TV's best and most passionate breakdowns are occasionally subtle and often legendary. They're the culmination of the negative, the positive, or simply the need for upheaval in an otherwise flat character arc -- a self-destruction so piteous as to seem irredeemable. Sometimes, this act affects others as well.
Naturally, the on-screen breakdown is the culmination of psychological stressors, whether self-induced or brought on by binge-watching The Brady Bunch Variety Hour. It's often difficult to watch without empathy, especially in characters we've grown to love and even in some we love to hate. After all, the most intense breakdowns are all too often close to home and personal to the viewers.
It's easier to empathize with Walter White's failure to find the money to pay Saul in if you've ever misplaced a hundred-dollar bill in the couch cushions. The closer a TV series parallels real life, the more we can empathize with the characters. That's what makes shows like so damnably stressful.
With that being said, some actresses and actors are highly adept at turning on the aura of a psychological meltdown through their visceral, physical efforts. The horror, sadness, and spectacle are nearly unrivaled when done right. Who would have thought would be at the top of such a list? Most Gen Xers who think back on Saved By The Bell imagine some variation of lighthearted comedy, probably with Screech involved, and little else.
However, returning to some of the most popular episodes years la.