Breaking Bad: The Complete Second Season

In the 2009 second season of the skewed AMC-aired crime drama centering on Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a meek high school chemistry teacher who takes up a new career as a crystal meth cook and aspiring drug kingpin, White finds his life—and moral equilibrium—shaken even more. One of the most fascinating characters on television, once-promising research chemist White gave up his Nobel Prize dreams and ambitions after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, throwing caution to the wind in order to build a financial stake for his wife, Skyler (Anna Gunn), and son, Walter Jr. (RJ Mitte), before he dies. Now the formerly retiring White faces violent drug dealers, rivals, and an FBI investigation, not to mention problems with his drug-addict partner, Jesse (Aaron Paul), a small-time dealer trying to play in the big leagues. Cranston has deservedly won the Emmy award for Best Actor two years running for his portrayal of a desperate character who crosses ethical lines with every step up the criminal ladder. Compiling all 13 episodes, the extensive DVD/Blu-ray extras include episode audio commentaries, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, webisodes, a gag reel, a music video, and more. Exclusive to the Blu-ray version is “The Writers' Lab: An Interactive Guide to the Elements of an Episode.” Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)