At one point in ‘Breaking Bad’, we all thought for Walter White, Jesse Pinkman was no less than his son. But then, how correct were we?
‘Breaking Bad’ has been one of the greatest shows of all time. There are a dozen reasons which makes this underrated show one of the most perfect cinema ever created. From the grey but rational characters to the precise use of props and techniques by the creator Vince Gilligan, everything falls in line for ‘Breaking Bad’. However, one aspect that drove the majority of ‘Breaking Bad’ was the relationship dynamics between the lead Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and the second lead Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul).
Breaking Bad was always about the fallout between Walter and Jesse.
They both shared a relationship that sailed for the entire show. There were ups and downs and some major hits and some uplifting moments. Though Walter always pretended to care for Jesse in any circumstances. But did he really care for Jesse?
Highlights —
- Did Walter really care for Jesse in ‘Breaking Bad’?
- Walter once cared about Jesse.
- Things changed for the worse.
Did Walter really care for Jesse in ‘Breaking Bad’?
‘Breaking Bad’ is a show that originated from the ideas of Chemistry. Either you consider the main prop i.e. Blue Meth; the chemistry between the characters; the lead being a former Chemistry teacher; or the main idea of Chemistry – the study of change – which worked as the very core of the show’s story.
Considering that ‘Breaking Bad’ is the study of change, whether Walter ever cared about Jesse or not can’t be an absolute answer. A section of fans has enough instances to point out where Walter risked everything to save Jesse and acted as his father figure.
But there’s an alternate side to this chemical reaction where Walter manipulated Jesse for his ambitions and plotted to kill him. But we do have an answer to if Walter ever cared about Jesse in AMC’s ‘Breaking Bad’ or not. Also, check out what the fans on Reddit have to say.
Walter once cared about Jesse.
When ‘Breaking Bad’ started, for the first couple of seasons of the show, the chemistry between Walter White and Jesse Pinkman was very different. The dynamics of their relationship were very raw.
While Jesse was still a kid (sort of) internally seeking emotional support, as for not having any hopes from his family, Walter was also not in a great mental state. Their needs were being fulfilled by each other on various levels; On an emotional level, on a business level, and they were also ‘Breaking Bad’ together. This led to both of them rationally respecting and caring for each other. W
alter being of Jesse’s father’s age was, of course, more caring and was almost a father figure to Jesse. While Jesse kept committing blunders like making a deal with Crazy 8, getting in trouble with Tuco, Walter kept saving him. Be it killing someone, or driving his car over those who threatened Jesse, or standing against Gustavo for Jesse. Walter did it all.
Things changed for the worse.
As the show progressed, we observed how the chemistry of the show and the characters changed. The change didn’t only occur in Walter and Jesse’s relationship, but in every other relationship – be it Walter and Skyler or Flynn; be it Jesse, Skinny Pete, and Badger; everything slowly changed.
Walter achieved the power, the money, and the persona of – I have arrived – he always wanted to carry. He became the Heisenberg. Jesse’s exposure to the few incidents transformed him into a rather intense and emotionally rigid person. Jesse found emotional support and peace in Jane. And as he transformed, he begins to realize how much he actually hates the world he was living in.
Thus, Jesse wanted to pull out, but Walter had now tested the blood. This originated an entirely new conflict in their chemistry, which led to then Walter watching Jane die, Walter, manipulating Jesse in coming crimes like knocking on doors for him. Walter also planned to kill Jesse, and he sent Jesse to rot in hell for good six months in the final season of ‘Breaking Bad’.
It’s unjust to say Walter never cared about Jesse in ‘Breaking Bad’, but then what he did with Jesse can not be justified with anything. What’s a reasonable explanation is that the entire show went through an arc, and that was the purpose of the show’s story? None of the characters remained the same as they were in the pilot season. Things changed, situations changed, and thus the chemistry changed.
This led to the fallout between the actual father-son duo in ‘Breaking Bad’ i.e. Walter and Jesse.
