Breaking Bad's 'blue meth' has become iconic in pop culture because of its distinctive color, but what the show doesn't make clear is that pure methamphetamine should actually be colorless. In the series, chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine manufacturer, Walter White, is able to create meth of an extremely high purity, greater than average street meth. The meth is colored blue to signify its purity.

In real-world chemistry, substances can acquire a color if their molecular structure absorbs light at a certain wavelength and subsequently emits light at a different wavelength. This effect is the basis for much of organic chemistry, as different molecular structures can produce dramatically different colors. In the specific case of 'blue meth', there isn't any scientific rationale for why highly pure meth would actually be blue. It's generally accepted among chemists that pure methamphetamine should be colorless.

So while Breaking Bad gets a lot of the chemistry right, the actual color of the 'blue meth' is fairly implausible. The creators of Breaking Bad actually consulted with the DEA to ensure the chemistry in the show was relatively accurate, but the choice to color the meth blue was done largely for dramatic and symbolic effect. It's highly unlikely that anyone could reproduce this effect in a real-world lab without using some sort of harmless yet highly illegal food coloring.

In reality, methamphetamine is dangerous and illegal to manufacture. The chemicals used in its production are extremely hazardous, and the process of making it is highly illegal. The depiction of methamphetamine production on Breaking Bad should be considered fictional and purely for entertainment purposes.

Walter White's character development in Breaking Bad is a fascinating study and can be considered as one of the most dramatic and complex transformations in television history. This character arc could be mapped through five key stages:

1. **Introduction to Walter White (Season 1):** Walter starts out as a simple, unassertive, and underpaid high school chemistry teacher, battling a recent diagnosis of stage-III lung cancer. His character is steeped in humility, burdened with financial worries, and inundated with a desire to secure his family’s future. This sets the stage for the decisions he's about to make, kickstarting his journey.

2. **Breaking Bad Hemingway (Season 2):** Overwhelmed and desperate, Walter teams up with former student, Jesse Pinkman, to cook and sell methamphetamine. Initially, he justifies this by the need to support his family after his imminent death. However, we start seeing glimpses of a darker, more assertive side - Heisenberg. It represents the duality of his personality, a motif that runs throughout the series.

3. **Embrace of Heisenberg (Season 3 & 4):** Walt begins to embrace his alter-ego, Heisenberg, full time. He likes the respect, fear, and power that comes with it. The mild-mannered teacher is slowly consumed by the ruthless drug lord, as he expands his drug trade and eliminates threats.

4. **Ascend of Heisenberg (Season 5 - First Half):** At this point, Walt is completely lost in the Heisenberg persona. He's no longer cooking meth for the family, it's about power and pride. His actions result in enormous collateral damage, but his morality becomes increasingly skewed and self-serving.

5. **Repercussions and Redemption (Season 5 - Second Half):** The final part of Walter's character arc sees reality catching up with him. His empire crumbles, his family falls apart, and his actions lead to dire consequences. In the end, Walter accepts his fate but not before ensuring his family’s security. He also saves Jesse, his one-time pupil turned reluctant partner, signifying a small redeeming factor in his otherwise dark journey.

Throughout the series, Walter White/Heisenberg remains a contentious character. His transformation raises probing questions about morality, identity, pride, and their consequences. The depth and complexity of his character continue to serve as analysis material for avid television viewers and scholars alike.

The "Breaking Bad" finale, "Felina," provides closure to all the primary character arcs in a way that remains consistent with each character’s journey throughout the show. Here's a summary of how it wraps up the story for the main characters:

1. **Walter White**: Walter White, aka Heisenberg, is the protagonist whose character arc forms the backbone of the series. Starting as a high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with cancer, who turned to cooking meth to secure his family's financial future, he spirals into becoming a ruthless, feared drug lord over the course of the series. In the finale, Walter admits to Skyler that he did it all for himself because he liked it and was good at it, removing any illusions about his motivations. Walter frees Jesse, kills Lydia and the Nazi crew, and confounds the police one last time. He dies in a meth lab from a gunshot wound, surrounded by chemistry equipment, signifying his passion for science and his drug empire that defined his last years.

