In the column this week, I attempted to distinguish “Breaking Bad” not only for its morbid violence, which is always delightful, but for its innovative and diverse visuals. They love to take risks over at that show even if it means putting actor Bryan Cranston in his underwear for an entire episode. I don’t think Malcolm would like to be caught in the middle of that situation. But, “Breaking Bad” not only experiments with their cinematography. During Season 2, the show got a bit more interesting with its cold opens (the teaser before the main titles play), ranging from music videos to comedic sketches to the abstract, almost student film-esque genre.
1. The Music Video
For a serious drama about drug trade, the last thing I expected to see for the opening of episode “Negro y Azul” was a mariachi band’s music video. But, somehow it works. Not only does the song highlight the escalation of the plot, but it integrates the culture of New Mexico that grounds the show’s sense of place. Certainly, “Without A Trace” never had that. They were too busy finding missing children to even hire a mariachi band. LAME.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxYrjWMvmdg
2. The Black & White Abstraction (this is also the title of my upcoming film where Eddie Murphy and Moby discuss German philosopher Jurgen Habermas’ “The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere.” It will be animated.)
So, Season 2 of “Breaking Bad” also introduced future plot elements in earlier episodes like this cold open featuring the effects of what would be the season finale’s climactic events. It’s a strange series of images that not only foreshadow the finale, but they also establish the unsettling, darker tone the show would eventually take. Not to mention, there’s a teddy bear.
3. The Infomercial
I’m a lover of infomercials. If I could buy a DVD of nothing but Spaghetti strainers and handy-dandy golf club urinals, I would. So, when “Breaking Bad” opened the episode “Better Call Saul” with this beauty of an infomercial (with none other than Bob Odenkirk!), I was ecstatic. It not only lent some much needed comedic relief to the show, but it also provides a crucial plot element.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dmcT3lvWPM&feature=related
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Azul y Negro: That is not a mariachi.