Adios Walt

It began with a pair of flying pants, a gas mask and a goodbye.

There was me, solitary, perusing the channels one lazy afternoon and Walter White pant-less and panicked. Jesse sitting unconscious in the front seat of a Winnebago, and two dead (?) guys sliding up and down the back. Just what the hell was going on here I wondered., why was the dad from Malcolm in the Middle in the desert, alone and pants-less? Needless to say my intrigue was engaged, and from that moment on---Walter and I, Jesse and the two dead (?) guys became one.

Did I know at that moment that I had just signed myself over for 5 years of anguish, excitement and conflicted feelings of hatred and love? Did I envision myself 5 years into the future, shaking Walt's bloody hand and bidding him a sad but appropriate adieu? No, like most things that are good I suppose I only envisioned that the network Gods would cancel it and that I'd be left crying alone in a corner wondering what the hell that eyeless pink teddy bear was all about. Oh how times have changed.

In its five year lifespan, Breaking Bad has achieved what very few shows have---a steady fan base that never faltered. It mastered the fine art of holding the attention of its viewers the whole way through, never falling prey to a lull in action, those off-kilter seasons or episodes. The show seems to have always shown restraint at the right time, and turned up the volume when it needed it. Things never got out of control. Main characters weren't axed in an effort to get people refocused on the tension or action. It didn't need it. It simply lived its life and did what it needed to.

So then, when its final episode aired last night, I imagine many fans were on the edge of their seats expecting some big, "Oh no they didn't!" moment., a just kidding it was a dream faux pas., or maybe even a fade to black moment of depression and disappointment. As it turns out, the series finale of Breaking Bad just.... felt right. There weren't any huge shocks--any die hard fans should have known in their hearts what the ultimate outcome would be all along. The key is--the journey to get there is what makes all the difference. Which, of course is a testament to the entire lifespan of Breaking Bad. The series finale did exactly what it set out to do. It achieved what I think most of us wanted deep down all along.

Overall---it was probably one of the most successful series finales I've ever seen. Everyone who I thought was annoying was killed.

Everyone I wanted to stay alive did. Walt met his end on his own terms---not succumbing to the cancer, but to his own actions, rescuing Jesse in the process and setting him free.

An ending he wholeheartedly deserved after Mr. White single-handily seemed to ruin every good thing he had going for him.   Walt's final confession to Skylar was a revealing one and one that perhaps both we and Walt didn't seem to realize until he spoke it out loud. He did it all for himself.

It ended with a bloody hand print, a gas mask, and a smile.

And with that smile we as viewers and fans understood---the journey from Winnebago to abandoned factory was a long one. Much has changed, nothing will ever be the same again---but it's okay. Somehow, everything turned out just....right.

So goodbye my friends, and thank you.

An Announcement Plus Stuff I've Been Watching

So probably I'm going to switch the name of my blog to "The Horror Digest (and other stuff)" because I've decided over the past 7 months that horror is no longer my main squeeze. Sure, I still love it but lately I've become much more enamored with everything--hence the reason why I basically ceased all blogging. Does this make me an interest slut? Probably. Whatever, I practice safe interests so it's OK.

If you're upset about this, I'm very sorry. Let me console you by patting you on the back... which is typically the extent that my ability to comfort other people reaches.

Now, over the past 7 months I have successfully become obsessed with several TV shows. I also finally got rid of Comcast (or as I like to call it SUCKCAST) and switched to Verizon Fios. As you can imagine my soul has been deeply healed because of this. And now for your reading pleasure, here is what I am currently obsessed with.

Mad Men

If you can believe it, I did not step onto the Mad Men train of love until very recently. It's not that I was against it, or unwilling to accept its mysterious charms but I simply was intimidated by how much everyone loved it and I felt like I just wasn't ready yet. Then a few months or so ago I decided I was totally ready. This is not unlike the way I felt about finally wearing pants.

Over the course of about 2 weeks, I watched the entire season (this was sometime right before the newest season aired). There was one weekend where I watched the entirety of Season 3 and 4 in one sitting and emerged from my couch looking like this.

Except a little less attractive.

Obviously I am now hooked and ready to talk all about it if you want to. So far, here is what I've decided.

