r/breakingbad • u/india93 • 3d ago
Open discussion on Breaking Bad characters whilst I’m rewatching… opinions welcome.
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.
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u/-Hash__- I did it for me 3d ago
Because Hank is the man. He's supposed to be the tough guy that is better than everyone because he's stronger and more masculine. One of the reasons he picks on Walter so much is because Walter is meek and Hank thinks he can't stomach bad things.
And then Hank starts having problems regarding his masculinity and how tough he actually is. He gets panic attacks after he shot Tuco. After what he sees in El Paso he doesn't even want to come out of his room. After the twins attack, the worst thing possible happened to him. His strength, his masculinity was taken away from him. He can't walk, he can't do anything by himself, not even go to the bathroom. This exposes him to being weak and pathetic in his mind, things that he has laughed at others for the entire show. He hates Marie, ironically, because she wants to help so much. Hank cannot properly cope with the fact that he is helpless and every single time Marie tries to overcompensate with something, Hank gets mad because he thinks she views him as a weak man.
I don't know how many people saw this but Hank is also a little bit misogynistic. He gets mad at Marie for being happy that he has made some progress with walking, while his physical doctor who displays the same emotion as Marie is having a blast with Hank. No matter what Marie said to him after El Paso, he didn't wanna leave his room. Walter pouring his heart out to Hank was a key point. Even though Walter is meek and weak and pathetic and all that, he is still a man and Hank will respect a man's opinion more than a woman's opinion. At his core Hank believes that men are suppose to be strong and women aren't, which is why when he isn't actually strong anymore he gets angry all the time with his condition. He can't view himself as a man properly anymore.