Breaking Bad - why do (some?) people like it so much?

Not sure. I love it but pretty much loathe every character on the show (their specific character, not how they are written). They're all morally bankrupt and despicable, or just plain irritating.

I don't know how they managed to hook me in the beginning because it was the slowest, most drawn out first few episodes of any series I have ever seen. But I guess I kept coming back to see how they got out of the mess they created. Every now and then I find myself rooting for these characters (hoping for redemption), and then I remember how much I hate them and want them to die or get caught (hoping for justice). And I think that is a familiar struggle - justice/redemption, forgiveness/retribution.

I suppose in the end I just really like the writing - it's good storytelling. There's a dark and inappropriate humor to it, too. And Bryan Cranston really is fantastic, and that goes a long way.