THEME:   phrases contain BAD   
GOOD ONES:     Big intro?   MEGA   
One with growing concerns?   GARDENER      
BTW:   Vince Gilligan TV drama {& theme}   BREAKING BAD [The clue suggests the word BAD is being broken, but in fact the word is whole; so it appears we must interpret "breaking" as "bursting upon the scene."]      
Movie lioness   ELSA [as I read the book first, I see it has a "literary lioness"]
Normally Dr. Sessa gives us at least one scientific entry and an Italianate one, but not this time --- okay, maybe TONSILS.         
RATING:    

Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun