Sunday, September 19th

Below is a sample Character Study Journal entry for Episode One. A few students asked for a sample, so I wrote an entry for you to read. It is in no way the ONLY approach one can take. Each of your entries will be different than another's. Likewise, as you continue to watch episodes, your observations about one character will take over your observations of others. These are just my observations and the details that I chose to record.

CHARACTER STUDY JOURNAL--BREAKING BAD--SEASON 1, EPISODE 1

Opening scene: desert--sirens in distance. Almost naked man driving a motor home crazily. He wears a protective mask. Stops, exits vehicle. Very distraught. Records a video message to family, some kind of suicide note.

Flashback: 3 weeks earlier. Same man (Walter?) wakes up. 50th birthday. Wife (Skyler, pregnant) makes healthy breakfast (veggie bacon) in shape of the number 50. Does not seem really crazy about bacon but is quiet, does not complain. Son, however, enters and complains right away ("it smells like bandaids"). Son is physically challenged, has crutches and a speech issue.

Walter and son drive to high school. Son is a student. Walter is a chemistry teacher. He is very "into" his class/subject. Very animated and clearly excited about subject. "It's fascinating...really!" tells students.
Walter is shown working through his lunch hour.
Works at a car wash after school.
Scene with students discovering their chem. teacher washing student's car. Walter is devastated.

Arrives home to a surprise birthday party.
People at party:
Marie: Skyler's sister (she seems envious of Skyler's pregnancy because she comments about how "big" Skyler is...says it is a very understated but snooty way.)
Hank: married to Marie. Cop. Very boisterous, very assertive, very extroverted. Brags about his job and the sting operation he just completed. Party stops momentarily as Hank "makes" guests watch him being interviewed on TV about the meth bust...camera scans over all the money they nabbed...700 grand...Walter is shocked and asks if this is normal...Hank says it's a "pretty good haul." Says it is "easy money." Hank also shows off his gun to Walter Jr, Makes Walter Sr hold it. "It's not going to bite you." Walter Sr. is visibly uncomfortable around the gun. Hank invites him to go on a ride along sometime. Marie seems very embarrassed and pissed off with Hank's behavior.

Skyler and Walter in bed after party. Skyler has her computer, focused on her ebay auctions. At the same time, she works on Walter to please him sexually.

Next scene: Saturday morning, Walter at car wash job. Has a coughing fit and collapses. On way to hospital in ambulance, W. is very embarrassed and tells the attendant he does not have "the greatest insurance" and wants to be dropped off at the corner and not taken to hospital. Does not want anyone contacted. Says it is "just a chest cold."
At hospital, Walter goes thru tests. Dr. tells him he has no more than two years to live--lung cancer--inoperable.
Walter is stone faced, in shock.
Returns home to Skylar, on phone to bill collectors.
Says his day was "fine." Grabs a beer from frig.
Next day at car wash job, just loses all control. Yells at manager, profanity, knocks stuff off wall, quits.
Next scene, he is sitting in dark in backyard...flipping burnt matches into the drained pool. Clearly depressed, distracted.
Finally picks up phone and calls Hank, asks to go on a ride along.

On ride along, quietly sits in back of squad car, but very interested in the whole set up of the meth lab. Asks to go in and see it.

Hank loves to be in charge and is showing off in front of Walter. He is the big bad DEA guy.

Walter sees former student get away from Hank. Follows him home and suggests that they "partner up"...threatens to expose Pinkman if he refuses.

Pinkman is cocky, almost mocks Walter. "No speeches....high school was a long time ago."
An assertive Walter, determined.

Scene with Skylar and Marie. Skyler is excited about her ebay business. Marie is sarcastic and negative about it. Says it will take forever to really make any money with it. She is nosy and acts like the expert on everything--Skyler's writing...Walter...their sex life, etc.

Walter steals chemistry equipment from high school...while he is doing this he seems pumps up and excited...and serious.
Tells Pinkman they will have an eye wash station and use protective gear.
Pinkman mocks him and says no way. Says "this is art...cooking is art." Walter tells him "you and I will not make garbage."
Walter takes all the money he has in the world...7 grand...for Pinkman to buy the motor home to cook the meth.
Pinkman asks why Walter is doing this. "I am awake."

Scene in clothing store... buying jeans for Walter Jr. Some guys make fun of him and Walter attacks them physically while Skylar and Walter Jr look on in surprise...this is not the Walter they know....Walter seems almost smug.

Out in the desert. Ready to cook. Walter is very focused and serious and Pinkman is amused, makes fun of Walter stripping down to his underwear. Walter makes glass grade meth and Pinkman is blown away...maybe a new respect for Walter?
Walter seems pleased that Pinkman is impressed and thinks it will definitely sell for a lot of $. He asks, "how do we proceed?"

Pinkman and two drug buddies ready to purchase come out to dessert. One remembers W. from the drug bust and thinks they are being busted. Threatens to kill both Walt and Pinkman. Walter quickly thinks on his feet and offers to teach these two guys how to cook this great meth quality. Walter tricks them and poisons them and escapes out of the trailer.

Walter and Pinkman get the $ from the dealers. Dealers are dead in motorhome?

Last scene: Walter is home, in bed with Skylar. She is very worried about the recent lack of communication between them. "I don't like it when you don't talk to me." Walter's reply is to make love with Skylar.