Note: I am writing this amidst the broadcast of the show’s final 8-episode season. I do not know how the series will end but have a few thoughts concerning the journey up until this point...
Breaking Bad is, above all things, a study of a downward spiral, a dissection of a man's demented transformation from milquetoast to murderer. Walter White, served a death sentence when diagnosed with terminal cancer, goes on a quest to forge his legacy and bequeath something great to his family before he passes. Throughout six seasons, Walt’s journey from an unassuming high school chemistry teacher to a global meth kingpin has been nothing short of staggering, a descension into chaos that’s as once nauseating yet heartbreaking, infuriating yet compassionate. A few thoughts on the series thus far:
- Walter White is motivated not by greed, or money, or fame. It’s true he has gained all of these on his rise to becoming Heisenberg; but they were simply byproducts of his grandest experiment, not the true driver. He is, like all tragic heroes, motivated by a self-righteous need to control. He is deceitful, conniving, egotistic, and merciless. He will make the ends justify the means not by lying to others, but by lying to himself. Indeed, he was caught by Hank, his DEA agent brother-in-law, because he left a vanity book gifted to him by Gail, his greatest admirer, out in the open. When Hank attempts to capture Walt, it’s no coincidence he turns to Walt’s greatest treasure -- his money -- to smoke him out. Walt’s greatest flaw is his selfish desire to cheat death -- hubris that will only lead to one end.
- What is the role of Jesse’s character? In Season 1, he seemed like a comic foil to Walt’s uptight and rigid outlook on life. In fact, he was meant to be killed off. But somewhere along the way, Jesse Pinkman became the moral compass of the show, becoming the voice of reason when things got dangerous, scary, or downright deadly. He made personal sacrifices, losing Jane and, believing he caused her death, carried the guilt for years. He even gave up a chance at a normal life with Brock and Andrea because of the dangers of drug world. But along the way, Jesse’s been continually pushed into action, at one point forced to kill Gail, Gus’ apprentice cook. At each turn, Jesse’s been manipulated, cheated, and lied to by Walt. It’s a great tragedy to witness Jesse’s journey from anonymous high school dropout to becoming ensnared in Walt’s selfish plan, a puppet who is too involved or too naive to notice the puppeteer. Heading into the finale, will Jesse finally be freed from Walt’s grasp? If there’s any justice in the world, Jesse will survive; but what kind of life will he be left with after crossing paths with Mr. White all those years ago?
- Is Skyler White a voice of reason or an obstacle in Walt’s journey? Despite some negative fan reactions to the character, Skyler has always been a strong woman, one who actively seeks to change the circumstances given to her. When she learns of Walt’s transgressions in Season 3, she seeks solace by entertaining her boss’s sexual advances. It’s a somewhat cowardly move, but ultimately showcases that Skyler is not afraid to do the bad thing. She doesn't shy away from the unattractive, the grimy, or the dirty. Her ability to adapt and will to survive is how she ultimately finds herself laundering Walt’s money. She’s smart enough to realize it’s a no-win scenario; and her only option to warrant the safety of her children is to help the exact person she can’t stand. It’s no surprise that Skyler has now broken free of Walt’s oppression -- she’s always been a survivor and will now have a chance to move on without him.
- One can’t examine these character arcs without remarking on the catalyst to the entire series -- Walt’s cancer. There seems to be an inverse relationship between Walt’s cancer remission and his uncontrollable ability to infect, rot, and destroy those around him. Is it a coincidence that when Walt’s cancer goes into remission in Season 2, his power grows from local meth cook to meeting Gus Fring, growing colder, crueler, and more chaotic by the day? Then in the final season, it cannot be a coincidence that at the height of his domination, Walt’s cancer returns with a vengeance. Ultimately, Walter White is the cancer, spreading the poison through his body, then his family, then his community, without regard for the welfare of those around him. How much pain and turmoil has Walt incurred to those closest to him over the past years? And more importantly, what ultimate destruction will he leave as his legacy?
- What will become of Walter and Jesse's relationship? Has this been the story of a lost son bonding with a lost man, neither of which truly revealing his real persona to anyone but each other? Is it about two broken people finding solace in one another? Is it about Jesse turning into Walt, an apprentice usurping the master? Or it is, perhaps, the story of two men changing lives -- a criminal turning into a thoughtful man and a thoughtful man turning into a criminal?
- How does the show see the world in a broader sense? The ending to the series will reveal its take on society -- if Walt survives in any capacity, the show seemingly defends violence and to some extent, forgives Walt’s actions. If Walt dies, it will serve some sort of justice, no matter how satisfying, and cement the belief that evil only begets more evil. But more than that, is the show a cynical critique of the American dream? This is the land of opportunity, a place where one’s past doesn't dictate what will happen in the future. It's a country of hope, a place where success is often not defined by intelligence or wealth, but by work ethic and a will to excel. Walter White has managed to recreate himself in a new image -- in many ways, he has become the embodiment of the American dream. But in his quest, he has seemingly gotten everything he’s wanted but nothing he's needed.
The series has crafted an impeccable tale of consequences. All causes have an effect; all acts carry reverberations. The series’ unsettling flash-forwards already reveal that Walt will be alive one year from now, living with a new identity and presumably seeking vengeance. But how will his journey end? Unlike contained stories, such as films or books, TV shows tend to sprawl. They evolve and grow and change. And up until now, Breaking Bad has continually managed to grow organically, shifting from offbeat family drama, to layered gangster drama, to an epic chess board of criminality and retribution, vengeance and reconciliation. However the series ends, it will be clear that Breaking Bad isn't necessarily arguing that there are no clean getaways; there might be no getaways at all.
