- 2013: Using chemistry skills picked up from York, students cook meth.
Do you watch Breaking Bad? If you don’t, you should. The last episode of the series just aired, so make sure you’re obtaining it completely legally. I think of all Toronto’s educational institutions, York University students can identify most with this show.
Breaking Bad is amazing. I’m not about to start shoving it down anyone’s throat or anything, but one day, I noticed a Facebook status that read, “I’m sure Breaking Bad is good, but on Monday I avoid my news feed like the plague [because they might watch it someday].” It had about 23 “likes,” and there are a few things wrong with this.
My ‘B.B’ buddies — my B.B.B, if you will — have come to the consensus that everyone has demonstrated very good internet etiquette on the subject of the show, i.e. no spoilers, for those who might actually watch it.
So that’s kind of like saying, “I’m sure Obama’s president, but on Wednesday I like my pancakes with blueberries on the side.” Also, I detected a hint of sarcasm or maybe indigestion. “I’m sure Breaking Bad is good” does not sit well with me. That’s like saying, “I’m sure unicorns are okay.” No. Unicorns are fucking amazing. Just. Like. Breaking. Bad.
I like to think that people who haven’t invested their time in something like this have a really good reason not to. For example, they have to take care of seven ferrets. Everyone else, though? There’s just no excuse.
For those who don’t know, Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston (the dad from Malcolm in the Middle) as Walter White, initially a dorky, subdued husband and father with hefty bills to pay and a mildly dull job teaching chemistry at a high school. He gets diagnosed with lung cancer, and starts cooking and selling crystal meth with a former student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul).
The show is a thrilling, mind-bending ride from start to finish and explores themes of family, pride, and morality, as you find yourself constantly rooting for the bad guy.
I was going to go into this very long, yet thorough and intelligent discourse on why a York student such as yourself should surrender to the hype and give Breaking Bad a go.
I had charts and diagrams, and compiled quotes from renowned speakers and thinkers, urging you, the youth, to partake in the phenomenon that is Breaking Bad.
Instead, I have compiled a simple list of top five reasons:
5. “Breaking bad” means taking the wrong path, or deviating from what is right.
We go to York…We all broke bad.
4. We can all empathize with Jesse Pinkman’s lack of scholarly ambition.
This kid was let down by the institution, bitch!
3. We know what it’s like to be living in the middle of no-where.
…and STILL see cops around every corner.
2. York students are used to obsessively keeping track of what money they owe for fear of being blindly ripped off.
… just like when you’re in the business of meth, kids. After we’ve all graduated with our Bachelor’s degrees and worked our share of shitty, dead-end retail jobs, the transition will be easier.
1. Much like Walter White, most York students have learned not to place value on their possessions.
…because they can be taken away from us at any given time on our way to school.
So, there it is.
Five reasons to start watching Breaking Bad if you’re a York student. Whether it’s because of our campus’ err…reputation or constant state of demolition, you’ll feel oddly at home watching the show.
Thank you, and have an A1 day.
Erica Orofino
Contributor
