Walt and Jesse: The Most Conflicting Relationship in Breaking Bad

[@Aleczandxr]

For some more informal content, you can also follow me on Twitch, where I will begin streaming soon! www.twitch.tv/Aleczandxr/

[@zero1188]

walter cared about jesse, he just cared about himself more

[@willtheprodigy3819]

Well put.

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

Himself and his family to be fair

[@andreasballe7470]

@@stevenpeeckford5999 Walt, towards the end, didn't care about his family. I think the part of Walt that truly loved his family died somewhere along the line, I don't know *where* that part of him died, but it did. Towards the end he didn't really care.

[@Exo-riah]

@@andreasballe7470 The "Heisenberg" imago didn't care about the family. So the moment that took over he stopped caring

[@sheroukyoussef7896]

Omg I literally just wrote that before I saw your comment lol

[@ahumanbeingfromtheearth1502]

It's crazy to me that jessie was meant to be killed off in season 1. I can't imagine a version of the show without him.

[@massivman5649]

Yeah it’s pretty baffling that something that happened by pure coincidence made this show one of the greatest of all time

[@lovelightstarboy]

I think without Jesse, the show would only be half of what it is now. There is not really any world where Breaking Bad is without it’s iconic duo. At least not as successfully.

[@christopher.saint.christopher]

Walt teams up with Walt Jr instead.

[@ChrizzyYeahh]

The show would have been totally different without Jesse.

[@AmericanGadfly]

Yeah no shit. It would not have been near as good

[@josephs.4813]

Arguably the best relationship in television history. I genuinely can’t tell sometimes if Walt actually cares for Jessie or if he’s just trying to use him to the very end

[@toad7395]

it definitely both

[@bobbyzamora6389]

Like the video said it's clearly both

[@sam.lipchutz]

Just like most parents with their children, it’s both

[@moonmoon4537]

@@sam.lipchutz stop deflecting

[@sam.lipchutz]

@@moonmoon4537 well it’s true

[@Ihyjayce]

Jesse has the saddest character development in the show

[@alias4795]

Fr

[@darianrose2195]

A sensitive person already, more and more just beats him down. Jesse was my favorite and I was SO HAPPY he got away in the end.

[@theguy8763]

In any show ever made*

[@Ihyjayce]

@@darianrose2195 same i love jesse 🥺

[@ramsehannema9076]

Possibly in any show ever too

[@justmyopinion79]

They loved each other. But that doesn't mean that they didn't also hate each other.

[@willtheprodigy3819]

A toxic and manipulative relationship, but a relationship, nonetheless.

[@bobbyzamora6389]

@@willtheprodigy3819 Relationships are not synonymous with love or care.

[@citizenvulpes4562]

Fun fact, the opposite of love isn't hate, the opposite of love is apathy. Because hate is showing that you care, and love is also showing you care, but apathy is not caring.

[@andrewmarkowitz6836]

Makes me think of all the times I lashed out at family members, pets even. Obviously I love them, but sometimes I just wish they leave me alone.

[@geordiejones5618]

There is truly a very fine line between thr two and easy to cross over.

[@yikeschel9977]

The victim of a narcissistic parental figure still desires the love and approval from them, and it can be damn hard to let go of.

[@yikeschel9977]

and the narcissistic parent will convince themself that they love their child, they do all the things they do because of love.

[@blokvader8283]

Felt that one, my dad was such an egotistical dickhead.

[@jxton_]

felt this so hard, my narcissistic mom really fucked me up but i still love her even though i know it's not healthy, when you have a parental figure like that, you crave the love and pride they will never have for you, and blame yourself when you never get it from them.

[@dnflrz7926]

This all makes me remember that flashback scene in el Camino where Walt talks to Jesse about what they’ll do after the make their money. He encourages Jesse to go back to college and do economics. Saying Jesse might as well teach that class. I think this is probably the only time In Jesse’s life where someone believed in him

[@uzuxmxki]

this made my heart hurt.

[@ChunLo21]

iirc it was business/marketing instead of econ because earlier in the series Jesse is the one pushing drugs

[@veermistartmkwinstagramvee7067]

That was around the peak of their relationship

[@wiseauserious8750]

Well Jesse has to get his GED first...

[@rainbowscarface2496]

@@wiseauserious8750 pfft

[@lax.dont.ask27]

You know the show is good when you can analyze a hug for 17 minutes

[@funkymonks8333]

while repeating yourself a million times lmao

[@adisismology]

​@@funkymonks8333 you must be fun at parties

[@funkymonks8333]

@@adisismology it's not that serious man

[@bobbyzamora6389]

People who think that Walt didn't care for Jesse are literally watching with their eyes closed and ears shut.

[@citizenvulpes4562]

Exactly. The opposite of love isn't hate, it's apathy. Walt is an abusive father figure who did look out for his partner. The time he hated Jesse was after Hank died, I feel if walt didn't care for jesse he wouldn't have told him so coldly about Jane, he cared about Jesse so much he knew what'd hurt him the most in that situation.

[@spacemann1425]

Walt cared for many people. His wife, Hank, his son, etc. But the only person Heisenberg cared about, other than himself was Jesse. As people often say Walt Jr was Walt's son. Jesse was Heisenberg's son.

[@bobbyzamora6389]

@@spacemann1425 Heisenberg and Walt are the same person, can we please stop with this stupid separation of the two

[@spacemann1425]

@@bobbyzamora6389 goofy ahh reply

[@bobbyzamora6389]

@@spacemann1425 Call it goofy all you want, you're wrong either way.

[@Nihoolious]

When Walt first approaches Jack and his men to kill Jesse he refers to him as family. Rewatching the show recently I noticed more moments like these that show that Walt did always care for him as a son of sorts, he was just an abusive father figure. Great analysis as always.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you.

[@thespoondangle]

The bikers also exchange a look when they hear jesse is like family to walt. aka even the nazi bikers look down on heisenberg for that

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

Yes. He refers to Jesse as family multiple times in the series

[@justmyopinion79]

@@thespoondangle The nazis were not looking down on Walt for having family. They themselves are a family, they don't think that's a weakness.

[@thespoondangle]

@@justmyopinion79 no I mean they look down on walt for being willing to kill his "family" jesse. Killing someone who is like family is something even the bikers don't approve of, and I think that's one of the reason why they betray walt later.

