58 Comments
 

Game of Thrones. This isn't even a discussion.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

honestly i find game of thrones to be one of the most overrated shows. i mean brother and sister fucking doggy style, a midget that bangs hookers constantly, etc. its entertaining for sure, but there's no depth to the show. every character is just an archetype (the youngest daughter who's pretty much Mulan, the spoiled prince, the scheming queen).

breaking bad on the other hand...

 
idrankmalk

honestly i find game of thrones to be one of the most overrated shows. i mean brother and sister fucking doggy style, a midget that bangs hookers constantly, etc. its entertaining for sure, but there's no depth to the show. every character is just an archetype (the youngest daughter who's pretty much Mulan, the spoiled prince, the scheming queen).

breaking bad on the other hand...

I fail to see you list any cons about GoT... :/

 
Art.Vandelay

This isn't even a discussion. You know nuthin', SonnyZH.

I obviously don't, this is why I'm asking, Vandelay. Any insight?

[quote]The HBS guys have MAD SWAGGER. They frequently wear their class jackets to boston bars, strutting and acting like they own the joint. They just ooze success, confidence, swagger, basically attributes of alpha males.[/quote]
 
SonnyZH Art.Vandelay:

This isn't even a discussion. You know nuthin', SonnyZH.

I obviously don't, this is why I'm asking, Vandelay. Any insight?

Probably sounded like I was being a dick, but the "you know nuthin'" is a reference to GoT. But now I'm realizing you wouldn't get that, so it sounded like me being an asshole lol. My bad.

Anyway, I only watched a couple episodes of BB and wasn't into it, so I can't give too much of an answer for that, other than my friends who watch both (three of them) say GoT is miles better.

Personally, I'm not a person who gets into TV shows. In my entire life, I've kept up with one show regularly, and that was The Office (may it rest in peace). I decided to give GoT a watch around the beginning of April, and I was hooked two episodes in. Now, I'm a complete addict, and even though I can count on one hand how many books I've read for pleasure, I am going to read the entire book series because the thought of waiting a full year for new episodes (season finale was yesterday) makes me sick. It's a fantasy show, and yes some of the coolness of it comes from that (dragons, "zombies," wargs, etc), but I have many friends who are girls who are crazy into the show, so that should show that it's not just the blood, guts, violence, sex, and dragons that give it the appeal. The character developments and relationships are unparalleled, and without giving away anything, you quickly realize that ANYTHING can happen, and nothing is "off limits."

 

Your first mistake was watching Walking Dead first over those two.

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 
dew2229

Not to hijack the discussion, but on a similar note: Justified or The Wire?

I know it's a sacrilege to say so, but The Wire did absolutely nothing for me, whereas Justified had its hooks into me after the first five minutes of the first episode.

But I was a big Deadwood fan, and Raylan Givens is just Seth Bullock in modern day rural Kentucky.

 

GoT and BB are both great shows and I'd have a hard time recommending one or the other based on content.

I'd suggest GoT since the season just ended, and you can read the books if you want more of the story, but don't want to wait for the show.

BB is currently in its last season with the second half set to premiere in August. By the time you finish GoT and watch BB the entire show will be wrapped up so you don't get stuck at any cliffhangers.

 

BB just has much less dynamic characters that we have seen before in other shows, way more predictable plot twists, less witty writing and more drama-for-the-sake-of-drama. GoT is just smarter all around.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 
Best Response
NorthSider

BB just has much less dynamic characters that we have seen before in other shows, way more predictable plot twists, less witty writing and more drama-for-the-sake-of-drama. GoT is just smarter all around.

Really? I would argue the exact opposite!

BB's characters are far more dynamic - is WW's evolution from chemistry teacher to meth kingpin predictable in any way? How about the evolution of Jesse Pinkman? Walt's wife? Gus' sexual orientation and how that motivated him to do what he did to that Mexican drug lord who topped off Gus' "pollo hermano" in the pool? BB's characters are more complex and interesting than GoT's characters. BB also has better actors; though, some of the actors in GoT are really good (Dinklage, for example), others flat out suck (Clarke).

GoT maybe had like 3 big plot twists (towards the end of each season occurring in the second to last episode), 2 of which were pretty predictable to me (because after Ned Stark's fate, you kind of learn to expect the unexpected, which ends up being predictable). Again, I would say that BB's plot is more elegant (sometime over complicated plots are detrimental, like in soap operas) and less predictable (remember what happened to Mike recently and who did it to him? Was that predictable?).

