The Failed Masculinity of Walter White

[@User-dyn]

You should do a video on Uncle Iroh and his representation of masculinity

[@Eilonwy95]

In case you aren’t joking, he did!

[@tomgundy7332]

I feel like walt is also an example of "if men don't receive enough love and/or respect they will settle for fear." Insert "I am the one who knocks."

[@Eilonwy95]

This is a good point. I always hear how men long for love and respect. So not receiving it may push their pride like Walt’s to bad places.

[@tomgundy7332]

@@Eilonwy95 honestly I feel like everyone could use more love and respect. The present lack thereof in the world encourages self harm and depravity. We all want warmth and people we can trust. Otherwise existence is a ocean of emptiness devoid of meaning.

[@bplayerr1]

@@tomgundy7332 🎯💯

[@Eilonwy95]

@@tomgundy7332absolutely. I think that is why there is this push for “self love” because we don’t trust others to love us. What we should all do is show love and respect to each other as well.

[@o00nemesis00o]

@@tomgundy7332 Love is given but respect is something you can earn more of, or throw away.

[@ironnwizzard]

"In order to be truly masculine, one must act virtuously." Man, you could have stopped there, dropped the mic, and walked out. Beautiful and to the point. That should be lesson 1 to every young man.

[@master_samwise]

If only. The comments make it all too clear young men are NOT taught that.

[@SirReal314]

It is poetic then that the root word of "virtue" is "vir," Latin for "man." A true man is a man of virtue

[@fwwaller]

@@master_samwise or they show that you have a narrow minded dipshit view of what masculinity actually is.

[@MrTambourineMan.]

Walter wanted to be the provider more than he wanted his family to be provided for

[@xavierthomas5835]

Very nice. The difference between being proud and being prideful. Being proud of the work you do means it has great meaning to you towards another end. Being prideful leaves nothing more than a sense of superiority in one's own self worth, determined by oneself in a vacuum.

[@everia_games]

A man provides

[@excalibro8365]

He could've just swallowed his pride and took Gretchen and Elliot's offer.

[@DiamondKingStudios]

@@excalibro8365It was perfect, but no. He just had to blow it up. He, and his pride, and his ego.

[@ID-nocturne]

​@@excalibro8365 he really should have seen that there wasn't a bad motivation behind it. that it came from a place of good will.

[@jamesdeek7039]

Again we look to iroh

[@Ambivlaent]

He is the blue print 🙏🏼

[@ShadowKamehameha32]

The Definition, one might say.

[@xhbn2157]

The one real man.

[@Mizzerheart]

Samewise: "what is a man?" My brain: "A man chooses; a slave obeys."

[@darkening78]

There is a video essay I would love to see from Samwise! Edit: grammar and spelling

[@bc-cu4on]

"A miserable little pile of secrets" also works.

[@ninjaguysith]

@@bc-cu4on "Enough of this. Have at you!"

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

A man chooses, unlike a slave Who never strays from the path that his master paves Follows every order and does everything they say Now would you kindly... OBEY

[@theglichedbear]

"You think you have memory's. A farm. A family. A plane. A crash. And then...this place. Did that farm really exist? Was there ever a family? Did thst plane crash, or...was it hijacked? Forced down, Forced down by something LESS then a man- something bred to sleepwalking through life until activated by a simple phrase, spoken by its kindly master"

[@minizimi3790]

I think your missing a major plot point: Walt never started his journey in cooking meth to provide for his family to begin with. He was offered a job that would provide for his treatment and his family. Yet he rejected that. He was always a prideful man obsessed with his ego, hence those flashback episodes in season 1.

[@master_samwise]

That's true, though I would argue that Walt does cook meth out of a mixed desire at first. He does want to provide for his family - but in an incredibly prideful way where he won't accept "charity".

[@JamesTAbernathy]

The fact that Walt chose to cook meth (a substance that kills people and destroys lives), over a comfortable job, swallowing his pride, and working for a company he CHOSE to walk away from, shows where Walt's true character lies.

[@Gamfluent]

He did start the journey to provide but yes he had a easier way out

[@danyf.1442]

THANK YOU! There are few little clues that show that deep down he was always like that, the circumstances only helped the mask come off! Ep1, he angrily removes and puts away the disabled parking permit, even if he is entitled to it he feels that's beneath him and considers it charity. In a flashback it's Skyler who talks him into settling for that house, he wanted a bigger one!( a bit of delusion of grandeur already perhaps?) And the thing that lead to him selling his share of the company... it's never explained clearly but it just sounded like Gretchen and Elliot really didn't do anything wrong, he got uncomfortable when he was invited to her house, not fitting in with wealthy people and just lashed out making that decision.

[@davidci]

2:25 Wasn't Gus' "A man provides for his family" him manipulating Walt's fragile ego and masculinity to make him work for Gus?

[@Eilonwy95]

Oh definitely.

[@nont18411]

Would Walt still take that word to heart if he knew that Gus is gay?

[@Eilonwy95]

@@nont18411 probably. He takes it to heart because it’s convenient to his ego and what he wants to believe. Not because he respects gus so much.

[@yggdrasil2]

Gus also mentions that he has kids THAT WE NEVER SEE. Meaning they are definitely just inventions he made to have Walter relate to him.

[@RustCohle072]

​@@yggdrasil2That and it's heavily implied in BCS season 6 that he's gay. Also he lives alone in BCS, and I think Gilligan or someone said Gus and his business partner who was killed by Hector were in a gay relationship.

[@KyleWhittington]

One thing that stuck out to me was Walt’s words about remembering his dad. I was listening to a podcast recently and they were talking about how remembering your loved ones in their final hours is super important and a great reminder that our bodies will also fail one day. Toward the end, we become a lot like we were as infants. But yeah, Walt’s pride was his biggest flaw and humility is the opposing virtue that he desperately lacked.

[@nont18411]

He said that he felt embarrassed that his dad was maimed and mangled. He said that thing to a disabled, maimed and mangled son.

[@yggdrasil2]

@@nont18411 And shaking his hands!

[@cw1274]

Walt started with a wife and family who loved him. He had a rich friend who offered to pay for his treatment. He had a good life, and he threw it away so he could feel like a badass. Edit: I’ll admit that Walt initially began his life of crime for his family’s financial safety, but that quickly stops being his motive once he makes enough.