[@mauserketi5968]

Honestly sick of most BB discussion assuming Walt is just a complete psychopath. Great work!

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@caitlinb.9596]

Yeah… Walt is driven by pride, and is willing to commit atrocities for the sake of it. He is cruel. But he’s also a remarkably complex character, and his downfall is part of what makes BB so great!

[@nont18411]

@@caitlinb.9596 I mean, when Hank died, I felt terrible for Walt. Then he said “ i watched Jane die” which made me hated him again but then his family fell apart, which made felt really sorry for him and when Breaking Bad theme song came up in the end of Granite State, I feel nothing but goosebump. Walt is such a perfectly written character that he gave me an emotional rollercoaster.

[@陳潔明-w6y]

@@Aleczandxr Can you make an episode centering on Walt's retirement that he seemed to be willing to see through? He was determined to leave the criminal path altogether, even when Jack Welker gave him so much benefits... I believe he was genuine with that claim.

[@bobbyzamora6389]

@@陳潔明-w6y If you want to request a video you'll have to do it on Patreon

[@wareing125]

After rewatching Breaking Bad multiple times, I always get the sense that Walt has more love for Jesse than his own son.

[@j.ovinnn]

I agree

[@mmcc3454]

Makes sense, after Walter got beat the fuck up and was hiding out in his house for Jr’s birthday, Jr found him and tried to help Walter and Walter ended up calling him Jesse on accident I think. It’s kinda sad

[@chukyuniqul]

Because jesse could return his specific affections. Flynn was always too independent, too much his own person, especially with the cerebral palsy as a start and end point. Gale was too meek, he was too ready to become the second walter white , which is a big part of the reason walt didn't like him, to manipulate gale would have been no fun. But jesse? Jesse was just right. Frankly it just pulls away more layers as to how twisted walt's character really was.

[@pltekkz4957]

​@@chukyuniqulWalt jr*

[@chukyuniqul]

@@pltekkz4957 no, I don't think I will.

[@zeldaandTwink]

"You know that I love you." And despite herself, Coraline nodded. It was true. The other mother loved her. But she loved Coraline as a miser loves money, or a dragon loves its gold. In the other mother's button eyes, Coraline knew knew that the other mother loved her as a possession, nothing more, a tolerated pet whose behavior was no longer amusing"

[@Kasjan_Waligala]

Coraline quote under a Breaking Bad video. Thank you I needed this

[@Kmartsmart]

Amazing

[@scarletink2600]

So good

[@rosie6]

Fucking amazing

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

I just realized how close Jesse was to resembling Walt in terms of hair and facial hair.

[@pokekiller787x]

There isn't a single bad episode of this show. I can't believe I saw it a year and a half ago and am still in shock at how amazing it is. Truly one of the greatest tv shows ever created.

[@thedukeofchutney468]

Maybe it’s an unpopular opinion but I’d say the fly is arguably bad. I understand the subtext, it just felt ham-fisted and pointless.

[@pokekiller787x]

@@thedukeofchutney468 It was a bottle episode to save on budget. But I can't call it bad because the dialogue between jesse and walt is amazing. It's comedic in certain parts and I thoroughly enjoy it.

[@thedukeofchutney468]

@@pokekiller787x Fair enough. While I’d personally say that you can skip it and not miss much I wouldn’t say it’s terrible.

[@headieonetwo]

@@thedukeofchutney468 This is true, but we got to see how much Walt truly cared about Jesse in this episode; I think him being under the influence of the drug that Jesse placed in his drink did well to represent that Walt was being completely honest with Jesse. When he spoke about Jane, it was clear that he truly felt remorse for her death but genuinely thought it was the best thing for Jesse at the time - personally, I agree and hated jane for her influence on Jesse.

[@manvirshergill1739]

They aren't Any bad episodes I agree but the first 4-5 episodes of each season generally is quite slow which is a bit off-putting when you rewatch the series. But the pay-off is definitely worth it.

[@Kappaking-mh3zh]

Few things make me more sad than remembering the early days in the friend/partnership. Seeing the early scenes with Walt&Jesse while knowing what happens to Jesse later on really hits me. Brilliant video, I always remember Gus' words about Jesse- "Never trust a drug addict.". He was so adamant about it and we have no reason to doubt Gus. But Jesse ultimately proved Gus wrong when he killed Gale. Walt trusted him with the hardest task he would ever have to do and Jesse did it, saving Walt and Jesse's lifes. Thanks for the hard work. I love Breaking Bad and your videos.

[@EBMproductions1]

I guess cause i'm the only person to have seen potential in jesse as walt did cause i knew jesse was destined for more and walt did too even tho he didnt like it when jesse finally did achievep more weird tho that everybody didnt feel this way watching the show but then again i can read people Quite well...

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

@@EBMproductions1 Lots of people saw that Jesse could go places, you're not special.

[@kiranolan7104]

That's why it's so hard for me to watch Ozymandias. It's maybe the best episode of the whole series but it's so hard for me to watch because of what happens to Jesse as well as the family. So well acted but unbelievably heartbreaking!

[@RoxDZoro]

It's ironic because in a way Walter was a drug addict , just in a different way

[@Naahi95]

@@RoxDZoro Yep, he was addicted to power instead.

[@skullknight1465]

I thought was obvious, he truly cared and loved him, maybe it’s a toxic love, but still he loved him. Great video btw

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you.

[@misswiss278]

idk, when he said to him that he wouldnt mind him jesse ending up in an oil barrel in the mexican desert and refused to help him when he went to seee the cartel...

[@i10v3di1f5]

@@misswiss278i don't think walt meant that when he said that. I think he just said it out of anger and frustration and to hurt Jesse.

