Where 'Breaking Bad' oversimplifies morality
What's the story
While Breaking Bad is often lauded for its nuanced depiction of moral ambiguity, it doesn't always get it right. Following Walter White's descent from a high school chemistry teacher to a drug kingpin, the show explores themes of morality and ethics. But some elements of this portrayal may not be reflective of real-world moral complexities. Here's where Breaking Bad might have missed the nuances in depicting moral ambiguity.
#1
Simplified moral choices
The series frequently frames moral choices as straightforward decisions between right and wrong. However, in reality, ethical dilemmas are hardly ever that simple. People navigate situations with multiple layers of complexity that encompass conflicting values and priorities. By simplifying these choices, Breaking Bad might miss the nuanced nature of real-life ethical decision-making.
#2
Overemphasis on consequences
In Breaking Bad, actions are frequently shown and assessed in terms of their outcomes rather than the intentions or circumstances behind them. While consequences are important in judging morality, they don't tell the whole story. Real-world ethics take intentions and context into consideration, along with outcomes, to provide a better understanding of how moral actions are.
#3
Lack of genuine moral growth
While Walter White's arc is often seen as a downward spiral into immorality, it shows little reflection or growth in understanding his moral boundaries. In reality, people can experience significant moral growth through introspection and learning from past mistakes. The show, however, does not explore this aspect fully.
#4
One-dimensional character motivations
In Breaking Bad, characters seem driven only by lust for power or revenge, giving them a one-dimensional motivation. However, in real life, people are driven by a lot more than their past and relationships, as well as the burden of society. A deeper dive into these complex motivations could have made character actions and decisions much more believable in the story.