[@elmermedina1713]

Not to mention a job which would erase the financial struggles he had suffered working as a teacher and in a car wash. Walt was handed a solution to every single problem he was facing and refused it out of stubborn pride. His downfall due to pride is almost akin to Lucifer.

[@AmirDarkOne]

did we watch same show? his son hated him, his nagging wife was watching tv and smoking with a pregnant belly while he was working two jobs

[@Dalvory]

This is just ignorance right here. Sure, the cancer was a push to finally stop taking shit from people, but getting into the “business” was originally so his family wouldn’t be buried in debt after his, at the time, inevitable seeming departure. It didn’t start as ego.

[@cw1274]

@@DalvoryFair enough, it’s been a while since I’ve rewatched Breaking Bad. I’d say Walt started cooking for noble intentions, but continued out of ego.

[@master_samwise]

He rejected a well-paying job with great health insurance that would have taken care of his family. It 100% was because of ego.

[@blackhammer5035]

Walt’s corruption is mainly a consequence of his refusal to take responsibility for the consequences of his actions while demanding credit and respect for any benefit of those actions. Why is his original career as a chemist undermined? He won’t be part of something bigger than himself or give credit where it is due; no, he must be the sole reason for success. Why is he constantly undermining Jesse while somehow in denial about how reliant he is on Jesse? Not to mention emotionally attached, as the only other person he can really trust. Why is he unable to work with Gale initially? He cannot stand being questioned by a peer; he wants to work with someone who looks up to his knowledge, not someone who shares it. Probably the biggest example of his pride I can think of that you didn’t mention. Good vid.

[@master_samwise]

Yep, that's human pride for you. We attribute our successes to ourselves and our failures to our environment. Spot on.

[@godzillazfriction]

​@@master_samwiseIt's amazing how there's mention of the 'Human' aspect, but then go against that for the indoctrinated polarization, regarding 'Gender' - this whole notion of 'progressing meaning' is just a prescriptive abstraction that's made to divide based on a social construction of setting a higher set of perceived standards, that determines the indoctrinated polarization based on the division that 'gender' exemplifies through its 'progressive meaning' that only enacts on generalisation & differentiation, which makes 'gender' as a whole or a social construction as an allegorical & paradoxical means of indoctrinating & polarizing against the essence of being a 'Human'... this goes to the subset of 'masculinity & femininity' to which is all based on Gender Constructivism, which this abstraction exemplifies the subset that goes against 'Gender Constructivism' such as 'Gender Essentialism & Performativity' being a 'Human' is what matters in essence as is Male & Female since both are intertwined into being a 'Human' - nothing more & nothing less.

[@godzillazfriction]

​@@master_samwisealso, this whole 'masculinity' debacle of what to absolutely determine on what's 'masculinity' onto a 'Human' (which in the premise of the video is only targeted towards males) is nothing but BS... (now im going to go off track & just argue about Modernistic Values) 'morality' & any synonymous that are derived from the Etymological nature that's been throughout Human History (which amplifies Modernism) are abided towards the progressive usage of forwarding 'meaning' of what a Human or Humanity should strive for in juxtaposition for what the essence of the existence of a 'Human' being should & shouldn't be as in its absolute form of truth & it's subset i.e. the determination of the Higher set of perceived standards; this further progresses throughout the Human Consciousness/Perception & the indoctrination, that being as; prescriptive abstractions that equate to that standard is 'Psychopath' or any personality disorder for that matter especially Personality within itself - then there's another prescriptive terms such as 'Humane, Humanise, subhuman, inhuman, monster' - (this also includes 'animal' even though Humans are technically animals by its prescriptive & descriptive nature of what an 'animal' is in essence, but Humans differentiate based on viewing Humanity based on the Human Consciousness & it's Cognitive parts of the brain that transpires Humans into bring higher-sentient-beings; the term 'animal' within context is just a subset of the contrived & prescriptive abstraction of what a 'Human' in essence should & shouldn't be as; these terms are used as an allegorical & paradoxical means to forward 'meaning' for Humanity, which further exemplifies generalisation & differentiation) that's an allegorical and paradoxical abstraction that goes against the very essence of what & how being a 'Human' is in its very essence of existence... the antonymous that is the superficial subject that is the abstraction of the dilemma that is 'Good' & 'Evil' - is a vague but a broad contrived spectrum that somehow Humans spewed upon a subset of 'meaning' in regards to Humanity based off this constructed dilemma that is 'Good' & 'Evil' - which in turn blurs and convolutes the world by its illogical fallacies that a subset of Humans have spewed into the Modern Ideological Dogma of an accepted standard of whatever it may tailor towards it such as the concept of 'race' - 'Morality' - 'Normality' - etc. determining on what's 'right & wrong' is once again another 'subset' of forwarding meaning via any means to indoctrinate based on prescriptive means that translate into it being descriptive by its apparent, absolute nature & the linguistic Modernism forms of indoctrination. the whole dilemma of 'Hero & Villain' is (also, once again another but MAJOR subset that's been shaped or transpired from Modernism) something that serves to give out 'meaning' as a concept, but it exemplifies the allegorical and paradoxical nature of trying to give out 'meaning' - for and against Humanity aka Human Nature or what it means to be 'Human'. it also ties into how much a group of sentient beings such as Humans can have a biased inconvenienced perspective of who to perceive, deem or determine which one is a 'Hero & Villain' based from a Ideological Dogmatic stance, such as the (everlasting) Higher set of perceived standards that gets determined in its absolute form of truth to what it should & shouldn't be ultimately & justly perceived as... so with that pointed out; all of the abstractions that I've just mentioned, fall into the measures of its superficiality regarding everything that I've just mentioned or elaborated (& not just modernism/meta-modernism) that is subjected towards to on its superficial level of presentation & the exemplification of its presence; this is a common superficial meta-modernist technique that's used in a means to transpire it's transparent/superficial determination of what it absolutely seems by justly, when that's just what it is - it's 'absolutely seems by justly' - everyone is indoctrinated to being subjected to any of these matters for being 'Human'.

[@godzillazfriction]

​@@master_samwisealso, this whole 'masculinity' debacle of what to absolutely determine on what's 'masculinity' onto a 'Human' (which in the premise of the video is only targeted towards males) is nothing but BS...