[@misswiss278]

@@i10v3di1f5 yeah but you dont say stuff like that to people that you truly love...and if you do that means you have issues..which walt for sure has haha :) but i understand what you mean:)

[@errwhattheflip]

@@misswiss278 People say that kind of stuff all the time. I know friends who have said they wouldn't care if their friend killed themself. It's a terrible thing to say but people say bad things all the time if they're pushed far enough (just in case people were curious, yes they're still friends. They moved past those immature parts of their lives). Walt is childish in his rage many times. When he said that, it's like a child getting angry and saying the first thing on their mind without thinking it through or really understanding the severity of it

[@miffedmax6775]

I believe Walt’s hug is in a way a “goodbye” to Jesse, in the sense that after this hug all bets are off, Jesse can leave or die and Walt will no longer help him (or hinder him), Walt is making Jesse an independent person basically, of course this changes in the final episode but at this stage Walt is in full Heisenberg mode and only thinking of self preservation. I don’t think Walt ever actually wanted Jesse to die, but was prepared for it to happen when Jesse went to Hank.

[@friendsfromebay3749]

almost like severing the connection they have so that he can’t kill jesse without guilt ?! omg yes

[@redhood444]

No he knew Jesse would leave. Everything Walt does is planned and it was all perfectly working until Jesse figured out the ricin

[@i10v3di1f5]

This is how I saw it too. It really felt like a “goodbye, I'm sorry” hug

[@errwhattheflip]

@@friendsfromebay3749 No? It's already been established that Walter cares about Jesse. Walt wouldn't hug him just so that he can kill him and not feel anything even though he tries that and still feels regret later

[@nanie_czka123]

Maybe that's what he "intended" but it certainly wasn't the case, as after many unanswered calls, he still wants to meet with him, alone, in a public place, to convince him. He only ever stops with that after learning that Jesse betrayed him. God these two make me insane (in a good way)

[@romeodahl1283]

Man, I never realized he said "that's good, Jessie" when Junior turned off the light.

[@thewolfmanhulk2927]

It is ironic Jesse never met Flynn, I think the two would have been decent friends. The two sons negatively impacted by Walter white. It’s clear Jesse when he met skyler for dinner he did show care for the family. It is so telling of how Walter ruined his family and Jesse, his other family

[@yeliberryy]

i thought this too. i thought flynn and jesse would have connected and ultimately became friends. had that happenened i wonder if what happened between jesse and walt, could have somehow changed

[@bigc181]

I think Skinny Pete and Huel were the team we always needed, but never got

[@OmniversalInsect]

I've heard someone describe them as being two sides of the same coin, the son of heisenberg and the son of Walter white. The two sides can't meet.

[@esmeehabraken]

I actually think they wouldn’t, their backgrounds are so vastly different, I don’t think it would match

[@bajorekjon]

Jesse and Flynn would have lit a joint in the garage, and Skyler would have called Hank and the DEA

[@rambutan_lychee9255]

I wish I could erase my memories just to experience this masterpiece again

[@wattsnottaken1]

Re watch it once a year! It’s so worth it. Works everytime for me. There’s so much stuff to unpack in this show that you can’t remember all of it otherwise it would overload your memory. That’s why i re watch once a year

[@benjaminmooney4376]

Same. I first watched it when I was too young to appreciate it's greatness

[@hoikatz]

Just finished it and I’m so sad I’ll never get to watch it for the first time again

[@davidmb1595]

I actually don't. Don't get me wrong, watching it for the first time is an amazing experience, but I prefer to re-watch it, as I believe that you can appreciate it better without the thrill of the unstoppable landslide of emotion it creates when you don't know what is going to happen.

[@vincenzobonadonna4556]

Same

[@kari_koo]

i’ve never felt more heartbroken for a character than jesse pinkman

[@HoboHunterRik]

I think another part of their relationship that goes under the radar was the budding relationship during Jesse's high-school days. Slacker kid getting under the skin of the slacker teacher usually ends up with a good relationship between teacher and student. Walt legitimately sees himself in Jesse at that time. Someone who felt they were too good to be in high-school chemistry

[@Gunplabro]

Walt was anything but a Slacker Teacher imo. He wasn't an enthusiastic teacher, but he obviously tried to be an engaging teacher. One thing I never understood is how the fuck is Walter not teaching at any Ivy League university. Seriously. That is the biggest plothole in the whole show. Sure he had a kid, but seriously he is this brilliant scientist, surely he could have gotten a job teaching anywhere. Even a trade school/4 year college would have set him up nicer than high school.

[@redhood444]

@@Gunplabro biggest plot hole is no other company offering Walt a job you can’t tell me Walt couldn’t have found another company to work for

[@Gunplabro]

@@slizzysluzzer That is an interesting take. I never looked at it from that angle. It doesn't change the fact that it's a plot hole. Even at a 4 year college it would have put him in a similar circle as his high school job, let's be real here. College is just adult daycare.

[@TheGillenium]

@@Gunplabro it’s not a plot hole, it confirms that what the OP said is exactly correct. He’s a lowly high school chemistry teacher because that’s where he chooses to be. He’s a slacker teacher, no other excuse. Just because he was smart enough to not be there doesn’t mean he possessed the drive to do something about it. Walt had the general beta male victim mentality that permeates society today. When he broke bad, he became a true man of conviction. And he admits it all to Skyler at the end. It’s as simple as that.

[@thequestbro]

@@TheGillenium He's not a slacker teacher at all, he taught Jesse advanced college level chemistry in less than 2 years.

[@IAmTheDoctor00]

It made me almost cry when Jesse yelled about being worked and then Walt hugs him and he crumbles into it.

[@FrMZTsarmiral]

One of the things I liked the most about BB. The relationship between Walter and Jesse is a very honest and realistic look at how an abusive/toxic relationship works. Rather than being just a "victim who only wants the approval of the abuser" + "manipulator that doesn't actually care for the victim" deal, you have so many emotions going on here with Walter being both like a mentor and a father figure to Jesse whose positive emotions end up being suffocated by his greed and ego that by the end of the series only manages to resurface in very few moments.

[@user-ti2ph6qb1y]

I think it’s interesting that despite the overwhelming negatives and traumas of their relationship, their relationship was the strongest bond that either of them ever experienced in their life. They saw and understood each other better than anyone ever had. No one ever saw Walt for who he was, the docile high school teacher, and vice versa for Jesse, the immature stoner. That’s why they find it hard to move on and hard to forget.

[@char13]

yessss I was thinking the same thing

[@sucraloss]

I see it as Walt being somewhat of a narcissist, but narcissists can still love, just never as much as they love themselves.