1. Bob Benson is a serial killer.

2. Glen keeps getting creepier and is probably also a serial killer.

3. Peggy and Stan should just do it already and get it over with.

4. Peggy and Ted should not.

5. All these references to Rosemary's Baby and Sharon Tate can only mean one thing....

The Castevets are moving in. Yeah!

And also probably Megan is pregnant and will be murdered either by Glen or Bob Benson.

6. Pete is still the worst.

And there you have it. Stay tuned for a full episode recap after the finale airs. Yeehaw.


Hannibal

After watching the first episode of NBCs Hannibal, I was very dubious. I felt like they made Will Graham a little too mentally unstable and that they made Hannibal just a little too uncomfortably foreign.

 By the second episode however, I was able to separate the show from Red Dragon in my mind and take in all the good stuff. Especially how freaking gorgeous everything is in this show. This is like.....verging on Suspiria style horrific beauty people.

And the surrealism factor mirrors everything I like about The Cell. It's art. It's scary. And I love it.

I still think Mads Mikkelsen is a little too exotic to be considered a viable substitute for Dr. Lecter but Hugh Dancy is slowly making his way into poster in my bedroom territory.

Sure, Will Graham is definitely crazy. But at least now that we know his craziness has an underlying and actual medical cause, I feel a little better about the future.

Oh and also fuck that episode about scary girls who think they are dead hiding under beds.

Now I'll never be able to sleep again. I think out of all the episodes, that one especially scared the Jesus juice out of me. That is how you build suspense and then terrify people. Current horror movies take note.

Anywho, I think out of all the new shows that have peeked their heads out--Hannibal wins best new show hands down. I'm excited to see where it will go--though of course I have my suspicions. What are yours?


Other Stuff

While Mad Men and Hannibal are probably my two favorite new obsessions, there are a handful of other shows I've become acquainted with that I would certainly like to get to know better. Second base at least.

The Following withheld my interest throughout its season despite the hilarious game I had with myself called, who else is in the cult? My right foot.

My cat.

And a cheeseburger

were all possible things I figured were in the cult since everyone else on the planet evidently is.

It's a little cookie cutter at times but ultimately I found The Following to be a solid way to spend Monday nights. Kevin Bacon chugs vodka out of water bottles and that guy who got killed in Dexter got killed again. Poor guy can't catch a break.

The finale felt odd and kind of a little too 'final' if you know what I mean. My prediction is that The Following will have one more season and then die because you can only have one black character per major network show. Or wait, I mean........you can only take the crazy cult plot so far you know?

Reality TV

I'm not afraid to admit my passion for reality TV. Yeah it's stupid and everything that's wrong with the world but you know what? It's also very entertaining. However my two favorite reality TV shows really have made me angry and have apparently been overtaken by country music fans all over the world. Fuck that shit man.

The Voice and Celebrity Apprentice have both wounded my heart and soul. First, Trace Adkins Mr. I'm Grumpy All the Time and I Don't Really Have Good Ideas Just a Lot of Money wins beating out Penn Jillette THEN Adam Levine's entire team gets voted off the Voice despite the fact that all three of them had better voices then the rest of the people in the competition. Leaving the Swon brothers or as I like to call them, One Swon Brother and a Backup Singer

 and Danielle Bradbury who is cute but dangerously close to becoming Taylor Swift's bratty little sister. Great. My true feelings have officially been unleashed. Apologies to everyone who thought I was cool.

Looking Forward To....

For many people, Homeland became the new "it" show. Count me in as one of those people. I can't get enough of crazy Claire Danes and tiny mouthed Damian Lewis and their stupid love affair and the twists and the turns and and and MANDY PATINKIN.

Gah. Is it Fall yet? Also who thinks they would be an awesome CIA Agent? Everyone obviously.

But seriously I think I would be the best. CIA, I'm guessing you know where to find me.

Breaking Bad's final hours have arrived.

I'm sad to find out that many avid watchers of the show slowly started to lose interest. This is most likely due to the fact that the show is so fucking depressing and bleak that people are worried they will spontaneously combust into a black hole of death.

Or maybe there just isn't enough Walt Jr. to go around? I'm torn.

I however, am totally ready to spontaneously combust and see what exactly is going to happen. Let's all hold hands when it starts OK?

Wow I live an awesome life huh? Don't worry though, I also read books.