"Breaking Bad" scenary representive of Albuquerque? (Rio Rancho: rent, motel)

[nurider2002]

Feedback from Breaking Bad viewers--does the scenary on the show accurately show what Albuqueque looks like or, does the show focus on the negative? I have read a lot about the natural beauty of Albuquerque and it's been on my list of travel destinations for awhile now. That said, when I watch the show, Breaking Bad, everything looks very stark, kind of seedy and depressing. Even the main character's house is scary looking! I'm wondering if--due to the nature of the show, they intentionally film more unattractive areas or, is this the "real Albuquerque"? thanks

[casden]

The area around Albuquerque is one of diametric oppositions - you have the stark desert and you have 10,000 foot high mountains with evergreen forests and Aspen trees galore. You also have very well-to-do neighborhoods and you have poverty stricken neighborhoods.

What you see on Breaking Bad is a reflection of the story that's being told - it's about dealing drugs and the criminal element of anyplace USA. That's television!

ABQ does have bad areas, but there are absolutely beautiful areas too.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by nurider2002

Feedback from Breaking Bad viewers--does the scenary on the show accurately show what Albuqueque looks like or, does the show focus on the negative? I have read a lot about the natural beauty of Albuquerque and it's been on my list of travel destinations for awhile now. That said, when I watch the show, Breaking Bad, everything looks very stark, kind of seedy and depressing. Even the main character's house is scary looking! I'm wondering if--due to the nature of the show, they intentionally film more unattractive areas or, is this the "real Albuquerque"? thanks

like any city, there are some pretty seedy areas but once you see a sunrise or sunset in the ABQ area you have almost seen heaven, same with the purple mountains. I am sure when America the Beautiful was written they were looking at the ABQ mountains.

Yes, part of it is desert and to some desert isn't the prettiest scenery. FLying into ABQ is really ugly cause you do fly over the southern part of the city and can see the junk and old car dumps. Then you land, you rent the car and you start no or east, even west or south and the true NM shines.

Nita

[ABQConvict]

While the settings are definitely identifiably and uniquely Albuquerquean/New Mexican, they are, as casden astutely pointed out, trying to portray the city and its environs through a certain worldview: that of decay and depression.

That decay that you see on the show does indeed exist here. It even has its own charm when viewed in reality and not in the confined, clausterphobic context that the show tries (very successfully and intentionally) to represent.

On the other hand, there are far more beautiful, cheery 'scapes around Albuquerque. Don't judge this city by that portrayal alone. It is interesting that the show always uses very tight shots that give the city a certain look. Albuquerque is really a big-picture type of place, but in the metaphorical sense of the show, all of the characters have a very narrow view and the camera work reflects that brilliantly.

And I must say, they go to pains to make interior domestic spaces look like they were designed by seriously depressed people in the '70's. The drug-dealing kid's house pulls off the un-updated since the '70s thing pretty well (in fact I love that house and its furnishings), but the Chemistry teacher's house makes me want to hang myself. That is, of course meant as a reflection of his depression over his illness and the fact that that is the era in which his life froze; when he forsook his opportunities.

In a nutshell, there is little in the show that comes across as false or faked, but the show is representing a very small fraction of modern Albuquerque.


ABQConvict

[mortimer]

I know I've posted this link about six jillion times, but
this is what Abuquerque scenary looks like (good and bad):

Flickr: The Albuquerque Pool

Let the viewer be the judge.

I've also posted this link almost as much:

Flickr: The New Mexico Pool

If someone can't find something good in most of the pictures in the above
links, they're just nuts. Nuts, I tell ya.

Search is getting better in flickr. It often finds a town or feature ...

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by nurider2002

Feedback from Breaking Bad viewers--does the scenary on the show accurately show what Albuqueque looks like

No but I have never watched the series. But I trust the people who have alread comments. I spent some time near Baltimore, the Bay, the seafood, Inner Harbour are nice. I eventually made it to New Mexico to live about 10 years ago. My first time in New Mexico was 1968....

You really need to look at some photos people (including me) have posted in this Albuquerque thread: http://www.city-data.com/forum/albuq...to-thread.html

Maybe this thread also:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-m...nm-photos.html


Then jump on a plane and come out for a few days...



Rich

[Zoidberg]

Since the filming takes place in Albuquerque and environs, it's a very realistic representation of the places they film, since it's actually here.

The high school is a real high school here (Rio Rancho, anyway), the houses are real houses here, and the seedy motel is a real seedy motel here. The buildings downtown are real buildings downtown.

I think most people in the know would realize that they can't judge a city by how it's portrayed of TV (though I love watching COPS just to recognize the neighborhoods). Seeing Albuquerque on TV (and even better yet, having them call it Albuquerque, not Los Angeles or El Paso) reminds me just how wonderful and unique the place is, no matter what drama unfolds in the show.

[berncohomes]

Some of it is filmed in Nob Hill, my friends clothing store was used for the show.

[yukon]

One could say it's as accurate a reflection of the entire Albuquerque metro area as Walker, Texas Ranger was a reflection of the entire Dallas metro area. They film in the areas that will give them the feel they want for the scene. 'Nuff said.

I think the links Mortimer and Poncho_NM posted will give you a better feel for the city overall.

[_yb]

Last nights show was an accurate view of the areas they filmed in. The show has become one of my favorites.