[@callinater6133]

Walt’s definitely not a narcissist. That’s something hereditary by nature. While Walt always had a massive ego, he was once more mild mannered and friendly. Not exactly a trait you’d see from a narcissist.

[@callinater6133]

@@Spite_Fire I’m tired of people constantly taking the nuance out of his character by just saying he was evil from the start. The entire point of the show is a chemical metaphor: the study of change.

[@freddiepizerhall7559]

@@callinater6133narcissists can definitely be mild mannered

[@TD0150]

I'd love to see a similar essay about the relationship between Jimmy and Kim in Better Call Saul, one of the only relationships that I think comes close to the compelling complexity of Walt and Jesse.

[@phongbui855]

lets wait till the series ends

[@20tetsuo77]

that, and jimmy and chuck tbh

[@yrlo6308]

nah that relationship is quite easy, 2 friends, 2 mindsets, same goals who grew to love eachother

[@GodLandon]

@@yrlo6308 if you believe it to be that simple then I implore you to take another rewatch or to read around. There is a lot more than meets the eye going on with these two character’s relationship.

[@nont18411]

@@yrlo6308 There are a lot more to Jimmy and Kim relationship though. - Kim’s mommy issue and her codependency with Jimmy. - Kim’s mysterious past and the absence of her father. - Jimmy’s anti-establishment sentiment and his conflicting perspective towards Kim. - Jimmy’s “idea” of Kim being an infallible angel that could be proven wrong. - Kim challenging the role the society put upon her. - Kim’s dark side. - Kim’s absent during Breaking Bad. - Jimmy’s strange behavior during Breaking Bad. - A possible connection between Kim and Ed and the reason why Ed chose Nebraska for Jimmy. - Jimmy’s redemption.

[@kevinmathew8531]

When I was watching Bojack horseman, the relationship between Bojack and Todd reminded me so much of Walt and Jesse's relationship. (Also because Aaron Paul was the voice actor of Todd)

[@EBMproductions1]

I disagree cause bojacks more flawed in my opinion then even walt and todd unlike jesse flourished much faster then jesse, jesse took a while before reaching new heights in his life and then also unlike jesse todd wasnt naive in what bojack was and thus he seperated himself from him jesse didnt even after gus and mikes many many warnings and also Todd forgave bojack but never trusted him again jesse did again due to his naivity sad as hell tho cause jesse deserved more...

[@kevinmathew8531]

Yeah you are right. I was really happy when Todd realised how bad his relationship with Bojack was and how he matured overall and ended up having a decent normal life. I didn't want his character to end up suffering like Jesse and thankfully the show didn't do that.

[@EBMproductions1]

@@kevinmathew8531 exactly and it fits todd better then jesse cause unlike todd jesse thought walt regardless would be good for him ir atleast be a tool to get a goodlife meanwhile walt was his kryptonite...

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

Would you recommend Bojack? This sounds promising if they have a relationship similar to Jesse/Walt

[@benjammin8919]

@@stevenpeeckford5999 it’s an incredible show, but be prepared for some of the most depressing TV you’ll ever see. Also, the first half of season 1 is the weakest part of the whole show, so don’t give up on it until you finish the 1st season at least.

[@-whiskey-4134]

Walt was simultaneously kind, caring, loving, selfish, stubborn, ruthless, intelligent yet ignorant…dude had like 6 personalities depending on what lie he’s trying to stick to.

[@michaelroy6630]

Totally agree with your point about how Walt's lack of verbal response is really a confirmation of what Jesse says. It's similar to S3 E1 when Skyler confronts Walt about being a drug dealer and, after first protesting it, he becomes silent as she asks which drug he deals, until he finally admits "methamphetamine". He never actually admits to lying, he just suddenly switches to acting as if he had been telling the truth the whole time.

[@pinkraven4402]

It's an extremely complex relationship but it's absolutely clear that Walt loved and cared for Jesse. In the scene when he run over the 2 drugs dealers he had absolutely nothing to gain, only trouble and potentially death from Gus. This was purely an act to save Jesse. Also the crying and genuine regret in the Fly episode is absolutely evident.

[@thecowboy9698]

You should do a video about Mike and Jesse's relationship, and draw comparisons between their relationship, and the one that existed between Walt and Jesse. As for Jesse, his was really a coming of age, story. We so go from the care-free kid in the beginning, to a jaded adult at the end.

[@dobrilabijelic1631]

I'd like the Mike -Nacho and Mike-Jesse relationships compared and analysed.

[@leighanne709]

@@dobrilabijelic1631 Yes, this! Especially in relation to how Mike feels like he failed his own son.

[@i10v3di1f5]

Walt loved and cared for Jesse in his own way. I think mostly because he saw him as an instrument to further his own agenda. Part of the reason why he cared so much is because Jesse had something to offer Walt. But Mike cared for Jesse’s wellbeing, and not because he had something of offer him, but because he genuinely cared. Mike’s care for Jesse was pure and not tainted by greed and ego, unlike Walt.

[@thecowboy9698]

@@i10v3di1f5 - The way you described how Mike cared for Jesse and why was frankly quite beautiful. And 100-percent accurate. Mike tried to encourage Jesse to think for himself, and not blindly follow what someone told him, say as in a child might follow their parent's direction. I think one of the things we're seeing here, if you will, is two different parenting styles, and let me explain: Walt's son, Walter Jr, was challenged, and would always need help, and I think therefore Walt took on a more "controlling" approach; and I'm not sure if that's the right way to say it, in how he dealt with his son because of his disability, and transfered that pattern of behavior onto how he dealt with Jesse, in a way. I'm not saying he didn't deliberately manipulate the poor kid on more than one occasion, but the he did go to bat for Jesse several times, like killing Gus's drug dealers before Jesse got himself killed by getting into a shootout with them for killing a kid, and pleading for Jesse's life as well as his own in the episode "Box Cutter," so in that respect yes, in a way Walt did care for Jesse. Mike's son Mattie was not disabled in any way, but seems to have been a highly gifted, yet idealistic and perhaps a somewhat naive individual. Mike would never have to take such an approach and knew his son would ultimately have to make his own way in life, but tried to steer his son in what he felt to be the right direction, and we definitely see that same behavior in his interactions with Jesse. Mike was a student of human nature, and a man of few words. He knew guys like Walt were loose cannons, and knew what ultimately happens when you stay in association with such men, and that's why he tried to help Jesse see what Walt truly was, a power-hungry egomaniac, and to help him get away while he, Jesse, still could.

