A few weeks ago, I got to speak with Bryan Cranston about Breaking Bad winning a Peabody Award. In the course of that conversation, Bryan told me that writer/creator Vince Gilligan had considered killing the character of Jesse Pinkman at the end of last season. This was a bit of shock to me, but according to Bryan, what saved Jesse was Aaron Paul's performance. "He has this puppy dog quality even when he's doing the most despicable things," Bryan told me.
Well, as I watched Breaking Bad the other night, it occurred to me that Jesse's days might be numbered. In fact, Jason alluded to the possibility in his review; those two dead bodies lying under blankets that have been beside the White pool in the season-long foreshadowed crime scene could be Jane and Jesse.
It makes sense, too. Jesse has been failing Walter with regularity of late, and as Gustavo pointed out when he explained why he wasn't interested in becoming Walt's distributor, Jesse is a drug addict. His drug habit took a massively nasty turn when he had Jane inject him with heroin (although what an amazing scene to the tune of the song "Enchanted"). Anyway, what are the chances that Walter continues putting up with Jesse's screw-ups?
If Breaking Bad goes down the dark path that Vince has been taking the show, Walter could definitely cut his losses with Jesse. Remember, Breaking Bad is essentially Walter's journey (not Walter and Jesse's), so him turning into a certifiable, stone-cold killer could be exactly what's going to happen, especially since Walter is so protective of his family and thinks he may not survive the operation.
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Have any questions for Vik Sahay of Chuck? Ask them here!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-20-2009 @ 2:35PM
pugnax said...
The foreshadowing is implying an explosion of some kind; the partial burnt child's toy floating in the pool blown there from an explosion. Whatever happens I doubt it's because of Walter killing Jesse. It seems more of the gang retaliation, as that would get Walter's brother-in-law involved again, which started last episode. Remember that mariachi song was also part of an opening scene, although it did deal somewhat with that episode, it could also be read as a oncoming drug war.
Besides I'm not sure how they could write a believable scene where both Jesse and Jane would get to the Whites.
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 2:55PM
Crow said...
I really don't see them killing off Jesse...it would be ballsy of them (I don't want them to kill off Jesse) I guess it would make sense. I do think that Jane will be one of the bodies.
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 2:59PM
LordPaul said...
I agree with pugnax - I was thinking about this yesterday after I watched it - they wouldn't have introduced the Mexican storyline for no reason, so I think that that story's gonna crash into Walt's story.
I reckon the deaths will be completely shocking - maybe Skylar & her sister
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 3:01PM
Jimmy said...
I think it's more likely Walt's family members (wife, kid and/or brother-in-law) are in the body bags.
Aaron Paul IS great as Jesse. Everything about the show -- writing, acting, directing -- is stellar. I think it has surpassed Mad Men in quality.
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 3:03PM
Midnight13 said...
Jesse dying would mean he has to find a new partner. I don't really see that happening. I would hate to see it happen because I'm really loving Krysten Ritter as Jane, but for various reasons both as a character and off-screen reality (she might be starring in a Gossip Girls spin-off) I don't see her returning for season 3. So if she's one body who is the other? Sure it COULD be Jesse. It could be her father, or it could be someone who is not related at all to Jane, maybe a person who was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Its certainly not like "Breaking Bad" hasn't thrown similar curveballs at us before.
Reply
5-21-2009 @ 2:04AM
Jason Doan said...
No need for a new partner. Walter can cook in bulk and sell directly to Gustavo. Jesse was only around in the first place because Walter had no idea what to do with the meth once he had it.
5-20-2009 @ 3:37PM
AzHousePro said...
I really don't see them killing off the family members. That would be more ballsy than killing off Jesse.
If they are going to escalate the gang story to the point that there would be an explosion and dead bodies, they better get to it. How many more episodes do we have this season?
Mike
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 3:12PM
puffin said...
I'm sort of torn about it. I'd be sad to see a great character being written out of one my favorite shows, but I give major praise to shows that kill of main characters.
