Breaking Bad, the critically acclaimed television series created by Vince Gilligan and set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is renowned for its complex characters and moral ambiguities. While there are several external antagonists throughout the series, such as Gustavo “Gus” Fring or the Salamanca family, one could argue that the true antagonist of the series is the protagonist himself, Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston).
Still, Gus Fring (played by Giancarlo Esposito) may be the most memorable antagonist in the series, and therefore must be analyzed to understand why Walt may still be the “main” antagonist.
As the calm, methodical, and ruthlessly efficient owner of a fast-food chicken chain that serves as a front for a methamphetamine distribution network, Gus is a formidable adversary for the main characters. Despite his outward appearance as a respectable business owner and community member, Gus controls a vast drug empire. He is willing to go to extreme lengths to protect his business interests and eliminate anyone who poses a threat. His ruthless nature is subtly portrayed through his polite demeanor, which only adds to the chilling effectiveness of his character.
However, Gus isn’t just a one-dimensional villain. His backstory, including the loss of his close friend and business partner, gives depth to his character and provides context for his motivations. He’s a reflection of what Walter White could become — a successful and seemingly untouchable figure in the drug trade, respected in the legitimate business world, yet living a double life steeped in crime and violence.
While Gus is certainly an antagonist, it’s essential to consider that much of the conflict in Breaking Bad stems from Walter White’s decisions. Walter chooses to enter the meth business, causes harm to his family and friends, and makes several choices leading to violence and destruction. Even in his dealings with Gus, Walter often escalates the situation, such as when he insists on using his former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) as his assistant or when he takes actions to undermine Gus’s operation.
In this sense, while Gus is an external adversary, Walter’s pride, ego, and choices are what truly drive the narrative conflict. Gus is more of a mirror to Walter, reflecting what he could become if he fully embraces his alter ego, Heisenberg.
The true heart of the show’s conflict lies within Walter himself, as well as within his conflicting relationship with his brother-in-law and DEA agent, Hank (Dean Norris). The series continually blurs the line between protagonists and antagonists, reflecting its thematic exploration of morality, choice, and the potential for anyone to ‘break bad’.
Walter starts as a sympathetic character: a high school chemistry teacher who turns to cooking methamphetamine after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, hoping to secure financial safety for his family’s future. He aims to provide for his teenage son with cerebral palsy (RJ Mitte), his wife Skyler (Anna Gunn), and their unborn baby. However, as the series progresses, Walter’s motives become increasingly self-centered and ego-driven, with his actions causing significant harm to those around him.
He transforms from a desperate man doing an immoral thing for a seemingly moral reason, into a person who compromises his morals and endangers others to maintain power and control. His descent into criminality and moral bankruptcy is so profound that he effectively becomes his own worst enemy. This internal struggle, and Walter’s transformation from protagonist to antagonist, is a central theme of the series.
On the other hand, there’s an argument to be made that the true antagonist of Breaking Bad is not a person, but the circumstances that the characters find themselves in. The flawed healthcare system, the drug trade, societal expectations, and the economic struggles faced by the characters all serve as powerful antagonistic forces throughout the series.
In conclusion, the concept of an antagonist in Breaking Bad is complex and multi-dimensional. It varies depending on perspective and evolves throughout the series, reflecting the show’s exploration of morality, identity, and the consequences of one’s actions.