[@jellybeanmutt3228]

this video is SO good dude. Walters and Jesses relationship is one of my favorite things about brba , and you made wonderful points glad im not the only one crazy about the hug lol

[@onemoreminute0543]

Walt definitely cared for Jesse in his own sick, twisted way. He'd come to view him as a second son of sorts, the son he always wanted. It's important to note that at the start of the show Walt Jr was more attached to Hank as a father figure than Walt himself, and turned on Walt the moment he found out his uncle was dead. I'd argue that Walt had a much more intimate connection with Jesse as his 'son' than his real son. In 'Salud', Walt Jr helps his father to bed and the latter mistakenly refers to him as 'Jesse'. Walt was in absolute shambles during that episode following the fight with Jesse and felt deeply responsible for losing his surrogate son to Gus and Mike. It's arguably one of the most revealing moments about how deeply Walt feels for his partner. Jesse is Walt's attempt at being a more masculine father who's directly involved in his 'son's' life. I think Walt's relationship with Jesse is what caused him to partly kill Mike. Mike was a rival father figure who took Jesse under his wing, and Walt felt that threatened his masculinity and power, and so in that moment of frustration shot him. It's why Walt was willing to try and talk to Jesse even when he knew he was out to kill him during the lead up to 'Ozymandias'. Their relationship completely tanks when Hank arrests Walt with Jesse's help, almost as if Walts pathetic little fantasy about Jesse being a loyal criminal son has been shattered. That's the moment when Walts love turns into hate- he realizes he's been betrayed by his own son

[@earnem4175]

Todd cared for him in a twisted way, like a slave accessory. Walt cared for him in a twisted way, he was a student to him, and a liability, but he was still his student. His parents cared for him, but saw him as a waste of time, and a failure. His Aunt actually loved him

[@cyberas3840]

Just finished breaking bad so this was nice to see afterwards. Honestly I always felt like Walter always cared about Jesse but still valued other things like himself more. Felt like an abusive relationship really. Walter greatly cared but also used Jesse for his own purposes. Granted Jesse wasnt perfect either. Anyhow great video! Breaking Bad was a pretty good show.

[@wattsnottaken1]

I re watch BB and BCS once a year. It so worth it. Very re watchable. Such amazing tv shows. Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould are the best

[@lovelightstarboy]

It was certainly an abusive relationship to the max. Walter was a pseudo father figure to Jesse, but he was an abusive father. I remember in earlier seasons when Walter would blow up on Jesse and yell at him about being an idiot, unable to do anything right, etc, and I would be triggered because it reminded me so much of my own abusive father yelling at me. Overall it reeks of toxicity, even if Walter cared about him, he hurt him greatly.

[@vsf_dave811]

Walt and Jesse helped each other realize each of their true potentials while also destroying both of their lives in the process. Really fascinating concept for a relationship.

[@blakedevitt6948]

Jesse is the only "loose end" Walt wouldnt kill until Jesse took it too far and made it clear that he wouldnt stop until 1 or both of them were dead.

[@popcornastoria]

I loved the commentary on "the hug", both on the DVD extras and the insider podcast. aaron said there were a few takes done, one where he kind of tries to push away from walt before submitting, and one where he doesn't, etc. i don't have the exact quote but he said that he thought jesse he was even MORE terrified of walt after the hug. not sure if it was aaron or another member of the crew/cast, but someone also mentioned how creepy it was of walt. and the thing is? that doesn't even contradict anything said in this video. it's a complicated, very codependent, unhealthy, abusive relationship, a lot of the turmoil and intrigue of it coming from, NOT in spite of, the fact that Walt loves Jesse. brr.

[@thetruth830]

what episode of the insider podcast was that? i’d love to listen

[@joeyh2237]

4:00 I 100% agree with you. The moment Jesse gave Walt that watch on his birthday I knew Walt would never forget that.

[@FREAKYfridays136]

there’s definitely co-dependency in their relationship. Jesse validates Walt’s dark heisenberg side, while Walt validates Jesse’s feelings cuz his own real parents couldn’t

[@glo0py22]

I feel that, by Felina, Walt had the kick up the backside he needed to realise his original purpose but using the status and mindset he developed through being a "hardened criminal" to his advantage, saving Jesse, ensuring his family's legal security and dying as he knows he is his own worst enemy

[@vanillacrash2584]

14:09 Hey, Octopath Traveler music! Great breakdown btw. It’s so sad to hear in El Camino when Jesse is talking to Ed how desperately he wishes he would have gotten in that van. So much would have changed.

[@fuducker2]

Glad someone else picked up on the music!

[@jessicajessica3880]

So we can't say whether Jesse is Walt's son, but definitely Heisenberg's. Toxic father-son relationship, yes, care inextricably intertwines with control.

[@ekortsec]

Hugging someone can also be used as a way to avoid having to look that person in the eye if you have something to hide from them

[@Christopher-ms5ke]

Maybe, but in the context of the scene I don’t see that imho.

[@tommyvercetti891]

Not valid in this case

[@dorkbrandon4422]

No in this case Walt just wanted to get it on with Jesse and do some cheek slapping right out there in the desert

[@thepredman9lol266]

The thing i always loved about their relationship throughout the series is that the answer to 'does walt care about jesse' has a million different answers. Made watching their relationship grow and develop for the first time such a treat, and made subsequent rewatches and analysis like this evergreen and immensely deep.

[@millabasset1710]

They had a father-son like relationship before Gail died, everything after that, their relationship deteriorated.

[@kennethtumines2447]

Havent watched full yet but I always thought that Jesse's important to Walt because there's noone else appreciate and understands Walts talent in this line of work. He sometimes treats him as his son because He's the only one he can talk about what he does and genuinely appreciates him.

[@clintparsons3989]

He treated him like shit since day 1, took away everything he loved and is responsible for inevitable PTSD.

