The Best Show on TV that You Aren’t Watching

July 17th marks the return of television’s finest hour of programming. Just 33 episodes into its existence, AMC’s Breaking Bad has left an indelible footprint in the pantheon of superb cable programming. Creator and show-runner Vince Gilligan’s masterpiece has joined an elite group that includes The Sopranos, The Wire, Deadwood, The Shield, Damages, and Mad Men. This stunning portrait of a simple man gone corrupt to protect his family is both harrowing and terrifying. Perfect TV. Although you shouldn’t need it, here are my 10 reasons to start watching Breaking Bad.In no particular order:

1. The extraordinary chemistry between Walter White, played with excruciating complexity by Bryan Cranston in his role of a lifetime, and Jessie Pinkman, in an equally outstanding performance by Aaron Paul. Cranston has won the last three, count ‘em three, Emmy awards for Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Paul went home last year with the statue for Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. If that’s not telling enough, I don’t know what is.

2. The story. Let’s suppose you’ve never seen an episode of Breaking Bad and that everything I’ve just mentioned means nothing, because you have no idea what the hell this show is actually about. OK, fair enough. Let me tell you in the most succinct way possible. Walter White is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and suddenly realizes that his job as a high school chemistry teacher will not supply the proper financial backing that his family of three will need to survive without him. Walt joins forces with his former student and current drug dealer Jessie to establish the most prominent crystal meth business in the state. Walt’s knowledge of chemistry combined with Jessie’s street smarts lead the two men to become drug kingpins and consequently spirals both of their lives out of control.

3. The setting. Bad takes place and is shot in New Mexico, specifically the Albuquerque area. The set pieces and on site locations are astonishing. You feel as though you are being transported into this circus of a world.

4. The supporting cast. In reviewing great television, specifically comedy, I’ve always noted that the smaller players are what make an ensemble piece shine. The same holds true here. Bad’s run of mysterious, often self-driven supporting characters help Cranston and Paul be as good as they are.

5. Creator Vince Gilligan earned his chops in the 90′s as an executive producer on the X-Files. He has done a masterful job of transporting his vision and creative flare from the much loved FOX drama over to his new work on AMC. His writing is complex and always leaves you wanting more.

6.  Saul Fucking Goodman

7. The awards and nominations portion of this page.

8. With only 33 episodes in the can, it’s not too late to get caught up before all the action starts back in July.

9. In the midst of the worst time of the year on the sports calendar, we all need something to take our minds off of work. Lord knows the Women’s World Cup just isn’t cutting it.

10. Because I told you too, and I’ve never steered you wrong before.

It’s good to be back in Creature Land.