[@godzillazfriction]

​@@master_samwise (now im going to go off track & just argue about Modernistic Values) 'morality' & any synonymous that are derived from the Etymological nature that's been throughout Human History (which amplifies Modernism) are abided towards the progressive usage of forwarding 'meaning' of what a Human or Humanity should strive for in juxtaposition for what the essence of the existence of a 'Human' being should & shouldn't be as in its absolute form of truth & it's subset i.e. the determination of the Higher set of perceived standards; this further progresses throughout the Human Consciousness/Perception & the indoctrination, that being as; prescriptive abstractions that equate to that standard is 'Psychopath' or any personality disorder for that matter especially Personality within itself - then there's another prescriptive terms such as 'Humane, Humanise, subhuman, inhuman, monster' - (this also includes 'animal' even though Humans are technically animals by its prescriptive & descriptive nature of what an 'animal' is in essence, but Humans differentiate based on viewing Humanity based on the Human Consciousness & it's Cognitive parts of the brain that transpires Humans into bring higher-sentient-beings; the term 'animal' within context is just a subset of the contrived & prescriptive abstraction of what a 'Human' in essence should & shouldn't be as; these terms are used as an allegorical & paradoxical means to forward 'meaning' for Humanity, which further exemplifies generalisation & differentiation) that's an allegorical and paradoxical abstraction that goes against the very essence of what & how being a 'Human' is in its very essence of existence... the antonymous that is the superficial subject that is the abstraction of the dilemma that is 'Good' & 'Evil' - is a vague but a broad contrived spectrum that somehow Humans spewed upon a subset of 'meaning' in regards to Humanity based off this constructed dilemma that is 'Good' & 'Evil' - which in turn blurs and convolutes the world by its illogical fallacies that a subset of Humans have spewed into the Modern Ideological Dogma of an accepted standard of whatever it may tailor towards it such as the concept of 'race' - 'Morality' - 'Normality' - etc. determining on what's 'right & wrong' is once again another 'subset' of forwarding meaning via any means to indoctrinate based on prescriptive means that translate into it being descriptive by its apparent, absolute nature & the linguistic Modernism forms of indoctrination. the whole dilemma of 'Hero & Villain' is (also, once again another but MAJOR subset that's been shaped or transpired from Modernism) something that serves to give out 'meaning' as a concept, but it exemplifies the allegorical and paradoxical nature of trying to give out 'meaning' - for and against Humanity aka Human Nature or what it means to be 'Human'. it also ties into how much a group of sentient beings such as Humans can have a biased inconvenienced perspective of who to perceive, deem or determine which one is a 'Hero & Villain' based from a Ideological Dogmatic stance, such as the (everlasting) Higher set of perceived standards that gets determined in its absolute form of truth to what it should & shouldn't be ultimately & justly perceived as... so with that pointed out; all of the abstractions that I've just mentioned, fall into the measures of its superficiality regarding everything that I've just mentioned or elaborated (& not just modernism/meta-modernism) that is subjected towards to on its superficial level of presentation & the exemplification of its presence; this is a common superficial meta-modernist technique that's used in a means to transpire it's transparent/superficial determination of what it absolutely seems by justly, when that's just what it is - it's 'absolutely seems by justly' - everyone is indoctrinated to being subjected to any of these matters for being 'Human'.

[@Eilonwy95]

Walt is such a fascinating character. A classic tragic hero in many ways. He could have been a good person if not for his fatal flaw of pride which led him to villainy and ruin.

[@tinat2967]

This is probably the best Walter White analysis I’ve come across. Greatly enjoyed the video and look forward to more!

[@That_Maritimer]

This why pride is one of the 7 deadly sins

[@plebisMaximus]

And is even considered the Devil's sin. Few things are more destructive than pride.

[@arkcliref]

and that's why it is the worst of them

[@mauricesteel4995]

Pride is not just 1 of the 7 deadly, its the source of all the other 6.

[@VTdarkangel]

There is a reason why pride is called the chief of all sins. All other sins usually follow after pride.

[@DarkKing009]

Believe the sevens Samurai and the Magnificent Seven said it best: "only the farmers win" "Don't you ever say that again about your fathers, because they are not cowards! You think I'm brave because I carry a gun? Well, your fathers are much braver, because they carry responsibility! For you, your brothers, your sisters, and your mothers. And this responsibility is like a big rock that weighs a ton. It bends, and it twists them until finally, it buries them under the ground. And there's nobody who says they have to do this--they do it because they love you, and because they want to! I have never had this kind of courage. Running a farm, working like a mule every day with no guarantee what will ever come of it... This is bravery! That's why I never even started anything like that. That's why I never will."

[@jennieifanis8917]

Wow...your speech about not needing to worry about what people think of you made me evaluate my own concerns. I have a terrible habit of worrying about other's opinions; it's something I'm working on. That type of thinking is not healthy and limiting to one's joy. Thank you.

[@irystocrattakodachithatmooms]

Walt seems like another example of not getting enough cuddles as a kid and throwing his toys at everyone.

[@Kvint-kh12345]

I think you should make video on Monk (tv series) and his masculinity. Him being dysfunctional and barely capable of living day to day life, having hundreds of phobias and mental issues and being in general very weak contrasted with his ability to be the best man in the room when he needs to, for me is great example of true masculinity. Despite his very serious limitations, he's able to be a great man you can depend on in many areas of life. And that contrasted with Leland, who's masculine in more traditional sense of the word, strong, capable, virtuous and direct. I love the idea of physically and psychologically weak men to be great in times of need. It inspires more, imo, because when you look at strong character being strong, capable and masculine, you're like "well yeah, i mean, it's easy for him to be masculine", but seeing someone way worse than you at the baseline being way better in his actions gives you no excuse to blame your limitations when you fail to be virtuous. In the very beginning of the show (3rd episode, but first two being mashed together, it's really the second ep) seeing him overcoming his extreme germophopia and picking up the gun from sewage to save his assistant is really great moment that sets character up for the rest of the show. It's honestly one of the better shows out there, i know procedurals aren't everyone's cup of tea, but characters in that show are fantastic. And it's genuinely funny series.

[@Eilonwy95]

Monk is a masterpiece!

[@master_samwise]

Monk is honestly one of my favorite shows ever. It's genuinely as perfect as they come. I will have to think about that (and probably do it eventually).

