At least by me. And even then, if she made good points, I would say it, but her view is so warped on things...I mean, I can seriously deconstruct her entire article, and throw out points that completely go against it, as far as what BrBa has shown us within its story. Yet, she ignores a LOT of it. Again, she loves to cherry pick her point of views, and go off on a weird bias. It's strange to me.

 

[BatLobster]

Well, you made it seem like she was passing some sort of indictment on the values the show was trying to get across...did you not say she was criticizing the writers? If that's not what you meant then sorry for the misunderstanding.

Anyway, I think you're right and she reached on a few points, and is clearly biased in how she views the show, but at the same time I think so is everyone...as in everyone brings something of their worldview and values to the show which might influence which characters they like more. When a show is dealing with such moral greyness, it's always going to be something of a mirror to the audience, and that's the interesting part.

I mean, Kane posted the gif before I even saw the article...Gus's speech Walt, "A man provides for his family...". I do think that to say the show didn't deal with themes of masculinity and gender roles at all would be incorrect. That's not to say the themes are there precisely as she laid them out, but the general idea is definitely there. I mean let's not forget that Walt practically tried to rape his own wife in Season 2. What does that say about where Walt was earlier on in this show?

 

[Travesty]

Well, you made it seem like she was passing some sort of indictment on the values the show was trying to get across...did you not say she was criticizing the writers? If that's not what you meant then sorry for the misunderstanding.

Sure, and I still stand by that. But what does that have to do with anything? She definitely seems like a fan, but she has a warped sense of view. What's wrong in saying that? It doesn't change anything. The only thing that I've done, was able to point out her clear bias: that's it.

Anyway, I think you're right and she reached on a few points, and is clearly biased in how she views the show, but at the same time I think so is everyone...as in everyone brings something of their worldview and values to the show which might influence which characters they like more. When a show is dealing with such moral greyness, it's always going to be something of a mirror to the audience, and that's the interesting part.

That's true, but when her's are so apparently contradictory to what we we're shown, I can't see it any other way.

I mean, Kane posted the gif before I even saw the article...Gus's speech Walt, "A man provides for his family...". I do think that to say the show didn't deal with themes of masculinity and gender roles at all would be incorrect. That's not to say the themes are there precisely as she laid them out, but the general idea is definitely there. I mean let's not forget that Walt practically tried to rape his own wife in Season 2. What does that say about where Walt was earlier on in this show?

Heh, to say that a man who is masculine provides for his family is a good thing. Cause it is. That's how it should be for the most part. It should. But to try and say that "every guy who cries" is some sort of "emasculating" type figure within the show is laughable. Especially when she compares it to Walt, who has cried a TON for his family/friends during this show, and then says "anybody who doesn't do this turns into the monster like Walt or Todd". Come on. That's beyond skewed to what was actually shown to us. Again, a clear bias.

 

[Ramsay Snow]

So, can someone please remind me of that Hugo guy from Walt's school? He got done for that chemistry lab equipment thing, right? So, did Walt set him up and if so, how?

 

[Brain Damage]

So, can someone please remind me of that Hugo guy from Walt's school? He got done for that chemistry lab equipment thing, right? So, did Walt set him up and if so, how?

Nah, Walt just didn't cover his trail. When Hank went through the school's lab inventory he discovered that a whole bunch of items were missing. Hugo got blamed because he had keys and I believe a prior arrest. They searched his car in the school parking lot and found some marijuana. While they couldn't convict him of stealing the lab equipment, he still lost his job.

Walt didn't set him up, but Hugo was the first innocent to get put under the bus due to Walt's actions.

 

[C. Lee]

Nah, Walt just didn't cover his trail. When Hank went through the school's lab inventory he discovered that a whole bunch of items were missing. Hugo got blamed because he had keys and I believe a prior arrest. They searched his car in the school parking lot and found some marijuana. While they couldn't convict him of stealing the lab equipment, he still lost his job.

Walt didn't set him up, but Hugo was the first innocent to get put under the bus due to Walt's actions.

And it had showed earlier in the show Hugo being helpful to Walt while he was sick from the chemo....showing that Walt's actions hurt a nice innocent man that had showed compassion toward him in a bad time.

 

[Ramsay Snow]

Nah, Walt just didn't cover his trail. When Hank went through the school's lab inventory he discovered that a whole bunch of items were missing. Hugo got blamed because he had keys and I believe a prior arrest. They searched his car in the school parking lot and found some marijuana. While they couldn't convict him of stealing the lab equipment, he still lost his job.

Walt didn't set him up, but Hugo was the first innocent to get put under the bus due to Walt's actions.

Ah thanks. So since he had the keys, he became a suspect and in this way, Hugo got blamed and all eyes were on him, and then they even found marijuana too. Damn. Poor Hugo.

And it had showed earlier in the show Hugo being helpful to Walt while he was sick from the chemo....showing that Walt's actions hurt a nice innocent man that had showed compassion toward him in a bad time.

Damn, man. Yeah, Hugo was so nice to him too. Suppose Hugo's watching the news right now and he sees Walt as the most wanted drug kingpin, I wonder what he would think.

 

[TheIrishAvenger]

"I ****ed Ted."

 

[Tron Bonne]

I may have to check out that Spanish language remake, haha.

I plan to. I'm pretty curious to see how it pans out.

 

[FCEEVIPER]

I may have to check out that Spanish language remake, haha.

Same here. I just have a feeling if the rating are not good they will cancel it right away. The show is planned for 62 episodes in Columbia but I feel it will not make 62 here in the US.

 

[ThreadPool]

It was stupid and she should just fess up and apologize, instead of trying to downplay it or justify it. But when I look at her Twitter responses, I can't help but feel a little bad for her. People like to get so self-righteous on the internet and they act as if they've never said something idiotic before.

Exactly. Make a mistake... Sure.
Make an asinine defense of said mistake... :

 

[CapedCrusader14]

Kinda sad to see this thread isn't getting as much traffic as it used to

 

[Piper Maru]

I may have to check out that Spanish language remake, haha.

Same here, should be fun!

 

[Ramsay Snow]

Watch it, Kojima-san! Watch it!