[@oktopusmann]

I love it how this kind of shows can teach us so much about how humans conflicting behavior

[@phyrr2]

Human relationships are often more complicated and multi-faceted than we like to admit. Honestly, it's because of our most inner fears of our darker sides that we choose to view such relationships as being wholly one way or the other. Truthfully, they are a multitude of the grey area in between. You can love someone you intend to use - both less more so than that intention. We can feel, even wish harm upon our most loved ones, while also wishing them the best. Perhaps many would say it's the darker tone that takes the lead but some people while wishing two seemingly "opposing" desires upon someone, often wish for the greater intent for the other person. Even if to the detriment of their inner most desires. This fear is what makes most shows so 1-dimensional in both characters and relationships that are illustrated. It's also the reason why people love Breaking Bad so very much. Because in the shows where there is no inherently purely good or evil intentioned character, all characters become relatable. Because they are human. Confusing actual situations with our idealistic desires both insults and dilutes them as well as prevents their potential for something even greater. Interview a dozen married couples of 20+ years and you'll get all the answers you need to understand this multitude. And that's just one example.

[@АлександрЗибик-ь5с]

True.

[@citizenvulpes4562]

The opposite of love isn't hate, it's apathy. Hearing that fact changed my life.

[@nj_jocelyn]

Since I started the show, I remember saying, “everyone needs to hug more”. Like I would say in scenes when the tension would defuse if a hug was given. Then, that hug happened and I audibly gasped. I have a screenshot on my computer of it. I’m planning on framing it for my wall lol. It’s one of my favorite parts of the show.

[@jostua8085]

Whenever you upload I know it's gonna be a great time.

[@annikaheydl7342]

Man I just wanna give Jesse a hug, he deserved so much better

[@masterzombie161]

Funny thing is that Skyler and Hank out of all people was totally fine, and insistent on Walter killing Jesse, yet Walter decided against it. Both just wanted to get what they wanted, and Walt just wanted to repair the damage he has done. Keep in mind that Walter wanted to turn himself in, Skyler pushed him back into it saying “we’ve come this far.”

[@20tetsuo77]

He didn't want to turn himself in when she said that, he wanted to avoid killing Jesse. "we've come this far... what's one more?" Skylar always wanted Walt to go to the police when the opportunity arised. Walt would never turn himself in lol

[@citizenvulpes4562]

No that was sky trying to push walt to kill Jesse.

[@redhood444]

Walt would never turn himself in because that would be the end of the fun he was having he told skylar the truth that he did it for himself. Skylar saying to kill Jessie was while fucked up one of the only options left due to how far Walt had gone

[@FreshZCORD]

@@redhood444 walt offered to turn himself in, in the bathroom though.

[@FreshZCORD]

@@20tetsuo77 quite literally in the episode were walt collapses in the bathroom in s5, he offers to turn himself in

[@alexpender6317]

I grew up on and off the streets, and I think the reason (well, one of many) that Jesse as a character as well as his relationship to Walt is so gripping to me is because it's...I mean unfortunately it's a relationship that happens all too often. In Jesse I see myself, and so many other street kids I grew up with, many of them now dead. For a screen relationship, it's unique and complex and incredibly well-executed, but in real life this type of thing is standard out there. You get these runaway kids, right? Usually from damaged homes. A lot of them have no idea what a healthy dynamic looks like; the concept of not experiencing abuse is foreign to them. We expect it, it's comfortable, and a lot of times we don't even realize it's abuse because to us it's just...life. We grew up too fast, so we're like, hyper-mature and independent, but due to the emotionally stunting effects of a broken childhood, we're also still kinda scared little kids. Like, a scared five-year-old who just wants to be loved and wanted, plus the real-life knowledge and independence that most middle aged people never achieve, all while being stuck in the body of like, a teenager or a young adult. So you end up on the streets one way or another, run away or get kicked out or age outta care, and really you're fighting for survival. You're tough, you're chill, you're good shit, you're not to be fucked with. You don't get scared on the streets because you can't. You can't be afraid or cry or whatever cause people will pry that crack open. But deep down you're a fucking shattered little kid who just wants to be held. Sooner or later, someone comes along, takes you under their wing, gives you an opportunity, whether it be gang shit or running drugs or sex work or whatever. You a) need to survive somehow, and b) are desperate for the validation and approval and care you never got at home (whatever the fuck home is, amirite?). These kinds of "street parents" are a mixed bag. Some really do care for you as best they can given their own, usually fucked up circumstances, and it's dysfunctional but caring, and while not perfect , their hearts are in the right place. Others though, well, they're like Walt. And I think the most awful part about it is that they KNOW exactly how they're exploiting you. They use you as a disposable pawn, someone who gets arrested or beat up instead of them, someone who does the dirty work and takes the fall. And like, we kinda know that. We're not stupid. But that scared little kid inside? That kid is so so desperate to just have someone, anyone, who even sort of gives a shit about them, and even if we kinda know we're being used, the older adult will give us *just enough* that we stay hooked. And when you're so desperate, you believe what you want to believe. It's easy to lie to someone who really, really fucking wants to believe what you're telling them. So you know you're being fucked over, but just when you're about to say fuck this I'm done, the older adult will say something like, "you know what, you're like the son I never had," or they'll give you this iconic Walter White hug and you break down cause you realize like, what the fuck else am I gonna do? Who else do I have? Certainly is a fascinating and complex dynamic, on or off screen, and Cranston and Paul execute it brilliantly. So brilliantly that it kinda hurts me to watch it. Wish it wasn't so real.

[@JoeMcKenzie888]

My heart broke reading this. Good analysis, dude.

[@ariadneschild8460]

I think you totally nailed their dynamic Alex!

[@bell581]

Sweetie.... can you voice note this to me?

[@lexiferenczy9695]

"I would always choose my family and my power over you. I just love them more. But mind you, I love you too, but just not as much." I find it funny, how seemingly most people would think that you either love someone 100% or 0% but nothing in between. Often it's a hierarchy and grey zones instead of black/ white. But it hurts a bit because humans don't like cognitive dissonance all that much. Maybe you can train to like and use it though.

[@Civilized-Joke]

A lot of people can't handle nuance or grey areas. To them the world is black and white. The longer I live the more I realize everything tends to fall on spectrums or even crazier divisions.