Too many times we see show move down the same road where they toy with idea of eliminating a character but end up keeping the same cast and formula ad nauseam. Each time it happens the show kills off that little part in your head where the worry about your characters safety resides. (I'm looking at you Heros) I would hate to see Breaking Bad loose the edge it has.
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 4:09PM
Midnight13 said...
Did anyone consider the idea that Walt and Jesse were the ones responsible for the dead bodies and not the dead bodies themseleves? Its not like they haven't been driven to murder before.
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 4:13PM
1iPete said...
If there is an explosion, isn't there a chance it is related to Walt's recent installation of a new water heater?
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 4:49PM
stewartwallace said...
That could be. Given Jesse's erratic behavior as of late, maybe Walt decides to stash the product at his house.(Remember that he was also doing some repair work under the floorboards near the hot water heater.) Maybe Jesse & Jane try to take the stash and inadvertently set off the explosion.
I don't think that Walt would have any trouble killing Jesse if need be. (Wasn't Walt the one who killed and 'disposed of' the hostage they kept in Jesse's family basement for so long?) After missing his child's birth and hearing Giancarlo Esposito's comments about drug addicts, he may realize that Jesse is no longer an asset.
I do hope we get to see more of Bob Oedenkirk and Giancarlo Esposito.
5-20-2009 @ 4:57PM
Brent Schmidt said...
Stewart, that's the one thing that I could never get over on the show... how they never showed/told what Jesse did with the body (or what was left of it). There was a scene in the episode or two after where there were people in the basement and it made it seem like they'd find something with how the camera work was going on... but nothing. Something always seemed fishy about that.
5-20-2009 @ 4:25PM
pugnax said...
Walt is involved as I'm pretty sure his glasses were lined up along the pool after the event.
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 8:21PM
tuco said...
I'm surprised this is a debate. Of course that's Jesse and Jane. The show's overriding theme is paying for bad choices, and Jesse has made the ultimate one in heroine. Add to that the fact that Jesse was supposed to die in the first season and that Jane and Jesse are (according to previews) trying to blackmail Walt, and it's goodbye Jesse. A shame, because Aaron Paul is a great actor. But perfectly in line with such a daring show to kill off a primary character.
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 4:49PM
CraigO said...
I totally agree with the water heater comment. They're building it up to appear as something major but I really think it's going to be an explosion caused by the water heater installation. They even foreshadowed it a bit I think ("...this thing uses compressed gas...")
Only thing I can't figure out is the hazmat suits and bodybags. Any guesses?
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 4:59PM
stewartwallace said...
If the meth is in the explosion, then they would need wear hazmat suits to clean it up. (A guy who was doing some mold abatement at my house talked about how they have to wear them even to clean up a site where meth has been cooked.)
5-20-2009 @ 5:14PM
stewartwallace said...
Regarding the hostage from the basement, I kind of assumed that they might have done something like dissolving the remains with acid. (Boy, isn't this pleasant!)
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 7:05PM
Adam said...
Intresting thought. Would love to see Walter kill Jesse. But i think those bodies are those two thugs that he met at the hardware store and they're comeing for some payback. Anyways we will see....
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 8:06PM
StillBash said...
Like I said elsewhere - two random guys Walter and Jesse kill - and get away with it. Throw in the revelation that they are dealing/producing drugs to... I don't know. Someone in the family. Walter's son I guess, and you're set for Season 3.
I mean honestly, just watch "Weeds". This might be better but still. Same setup.
Reply
5-21-2009 @ 5:05PM
sully said...
Ted brings a pink bear to the Whites house as a gift for the baby...while talking with Skyler in the kitchen... an explosion... possibly caused by Walts installation of a new gas heater... kills Skyler and Ted...with the bear being blown out through the window and into the pool...this leaves Walt a widower with two children next season...and still facing death by cancer...will make him more determined than ever to make as much money as possible before he checks out...also without Skyler he can sink deeper and deeper into the world of drugs as he struggles to provide enough money for Walt Jr. and the baby...walt Jr. will pick up the roll as a surrogate father of sorts for the baby...
Reply