An important scene from the very first episode ofBreaking Badreferences the show’s title and reveals a lot about Walter White’s character. By the end ofBreaking Bad, Walt has fully transformed into the ruthless Heisenberg. However, at the beginning of the series, Walt is just an average family-man and high school chemistry teacher. The story ofBreaking Badbegins when Walt finds out he has lung cancer, which prompts him to team up with one of his former students, Jesse Pinkman, to cook and sell meth.
Breaking Badhas been referred to as one of thebest television shows of all time, and currently has an outstanding score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes (viaRotten Tomatoes). Allfive seasons ofBreaking Badwere critically-acclaimed, but the story of the series was perfectly set up in the pilot episode. Thecast ofBreaking Badincludes Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Bob Odenkirk, Dean Norris, and Jonathan Banks. Audiences don’t know Cranston’s Walt and Paul’s Jesse that well in the pilot, butone interaction between them inBreaking Bad’sfirst episode doesn’t get talked about enough.
In the very first episode ofBreaking Bad, Walt approaches Jesse, and they make a deal to make and sell meth together. Walt tasks Jesse with buying an RV for them to cook meth in, buthis former student is still confused why a seemingly average man suddenly decided to cook meth. From Jesse’s perspective, he has had a very weird, unexpected day. Therefore, Jesse says to Walt, “Some straight like you, giant stick up his a** - all a sudden at age, what, 60, he’s just gonna break bad?”
In addition to referencing the series' title, this is also one of the best scenes in the first episode ofBreaking Badbecause it reveals so much about Walt and Jesse’s characters. Firstly,this line reveals exactly how Jesse views Walt, which sets up their dynamic for the majority of the show. It is important to note that Jesse doesn’t know about Walt’s cancer diagnosis yet. Therefore, Walt’s response to Jesse’s question provides further insight into his mindset.
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Walt’s Answer To Jesse’s Question Has A Deep Meaning
Walt gives a very vague answer to Jesse’s question, simply saying, “I am awake.” This is a frustrating answer for Jesse, since, from his perspective, he has learned nothing new about Walt. The whole reason Jesse asks the question is to confirm that he can trust Walt as his partner. Therefore, it makes sense that Jesse would want some clarification as to why Walt suddenly decided he wanted to cook meth. However, Walt’s answer gives him no further insight about his new partner.
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While Walt’s answer means nothing to Jesse, it is very revealing to the audience. Walt’s answer reveals that he has found some kind of clarity in his cancer diagnosis. He’s been unsatisfied as a high school teacher and part-time car wash employee for a long time, so he wants to take a risk. At this point in the series,Walt definitely doesn’t know who he’s going to become once he starts cooking meth, but this line starts him on his journey to become Heisenberg.
The Title Of The Show Is Never Referenced Again
Breaking Badis a perfect title for the seriessince the show follows Walt as he transforms from a mild-mannered teacher to a drug kingpin. However, the phrase “break bad” is not necessarily common, which means that it is never said in the series again. Furthermore, the show’s title never really needs to be referenced in the series again, since, unlike a title likeBetter Call Saul, it is not really important to the story of the series.
Walt and Jesse change a lot over the course of the series, but this scene shows what their mindsets were at the very start ofBreaking Bad.
Additionally, it is effective that the show’s title was only referenced in one scene, as it ensures that the scene will have lasting significance. Walt and Jesse change a lot over the course of the series, but this scene shows what their mindsets were at the very start ofBreaking Bad. Therefore, the title of the show never needed to be referenced again after the pilot episode ofBreaking Bad.
Breaking Bad
Cast
Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, follows a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he attempts to provide for his family following a fatal diagnosis. With nothing left to fear, White ascends to power in the world of drugs and crime, transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg.
