Breaking Bad (SPOILERS!)

[John Grizzly]

No. I thought it was all real and I called the police on him after I saw that, but they said I watch too much TV. What do you think, genius??

Yea, it was his turning point into becoming a murderer. My point is, I can't watch a show if I can't root for the protagonist. I gave it a shot, but I just don't like the main character. He is a selfish, stupidly prideful a$$whole that eventually turns into an evil murderer and hurts those who he pretends to care about. His whole reason for getting involved in the drug business was to provide for his family and pay his cancer treatment bills. His college buddy offered him a high-paying job that would have solved all those problems completely legally and hassle-free, not to mention would have provided a much better life for his wife and son.

Instead, because of his stupid pride, he chooses a life of drug dealing and murder, involving his wife in it as well. And you just know this is not going to end well for his family, no matter how the series ends. There is no deep character development here, nothing to root for, nothing to be fascinated about. Just a bitter, selfish man who makes all the wrong choices and screws up everybody's life.

Anyone who spells "asshole" the way you do shouldn't be calling anyone out on anything, frankly.

But seriously...that's the point of the show. It's not like every other show. Walt isn't a good person, I agree. Also....if you don't like the show and no longer watch it, why are you commenting on a thread about it? Some of us (like myself) love the fucking show. And did you really say there's "no deep character development"? Are you serious?!

 

[Raidenwins]

Oh well, excuse me for trying to be polite and classy. Should I be misspelling everything and butchering the English language in order to fit in at TYM?!

As far as your second point, we are in agreement. He is definitely not a good person. I am commenting because I can. It's a free country, I am exercising my right to free speech. Furthermore, the OP asked our opinion about the show and how we think it should end. I am stating my opinion and my preferred ending, and my opinion is based on facts because I have watched the first 2 or so seasons of the show.

Ok, point. There is character development, just not in the direction I would have preferred. I really, really hope Walter White in the end realizes the error of his ways and redeems himself by turning himself in. That, on a second thought, would be my preferred ending.

 

[jaym7018]

No. I thought it was all real and I called the police on him after I saw that, but they said I watch too much TV. What do you think, genius??

Yea, it was his turning point into becoming a murderer. My point is, I can't watch a show if I can't root for the protagonist. I gave it a shot, but I just don't like the main character. He is a selfish, stupidly prideful a$$whole that eventually turns into an evil murderer and hurts those who he pretends to care about. His whole reason for getting involved in the drug business was to provide for his family and pay his cancer treatment bills. His college buddy offered him a high-paying job that would have solved all those problems completely legally and hassle-free, not to mention would have provided a much better life for his wife and son.

Instead, because of his stupid pride, he chooses a life of drug dealing and murder, involving his wife in it as well. And you just know this is not going to end well for his family, no matter how the series ends. There is no deep character development here, nothing to root for, nothing to be fascinated about. Just a bitter, selfish man who makes all the wrong choices and screws up everybody's life.

This guy shares my exact opinion on walt. I stopped watching for the same reasons (couldnt root for the protagonist) and when the show first aired there wasnt any other redeeming characters. I gave it another shot and my hate for walt remained but hank and later gus and mike emerged as 2 genuinely interesting characters.

 

[BenGmanUk]

No. I thought it was all real and I called the police on him after I saw that, but they said I watch too much TV. What do you think, genius??

Yea, it was his turning point into becoming a murderer. My point is, I can't watch a show if I can't root for the protagonist. I gave it a shot, but I just don't like the main character. He is a selfish, stupidly prideful a$$whole that eventually turns into an evil murderer and hurts those who he pretends to care about. His whole reason for getting involved in the drug business was to provide for his family and pay his cancer treatment bills. His college buddy offered him a high-paying job that would have solved all those problems completely legally and hassle-free, not to mention would have provided a much better life for his wife and son.

Instead, because of his stupid pride, he chooses a life of drug dealing and murder, involving his wife in it as well. And you just know this is not going to end well for his family, no matter how the series ends. There is no deep character development here, nothing to root for, nothing to be fascinated about. Just a bitter, selfish man who makes all the wrong choices and screws up everybody's life.

I'm not entirely sure Walt going to work for gray matter, doing a jolly good job and retiring with a gold watch would have had quite the same impact as the current story line.

 

[jaym7018]

I'm not entirely sure Walt going to work for gray matter, doing a jolly good job and retiring with a gold watch would have had quite the same impact as the current story line.

I agree, but to use pride as a lame cop out to progress the show is really weak for the plot and a big reason to me this will never be more than just a good show.

 

[BenGmanUk]

I agree, but to use pride as a lame cop out to progress the show is really weak for the plot and a big reason to me this will never be more than just a good show.