[@Kvint-kh12345]

@@master_samwise great to hear!!

[@cailin5301]

It's interesting, because Monk could be very courageous and thoughtful sometimes, and other times completely petty and childish, seeing only his wants and needs and completely bulldozing Sharona.

[@Eilonwy95]

@@cailin5301 Oh definitely!! He is a good man struggling with his own selfishness. He can be very thoughtless about others preferences and focused so much on his own. He is also, “the cheapest man alive.” He cares deeply about those he loves at the end of the day and rises above his fears and selfishness for them when it counts.

[@koekiejam18]

Man i absolutely love your videos, quite recently i realised how one of my best friends shows ALOT of the same prideful (and deeply insecure) characteristics that Walt shows, Your videos are a godsend because they help me think about how i can better deal with these issues myself and form an effective support structure for my friends when it is needed.

[@sebb3301]

The ending got me giggling

[@ledgnr197gaming5]

We need a Mike Ehrmantraut vid. Interesting dude

[@theflyingkaramazovbrothers6]

A lot of people lecture others about taking the wrong lessons from Breaking Bad, and forget a few key things: 1. As a series continues, they need more development and movement. They may go down roads that were not fully visible but that doesn't negate the early depiction and presentation. Meaning that Walter White DID do this for mixed reasons at first. He did pridefully reject help, but he also NEEDS TO DO THAT FOR THE SHOW TO EXIST. Otherwise Gretchen and Elliott are cartoon villains who would absolutely put you in a place of rooting for Walter. 2. These writers know what they're doing. No, you are not supposed to (fully) root for Skyler. You ARE supposed to regret but understand why Walter let the girlfriend die (she was dragging Jesse into certain death). When they pull these late-run tricks on you to tell you how horrible someone is, that's them wanting it both ways. 3. Not everything can be understood from Christian or even Aristotelean ethics. Instead, Walter White is something of a Nietzschean declaration AGAINST what contemporary society asks for so many men. We are SUPPOSED to root for or feel a visceral thrill when Walt triumphs against the established killers and dealers and people without even the glimmer of honor and morality that Walter has. Even if the writers do not fully understand this, there is something of the hero in these characters not just because society is fallen but because we understand it is not just fallen from obvious moral degradation and decay but the effects of a slave morality itself (at least outside of its proper context).

[@Eilonwy95]

Whether or not Walt had to reject help out of pride at the beginning for the series to happen, does not mean he is right to do so. This is a character analysis of what Walter White’s fatal flaw is. Pride. This is consistent throughout the series from the beginning. Walter certainly starts more conflicted/sympathetic and goes deeper and deeper down a dark path to become truly evil. I am definitely not part of the camp that thinks he was just inherently a monster. The events and his choices caused him to give in to more and more moral depravity. Season 1 Walter white would not have let Jane die and he certainly would not have hired people to simultaneously kill all of those men in prison. Choosing vice leads us to further vice. I totally agree that the audience can cheer for Walt as he battles the likes of Gus and Tuco etc. This does not make him a true hero, but a very interesting protagonist nonetheless. I do disagree with you slightly here on that I think one can absolutely look at anything from a Christian Aristotelian perspective. You are also welcome to see the nietzschean philosophy at play as well. It is interesting to think about both world views even if only one if objectively true. Still fascinating in art. slightly unrelated question: what do you mean by “effects of slave morality itself (at least outside of its proper context)?” Thanks!

[@mellieg.7543]

As an aspiring writer, your videos have been invaluable for character creation.

[@master_samwise]

I'm glad! I have no actual training or experience in character writing to be clear. I just really enjoy a good character.

[@bplayerr1]

The man was constantly fighting off cancer, death from within... Hard to have a long term masculine outlook. It was all about now bc I won't be here later. Including self-gratification.

[@dbxniker7484]

this show always reminds me to not waste your potential or all that power of potential turns into wickedness and ego

[@OrdnanceLab]

Great video and insight.

[@GrassesOn97]

The one character who overlaps between Masculine and Badass, in my opinion, is Ed Baldwin from “For All Mankind.” On the one hand, he’s a total badass: a scientist, an Ace Pilot, and stubborn in the face of danger. But, he’s also masculine: he’s nurturing, a natural leader, and always willing to put his life on the line to save others. Yes, he is a flawed human being and made several, terrible mistakes in his life. However, he’s learned and grown from them: he’s more willing to work with and listen to others, at times letting others do dangerous stunts, and grown to accept that his life’s purpose comes from the people he loves.

[@lk_3099]

I'd love a deep dive into the failures of masculinity under the seven deadly sins.

[@FortKnoxMovies]

You’ve got a subscriber! I remember when I was a kid someone told me “Being a man meant holding the door open for others.” I always loved that metaphor. Of course it. Connects with the concept to chivalry, but it’s more than that. It’s about kindness, respect and doing the right thing. People will say being a man is about being strong, it’s about being tough, but the truth is it’s only about being as strong or as tough as you need to be to hold that door open. To stand up for what is right and care for others. That’s the mark of a real man. You can be the strongest toughest person in the world, but if you don’t care for others, if you don’t hold that door open you are not a real man.

[@Eilonwy95]

Exactly!! Strength is a great gift and responsibility. If you don’t use that strength to help others, how can that be considered masculine?

[@Callsign_Optomis]

I love how ever since the god of war video, Sam has used the god of war theme in every video 😂

[@master_samwise]

It's just SO GOOD.

[@Callsign_Optomis]

Absolutely! I’ll listen to it at the gym a lot, and also the whole soundtrack while doing school work

[@AlricTheKing]

Thanks for making these videos Master Samwise!

[@master_samwise]

You are welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@saltblood]

I bet a year from now this video is going to be like that video you told people to stop watching so much lmao

[@UpperCumberlandGamers]

Which one?

[@master_samwise]

Haha I can only hope. Either way, I’m proud of the video.

[@saltblood]

@@UpperCumberlandGamers kzbin.info/www/bejne/j566mKNqgJ6Lq7csi=tO8Q62dPpa5qg--u this one, he made a community note about it, and had a pinned comment in the vid, I dont remember in which he tells people to stop watching it but he does in a tongue in cheek way, which i find amusing

[@Gamfluent]

I feel like the most masculine Walter is isn’t at the car shop but when he defends his son he does a good,he beats teenagers up sure but atleast Walter jr can know to stand up to people, which I think leads to the end when Walter jr defends Skyler

[@balrog262]

Walter is not an Antihero, Sam. Walter is a VILLAIN PROTAGANIST.