[@bighex5340]

This whole video was an analysis of a single hug and it's relevance to the entire series... This is why breaking bad is a masterpiece, but also why Alex is a genius 😂

[@Caldera01]

It's almost like everybody forgot what their relationship was and to a degree, still is. Walt was Jesse's teacher and now sort of mentor. That hug can easily be seen as Walt seeing Jesse "graduate". Like Walt was proud of Jesse as a teacher and a mentor to see him figure and understand everything on his own.

[@davidmb1595]

This is one of the best videos explaining the relationship between Jesse and Walter. And sadly I believe this is how actual toxic relations happen in real life. Abusers usually actually do love and like their victims, but they are evil and they can't help hurting them, sometimes they don't even realize they are causing them damage. Walter is evil and is undoubtedly an abuser, but he can't see himself as such, because he truly loves Jesse. This is a very common thing in toxic relationships, that's why it is so hard for victims to leave their abuser, because they know that the abuser actually loves them, he just can't help hurting them

[@maybelater4600]

the fact that you could talk about nothing more than a hug for 10 whole minutes straight without running out of things to analyze is the perfect example of why this show is perfect, and it is exactly what vince wanted.

[@errwhattheflip]

Walter objectively did care about Jesse. Better Call Saul makes this extremely clear in the rare flashbacks we get of Walt. In a conversation of Walt's and Jimmy's regrets, Walt hesitates, looks at the watch Jesse gave him, and then talks about something else. Walter regretted his decisions towards Jesse and truly did care about him despite his horrible treatment of him I find this to be one of the best character dynamics I've ever seen in my life. Brilliance all around

[@mynameisreza1]

What I love about this show is how its nuances inspires the fans to write deeply thought out pieces that end up revealing relevant truths about the human experience that we will all end up inevitably facing. Great video.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you!

[@voxomnes9537]

Like what truths?

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

@@voxomnes9537 An easy one is that hating someone and wanting to hurt them does not mean that you don't also care for them. It's a difficult complexity that people would rather not admit because we don't like to think that terrible acts can come from people capable of compassion.

[@mynameisreza1]

@@voxomnes9537 I dunno I think this video did a great job exploring how being so pressed for time by a death sentence made Walt act against the interests of people he held genuine emotion for. The lesson I derive is to not avoid important shit that needs to be dealt with until the last minute.

[@hadria-edgezreplika3514]

These two relationship made me genuinely cry, even though all the undescribable awful reasons and things, It's still a ride worth taking.

[@pinkraven4402]

Walter really loves Jesse in a fatherly yet very pathological way, their relationship is absolutely fascinating

[@GhostStealth590]

It's honestly tragic. When diving into a character this real and complex, it's common for people to just write him off as "oh he's just using Jesse".... I feel it definitely goes deeper than that. I feel Walt very much cares for Jesse, despite their experiences with Gus, Tuco, and Mike. He uses Jesse, emotionally manipulates him, and plays games with his mind. In the end though, despite how fucked up it is, he wants Jesse with him. In the end of Season 5, that care is still there, however, Walt is still attempting to look out for himself without further bloodshed, so he gives Jesse the out and talking with him. In my mind, the hug is genuine in a messed up sense. Yes, it's there to emotionally manipulate Jesse, but at the same time, it was genuine for Walt.

[@abnormallynormal8823]

Jessie is one of the best characters to ever be written

[@jasondyrkacz8270]

Jesse was supposed to killed off after the first season.

[@PoetryAndTofu]

You have easily the best character analyses. I watch a hell of a lot of those and yours are easily the most well thought out and well articulated. 👌🏼 Keep up the good work.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks very much!

[@Gdub33]

Walt definitely cared about Jesse. He was a son figure to him. He even accidentally called his own son Jesse when he was passing out drunk.

[@reiinon]

something i've not really seen floated around as a term concerning walt and jesse is "trauma bonding".

[@MTC-hy6ig]

I like how walt and jesse are seen as best friends in like memes and promotions but in the actual show they're at eachothers necks every other episode

[@karthiktadepalli7560]

SO EXCITED FOR NEW ALECZANDXR VIDEO

[@ThatJustMatt]

Great breakdown! Individually I always liked to think that Walt was a bad guy pretending to be good and Jesse was a good guy pretending to be bad. I personally always felt bad for Jesse, even though he's made all the wrong choices to put himself in the wrong situations. He just never grew up, and was constantly taken advantage of. I think all that he went through was hell enough to repay his terrible choices, and him making it out by the end of El Camino was essential to see, just as much as Walt dying.

[@madhumita4377]

Trying to define jeese and walts relationship is like me trying to define my relationship with my dad..... I will never know whether he loves me or is ashamed of me and just spawned me out of his selfish need to continue the bloodline.

[@bungbananaman]

Even in the end. Even when both men have practically no wills to go on living. Neither can bring themselves to shoot the other. After everything they've been through, they still care for each other.

[@michaelsnow3536]

I think if you asked Bryan Cranston, he would 100% say that Jesse was a son to Walt, or maybe to 'Heisenberg'. But considering Walt's last act was to save Jesse's life, there was definitely a genuine love and care there, somewhere.

[@Watch415]

I was convinced he loved Jesse as a son when he called his own son Jesse.

[@GUILLE832]

I'm sorry for obviating the rich content of this video with my comment, but I just have to insist on what a wonderful voice you have. Your clear enunciation and sincere intonation really carries through, and it is all around a pleasure to listen to.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you very much! That’s very nice to hear.

[@CharlesVanNoland]

I always felt like maybe Walt isn't even aware of half his manipulations like he's fooling himself too.

[@timschmidt6741]

I have recently started rewatching the show with my mother and I got chills watching certain scenes because I remembered what happens later. My mother also was hooked from the start.

[@tomashernandez3076]

There is an ALARMING amount of romantic tension in that thumbnail

[@GimmeJimmy23]

The way you explained Jesse needing comfort from Walt, despite Walt's terrible actions, totally reminded me of a moment from my childhood. I only ever remember my mom spanking my younger sister once, my entire childhood. When it happened, my sister, three years old at the time, burst into tears and began to pivot in place with her arms out, looking for someone to hug. When she had completed a 360 degree rotation, she found herself back at our mom, and had to instantly reconcile in her head that the person who hurt her, was also the person who loved her most, in the world. They then hugged, of course. 😅

[@Sursion]

Well, that's disturbing

[@smurfette_blues7922]

Their relationship reminds me of the relationships found in paul thomas anderson films. People inexplicably bonded together, with a constantly fluid dynamic. Oscillating between being paternal, professional and even romantic. Great stuff.