2. **Jesse Pinkman**: Jesse begins the series as a small-time meth cook and dealer who becomes Walt's partner in crime. Jesse's journey sees him losing everyone he loves (Jane and Andrea) directly or indirectly due to his meth business involvement. By the end, he is a broken man, forced to cook meth as a slave for Jack's gang. In the finale, Walt rescues Jesse who, after a moment of hesitation, leaves Walt behind and drives to freedom, going from a lost young man to a person who gets a second chance at life.

3. **Skyler White**: Skyler starts off as a protective mother and wife who is initially completely ignorant of her husband's criminal activities. Her transformation begins once she learns about Walt's operations and gets involved, often trying to mitigate Walt's damage. Skyler's arc concludes with her receiving full information about Walt's illicit activities and getting some closure. Walt hands her the lottery ticket with the coordinates of Hank and Steve's desert burial site, which she can use as leverage with prosecutors. She also finally gets the truth from Walt about his motivations.

4. **Walter White Jr.**: Flynn's character arc is less drastic compared to others. He begins the series as a typical teenager and ends it as a betrayed young man who understands the depth of his father's criminality, rejecting Walt in disgust.

5. **Hank Schrader & Marie Schrader**: Prior to the finale, Hank, a dedicated DEA officer and Walt's brother-in-law, is killed by Jack's gang after he uncovers Walt's meth operation. Hank dies true to his character - a lawman dedicated to his job. Marie, shattered by Hank's death, is seen in grief in the finale.

6. **Lydia Rodarte-Quayle**: Lydia is a high-level executive at Madrigal Electromotive who works with Walt and later with Todd and Jack's gang. Lydia's arc ends in the finale when Walt poisons her with ricin concealed in a Stevia packet, the artificial sweetener she always used for her tea. Walt confirms her impending death in a phone call letting her know of this.

In conclusion, "Felina" remarkably completes each character’s journey, with every individual facing the repercussions of their actions, defining 'Breaking Bad' as a gripping tale of transformation, consequences, and self-realization.

Better Call Saul is a prequel to Breaking Bad. Created by the same individuals, Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, both shows exist within the same universe and share a number of characters. The series chronicles the story of a small-time lawyer Jimmy McGill, who eventually becomes Saul Goodman, the morally compromised lawyer representing Walter White and other criminals in Breaking Bad.

Better Call Saul is largely set before the events of Breaking Bad. However, it also includes scenes set during and potentially after Breaking Bad (represented in black and white sequences), providing additional depth and context to the evolving character of Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman.

Watching order actually depends on your preference. If you have already seen Breaking Bad, you will appreciate the backstory and character development in Better Call Saul, not just for Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman, but also for other Breaking Bad characters like Mike Ehrmantraut. Furthermore, certain scenes or dialogue may have a deeper impact given the knowledge of their future from Breaking Bad.

Alternatively, if you choose to watch Better Call Saul first, it would be like watching events unfold chronologically. But the creators crafted Better Call Saul in such a way that no prior knowledge of Breaking Bad is necessary to understand and enjoy the story. Just be prepared for some potential spoilers for Breaking Bad.

In short, the two series complement each other. While Breaking Bad provides the dramatic climax to the stories initiated in Better Call Saul, Better Call Saul offers more measured and in-depth character studies which form the basis for the characters' actions in Breaking Bad.

"Breaking Bad," is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and its distinctive location plays a crucial role in shaping both the narrative and its characters. Here's how:

1. Climate and Culture: New Mexico's stark, arid deserts and blue skies provide a unique and dramatic backdrop for the various events of the series. The vast, isolated desert scenes reflect and enhance the isolation and moral wilderness each character faces in their own journey. The culture of New Mexico likewise influenced the characters, scenery, and even the narrative. The Southwest's vibrant cultural milieu, which encompasses Hispanic, Native American, and Anglo influences, gives many scenes a distinctive flavor.

2. Methamphetamine Drug Trade: New Mexico shares a border with Mexico, which is integral to "Breaking Bad's" story. The show follows the journey of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine manufacturing drug dealer, and his connections with the Mexican drug cartel become a central plot line. New Mexico's proximity to Mexico allows for this intersection of storylines.