[@Eilonwy95]

I’ve heard it both ways.

[@master_samwise]

There's a difference?

[@balrog262]

@@master_samwise Yes. Anti Hero's aren't usually evil. The Punisher, Geralt of Rivia, Sanjuro, and The Man With No Name are all anti heroes, but are still HEROES. Stannis Baratheon straddles the line between "Flawed Hero" and anti Hero. Barristan Selmy and any of the heroes in Tolkien and Lewis are just heroes. Michael Corleone, Kratos in GOW III, and Walter White are vilain protagonists since they are clearly evil. Magneto and Mister Freeze are anti vilians since they are sympathetic and have commendable goals, but use evil means to achieve them. Magneto these days has one foot or sometimes two feet in anti hero, Sam. I prefer Heroic Magneto. One who has let go of his hate and while very hard-edged, is a good man. Kratos is an antihero who went full vilian, then was redeemed went anithero again and then full hero.

[@JoseRamirez-ew7vq]

@@balrog262what about eren yeager?

[@dbelow_1556]

​@@JoseRamirez-ew7vq Eren was a hero until he stopped the rumbling

[@skoomaaddict6513]

First time watching the series we all cheered for Walt to succeed. Subsequent viewings we see him in a totally different way.

[@francismorris4115]

What you said at 7:00 reminded me of Attack on Titan and I need to recommend it because it has great content for a video and is simply a must watch. Great video and I know its a bit late but congrats on 100k subs.

[@master_samwise]

Thank you! I have watched some of AoT but yeah I need to get back into it.

[@yelsahblah3270]

I actually started this show and stopped after a few episodes because I couldn't reconcile the decision for Walter to turn down everything he needed for his family out of pride. It was just so disgusting to witness. I knew I could never find any amount of sympathy for him after that one decision so I just didn't bother.

[@sev2725]

You’re not supposed to find sympathy for him but for the people around him he damages. You missed the point

[@SaladBoi37]

Now that I think about it, Jesse was the "real protagonist" of Breaking Bad

[@master_samwise]

Like the video if you think you could take Walt in a fight.

[@That_Maritimer]

Are we talking when he's under the influence or not ( I haven't watched the just seen clips so I don't know if he isn't all there a lot of the time.)

[@Eilonwy95]

He’s usually not under the influence. It’s pretty much just the one scene, but fair question

[@lisaroper421]

Crap. I just liked, but I don't have a boom stick yet...

[@That_Maritimer]

@@Eilonwy95 thanks

[@ChristopherJames1993]

I mean, just run away from him. He ain't catching you.

[@ATRaine]

3:42 as a woman I abide by this too, this quote just now came to me at a time I needed it, thank you thank you

[@ChristopherJames1993]

Im gonna quote Count Dooku here with regards to Walt; "Twice the pride, double the fall."

[@thatguyalem]

Great vid, would love to see something solely about ego and pride and how we can incorporate it healthily in our lives, not letting it corrupt us or effect the people in our lives and our relationships with them.

[@Eilonwy95]

I guess it depends how you define it, but I’m not sure we can healthily incorporate pride into our lives. I believe we all need true humility, which is an accurate self knowledge including knowledge of one’s own worth. We all matter and have inherent dignity but we cannot let our selfishness or pride cause us to assert our will over others

[@omalleycaboose5937]

Id argue at the very end, whens hes accepted who he is, what he must do and allows Gretchen and Elliot to have thw credit for providing for his family.

[@dr.shankster]

This will really help me with my assignments I have to do for my business ethics class.

[@elliotfong8794]

When a villain or an antagonistic character gets hypocritical, try asking yourself this question "Is this on purpose? Was it how they were raised to think? Or was it because they are troubled individuals who don't know what to believe?

[@annalisasauter7935]

Yes, men should provide for their families, but when their health declines and yet they refuse help from other men, that goes against their objective and will ultimately come at the expense of their families.

[@Eilonwy95]

Absolutely agree and I believe the video does as well. I apologize if you were just making a (good) point and not arguing with the video.

[@annalisasauter7935]

@Eilonwy95 To be honest, I should get around to watching it and was just summing up what I thought of Walter's notion that "a man provides".

[@Eilonwy95]

@@annalisasauter7935 Very fair.

[@LordofCedar]

Can you do a character analysis on Guts from berserk?

[@master_samwise]

Eventually! I’ve heard good things about Beserk but haven’t gotten to it yet.

[@LordofCedar]

@@master_samwise You are the goat

[@Jfund12]

Not in any way associated with the channel. But thealmightyloli has a 21 hour video going through the Manga. The golden age arc movies are how I got into it.

[@LordofCedar]

@@Jfund12 I've seen that. They are really good!

[@ledgnr197gaming5]

I've heard there are several versions of Berserk just not sure which to watch

[@CatholicismRules]

I haven't seen the show, but is it really wrong for Walt to want his son to remember him as being a good person? That seems like a perfectly natural desire, for a father to want his son to think well of him.

[@Eilonwy95]

No it’s not wrong. It’s more clear knowing walt that pretty much everything is about his pride, so he’s only worried about how his son remembers him, not for his son’s sake, but so he can while he is alive think about how much his son should and will think of him as this great provider. He’s not worried about setting a good example. Just his ego.

[@petermj1098]

⁠@@Eilonwy95Walter getting pissed off that Walter Jr made a cancer donation site for him shows how vain he really is. People offer him legitimate help but he turns it down cause of his ego.

[@Eilonwy95]

@@petermj1098absolutely!

[@swergelflerberson4453]

Broooo this is another great vid. Can you do Joel Miller next?? Looking at him from both Last of us 1 and 2. That would be a good video

[@maad1670]

good work!

[@9566victor]

One thing I can tell, this guy is innocent. He believes in a world of virtue. Walter just decided to not accept things as a good men shoud do. Pay attention in the name of the series

[@jamesthemuchless]

Perfect ending for a great video.

[@ethanschille2203]

I don't know if you'll see this comment but I just wanted to say that I love your videos! Your camera didn't seem to be in focus for this though - It looked like the background was more in focus than you were

[@master_samwise]

Yeah it’s a work in progress. I’m bad with cameras.