Man made money, money never made the man
 

The original post should be tagged with [SPOILER ALERT]. Accordingly, spoilers follow.

RE Capital Markets

Really? I would argue the exact opposite!

I mean, to each his own, but:

BB's characters are far more dynamic - is WW's evolution from chemistry teacher to meth kingpin predictable in any way?

Given that that's pretty much the premise of the show, yeah, it's pretty predictable.
How about the evolution of Jesse Pinkman?
From badass to softie to badass to softie? Pretty much every drug addict in every show/movie is portrayed exactly the same way. There is very little that feels fresh about Jesse's character, though Aaron Paul is my favorite part of the show.
Walt's wife?
Walt's wife's character is unbelievably annoying for the first three seasons. She's without question my least favorite part of the show. Her self-righteousness is unoriginal, if not totally ridiculous, and she - again - plays the all-too-familiar role of the "shocked spouse" when Walt's second life is revealed. Then she suddenly, inexplicably and unexpectedly pivots into con-woman, money-laundering extraordinaire. It's not even interesting, because the plot turn is just so utterly insane.
Gus' sexual orientation and how that motivated him to do what he did to that Mexican drug lord who topped off Gus' "pollo hermano" in the pool?
Gus intrigued me at the start, but then his entire act became - again - predictable. I will admit, though, that the scripting was executed very well, and there are lots of interesting flashbacks that tie in details from earlier seasons. Very intricate. However, it's not even in the same order of magnitude of GoT's intricacy. It's funny, by the way, that you don't even mention my favorite character in BB, Sal. Perhaps reflective of our differing tastes.
BB also has better actors; though, some of the actors in GoT are really good (Dinklage, for example), others flat out suck (Clarke).

Wholly disagree here. GoT not only has 10x as many characters (and thus actors), but the average performance is leaps and bounds better than the average BB character. Gunn is flat throughout all 5 seasons, despite her character's radical transformation. Brandt, Banks, Esposito and Mitte range from unremarkable (Esposito) to terrible (Mitte, Brandt). Cranston and Paul are superstars, and Odenkirk and Norris keep me totally entertained, but that's about it.

Peter Dinklage alone puts the entire BB cast to shame. The complexity and wit of his dialogue combined with his delivery is cinematic gold. That's not to mention Fairley, whose performance in the Red Wedding was Emmy-worthy; Waldau, whose screen chemistry with Christie this season was magnificent; Williams and Wright, who are fantastic rising child stars; Glen, Headley, Allen, Gleeson, Madden, Gillen, Dance, Clarke all keep me thoroughly entertained; and I disagree, by the way, about Clarke, whose character I'm not the biggest fan of, but whose acting I've always found great. The only weak spot in a 30+ major character cast is Sophie Turner, and I guess she has an undynamic character anyways.

GoT maybe had like 3 big plot twists (towards the end of each season occurring in the second to last episode), 2 of which were pretty predictable to me (because after Ned Stark's fate, you kind of learn to expect the unexpected, which ends up being predictable). Again, I would say that BB's plot is more elegant (sometime over complicated plots are detrimental, like in soap operas) and less predictable (remember what happened to Mike recently and who did it to him? Was that predictable?).

LOL @ GoT having 3 plot twists. There are 20x as many things going on in GoT as there are in BB. GoT has layers upon layers of drama and character development; BB has one overarching, simple, straightforward plot, most of which you can see coming from a mile away.

Not to mention that the dialogue is GoT is so much more thrilling. The use of metaphor, wordplay, etc. feels fresh. Vince Gilligan wrote Hancock, enough said.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

I'd also suggest Suits - good, entertaining show even though it follows a very predictable formula. If I had a dollar for every time Harvey/Mike had that "eureka" look mid conversation and went on to win the case...I'd have a dollar for every episode.

White Collar's another good one for random off nights - half hour episodes, good underlying story but the episodes leave you dying for the next one like GoT does.

 
woodywoodford

I'd also suggest Suits - good, entertaining show even though it follows a very predictable formula. If I had a dollar for every time Harvey/Mike had that "eureka" look mid conversation and went on to win the case...I'd have a dollar for every episode.