[@AriaMohtadiHaghighi]

You´re right about Walt's fatherly feelings for Jesse; after all, he ran over Gus dealers. And even Hank in the final season concludes that Walt is willing to go through all the lies to convince Jesse that it wasn't him who poisoned Brock or sent Mike to Belize, just so Jesse wouldn't hate him.

[@Astral_Incarnate]

I feel so bad for jesse man. Ya he wasnt exactly a saint but he was just a kid who wore his heart on his sleeve and always did his best to obey his own moral compass and basically at every moment in the show someone is trying their damndest to tear him down. His escape was so earned

[@Zebwak]

When Walt hugs Jesse in that scene, he doesn't realize that he is the cause of Jesse's pain. Walt genuinely believes that his actions have always in Jesse's best interest, and that Jesse just needs to realize Walt is right and looking out for him. In El Camino, Walt says that Jesse is lucky to not have had to wait his whole life to accomplish something great. Walt has no idea he is Jesse's abuser.

[@JoeMcKenzie888]

sounds like my dad lol

[@stinkend6897]

the most telling thing about their relationship is that during the buildup to the finale they are both actively trying to kill each other but when they both finally get the chance, neither do

[@HalfEatenMedia]

In a life of crime there is no one more valuable than the loyalty of someone you can trust. There was no one Walter could trust more than Jesse. Jesse and Walt went through terrible things together that they could never tell anyone about. That brought them closer.

[@PHB_Hutselen]

i love these two characters so much, man. great vid !

[@thegent8916]

Should've just rode go-karts with the kid, Walter. Problem solved.

[@chameleon1015]

What hurts is looking back at every time Walter vouched, defended, and supported Jesse, and pitting those moments against every single other moment that he's manipulated, gaslighted, or emotionally abused Jesse. I completely understand Jesse's conflicted emotions toward Walt. Walter is great when he is kind, when he's trying to provide advice, and when he shows that he cares, but looking at all of that greatness and also seeing a being full of malice, rage, and intellect, it makes it hard to know how to feel, and it makes it hurt to try and pull yourself away from that.

[@henriklarssen1331]

I still hope that there will be a Series that took me on such a wild ride like Breaking Bad, The Wire or Deadwood.

[@balabanasireti]

The Sopranos

[@EBMproductions1]

I know this will be annoying to say but try Squid game just get up to episode 6 the first 3 episodes drag a bit but its worth it "gangbu" changes everything...

[@henriklarssen1331]

@@EBMproductions1 Damn i already forgot about SG, no as always you can bet on Korea (My favorite Movie is Oldboy). Its just not as long as the other Series. I love Firefly but its also unfinished so i cant realy put it up high. But true SG was my favorite Movie/Series from 2021.

[@henriklarssen1331]

@@balabanasireti This may sound stupid, but i cant stand the Italian Mafia settings. Maybe some day i will give it another try, i only hear good things about it. But th Setting kills the whole Show for me, maybe a bit unfair.

[@EBMproductions1]

@@henriklarssen1331 yes rewatched n analyzed Ganbu and understood that they wrote the first episodes slow so that Ganbu could have depth and it was nuts how well they got the job done S2 is gonna be good.

[@alexstar7973]

So glad there are still videos coming out about this show goddam thank you

[@LilliamSlasher]

jesse has no self love or self respect (I blame his parents for that). when you don't love yourself, you gravitate towards destructive things and destructive people that cause you pain, cause you feel you deserve that pain. jesse is a masochist. he gravitates towards walter cause walt is a sadist. the most twisted thing about toxic relationships is this: the victim is not just 'putting up' with the abuse, the victim CRAVES for the abuse as much as they crave for the little moments of approval. the sadist uses both the carrot and the stick. the victim wants the carrot, but feels like they only deserve the stick, so in a twisted way they want both. is only when jesse learns to love himself, that he can get away from destructive/abusive things.

[@rubenhinze7695]

I think this is something most people don't understand about toxic relationships: there's so much more depth and complxity to it than "The narcissist is evil and the victim is a sad little bunny who was missing something in their lives and could only find it in this one toxic person.". While that is true to an extent, it's extremey reductive, and its the complexity of the reationship that often traps the victim and the conflict between what the reationship means to them and what it means to everyone else that tears them apart.

[@Tali-De]

I do believe Walter cared about Jesse, but caring doesn’t make you any less of an abuser.

[@Aleczandxr]

Of course not.

[@lovelightstarboy]

Countless times when Walter began yelling at Jesse for simple mistakes, it reminded me of my own abusive father. I can put myself in Jesse’s place greatly, so I was sort of tricked by Walter at certain points, but realized just how terrible Walter had been right alongside Jesse. I feel like Mike and Jesse’s relationship was a catharsis to the constantly unraveling relationship between Walter and Jesse. Mike wasn’t selfish like Walt was, and became a better father figure to Jesse.

[@christian-xw7de]

it made me SOOOOOOOOO mad when jesse goes to meet walk when he was wired by hank and the dea and then sees like suspicious guy and thinks its a setup walt was planning. it made me so mad

[@jasondyrkacz8270]

Jesse had firsthand knowledge of what Walt was capable of. Just because it didn't pan out the way Jesse thought didn't mean it was wrong.

[@gh05tnoh24]

Something that is interesting when you compare Walt and Jesse is how they handle murder. Walt murders more people than Jesse over the course of the show I believe, and he never really struggles with it (iirc). However, after Jesse kills Gale he is lowkey broken. Completely filling every part of his life with extra stimuli and adding more and more excess to blank it out. Jesse, who has had a much bigger struggle than Walt up until they start cooking with his addiction and feeling kinda worthless, is a very compassionate and tragic character. While Walt… Walt and his pride trumped everything else in his life.

[@Sursion]

The entire first three episodes were Walt struggling with killing someone.

[@gh05tnoh24]

@@Sursion After that he never flinches about it again. So it’s fair to say.