[@ethanschille2203]

@@master_samwise Totally understandable! You'll get there, I just didn't know if you were aware :)

[@adamstevens4718]

I never watched breaking bad, but based on your & others praise of the show I think I'll give it a try Also thx for saying you'll check out Pantheon

[@pantherman8719]

It's really good. Would watch it all again.

[@thegregitto]

The difference between a good man and a bad man is that a good man uses his strength for others and a bad man uses his strength for himself. We are designed to be selfless. Our strength exists by nature to be compounded by fellow men and to be a shield for women and children who bear and are the future respectively.

[@MagicMan-x3g]

No a man doesn't have to to shit you base your entire principles from slave morality

[@theentity5201]

Shame that women are kind of designed to be selfish and nobody challenges them about it

[@ChristopherJames1993]

Nah not really. Men are bigger because we hunt. Men are born killers. And no we are not designed to be selfless; that's a stupid way to be. That's why we have an ego which protects us when we need it.

[@supersaiyanzero386]

Can I get a version of delete me that actually deletes me?

[@JohnCena-fd5yw]

if you want some other examples of interesting masculine traits, look at the tv show the expanse. First of all its a great show, but characters like Sadavir Errinwright, Esteban Sorrento-Gillis, Amos Burton, or James Holden all would make an interesting comparison video

[@TheAllAmericanSocialistMTR1000]

Well done.

[@ChristopherJames1993]

A person leaves a legacy because they dont have a family.

[@ninakrishnamurthy6674]

I agree with almost everything in this video, but I think you were a bit uncharitable and harsh on Walt beating up the bullies who insulted Walt, Jr. Yes, it was an extreme reaction, but was it really that different from Kratos snapping the Stranger’s neck to defend Atreus? Maybe Walt could have attempted verbal chastisement before resorting to physical violence (similar to how Kratos attempted to deescalate the situation before the Stranger forced him into a fight), but I still say defending one’s children is a worthy masculine pursuit.

[@thedancinglumberjack6471]

When will you start with Narnia? I’ll ask on every video till it happens

[@capj1347]

Bro you activated my Siri at the start I had to pause to shut her up. Was that intentional? XD

[@master_samwise]

LOL nope.

[@robertn8309]

Bro dropping Iroh quotes

[@tcgtonysamazingpulls]

Well said

[@sirdrak06]

Shout out uncle iroh

[@AbrasiousProductions]

any guy who thinks masculinity is about hurting people is less masculine than me and I'm a crossdressing weirdo.

[@detritusofseattle]

Another father figure you should analyze: Rumplestiltskin from Once Upon A Time. Very similar themes.

[@JacobDillon-ef8oe]

Master Samwise, Just wanted to say I really appreciate your content. I've watched a number of your videos already and I love the way you break down the characters and plot points with such a grounded and wise perspective. Keep it up! I have a question for you: Are you Catholic or at least Christian? I would love to know as I'm Catholic myself. You say many things that the Church would teach in their moral theology.

[@JacobDillon-ef8oe]

Also do you have a family of your own?

[@master_samwise]

Yes and yes!

[@maurac44]

@@master_samwiseI asked the same question a few months ago. I think it’s a testament to your moral and intellectual formation that your Catholicism shines through in your videos, even without explicit mentions of it. Bravo!

[@12SickOne34]

For some reason I didn't recognize the video as one of yours from the thumbnail and almost missed it. If you've changed something in your style, I'll have to get used to it.

[@master_samwise]

I try to mix things up now and again.

[@swolecapybara]

Nah bro, cutting the video right there was diabolical. 😂

[@john_titor8074]

Would be interested to hear what you think Jimmy McGill's driving vice was in Better Call Saul... Can always count on great videos here

[@plebisMaximus]

Major spoilers for Better Call Saul - It's another pretty clear cut case of pride. From the point Chuck tells him "You never mattered all that much to me", Jimmy just stops giving a shit about morals and goes fully "I'll show them all".

[@master_samwise]

I'll have to mull that one over. Jimmy's got pride (we all do), but his main vice seems to be his willingness to cut corners to get what he wants, as opposed to preserving his own ego. There's pride in that, of course, but manifested quite differently.

[@john_titor8074]

@@master_samwise Putting some more thoughts into it, I believe Jimmy's main sin is Sloth. I had always thought of sloth as laying around doing nothing, the opposite of productivity. But if you're taking shortcuts like Jimmy to avoid facing hard work, isn't that another form of sloth? With the irony being that like Saul Goodman, we put far more effort into avoiding work than we would completing it.

[@beanmeupscotty]

I would disagree that it's pride, but rather wrath that defines Jimmy. All of his lowest moments were defined by plotting against those who appeared successful-something that angered jimmy, as it was a reminder of his personal failings. He conned successful men at the bar. He was always waging war on Howard and could not stop himself even after his plots became embarrassingly villainous & unnecessary. Then there's the feuding with his brother. After Chuck shows that he doesn't trust Jimmy because of his (rightful) concerns that Jimmy never truly turned away from his conning past, he has no desire to make amends or prove him wrong, but rather target him as well. Even though Chuck has his flaws, he was right- Jimmy was not practicing law for the right reasons. He later only used the image of Saul Goodman looking out for the little man as a guise for his ultimate goal of attacking & getting revenge on those whom he hates.

[@EIZENSTEIN.]

I like seasons 1-3 of breaking bad more than seasons 4-5B because Walt is a better character in those first 3 seasons. After the end of season 3, he became too simple minded to be compelling, at that point, all he wanted was power. The only scenes we really saw a glimpse of his more complex side were in the scene where he cries to his son about the fight and before the crawl space scene with saul. Season 5A and 5B, he becomes too unbelievably "evil" (even though in the finale of season 4 he put numerous innocent lives in danger), which is a fault of the writing, where Vince kinda wanted us, the audience, to HATE walter... leave no space for nuance, making him as unlikeable as possible.

[@noiceplams2299]

Nah Walt in Season 4 and Season 5B is an incredibly nuanced and multifaceted character. He is absolutely not simple minded as he isn't motivated by power there. He has humanising moments there too. Season 5A is the only point I can agree with you on.

[@stowlicters8362]

Did Faust become evil in the end, by using evil for good?

