Breaking Bad
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What makes Walter White (Bryan Cranston) break bad?
Do drug dealers really make that much?
The actual reason is he needs to be a man.
Worse yet, he will know himself to be weak to the end.
How Walt got there is through an epic midlife crisis.
After Walt holds Hanks gun and remarks that its heavy, Hank says, Thats why they hire men.
If not, hell turn him in to his brother-in-law.
Not exactly the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Theres another important element to the story that comes out in the cook: art.
You and I will not make garbage, he tells Jesse.
We will produce a chemically pure and stable product that performs as advertised.
No adulterants, no baby formula, no chili powder.
(On that last point, Jesse is hilariously apoplectic: Nochili p?)
After their first cook in the RV produces glass grade meth, Walts arrogance is practically radioactive.
And why shouldnt it be?
His chemistry skills end up saving his life.
Jesse asks Walt why hes breaking bad.
His answer: I am awake.
More recently, hes been the go-to D.P.
In other words, a ringer.
The scene where he tells off his boss at the car wash (Wipe down this!
), for one, is funny because he looks so awkward doing it.
He hasnt had the practice.
