Key Takeaways:
– Breaking Bad’s creators initially did not have a definitive end for Walter White in mind.
– Vince Gilligan faced uncertainty in incorporating the M60 machine gun plot device.
– Gilligan admits to the plot inconsistency involving Saul Goodman’s wives in Better Call Saul.
Unfolding Breaking Bad’s Plot Process
Acclaimed TV series Breaking Bad directed by Vince Gilligan, heralded globally as a television masterpiece, resonates well with fans for its calculated and intricate plot development. However, a recent revelation by Gilligan offers a surprising twist: the creators didn’t have a distinct plan for the plot’s progression from the outset, particularly for Bryan Cranston’s character, Walter White.
The M60 Machine Gun Enigma
The haunting final season of Breaking Bad unveiled a drastic twist of fate for Walter White, who purchases an M60 machine gun in episode 16. The weapon lurks in the background throughout the series, ultimately resulting in his death. In a startling revelation during an interview with Variety, Gilligan admits the road that led to White’s terminal story was quite uncharted. The series creators admitted they weren’t sure about the series’ conclusion, only that they felt Walter White’s story should follow a tragic path.
Gilligan chuckled at their initial confidence, convinced that they’d figure it all out in the 16 episodes leading to the end. But with about half a dozen episodes left, the direction of the plot remained uncertain, particularly the role of the machine gun. The creators decided to analyze all plot devices of the series, including the mysterious gun.
Gilligan seriously considered disregarding the gun but was dissuaded by his writers, who insisted on making the weapon the lethal cog in the grand finale. Now recognized as a pivotal plot device, the machine gun morphed from a fleeting add-on to the catalyst ending Walter White’s life and defining one of television’s most iconic characters.
The Mystery of Saul Goodman’s Wives
While spontaneity can pay off in television scripting, it sometimes results in significant plot inconsistencies, typified by Saul Goodman’s character in Breaking Bad. He handily throws around tidbits of his personal life, revealing that he had three wives. The following spin-off, Better Call Saul, however, introduces only one of them.
Gilligan addressed this inconsistency. He revealed that when creating Better Call Saul, they opted to not strictly adhere to the details mentioned in the predecessor series, instead focusing on developing the narrative and character arcs. This creative freedom led to a conscious decision of presenting only one wife, Kim Wexler, to Saul Goodman’s character, ultimately leading to a simmering speculation about the remaining two. As a resolution, the team decided to privately grieve them, keeping them away from the public eye.
These revelations from Gilligan offer fascinating insights into the world of television storytelling, proving that even the most critically acclaimed shows do not always start with a perfectly plotted storyline. Often, it’s the unplanned twists and turns that create the most remembered television moments. Breaking Bad stands as a test case for this mode of storytelling, and its plot uncertainties significantly contributed to making it an iconic series.
Netflix subscribers can immerse themselves in this beautifully unplanned saga by watching Breaking Bad and its successor, Better Call Saul.