You're entitled to your opinion but there were a lot of factors that drove him to his decision. His wife didn't respect him, his son saw hank as the 'man' of the family, his friend went on to succeed without him whilst marrying his former lover and he was robbed of a future by cancer. He started out with good intentions and eventually 'broke bad'.

I don't think it was a cop out at all.

 

[Law Hero]

You're entitled to your opinion but there were a lot of factors that drove him to his decision. His wife didn't respect him, his son saw hank as the 'man' of the family, his friend went on to succeed without him whilst marrying his former lover and he was robbed of a future by cancer. He started out with good intentions and eventually 'broke bad'.

I don't think it was a cop out at all.

I'm inclined to agree.

Even with a great salary, if I sold my share of a company for $1,000 dollars and now it's a multi-billion dollar corporation, and my old partner offers me some "job" there out of pity, I don't think my pride would allow me to take it either. And I'm more practical than prideful too.

Walter has never been one to accept pity, and he likes to get recognition for his work. These aren't necessarily bad qualities, nor are they cop outs, but they can be detrimental to many things. For example, Walt really didn't want some donation website to get the credit for the money he earned and provided. Based on what we know of his past (with Grey Matter, lovers, etc), it's only natural that he would feel very strongly about others receiving credit that he believes he's owed. Was it the "right" thing to do to reject the job offer? Probably not if you're being as logical as possible. But is it out of character to be too ashamed to accept pity from a successful acquaintance? Not at all.

 

[jaym7018]

You're entitled to your opinion but there were a lot of factors that drove him to his decision. His wife didn't respect him, his son saw hank as the 'man' of the family, his friend went on to succeed without him whilst marrying his former lover and he was robbed of a future by cancer. He started out with good intentions and eventually 'broke bad'.

I don't think it was a cop out at all.

It is a cop out, and how can you say his wife didnt respect him she loved him as evident by her actually caring that he had cancer. As for Walt jr looking up to Hank that wouldnt change even if he still owned grey matter Hank is a DEA super agent you cant compete with that from an awe factor. If Walt truly cared abojt his family like he claims he woulda taken the job. Hed rather maintain his pride than provide for his family, that makes for a scum human and a protagonist i cant root for.

 

[jaym7018]

I'm inclined to agree.

Even with a great salary, if I sold my share of a company for $1,000 dollars and now it's a multi-billion dollar corporation, and my old partner offers me some "job" there out of pity, I don't think my pride would allow me to take it either. And I'm more practical than prideful too.

Walter has never been one to accept pity, and he likes to get recognition for his work. These aren't necessarily bad qualities, nor are they cop outs, but they can be detrimental to many things. For example, Walt really didn't want some donation website to get the credit for the money he earned and provided. Based on what we know of his past (with Grey Matter, lovers, etc), it's only natural that he would feel very strongly about others receiving credit that he believes he's owed. Was it the "right" thing to do to reject the job offer? Probably not if you're being as logical as possible. But is it out of character to be too ashamed to accept pity from a successful acquaintance? Not at all.

They arent horrible qualities when kept in check. But if youd rather cook and sell meth lie to your family about it than take a job then yes its a horrible quality.

 

[BenGmanUk]

It is a cop out, and how can you say his wife didnt respect him she loved him as evident by her actually caring that he had cancer. As for Walt jr looking up to Hank that wouldnt change even if he still owned grey matter Hank is a DEA super agent you cant compete with that from an awe factor. If Walt truly cared abojt his family like he claims he woulda taken the job. Hed rather maintain his pride than provide for his family, that makes for a scum human and a protagonist i cant root for.

I'm not saying I agree with his decision, I'm simply saying the path that lead him there was all laid out. You seem to be saying the writers were lazy when I don't think that was the case.

There was also the setup of his ex students not giving a crap about what he was saying in class which lead to him being unfulfilled. On top of that there was the humiliation of working a second job at the car wash whilst scrubbing the wheels of the very students that mocked him. All the layers are there.

 

[Law Hero]

They arent horrible qualities when kept in check. But if youd rather cook and sell meth lie to your family about it than take a job then yes its a horrible quality.

Like I said, logically, yeah it's not the best choice.

But let's be real here for a moment. Imagine if someone you consider your equal uses your idea to become insanely INSANELY successful, steals your girlfriend, and then sees you dying of cancer and unable to support your family. This person then looks down on you from his skyscraper of a pedestal and offers you some job underneath him out of pity since you're clearly unfit to provide security for your own family. I mean, accepting that is like groveling in the dirt in front of everyone who loves and respects you, begging for help from some guy who has so much money that he can throw some your way out of pity if you ask nice enough. In theory, you should take what you can get, but it's a very sad pitiful bargain. What you said is right, but just consider the circumstances for a moment.

