The pulse-pounding “To’hajiilee” seemed to set up a certain kind of ending, but Breaking Bad is not ready to give Walt–or freaked-out viewers–the answers so easily.
Jon Stewart Returns To a Ship-Shape Daily Show, and a Full Agenda
It’s good to have him back, but this summer proved–thanks to Stewart, his cast, and his writers–that the biggest star of The Daily Show is The Daily Show itself.
Crossfire Is Returning Early, Just in Time to Oversimplify Syria
The classic CNN argutainment show was based on the idea that every debate has two sides. But Syria, its reason for returning early, is proof that that assumption is wrong.
Breaking Bad Watch: You Gotta Keep the Devil Way Down in the Hole
As Jesse tries to turn on “Mr. White,” Breaking Bad reveals itself as a horrifying, sustained depiction of the psychology of abuse.
RIP David Frost: The TV Host Who Captured a President
David Frost, who died of a heart attack on Aug. 31, was an on-camera natural who gave President Richard Nixon an unofficial public trial
How ‘The Bridge’ Solved the Mystery (of How Not to Ruin a Murder Mystery Show)
The serial-killer story is one of the least interesting aspects of FX’s new drama–and that’s how you build a show that can survive its first murder.
When Did Chelsea Manning Become Chelsea Manning?
News outlets have been deciding how to refer to the transgender soldier now, but what about her past? Did Bradley leak information to Wikileaks, or did Chelsea? Did she serve in Iraq or did he? It’s complicated.
On Anna Gunn, the Skyler-Hating Sexists, and the Billion-Megaphone Era
The misogynist criticism of Breaking Bad’s female lead is both a real problem and an example of how the most obnoxious shouters get to define the discussion.
Breaking Bad Watch: You Made Your Bed of Money, Now Lie on It
In a series of wrenching scenes, Skyler (and the rest of us) must stare down the aftermath of last week’s big revelations.
Programming Note: Plus, What TV Do You Travel With?
I used to mock parents who used DVDs to quiet their kids in the car. Now I appreciate digital distractions like the 19th-century pioneers appreciated laudanum.
Dead Tree Alert: The Real Househusbands of TV
Work-home balance is too often treated as a “women’s” issue. But a new reality show is devoted to the radical idea that caring for your own child does not make your penis fall off.
‘Breaking’ Record: What Boosted Walter White’s Ratings?
Netflix binge-watching may have helped double Breaking Bad’s final-season debut. But as Walt knows, distribution means nothing without a killer product.
Breaking Bad Watch: I Am the One Who Gets Knocked Out
If you were worried Breaking Bad would take its time getting back up to speed, worry no more. It’s game on