[@amandabridget8706]

Breaking Bad is a very well made train wreck. I was torn between being transfixed and appalled. Wanted to watch and didn't want to see...

[@ninakrishnamurthy6674]

That’s a great way to put it

[@GrouchyC794]

Amazing work! I know you don’t like it but Honesty I think toxic masculinity is a perfect word this time it literally poisoned him and led to his death

[@wherethetatosat]

13:00 Being available and present.

[@ParasiteEvel]

Idk if iroh is a good comparison in that situation, as it was 3 men making fun of his son. If it was a naive little girl who was making fun of his son at that point in time I'm sure walt would've just done the same. Corrected her politely and moved on, I doubt he would've kicked a little girl. Does that make walt right? Still no, but I'm just saying it's not an accurate comparison.

[@evan12697]

eh, not sure i agree with "knocking down a dude double your size for making fun of your disabled son is bad because reasons"

[@Eilonwy95]

The reasons were needless violence. Not generally good to escalate the situation. Plus he took him down from behind.

[@evan12697]

@@Eilonwy95 he was outclassed and outnumbered, it wouldn't have been fair to begin with. And anyone stupid enough to make fun of jr in full view like that is always too stupid to be reasoned with. He'd never remember a tongue lashing and most likely just laugh it off, but he'll remember getting dropped by some old guy

[@Eilonwy95]

@@evan12697I don’t think he should have fought him head on either. But I don’t think it is moral to attack someone from behind for verbal stupidity. Those guys were idiots, but they aren’t going to learn crap from getting hit from behind either. Just going to chalk it up to getting sucker kicked. Walt’s responsibility is to help Walter learn to be a better man. Attacking people from behind and escalating a verbal situation into violence is not virtuous. It is understandable, but not the right thing.

[@evan12697]

@@Eilonwy95 I understand the logic of it but you've only got 2 cheeks to turn and Jesus himself wasn't above flipping tables to stand up for what's right.

[@Eilonwy95]

@@evan12697 I agree, but flipping tables is different than kicking someone in the back of the knee. I think it’s pretty clear Christ would not have kicked one of the Pharisees. Also, I don’t believe that we are supposed to limit the amount of times we turn the other cheek at offenses. Kind of like forgiving 70x7 is really just forgiving always. Sure Walt could call out the A hole. Not sure if it would do much good, but it would at least do less harm than resorting to violence.

[@Honeybread-ox5ho]

Salvation: repent(change your mind about sin and attitude to the way God sees it.) and trust in Jesus

[@xavierthomas5835]

Amen and amen

[@littleskeleton2899]

amen brotha

[@howardroark3736]

I don’t think masculinity or femininity are concepts entwined with virtue or morality. The words don’t have those connotations outside of religious or moralistic arguments that try to make masculinity a creation of God. This doesn’t make sense outside of a religious framework. If you look at someone like Jordan Peterson, he would point out that tyranny is an excess of masculinity, while chaos is the outcome of an excess of femininity. Neither of these things is moral in a vacuum. I think you reduce the well earned complexity of the character when you try to argue that his corruption makes him less masculine (because it’s very obviously untrue to anyone who accepts that there are some very bad people who are very masculine, like Darth Vader-a name that means Dark Father). Rather than arguing whether he’s masculine, maybe argue that he’s a bad example or a bad person or a tragic villain or something like that. Because he’s very clearly more masculine at the beginning of the series than at the end. Even the visual indicators of the show are intended to make him look more masculine, as he shifts from having his Malcolm in the Middle look to being bald (which is typically a biological indicator of high testosterone).

[@michaelman957]

Lol, solid ending joke

[@dario5178]

Nice ending

[@master_samwise]

I thought it was pretty funny mys

[@ajoliva95_vigilante_anime_86]

This is prefer to like decent masculine characters like thorfinn from vinland saga and arthur morgan from RDR2

[@o00nemesis00o]

Aristotle top Greek, and top philosopher

[@UmbraSly]

I think when some talks about someone’s masculinity it’s automatically backed with a political agenda. (Not saying that this video is) but I think if there’s anything to talk about Walter white and his downfall is his pride.

[@Eilonwy95]

That’s what the video is about.

[@weinerpalace853]

I disagree. I dont think working an extra job for a shitty boss is masculine. Bogdon was a jackass and didnt deserve Walter When he opened up to his son, that was when he was at his most masculine.

[@brendonford3838]

If you’re saying that scene is him at his most masculine you’re saying drone-like and autonomous is the essence of masculine. Pass, thanks.

[@Eilonwy95]

Autonomous is not a bad thing. It means “having the freedom to act independently” or “acting in accordance with one’s moral duty rather than desire.” Sounds like good things for men.

[@brendonford3838]

@@Eilonwy95 ya it’s a nice quality.

[@Eilonwy95]

@@brendonford3838 Agreed. Your original comment made it sound like you thought it was a negative thing. I apologize if I was just mistaken.

[@brendonford3838]

@@Eilonwy95 I feel like saying it’s the essential or peak of masculinity gives me bad vibes. It’s like if saying the epitome of femininity is patience. Great, let’s all be virtuous to overcome when everyone else is lacking. I concede your point that it’s not a bad trait, I can’t deny that, I just want something….more.

[@Eilonwy95]

@@brendonford3838 I can see that, but I don’t believe he is saying it is the peak of masculinity. He is just saying that this is Walt at his most masculine/virtuous. Walt is still far from the peak of masculinity at the beginning of the show. He is a better man than he becomes, but still not at all a paragon. The pinnacle of masculinity is not just one but all the virtues incorporated into a man’s life.

[@IkeosThelepus-jk6cc]

Aaaaah bald

[@MapleHillMunitions]

I'll agree with this because selling drugs (I'll even throw the coof jab companies in here) is not masculine and doesn't help society as a whole.

[@sanni8387]

nice

[@pipe2theface269]

anti hero?

[@havewissmart9602]

Of course this is all a analysis that fails at the main point. 'masculinity' isn't a real thing. If i attack some woman's child, she is going to kill me with a knife, no questions asked. A real man and a real woman end up doing exactly the same things. Many single fathers become nurturing and caring for their kids in the abscence of their mothers. There is not a single quality that is purely masculine or feminine. The quote 'acting virtuously is being a real man' is obviously a problem. Acting virtuously is being a real person

[@master_samwise]

If masculinity doesn't exist, why are there so many KZbin videos about it? Huh? Ever think of that?

