"Breaking Bad" was the biggest breakout show of 2008. The AMC original series followed the story of Walter White, a middle-aged science teacher burdened with the news of inoperable lung cancer and no way to secure a future for his pregnant wife and special needs son. He decides to combine his will and brain power with a former delinquent student of his to formulate and distribute a special blue crystal substance. Throughout the series, White and his partner Jesse are faced with multiple issues and dangers, and narrowly avoid suspicion from friends, family, and law enforcement.