3. Authenticity: The choice to set and shoot Breaking Bad in Albuquerque also added authenticity to the show. From local landmarks and dishes to regional accents and customs, it enhanced the credibility of the show's events and informed character behaviors.

4. Symbolism: The landscape and setting also have symbolic influence on the narrative. The harsh desert underscores the survivalist theme of Breaking Bad. The red and orange color palettes are often associated with danger or caution, echoing the challenging, dangerous situations the characters often find themselves in.

5. Economic Factors: Albuquerque is portrayed as a place struggling with social and economic issues, which feeds into the characters' motivations. Walter White begins his descent into the criminal underworld because of inadequate healthcare and the need to secure his family's financial future.

In conclusion, by choosing New Mexico as the setting, the creators were not only able to capture the unique regional culture and use the isolated, harsh desert landscape as a mirror to the characters' inner struggles, but also inject authenticity into the plot by highlighting realistic socio-economic struggles faced by many in the region. This makes the New Mexico setting a crucial character in the show, as important as Walter White or Jesse Pinkman.

The character of Walter White in Breaking Bad is not directly based on a specific real person, but creator Vince Gilligan and the series writers were inspired by several real-life events and circumstances.

Walter White's character was primarily born out of Vince Gilligan's personal musings during a period of unemployment about what he would do to sustain himself financially. Gedankenexperiment served as an inspiration for creating this character – what if a person, like a chemistry teacher, was forced into illegal activities due to financial difficulties?

While his character presents a unique combination of elements that fit the narrative of the series, there have been real-life instances of educators or individuals from similar respectable professions turning to illegal activities due to various circumstances. That said, the complete transformation that we see Walter White go through is highly fictionalized and chiefly serves the dramatic needs of the story.

Certainly, Gilligan and the writers used a solid scientific basis to back up many of Walter White's exploits. They consulted extensively with the chemistry community (notably, Donna Nelson from the University of Oklahoma) to ensure much of the science was accurate, or at least plausible. This all contributes to making the character believable and grounded, despite the series' many dramatic twists and turns.

So, no singular person served as an inspiration for Walter White, but a mix of real-life issues, scenarios, and diligent research played a significant role in sculpting this iconic character.

The bathroom scene in Breaking Bad where Hank realizes that Walter is Heisenberg is one of the most powerful and pivotal scenes of the entire show, and there are a few reasons as to why this location was chosen.

Firstly, bathrooms are typically a place of solitude and reflection. In storytelling, they can function as a private space where external distractions cease, and a character is given a moment of silence to think or discover something crucial. It's an intimate, personal space that heightens the drama of a revealing moment.

Secondly, the bathroom scene has a symbolic essence as well. Reading Walt Whitman’s poem inscribed in Gale's book while using the restroom brings the disgusting realities of what Walter has been doing back into the stark, sterile environment of normal domestic life, highlighting how these two worlds have catastrophically clashed.

Also, there is a sense of dramatic irony in this scene. The audience is aware of Walter's secret for a long time, and the bathroom breakthrough gives the unsuspecting Hank a sudden jolt towards the truth.

Lastly, the bathroom location was also probably chosen to show Hank as vulnerable. He’s not in his element at the DEA office, armed with resources and support. He's alone, in his most private space, stumbling upon a revelation about someone he considered family.

In conclusion, the bathroom scene is crafted meticulously to create a drama-infused, ironic, symbolic, and solitary environment for Hank's critical realization about Walter. It's part of the genius of the show's storytelling and the placement enhances the shocking gravity of the revelation.

The pink teddy bear in Breaking Bad indeed carries a lot of symbolism and is often interpreted in several ways.

1. **Symbol of Destruction**: It can be seen as a symbol of destruction or consequences to the actions of Walter White. The teddy bear appears for the first time immediately after the mid-air collision of two airplanes caused indirectly by Walt's actions — when he refuses to save Jane Margolis, leading to her death, a chain reaction is set in motion resulting in the plane crash. The singed bear, missing an eye, hit by the fallout of the crash, mirrors the destructive consequences Walt's actions can have on others. In fact, the debris from the crash, including the bear, rains down on Walt's own home, signifying how these consequences directly impact him and his family later in the series.

