‘Breaking Bad’ Retro Recap: ‘Pilot’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There is no real-life storyline more fascinating, than when an everyday person turns to a life of crime. Simply because it just seems impossible that in the modern world, where opportunity exists for everyone, that people would be willing to turn their backs upon the rules and commit shocking crimes. But therein perhaps, lies the trick. Because our perception of the world and the reality of it are sometimes at a disconnect. For while we believe that opportunity and resources are everywhere for people in need of relief, they clearly don’t see things that way, nor do they find what they need. And by feeling as though the system has indeed outright failed them, they genuinely believe that they have no choice but to do something drastic and well… we know how that decision ends, with their mug shot popping up on the six o’clock news.
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If anything, their fall from grace is always a grand tragedy. The kind that happen often enough, that television shows and movies are eager to explore the various reasons that drive people to this point. And back in 2005, AMC aired a fascinating series premiere. One that dug deep into the circumstances surrounding a fall from grace, and that decision led to something quite special storytelling wise. Because to date, Breaking Bad has spawned a movie sequel and a supremely powerful prequel, all to explore what it is that makes decent people do such horrible things. But as we near the end of Better Call Saul’s television run, which will likely signal the end of this franchise as a whole, now seems like a perfect time to revisit that all-important ‘Pilot’ episode and wouldn’t you know it… fifteen years after its original airing, this particular tale still has great gravity and relevance.

Because Walter White and his plight, feels painfully familiar in 2020. Because seeing him more or less work himself to the bone to try and put food on the table, all while trying hard to raise a family, is a story we’ve heard time and time again, and that familiar horror is compounded further by the fact that he has horrible health insurance. Which motivates him to choose poor health over an actual diagnosis of his cancer and of course, he feels marginalized and is bored in regard to life outside of his family, making him a fascinating exploration of the modern American. And putting together that particular foundation for what would become an iconic character, helps us to understand why he turns to the proverbial dark side, so quickly. Because he is in fact, a man with nothing to lose; and they are always willing to do whatever it takes to find some semblance of happiness and peace.

But while it is impressive to see ties/commentary to modern times, it is the grandiose character study of Walter that plays out over the course of this pilot that makes it so worthwhile. Because in essence, we watch Walter’s downward spiral happen in real time, and it becomes obvious as this story rolls along that his disdain for how life has marginalized him, despite doing everything by the book, has been brewing for ages. Which is why he is so quick to just embrace the bad and lift a middle finger up to the world. Because going the criminal route, will finally put him on the map, and finally make him somebody relevant and watching him transform from meek and mousey schoolteacher to badass drug dealer over the course of the hour is powerful stuff for certain, and an outright testament to Bryan Cranston’s abilities as an actor. But really, it is the ending of this tale that truly stays with you long after this pilot has come to an end.

Simply because Walter makes it clear that if he is going to be able to avoid the authorities and any trouble that comes his way, he will take this new business venture as far as he can. Which means he is eager to skirt the line and stick it to the man while no one is the wiser and that makes him quite similar to his counterpart Saul Goodman, and the only difference between these two men is the sheer fact that Walter has enjoyed the good life and had his fill of it whereas Jimmy McGill was always trying to get a taste of Walter’s world. And it will be interesting to not only watch Mister White work to maintain the balance between two worlds as this journey through Breaking Bad continues, but to see him lose control of the darkness that has been brewing within him for some time now. A darkness that exists simply because he fully believes that the world has failed him, and that the only way to get by in some instances, is to throw the rule book out and do things your own way. Until next time.

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