 

[jaym7018]

I'm not saying I agree with his decision, I'm simply saying the path that lead him there was all laid out. You seem to be saying the writers were lazy when I don't think that was the case.

There was also the setup of his ex students not giving a crap about what he was saying in class which lead to him being unfulfilled. On top of that there was the humiliation of working a second job at the car wash whilst scrubbing the wheels of the very students that mocked him. All the layers are there.

Literally none of that matters. He chose pride over family, that makes for a shit protagonist i cant get behind. The fact Walt tries shove his family to the audience as his reason for doing what he did just makes him more deplorable to me.

 

[BenGmanUk]

Literally none of that matters. He chose pride over family, that makes for a shit protagonist i cant get behind. The fact Walt tries shove his family to the audience as his reason for doing what he did just makes him more deplorable to me.

Okay you can't get behind him for your own reasons, that doesn't make the writers lazy. Almost every character in this show, even some of the most likeable such as Saul and Mike are clearly morally bankrupt. That doesn't mean they aren't enjoyable to watch nor have their human sides shine through at times.

For me, the fact that most of the characters are multi layered shows the brilliance of the writing and acting.

 

[jaym7018]

Like I said, logically, yeah it's not the best choice.

But let's be real here for a moment. Imagine if someone you consider your equal uses your idea to become insanely INSANELY successful, steals your girlfriend, and then sees you dying of cancer and unable to support your family. This person then looks down on you from his skyscraper of a pedestal and offers you some job underneath him out of pity since you're clearly unfit to provide security for your own family. I mean, accepting that is like groveling in the dirt in front of everyone who loves and respects you, begging for help from some guy who has so much money that he can throw some your way out of pity if you ask nice enough. In theory, you should take what you can get, but it's a very sad pitiful bargain. What you said is right, but just consider the circumstances for a moment.

What idea did black and gretchen use of walts? And why are you making stuff up? Gretchen wasnt stolen from him walt and gretchen had a fight that gretchen took as a break up there was no stealing of girlfriends at all. Accepting that job is nothing like groveling, groveling would require you to azk for something which walt didnt do. Walt is more than qualified to work for the company its not like he had no qualifications that would justify being offered the job.

 

[Law Hero]

What idea did black and gretchen use of walts? And why are you making stuff up? Gretchen wasnt stolen from him walt and gretchen had a fight that gretchen took as a break up there was no stealing of girlfriends at all. Accepting that job is nothing like groveling, groveling would require you to azk for something which walt didnt do. Walt is more than qualified to work for the company its not like he had no qualifications that would justify being offered the job.

There's no need to be so aggressive.

Being in Walt's shoes, I would consider it groveling. To me, I would consider that job offering as, "Hey, you're obviously too sick and incompetent to take care of your family, but I suppose if you're really that hopeless, I can find a job for you in my supermassive company that you should could have owned alongside me." In my opinion, accepting that offer is the same kneeling down and begging.

As for Gretchen, if your best friend takes your girlfriend on the rebound after you get in a fight, that counts as stealing. Regardless, I think it's understandable to be bitter at the person who is who you feel you should be. In Walt's mind, I'm sure Walt sees him as owning Walt's company, marrying Walt's girlfriend, and being as successful, loved, and famous as Walt should have been. It's tough to accept pity from someone who you view in that light. It's only human to reject an offer for them. That's how I see it, at least.

 

[jaym7018]

And maybe lazy writing is the wrong term its bad writing. Most people that love walt dont really delve to deep in the show thsy see a guy who keeps getting into shannanigans and has glimpses of badass even though hes a seemingly ordinary guy. The fact people still think he did it for his family shows how little they are paying attention. Vic Mackey spawned all these character and hez infinitely better written like walt hes a pretty despicable guy obviously money is a factor for what he did but the much more interesting reason is he chooses to deal with devils cause it actually does make the city safer. Vic was horrible for letting certain guys get away with murder (literally and figuratively) but often it meamt letting one go meant he 2 guys in another crew. It made for a much better protagonist even though you knew what he was doing was wrong.

 

[NRF CharlieMurphy]

It is a cop out, and how can you say his wife didnt respect him she loved him as evident by her actually caring that he had cancer. As for Walt jr looking up to Hank that wouldnt change even if he still owned grey matter Hank is a DEA super agent you cant compete with that from an awe factor. If Walt truly cared abojt his family like he claims he woulda taken the job. Hed rather maintain his pride than provide for his family, that makes for a scum human and a protagonist i cant root for.

the fact that you project your qualities onto the character is what makes the show better than any show.

