Essay on television programs The Breaking Bad

            In the popular culture of television programs, there has been a variety of TV shows, which grabbed the attention of the audience, and also made a buzz around the audience. Few of them were one of the biggest hits of all time, and some of them performed on an average level. In this particular reflection, the focus will be on two famous TV shows; the first is Breaking Bad, and the other is Sopranos. Before looking at the value ethics of both shows, it is important to get a brief idea about the theme of both shows. When you look at both shows, it is quite evident that the Breaking Bad is driven by a plot to continue with its dramatic sequences, whereas Sopranos is a TV show, which has its basis on the essence of characters. So, it is a major difference between the two that one show is driven by a plot, whereas the other is driven by characters. Normally, the TV shows relying on characters are considered more interesting and attractive to watch as compared to plot-driven shows. However, it is not always the case because sometimes a show may have a great plot to catch the attention of its audience. The characters based show can have more variety as it was evident that the Sopranos had more fun and interest for the audience as compared to the Breaking Bad. However, personal choice should always be respected in this regard (Rob , 2013)

Discussing the Value Ethics of television programs The Breaking Bad

            It is hard to get into the discussion of value ethics especially when different TV shows are being analyzed. There are so many other elements to talk about, and that’s why it is difficult to pay attention to the values and moralities being propagated. In the Breaking Bad, there has been the essence of value ethics, and this is why the critics have always seen it as a morality play. The story has been very captivating for the audience in the sense that its main charter Walter is going through a variety of changing phases in his life as a cancer patient. The story has shown a change in the personality of Walter on the moral, spiritual, and physical levels. Walter was a normal man, living a normal life, but then cancer changed his life in so many ways. The moral value of Walter, in the beginning, is standing at a positive side of things, but as the story develops to present troubles to Walter, his morality level starts to turn into the negative side of things. The integrity of a man is important to follow the virtue of ethics, but it was observed that this integrity was sacrificed by Walter to get money. He may have his own justifications for any wrong act, but when things are analyzed from an ethical perspective, and then one cannot justify wrong acts by giving any kind of excuses. If someone has built a world based on value ethics, then there is no room to get involved in unethical things in any given circumstances. The moral world should always be kept in mind (Falsani , 2013)

            In the Sopranos, the value ethics and morality have been at stake in so many ways. The main character of the TV show is Tony Soprano, and it was shown that he is trying to be a Godfather, who wants to do anything without looking at the morality or ethics of those actions. It is important to understand that value ethics always stand to distinguish between the right and wrong, and if one’s inner self is silent on identifying these value ethics, then it means that morality is compromised. It is vital to understand that if one crime has happened, then one cannot commit other crimes to take the revenge as Tony was trying to do for his raped daughter. There is always a way of the legal course of action to pursue because value ethics will never allow someone to take the law into his hands. The justice system should be trusted, even when there is minor hope because otherwise society will be devastated with the behavior of doing crimes to take revenge. It was mentioned earlier in the case of Breaking Bad that there is no excuse for justification for any criminal and unethical activity. Tony was murdered in the show, and a murderer can never be taken as someone, who is standing on the right side of things. So, it is quite evident from the Sopranos that value ethics were compromised in a variety of manner. The concept of Godfather cannot be accepted by giving any reasons because there is no choice of such character in a moral world (Podrazik, 2001)

            Looking at both the Breaking Bad and the Sopranos, it can be said that morality and value ethics should always be part of the discussion in such TV shows. It was good to see that both TV shows included the idea of morality and value ethics so that readers can understand what is right, and what is wrong. It is vital to know that when the discussion is around popular culture, then it means masses are being affected by a concept. That’s why it is imperative to spread awareness in masses regarding ethical values to follow in their daily lives. The society is developed by the cooperation of every individual living in the society, and if someone will rebel from the existing norms to create his/her own destiny, and the basis of this journey is on wrong values, then it cannot be allowed to happen. The TV shows are not a medium to get entertainment, but such shows are great for the learning and awareness of the audience from the popular culture. They should be given an idea, how things are happening around them, and how they have to act or react in a certain manner. The influence of TV shows can be significant in so many ways, as the audience tends to get attracted to, what is being portrayed in these TV shows. So, distinguishing wrong from the right in a context of value ethics is a great learning experience for the audience, if TV shows producers can understand the importance of value ethics and morality. If morality is not made the subject of such crime or other kinds of TV shows, then there is no point to provide entrainment, which has no social purpose to serve (Menkel-Meadow, 2001)

Conclusion of television programs The Breaking Bad

            After analyzing both TV shows, it can be concluded that both TV shows have achieved significant attention and importance form the audience. There is a large audience, who liked the Breaking Bad for its plot-driven themes, and there are also people, who loved to watch the Sopranos, for its wonderful characters. Both TV shows have got a great acclaim from the critics as well, which shows that both TV shows have been great in their own terms. It is also important to conclude that both shows discussed the morality and value ethics, and such kind of elements should be ensured in every TV show to spread awareness for people, who belong to a popular culture.

References of television programs The Breaking Bad

Falsani , C. (2013). ‘Breaking Bad’ Philosophy: The Hit TV Show That’s Also A Morality Play. Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/breaking-bad-philosophy_n_3781492

Menkel-Meadow, C. (2001). Can They Do That? Legal Ethics in Popular Culture: Of Characters and Acts. Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works, 170.

Podrazik, W. J. (2001). Morality and 'The Sopranos'. Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://www.csmonitor.com/2001/0807/p11s1.html

Rob , W. (2013). BREAKING BAD VS. THE SOPRANOS: INTRODUCTION. Retrieved April 1, 2020, from http://ofallthefilmblogs.blogspot.com/2013/10/breaking-bad-vs.html