Bryan Cranston appeared in another drama series afterBreaking Bad, and his character in that role flips one critical detail from Walter White. Walter White is up there with Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) and Don Draper (Jon Hamm) as one ofthe greatest TV antiheroes ever. He’s one of the greatest TV characters full stop and his presence onBreaking Badhelped create one of the finest drama series to ever air. It didn’t rehabilitate Bryan Cranston’s career, as he had plenty of moderate success, but it elevated him to a new strata of star.
BeforeBreaking Bad, Cranston was a sneaky impressive character actor, appearing inSeinfeldandMalcolm in the Middle, generally as the best part of any scene he participated in. Now, post-Breaking Bad, the list of the bestBryan Cranston movies and TV showsincludes massive blockbusters likeGodzilla, Wes Anderson arthouse films, and drama series like a particular two-season Showtime series that premiered in 2020. Cranston’s role in that show has some similarities to Walter White, with one critical difference.
Cranston’s 2020 Drama Series Finds A Judge Breaking The Law For His Son
Breaking Badwrapped up in 2013, and it would be seven years before Bryan Cranston appeared in another show that could be considered a replacement for that acclaimed series.Your Honorran from 2020 to 2023 and stars Cranston as Judge Michael Desiato, a New Orleans judge who is famous for his just and fair rulings, and refusal to do anything that could ever be misconstrued as even slightly below board. However, when his teenage son, Adam (Hunter Doohan), is involved with a hit-and-run that kills the son of a mob kingpin, Michael suddenly finds himself working against the law.
The series follows what happens when a good judge decides he needs to break the lawhe promised to uphold in order to protect the people he loves. Like inBreaking Bad, Cranston’s character’s efforts to hide his criminal dealings from his family and the law provide a thrilling and often stomach-tightening story as he is sucked further down into a web of lies and deceit. Cranston is as good as ever, and thoughYour Honorhas some repetitive elements reminiscent of other shows, it’s still a strong follow-up toBreaking Bad.
Your Honor Flipped One Important Detail Of Walter White’s Character
Michael Desiato Is Actually Trying To Protect His Family
There are certainly some similarities between Walter White and Michael Desiato. Both men find themselves entangled in a criminal underworld and are unable to extricate themselves without hurting those around them.Walter and Michael were also pushed into their worlds by events out of their control: Walter with his cancer, and Michael with his son’s tragic mistake. However, there is a critical difference between the two. Everything Michael does is to protect his son and family. Walter only pretends he’s trying to help his family.
Walter pretends he’s doing everything for his family, but at the end of the series he finally admits to himself he did it all for his own enjoyment.
If Jimmy Baxter (Michael Stuhlbarg) learned that his son was killed by Michael’s son, not only would Adam be killed, he would likely be tortured and Michael’s entire family would be targeted. Michael does not have much of a choice, and it’s clear that breaking the law like he does is a painful process for Michael. Walter, on the other hand, is happy to break the law, despite what he may say. He pretends he’s doing everything for his family, but at the end of the series he finally admits to himself he did it all for his own enjoyment.
Both Shows Demonstrate How Great Bryan Cranston Is At Playing Morally Gray Characters
Cranston Can Imbue Any Character With Relatable Emotions
Both characters, Michael and Walter, are undoubtedly morally gray, despite some of their differences, andMichael Desiato is just another example of how good Bryan Cranston is at playing these types of characters. Cranston doesn’t always get the chance to play these characters. Often, he’s cast as a totally comic character, or is in a more heroic, dramatic role. His sense of comedy, the anger he can summon, and his emotional depth really lend him to roles like Walter White or Michael Desiato.
Cranston can make a horrible person palatable, imbuing them with so much pathos, you start to forget who the villain is and who the hero is. He shows why a good man would break bad, or why a lawful judge would obstruct justice, and he can do it while not feeling completely justified or completely culpable. It’s a hard balance, but it creates a fantastic character each time. Hopefully, Walter White inBreaking Badand Michael Desiato inYour Honorwon’t be the last we see of Bryan Cranston’s morally gray characters.