White Collar's another good one for random off nights - half hour episodes, good underlying story but the episodes leave you dying for the next one like GoT does.

Suits has a strange allure to it, despite its predictability. I find White Collar unwatchable.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 
Jiggy

Breaking Bad. Much more cerebral. Not a show you can casually watch, or you miss out on a lot of the fantastic detail the show provides. More of a laptop & headphones kinda show in my opinion.

The amount of detail in GoT is ridiculous

 
Art.Vandelay Jiggy:

Breaking Bad. Much more cerebral. Not a show you can casually watch, or you miss out on a lot of the fantastic detail the show provides. More of a laptop & headphones kinda show in my opinion.

The amount of detail in GoT is ridiculous

This is incredibly true.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

Watch breaking bad, because by the time you finish the first few seasons, the final season will be just starting; therefore, you can watch it without taking a break and everything will make a lot more sense.

I had to re-watch seasons 1 and 2 of GOT this week because I forgot half of what was going on and I didn't want to miss anything in this current season.

Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis - when I was dead broke man I couldn't picture this
 
idragmazda

Watch breaking bad, because by the time you finish the first few seasons, the final season will be just starting; therefore, you can watch it without taking a break and everything will make a lot more sense.

I had to re-watch seasons 1 and 2 of GOT this week because I forgot half of what was going on and I didn't want to miss anything in this current season.

By final season, you mean the second half of the final season?

[there are SPOILERS in the post below this]

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 
NorthSider idragmazda:

Watch breaking bad, because by the time you finish the first few seasons, the final season will be just starting; therefore, you can watch it without taking a break and everything will make a lot more sense.
I had to re-watch seasons 1 and 2 of GOT this week because I forgot half of what was going on and I didn't want to miss anything in this current season.

By final season, you mean the second half of the final season?

[there are SPOILERS in the post below this]

Yes, I mean the later half of the final season (starting soon!)

Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis - when I was dead broke man I couldn't picture this
 
bengigi

^ah shit, another thread hijacked by Northsider's walls of text...

Lest I hijack a GoT vs. BB discussion with a discussion about GoT vs. BB.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

No spoilers pleaaaaaaaaaaaase. Kthxbye.

[quote]The HBS guys have MAD SWAGGER. They frequently wear their class jackets to boston bars, strutting and acting like they own the joint. They just ooze success, confidence, swagger, basically attributes of alpha males.[/quote]
 

If you're looking for a big picture kinda story with a plethora of characters, politics, raunchy sex, exotic locations and the build up of an epic battle to come, then go for Game of Thrones. It is fantasy, but it does it's best to go against all the stereotypes you've come to expect from movies like Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, etc.... and is a little more grounded in reality itself.

If you want to watch the slow, inevitable and dangerous demise of a man who unleashed his suppressed self, then watch Breaking Bad. The story is meant to be predictable. The character of Walter White is going to end up in deep shit. The real story is the journey there and it is suspenseful watching every significant event eat away at part of his oldself. "The path to hell is paved with good intentions"

That being said, like someone mentioned earlier, Breaking Bad is at it's final season and will be done this year, whereas Game of Thrones isn't even half way done with it's story. If I were you, I'd pick the show with a definite ending in sight and save the other for later.

 
eternal_man

If you're looking for a big picture kinda story with a plethora of characters, politics, raunchy sex, exotic locations and the build up of an epic battle to come, then go for Game of Thrones. It is fantasy, but it does it's best to go against all the stereotypes you've come to expect from movies like Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, etc.... and is a little more grounded in reality itself.

If you want to watch the slow, inevitable and dangerous demise of a man who unleashed his suppressed self, then watch Breaking Bad. The story is meant to be predictable. The character of Walter White is going to end up in deep shit. The real story is the journey there and it is suspenseful watching every significant event eat away at part of his oldself. "The path to hell is paved with good intentions"

That being said, like someone mentioned earlier, Breaking Bad is at it's final season and will be done this year, whereas Game of Thrones isn't even half way done with it's story. If I were you, I'd pick the show with a definite ending in sight and save the other for later.

This is a good overview.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

Good overview. I am into medieval fantasies that will keep me on my toes for a long time, with much more depth than what BB has to offer.... Hence, GOT is my choice.. but in no ways, BB is less entertaining, it depends on person to person. But BB is a bit simpler, as compared to the struggle in westeros.