[@havewissmart9602]

@@master_samwise then tell me what is there in a proper masculine man that is not in a woman? Or vice versa? Positive masculinity is being a protector... Uhhhh if I attack a woman's child, she will totally try to kill me. Its not relegated to a man. A man is a provider.... A woman with a job is also a provider. A woman is nurturing, caring.... Uhh my dad is more emotionally vulnerable to me than my mom or sis. My mom or sis instead use tougher love on me. My dad talks feelings, my mom talks solutions. We are sentient creatures. The moment we gained intelligence, all people on the planet become same. There are bloodthirsty women and pacifistic men. The word 'masculinity' is itself a problem because it tries to make you believe that there is an inherent difference in a man and a woman, which causes toxic masculinity.

[@havewissmart9602]

@@master_samwise I was genuinely asking

[@master_samwise]

Check out my Iroh video for an answer.

[@havewissmart9602]

@@master_samwise i have and YOU agree with me. Integrity, wisdom, authenticity, loyalty etc are, what you said, both authentic masculinity and femininity? Do you see? They are the same qualities. A good man is the same as a good woman. There is no masculinity or femininity. Those terms are what causes men to think there is a fundamental difference between men and women. That causes toxic masculinity. You agreed with me in the video. If you think more, if masculinity and femininity have the same qualities, What about non binary people and everyone who isn't cis? Do you see that you would have to create extra terms that would still have the same qualities. Do you see how meaningless the terms become? Iroh is a good man because he is a good person first. Iroh and Avatar in general does not make any distinction between femininity and masculinity. Azula, toph Katara and aang all easily subvert traditional femininity and masculinity. It is because those terms are truly meaningless

[@LucasFernandez-v9s]

This is a very good analysis of Walter White because I totally agree that his biggest sin was pride, however I disagree with your final point about how things like demanding respect and wanting power are bad. Gus Fring said it best, "a man provides" this is the entire reason why men exist and why all any man really wants is too feel respected and needed. Walter had been doing everything right his entire life and what did it get him? Teaching a bunch of idiots, working part time at a car wash just to make ends meet, a disabled son, and an ugly wife. He knows that he is meant for so much more than this considering his insanely high IQ. So given all this, I ask, can can you really blame Walter White for what he does in the show? If I was smart enough to cook the best meth in the world you bet your ass that I would be doing it.

[@Eilonwy95]

I am with you on the pride aspect of Walt. And I do agree that walt was not living up to his potential. I believe MasterSamwise states this in his video. But I disagree that providing is the whole purpose of men. Men are often excellent providers and I think this is a good thing when ordered correctly. But it is not everything. Men certainly deserve love and respect but not only based on how well they provide. They deserve it as human beings. I also take issue with you picture of Walters life when he “had been doing everything right.” Firstly, he hadn’t been doing everything right as he had clearly rejected opportunities like Gray matter (it’s implied to be due to his pride, which makes sense for him). He’s not a pinnacle of virtue at the start, just a much better man than he turns into. Second, Walter Jr. being disabled is not something that resulted from anything Walt did or didn’t do. It’s the result of birth complications and no one’s fault. I’m not really going to argue about Skylar’s looks (those are subjective) except that her character and who she becomes is much more important than if she is ugly or not.

[@Lucius_Art]

Failed as a man but became legend 🕶

[@attroenergizer8115]

but bro who would want to provide for that kind of family lets be real hahaha....wife that cheats,son that is like a bug naaah man nobody would want to provide for them

[@Eilonwy95]

What is bad about Walter Jr? He gets annoyed at his dad later when walt is being a secretive jerk. Skylar sucks. So does Walt. And honestly he does want to provide for them. Just his own way

[@BlackGeine]

You look like an airbender

[@muggs105]

indeed, a man provides.

[@vlastelinprislic286]

Dude, "not doing anything wrong" has nothing to do with masculinity. Everyone is expected to be virtuous, children, women, whomever. Everyone is expected to sacrifice something for the family, and it still doesn't make it masculine to fail so badly you are literally on your knees in front of your inferiors. You are imposing random labels to define masculinity so you could make your point which loosely translates to: abandoning your pride, your boundaries, and throwing your life away to serve is masculine. It isn't. A man doesn't simply provide, he protects, elevates, serves as a role model, leads to a better future. To be weak and humiliated is not masculine, and the fact that this point needs to be made while the seals are clapping in the comments makes me sad.

[@Eilonwy95]

He literally goes on to say that walt is not perfectly masculine at the beginning as he is not living up to his potential. All of those things you list are part of virtue. Yes we are all called to virtue. But for men that virtue is masculine and for women it’s feminine. To be humiliated for the sake of others is very masculine. The greatest example of masculinity was Himself humiliated for others.

[@vlastelinprislic286]

@@Eilonwy95 no, being humiliated for the sake of others is neither masculine nor feminine nor anything else. It could be considered virtuous depending on the context, but it has nothing to do with gender roles, and a man who was given everything to be successful but is reduced to menial labor has already failed. Also, please keep J out of this -- religion is the death of rationality.

[@Eilonwy95]

@@vlastelinprislic286 I think we need to define terms. I define masculinity as “how a man should be.” If it isn’t how he should act, then why do we tell any man to be masculine? If it’s just a set of accidental traits men tend to have without any morality attached, why care? How do you define masculinity?

[@vlastelinprislic286]

@@Eilonwy95 if a characteristic is equally applicable to people who are not men, then I don't see it as masculine. I provided some characteristics that I do see as masculine in the opening comment.

[@Eilonwy95]

@@vlastelinprislic286 Your examples are “protects, elevates, serves as a role model, leads to a better future “ if I’m not mistaken. These can easily apply to women as well. Women often protect their children, elevate others, serve as role models, and have led others to a better future.” Additionally, one can accomplish all of those things and be humiliated for the good of those they love at times. Of course women men will express them differently because they are different from men. Similarly with all virtuous qualities.

[@sitrueis4007]

Older I get, more I feel like this kind of talk is just pure BS.

[@Eilonwy95]

Why?

[@LadyOfTheEdits]

Please brushy your hair.

[@Eilonwy95]

Huh?

[@LadyOfTheEdits]

@@Eilonwy95 sorry. Typo. I meant. Please brush your hair.