2. **Loss of Innocence**: The pink teddy bear can symbolize the loss of innocence too, particularly in relation to Walt's transformation from a humble school teacher to a ruthless meth producer and dealer. Just like the bear, Walt can be seen as once innocent now tainted and disfigured by his journey into the criminal world.

3. **Foreshadowing**: The bear could also be taken as foreshadowing elements of the series, with its missing eye and burnt face representing damage and disfigurement that happens to various characters throughout the series.

4. **Color Symbolism**: Notably, the color of the bear can also be associated with similar colors used in the series. 'Breaking Bad' is well-known for its color symbolism. In this case, pink often represents care and thoughtfulness but also naivety and immaturity. It can be linked to Walter's infant daughter, Holly, who most often wears pink.

5. **Eye symbolism**: Lastly, the detached eye of the bear is noticed in multiple episodes, symbolizing the 'eye' of the universe, or moral conscience that constantly watches Walt's actions.

In summary, like any good piece of symbolism, the teddy bear does not stand for one thing definitively. Its interpretations may vary among viewers, but its presence surely gives depth and layers to the narrative of the series.

Breaking Bad is one of the most critically acclaimed television series of all time, and all of its episodes contribute richly to the narrative arc of the series. That said, there are truly standout episodes which could be highlighted for various reasons, like plot development, character depth or simply the quality of filmmaking. However, keep in mind that skipping episodes can lead to missing out important plot points and character development moments. Here are some of them:

1. "Crazy Handful of Nothin'" Season 1, Episode 6: The episode marks the true birth of the Heisenberg persona, complete with the iconic hat and sunglasses. The final scene of this episode is a truly pivotal moment in the series and Walter's character development.

2. "Phoenix," Season 2, Episode 12: This is a pivotal episode that will have dire consequences in the finale of season 2. It's a turning point for Walter White's character.

3. "One Minute," Season 3, Episode 7: This episode features a gripping, edge-of-your-seat showdown that dramatically alters the course of the series.

4. "Half Measures" & "Full Measure," Season 3, Episodes 12 & 13: Both episodes are great evidence of why Breaking Bad is such a revered show. They encompass the great storytelling, characters and shocking moments that the series is known for.

5. "Crawl Space," Season 4, Episode 11: This is considered one of Bryan Cranston's definitive performances as Walter White.

6. "Face Off," Season 4, Episode 13: One of the most iconic episodes of the series. It features a confrontation that had been building for two seasons.

7. "Ozymandias," Season 5, Episode 14: Often hailed as the best episode of the series, "Ozymandias" marks the culmination of Walter White's transformation into Heisenberg. It's a must watch and see episode that captures the essence of Breaking Bad.

Remember to watch these episodes in the broader context of the show to fully appreciate their significance. Breaking Bad is a journey, best experienced in its entirety.

The Scranton Strangler is a fictional character in the U.S. TV show "The Office." His real identity is Toby Flenderson's co-worker, George Howard Skub. The character was a significant subplot throughout the later seasons of the show. The identity of the Scranton Strangler was revealed in Season 9, during the final season of the show.

Although Toby himself suggests initially that he may have wrongfully convicted George Howard Skub, confirming his doubts in season 9, episode 16, titled "Moving On." In this episode, Toby visits Skub in prison where he is strangled, confirming that Skub is indeed the Scranton Strangler. The subplot ends somewhat ambiguously, as Toby appears to change his mind about Skub's innocence throughout the series, leaving a bit of mystery for the audience.

However, it should be noted that his subplot is mostly used as a running gag throughout the series and is not meant to be a significant aspect of the main narrative. Tying into the mockumentary style of the show, it provides an outside world element that both ties into and disturbs the daily mundane life at Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch.

The Scranton Strangler is an interesting aspect of "The Office" due to its development over multiple seasons and its ability to build suspense and intrigue about an otherwise background character. It's part of what makes the show unique - it's full of interesting character arcs and stories that keep viewers engaged, even on subplots!