 

Thanks guys, started off with BB and will move on to GoT after.

[quote]The HBS guys have MAD SWAGGER. They frequently wear their class jackets to boston bars, strutting and acting like they own the joint. They just ooze success, confidence, swagger, basically attributes of alpha males.[/quote]
 

Ok, allow me to tell you something about both the shows.

Breaking Bad is a better choice if you wanna watch something quick, without going into much details. Slow Paced? Yes, but not much characters, so not much depth if compared to GOT, you can predict the final outcome from the very beginning, only you don't know the exact path which will lead up to the outcome. It is highly entertaining.... But on the other hand, since you are only going to watch one show, you need to ask yourself, do you really wanna watch some advanced version of normal drug related stuffs, where a hero starts a 'business' from scratch, gets challenged by cops and other gangs but outwits them all, even though the hero never did anything remotely dangerous in his entire life, suddenly became smarter than hardcore criminals ? Or Do you wanna watch something legendary ??

If it is the latter, then definitely go for Game Of Thrones. Here are a few reasons:

  1. It has lots of details (as you can expect from some work, which can be compared to Tolkien's Lord of The Rings)
  2. Dynamic characters with much more complexity than BB. In BB, each character has a fixed mindset, they can only avert from it, time to time, but can never change completely. (Other than WW starting to make drugs, but that is the first episode... so afterwards, not much change)
  3. A single person doesn't always get lucky, no weird coincidences all the time to help him out, or enemies making silly mistakes at crucial points, that could turn the table.
  4. Highly realistic (If you rule out the existence of magic and dragons, as part of storyline, you cannot find a single glitch that seems to unrealistic in that world... on the other hand, lets be honest BB has few glitches from time to time)
  5. Much more funnier (I saw some dude said, BB is better written, better acted out, much FUNNIER .. ) .. well, you cannot expect Charlie Chaplin humor in GOT, since it is based on a world riddled with dark powers, selfish people, all screaming and crawling to reach the top (as Littlefinger said : Chaos is a ladder. ) but, on particular scenes, GOT is much more funnier than BB.
  6. If you haven't read the books yet, you cannot predict what might come next..

But in the end, it all depends upon you. If you want to watch something entertaining, based on fewer characters, then go for BB, otherwise go for GOT....

 

Don't listen to poster who bash BB having only watched the first few episodes or first/second season. The story picks up immensely in the 3rd season and gets downright suspenseful in season 4/5.

Having watched the whole series, BB is truly a masterpiece.

I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
 
Neighbor

Don't listen to poster who bash BB having only watched the first few episodes or first/second season. The story picks up immensely in the 3rd season and gets downright suspenseful in season 4/5.

Having watched the whole series, BB is truly a masterpiece.

When everyone knew how the series will end, its not THAT amazing.

GoT is on a whole nother level

 

Have to agree with Neighbor, GoT is a great show. But BB character development is on another level...

[quote]The HBS guys have MAD SWAGGER. They frequently wear their class jackets to boston bars, strutting and acting like they own the joint. They just ooze success, confidence, swagger, basically attributes of alpha males.[/quote]
 
SonnyZH

Have to agree with Neighbor, GoT is a great show. But BB character development is on another level...

Are you kidding? Character development is one of the huge parts of GoT

 
Art.Vandelay SonnyZH:

Have to agree with Neighbor, GoT is a great show. But BB character development is on another level...

Are you kidding? Character development is one of the huge parts of GoT

Way too many in comparison to BB. Have you even watched BB?

[quote]The HBS guys have MAD SWAGGER. They frequently wear their class jackets to boston bars, strutting and acting like they own the joint. They just ooze success, confidence, swagger, basically attributes of alpha males.[/quote]
 

On Another new level ? Really ? You can always predict how the characters are going to react to a situation in BB, very sorry to disappoint you but BB characters are always straight as a arrow, either they think about 'HAAAA, I AM GOING TO KILL THAT BASTARD' or 'NOOOOO, PLEASE NOOOO, LET ME LEAVE IN PEACE' .... after watching it a little, you can always predict how the character is going to be from now on...

 

Anyone that said Game of Thrones is better than Boardwalk Empire is minus ~25% on respect points from me (no, I'm not gonna throw monkey shit at you). But seriously, Game of Thrones is like Harry Potter for adults.

Competition is a sin. -John D. Rockefeller
 

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