Question about the TV show Breaking Bad
June 5, 2011 9:58 PM Subscribe
My question is about the TV show breaking bad and rehab "philosophy",
In particular when Jesse is at the rehab center. After Jesse's girlfriend dies he's at the rehab facility. The counselor says to the group they should accept who they are and that they deserve human happiness. Jesse retorts "did you ever really hurt someone, do anything really bad" [sic]. The guy says he killed his daughter when he was high. Then he says "self hatred, guilt it accomplishes nothing it just stands in the way ... of true change." Is this from a particular school of thought? It doesn't sound like AA.
In particular when Jesse is at the rehab center. After Jesse's girlfriend dies he's at the rehab facility. The counselor says to the group they should accept who they are and that they deserve human happiness. Jesse retorts "did you ever really hurt someone, do anything really bad" [sic]. The guy says he killed his daughter when he was high. Then he says "self hatred, guilt it accomplishes nothing it just stands in the way ... of true change." Is this from a particular school of thought? It doesn't sound like AA.
Response by poster: Yeah, it sounded like very generic, junk-pop-psych sort of thing, but I hoped the writers of breaking bad actually based that on something deeper that they had experience with. The series is so good it I thought maybe it was a heads-up, pointing to something useful rather than just a counselor blathering typical bullshit.
posted by gregg at 5:11 AM on June 6, 2011
posted by gregg at 5:11 AM on June 6, 2011
Hm. Maybe it is typical bullshit, but it seems to me there's some substance there. I can well imagine that, for some people going through recovery, wallowing in guilt and self-pity can become a kind of indulgence. The time comes when you have to say, "Yes, I did these things and hurt these people... but now what? What am I going to do tomorrow?"
Waylon in the Wire expressed a similar sentiment:
Waylon in the Wire expressed a similar sentiment:
Waylon: Look, forgiveness from other folks is good, but ain't nothin' but words comin' at you from outside. You want to kick this shit, you got to forgive your own self. Love yourself some, brother. And then drag your sorry ass to some meetings.posted by kprincehouse at 7:02 PM on June 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
Bubbles: Meetings?
Waylon: What the fuck do you wanna hear? That you strong enough to do this by yourself? Gettin' clean's easy part. Now comes life.
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posted by oxford blue at 10:24 PM on June 5, 2011