I actually disagree with that (although I haven't finished it yet, currently starting season 4) i've found it more consistent so far, even the lower points and breaking bad I really struggled to get through at points, at season 3 I stopped watching for about a year as I just got a bit... disinterested, a lot of it I was just watching to get it done.
Plus I much prefer the characters (the lack of Skyler and her sister does make that quite easy though).
Yeah, I could understand that. It's been years since I watched the first few SOA seasons, I literally chose to keep watching Season 1 as opposed to sleeping for like 3 days straight. I thought the whole Irish thing was a bit of a let down after Season 1. Sutter is really good at cathartic season enders though, as well as a few things you just never saw coming.
I always thought the strength in BB was the consistent de-evolution of Bryan Cranston's character, from a guy who was doing the wrong thing in order to try and provide for his family to a guy who finally accepted his position in life as a drug kingpin, and the counterpoint from Aaron Paul, going from a burn out to a guy who wanted to escape the life no matter the cost. WW was a far better character than any single character on SOA.
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I was the same with season 1, binged it all during work and night, first episode I didn't think I was going to get in to it but that changed fast.
The Irish thing, I was fine with it in Charming but when they went to Ireland I was a bit meh but it was still good (the white supremacists though was gritty and truly disturbing at points and very engaging, not a massive fan of Rollins but he played that part very well). And some of the big double bluffs and resolutions are just spectacular as you say, I never saw the end of season 3 coming but was glad it played out how it did.
WW I agree as a solo performer was of course fantastic, probably the only reason other than Gus (brilliant and interesting character) I stuck it through, although his character change at points felt... forced? Not an acting thing but just the consistency of writing, too much swings and roundabouts.
I agree stand alone WW was superior carrying the show and Bryan was just fantastic (Aaron Paul while good and I see your point, I never engaged with him enough, he was too erratic and even neurotic at points, his character didn't 'sit' that great with me, once again, not the acting, the show) but the ensemble of SOA (despite not being as real) more than makes up for it, at some points characters go off course a bit but they always seem to come back, I think they're very aware when they're pushing things the wrong way. Also, gotta say I love Opie.
They're both great, but I find the flow of SOA better and if I was going to re-watch one I know which i'd pick.
One final point, while the setting of Charming may not be as real I definitely prefer it... Breaking Bad was certainly more real but TV is escapism to a point and i'm more a long for the ride (pun intended) so far in Charming.
