Speech in Chemistry class foreshadows Walts
future: Life changed, solution and dissolution etc
Begins 'in media res', motionless, western
scenery, floating trousers? then sudden fast pace
action, Walt driving RV in gas mask and half
naked and then he crashed. Raises enigmas but
then starts of at the beginning
Walt discovers he has cancer
By the end of the episode, Walt is
now 'awake' and has his sexual drive.
Last line by Skylar 'Walt is that you?'
Walter White/ Heisenberg
False hero or real hero?
'everyday' man but hero's journey is inverted
Walter: Old fashion, boring connotations
White: Plain, boring, waiting for some
colour in his life, additionally connotes
hope, goodness and purity which is
Walt's underlying peronsality
Over-qualified High School
Chemistry teacher, wears
knitted beige and green
jumpers, large glasses
Bullied/pushed around by his pupils
e.g Chad and family e.g Hank
Skylar is almost opposite; modern housewife,
modern name, 10+ years younger etc
Kills 'Crazy Eight' = crossing the threshold
Hybridity: Western, Crime drama, psychological
drama and black comedy
Critics also suggest it draws generic elements of US TV, sit-coms,
drama and literature e.g. Father holding the family together
Jesse Pinkman
Helper/dispatcher
Pinkman: female attributes
Originally appears as hard, tough, no good
but audience discovers he is caring,
emotional and means well. Deeply scarred by
some things in his life
Jesse: Androgynous
Not typical drug dealer stereotype: white, small,
wealthy family
Begins hating Walt but in the
end learns from him (still a
student/teacher connection)
Hank: Sheriff, American culture
Hero's journey
Appear to others as typical
American family e.g. when filming
on camera at baby shower, but
are deeply floored