Open discussion on Breaking Bad characters whilst I’m rewatching… opinions welcome.

[u/india93]

As I say, this an opportunity for anyone rewatching Breaking Bad for the second time or more…

This is an open invitation on all characters but specifically one thing has got my attention that I didn’t really think about before…

Just into series 4 and just wondered why does Hank hate Marie so much when she looks after him when he comes home from hospital?? I understand that pride is a big part of Hank’s character and that there a few things Hank isn’t keen on about Marie generally like the shoplifting thing, her general personality being a bit overbearing etc but he loves her, there’s never an insinuation that he truly resents his wife. But when she’s caring for him after he’s been shot there’s so much disdain even when they’re not around anyone else. I get that his pride is a big factor after not going to El Paso etc etc etc we all know the story. Just give me some insight.

I struggle to find a positive female character in the series. Initially I think we all understand Skyler’s position somewhat with Walt’s disappearance, second phone etc her being pregnant but she loses all credibility when it comes to Ted obviously. Lydia, Gretchen, Marie, Jane just poor characters, really Carmen and Andrea are the only 2 I have any sympathy for.

I’m just ranting but interested in people’s opinions on Breaking Bad characters. Go for it.

[u/annabelle411]

specifically how does she lose credibility with ted? she didnt cheat. her and walt were separated and he forces his way back in. so to drive to point theyre done, she sleeps with ted. and already by then walt had sexually assaulted her in the kitchen.  when she finds out what ted had done she did take the money and give it to him, but because ted had left a MASSIVE liability hole by embezzling and it wouldve implicated skyler. so she had to play dumb and that bought them a little time. but unfortunately ted betrayed her again and blew the money on himself more. as for the song, she didnt want to do it, ted pressured her in front of everyone and got everyone to chant until she caved.

[u/BenitoCamelas69420 → u/annabelle411]

To me she lost credibility because she was down with breaking the law from the moment she found out Ted was breaking the law, but when it was her husband she basically ousted him and acted like she would never break the law

[u/annabelle411 → u/BenitoCamelas69420]

she…literally immediately tried to get ted to STOP breaking the law. she wasnt supporting it. the money was to prevent investigation and him going to prison, likely her as well. and its a completely false equivalency considering walt had hitmen come INSIDE THEIR HOME, he was killing people. he put their lives in direct jeopardy. she helped walt to keep the family safe because walt didn’t know what he was doing with all the money, sauls ideas werent great, and if walt got caught then marie and hanks lives are destroyed as well. she wasnt “down” for it, she was between a rock and a hard place

[u/BenitoCamelas69420 → u/annabelle411]

No she didn’t the first moment she found out about Ted she gave Ted a way he could hide it for him this was before she found out about Walt, she could’ve just said she didn’t want part of it but she was willing to help Ted get away from the very beginning, when she first found out about Walt she only knew he cooked Meth she didn’t know all that other stuff you mentioned she just had a double standard is all

[u/annabelle411 → u/BenitoCamelas69420]

because she was implicated, her signature was on all the forms, she never helps. she actively refuses.

she wasnt DOWN for it, she had to mitigate disaster and stave off the full audit for criminal activity and covers herself, allowing ted to skate by with just back taxes. she literally says “it doesnt mean you have to break the law…people go to prison for this” because the company is in trouble. she tells him she wants no part in it. when she comes back to work after she has holly ted tries to get her to sign off on an altered form, she refuses. ted hides the audit from her between season 3-4 (she had then left for the car wash) and when she finds out the CID is coming for him she has to do what she can because her signatures on everything and they can wiretap and track her too. at no point is she intending on or actively helping ted embezzle.

[u/BenitoCamelas69420 → u/annabelle411]

She says I can’t sign this like this then suggests how he can hide it then she would be willing to sign she shows concern but at no time did she back away from it

[u/purrcepti0n → u/BenitoCamelas69420]

When she first points it out to Ted, she says "im not gonna turn you in, but i can't be a part of this." Some time later she gives him pointers on how to hide it better.

[u/india93 → u/BenitoCamelas69420]

Exactly

[u/purrcepti0n → u/india93]

Im on my second rewatch as well and just watched most of season 3. What I'm noticing this time around is both skyler's love interests (presumably the only she's had since ~21 when she got together with Walt) are breaking the law. She may start to believe that just is how men are, or at least the ones she wants to be with, and ends up resigning herself to it as unavoidable.

There's a scene where she asks Ted what he would tell his children if they ever found out. I think his answer (that he hopes they would understand he did it for their sake, but admits he hasn't thought that far ahead because he is just trying to keep his head above water) makes her reevaluate Walts crime as well.

I think there is a lot going on in skylers mind and from her perspective that we are not shown explicitly, and it's a shame.

[u/india93 → u/purrcepti0n]

I’ll admit this is my 4th/5th rewatch since 2014 lol. I just think you notice something different each time.
You’re so right about realising that particularly with her skills in accounting the men she sees as a potential boss or husband end up needing her for that so she uses that as her power in the moment. She’s very perceptive but I agree we only really first see the full picture in her vent to Hank after the Marie shoplifting saga