(Credits: AMC)
I have been really excited to get the chance to say a few words about, probably, my favorite character on TV I have ever had the chance to watch and experience a long story with. You might have noticed an overall theme in some of my character choices: downfall, change, an anti-hero. These qualities are so well placed and serve such an effective purpose when it comes to Walter White.
Breaking Bad has become such a classic by now. The story of a high school chemistry teacher becoming a ruthless drug king pin was, and still is, a fascinating concept, that gives a chance for plenty of creative freedom and choice.
What really makes the difference for me is the massive change Walter White goes through as a character, yet he still stays true to what he initially wished to be. Walter starts the series off as a scared, sheltered, and fragile family man. By the end of the story, he becomes a brave, ruthless, and manipulative individual. A far cry from where he began.
But the real question we can explore with Walter is the idea of living on borrowed time. Walter had spent 50 years scared of taking hold of his life and making risky choices because of the possible consequences. His diagnosis of a terminal illness ultimately completely changes this view and gives him a new chance at life. At some point, we as the audience, should ask ourselves: Did Walter's terminal illness change him for the worst, or did it just let him be the person he has always wanted to be?
To complete this theme, I will sign off from my last ever blog post with one of my favorite Walter White quotes:
"I have spent my whole life scared. Frightened of things that could happen; might happen; might not happen. 50 years I've spent like that. Finding myself awake at 3am. But you know what? Ever since my diagnosis, I sleep just fine. I came to realize it's that fear is the worst of it, that's the real enemy. So, get up, get out in the real world and you kick that bastard as hard as you can, right in the teeth."
Breaking Bad has become such a classic by now. The story of a high school chemistry teacher becoming a ruthless drug king pin was, and still is, a fascinating concept, that gives a chance for plenty of creative freedom and choice.
What really makes the difference for me is the massive change Walter White goes through as a character, yet he still stays true to what he initially wished to be. Walter starts the series off as a scared, sheltered, and fragile family man. By the end of the story, he becomes a brave, ruthless, and manipulative individual. A far cry from where he began.
But the real question we can explore with Walter is the idea of living on borrowed time. Walter had spent 50 years scared of taking hold of his life and making risky choices because of the possible consequences. His diagnosis of a terminal illness ultimately completely changes this view and gives him a new chance at life. At some point, we as the audience, should ask ourselves: Did Walter's terminal illness change him for the worst, or did it just let him be the person he has always wanted to be?
To complete this theme, I will sign off from my last ever blog post with one of my favorite Walter White quotes:
"I have spent my whole life scared. Frightened of things that could happen; might happen; might not happen. 50 years I've spent like that. Finding myself awake at 3am. But you know what? Ever since my diagnosis, I sleep just fine. I came to realize it's that fear is the worst of it, that's the real enemy. So, get up, get out in the real world and you kick that bastard as hard as you can, right in the teeth."
No comments:
Post a Comment