Because no matter what you or I say... we don't know if Walt Jr. would of looked up to Hank or Walt. If you were raised by a Genius father would you look up to his DEA Agent Brother In Law? IDK? Personally I wouldn't. Hank would be the "cool" uncle sure... but my dad is a genius. I mean... shit.

But you have to quit calling things cop outs... when they aren't. The entire 2nd season was BLATANT disrespect from Skylar. c'mon now.

 

[jaym7018]

There's no need to be so aggressive.

Being in Walt's shoes, I would consider it groveling. To me, I would consider that job offering as, "Hey, you're obviously too sick and incompetent to take care of your family, but I suppose if you're really that hopeless, I can find a job for you in my supermassive company that you should could have owned alongside me." In my opinion, accepting that offer is the same kneeling down and begging.

As for Gretchen, if your best friend takes your girlfriend on the rebound after you get in a fight, that counts as stealing. Regardless, I think it's understandable to be bitter at the person who is who you feel you should be. In Walt's mind, I'm sure Walt sees him as owning Walt's company, marrying Walt's girlfriend, and being as successful, loved, and famous as Walt should have been. It's tough to accept pity from someone who you view in that light. It's only human to reject an offer for them. That's how I see it, at least.

My first job outta college was with coca cola it was a good job i got it cause my dad was a higher up in the area during that time. I made no apologies for it people knew i was the bosses son alli could do is work hard to justify why i got it. There should be nothing wrong with accepting help from someone that cares about you. I mean should i have gone into some entry level job making 15.00 an hour to save my pride, hell no.

 

[jaym7018]

the fact that you project your qualities onto the character is what makes the show better than any show.

Because no matter what you or I say... we don't know if Walt Jr. would of looked up to Hank or Walt. If you were raised by a Genius father would you look up to his DEA Agent Brother In Law? IDK? Personally I wouldn't. Hank would be the "cool" uncle sure... but my dad is a genius. I mean... shit.

But you have to quit calling things cop outs... when they aren't. The entire 2nd season was BLATANT disrespect from Skylar. c'mon now.

His dad is a genius regardless Walt Jr knew that a 33% stake in a company doesnt make you a genius. The second season was disrespect from skylar you mean after an attempted rape constant lieing and disappearing and finding oit your husband sells drugs, you gonna respect someone after that?

 

[NRF CharlieMurphy]

His dad is a genius regardless Walt Jr knew that a 33% stake in a company doesnt make you a genius. The second season was disrespect from skylar you mean after an attempted rape constant lieing and disappearing and finding oit your husband sells drugs, you gonna respect someone after that?

See
you keep jumping from season to season trying to justify your answers, rather than actually paying attention. NO shit she doesn't respect him NOW. The point was she didn't respect him to begin with.

She didn't respect him before hand. He knew it. She knew it. Since the start of the entire Series she's never been IN or had any LOVE towards Walt.

As for your Coca Cola thing.

That situation is so not even close to Walts I don't even know where to begin. So I won't.

 

[jaym7018]

See
you keep jumping from season to season trying to justify your answers, rather than actually paying attention. NO shit she doesn't respect him NOW. The point was she didn't respect him to begin with.

She didn't respect him before hand. He knew it. She knew it. Since the start of the entire Series she's never been IN or had any LOVE towards Walt.

As for your Coca Cola thing.

That situation is so not even close to Walts I don't even know where to begin. So I won't.

This isnt true at all do you even watch the show? Skylar is devastated when she learns Walt has cancer shes even more devastated he kept it from her. Why would she be devastated if she didnt love him? The yay Walt kill skylar fans are a joke even Vince Gilligan says that.

 

[Chrishaspads]

never watched it ._. how many seasons? and what time period is it in? 1930's?

 

[jaym7018]

never watched it ._. how many seasons? and what time period is it in? 1930's?

This is the 5th and final season and its takes place present day.

 

[BenGmanUk]

Its funny, almost everyone I know that watches the show absolutely hates Skyler, whilst seemingly ignoring everything Walt has done. Strange world.

I forget the context but remember the scene where Walt finally stands up to her and says something along the lines of 'It would be nice if you would just get off my arse for once I'd really appreciate it'. He also stated that when he didn't want cancer treatment it was the first decision he felt like he'd made in a long time. His venture into the drug world was partly about regaining control as well as respect.

 

[NRF CharlieMurphy]

This isnt true at all do you even watch the show? Skylar is devastated when she learns Walt has cancer shes even more devastated he kept it from her. Why would she be devastated if she didnt love him? The yay Walt kill skylar fans are a joke even Vince Gilligan says that.

Love and Respect are two totally different things.

And yes I watch the show... but I don't see everyone as black and white as you clearly do.