Barry Does What Breaking Bad NEVER Could...

Summary

In this video essay, the creator explores the 'Anti-Hero Paradox' in two iconic shows: *Breaking Bad* and *Barry*. Both series center on morally ambiguous protagonists, but they handle their character arcs differently. *Breaking Bad* is criticized for glorifying Walter White despite his descent into criminality, offering him narrative closure and redemption. In contrast, *Barry* actively deconstructs its anti-hero, Barry Berkman, presenting his flaws and crimes with brutal honesty, denying him redemption. This analysis delves into how both shows navigate the complexities of anti-heroes, with *Barry* ultimately subverting expectations and refusing to glorify its lead.

Takeaways

• 😀 Anti-Hero Paradox: TV shows like Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and films like American Psycho often glorify anti-heroes, undermining the critiques they aim to present.
• 😀 The Anti-Hero Paradox: By centering anti-heroes in narratives, these stories inadvertently glamorize their actions, making them appear desirable rather than condemning them.
• 😀 Visual Medium Influence: In films like The Wolf of Wall Street, the glamorous portrayal of immoral behaviors (e.g., infidelity, drugs) undercuts the intended critique of these vices.
• 😀 Breaking Bad's Glorification: Despite Walter White's moral decline, the final episode gives him closure, rewarding his actions with a form of redemption.
• 😀 Barry vs Breaking Bad: Both shows explore anti-heroes, but while Breaking Bad offers redemption to Walter White, Barry subverts expectations by refusing to redeem its protagonist.
• 😀 Pilot Similarities: Both Breaking Bad and Barry introduce protagonists who become involved in crime, with narratives that initially invite audience empathy for these characters.
• 😀 Different Focus: Breaking Bad explores the transformation of Walter White into Heisenberg, questioning whether anyone can 'break bad,' while Barry centers on redemption, exploring how much evil someone can undo.
• 😀 Barry's Evolution: Over time, Barry reveals himself to be a cold-blooded killer, with the show acknowledging his psychopathy, unlike Breaking Bad, which still hints at some kind of redemption for its protagonist.
• 😀 Barry's Decline: By the later seasons, Barry becomes less fun to watch as the show holds him accountable for his crimes and shifts focus to the people he has hurt.
• 😀 Final Season Shift: In the final season, Barry is no longer the focal point, and the show becomes more about the impact of his actions on others, leading to his abrupt and unsympathetic death.
• 😀 Meta-Commentary in Barry: The show’s decentering of Barry’s narrative and the ambiguous finale are a bold narrative choice that forces viewers to reconsider their sympathy for the character.

Q & A

What is the Anti-Hero Paradox, and how does it affect TV and film?

The Anti-Hero Paradox refers to the dilemma in which stories about anti-heroes, who are flawed and immoral, end up glorifying their actions rather than critiquing them. This paradox occurs because focusing on these characters, especially in visual mediums, can inadvertently make their behaviors appear appealing, undermining the story's intended message of condemnation.

How does 'The Wolf of Wall Street' exemplify the Anti-Hero Paradox?

In 'The Wolf of Wall Street,' the film aims to critique the corrupting power of wealth but spends much of its runtime glamorizing the very vices it seeks to condemn, such as drug use and infidelity. For example, the infidelity scene with Margot Robbie is presented in a way that sympathizes with the protagonist, making his immoral actions seem almost justified.

How do the pilot episodes of 'Breaking Bad' and 'Barry' compare in their portrayal of anti-heroes?

Both pilot episodes introduce protagonists who are initially unassuming and become involved in crime, which sparks a transformation in their lives. Both shows use these early episodes to establish an emotional connection with the audience, making it easier to empathize with the protagonists despite their negative traits.

What is the main difference in the themes of 'Breaking Bad' and 'Barry'?

'Breaking Bad' centers around Walter White's descent into criminality and the question of whether everyone has the capacity for evil. In contrast, 'Barry' focuses on redemption, examining whether a person who has committed numerous wrongs can ever truly make things right.

How does Walter White’s character arc in 'Breaking Bad' reflect the Anti-Hero Paradox?

Walter White's evolution from a mild-mannered teacher to a ruthless criminal complicates the audience’s moral judgment. Despite his many wrongdoings, the show ultimately gives him a certain closure, with his final actions in the series seeming to offer a form of redemption, which risks glorifying his character despite his flaws.

Why does the final episode of 'Breaking Bad' contribute to the Anti-Hero Paradox?

In the final episode of 'Breaking Bad,' Walter White receives closure and resolution for his actions, including securing his family's future and freeing Jesse. This narrative closure, while showing his fall, implicitly asks the audience to sympathize with Walter, undermining the critique of his actions.

What makes 'Barry's' approach to anti-heroes different from 'Breaking Bad's' approach?

'Barry' acknowledges the protagonist's evil actions more directly. Unlike 'Breaking Bad,' which gives Walter White redemption, 'Barry' does not let its protagonist off the hook. The show focuses on the consequences of Barry's actions, and by the end, his lack of redemption is made clear through his downfall.

How does 'Barry' handle the evolution of its main character compared to 'Breaking Bad'?

'Barry' slowly reveals that Barry's violent tendencies are intrinsic to his nature, not a result of external pressures, like the manipulation he initially claims. This distinction creates a more consistent portrayal of his moral descent, whereas 'Breaking Bad' shows Walter White's transformation in more dramatic arcs, with moments of possible redemption.

What role does the ensemble cast play in the final season of 'Barry'?

In the final season of 'Barry,' the focus shifts away from Barry and instead centers on the other characters who have been impacted by his actions. This shift underscores the show's commitment to holding its protagonist accountable, contrasting with 'Breaking Bad,' where Walter White remains at the story's center until the very end.

What is the significance of the final moments in 'Barry's' last episode?

In the final moments of 'Barry,' the character is abruptly shot, and the camera focuses on the empty expression of Gene Cousineau, not Barry's body. This decision emphasizes that Barry’s story is not about redemption or resolution but about the lasting impact of his actions on those around him.