Could These Characters Have Pursued a Legitimate Life?

When examining the characters in Breaking Bad and Walter White, it's fascinating to consider the paths they might have taken if they had focused on their legitimate talents rather than engaging in illegal activities. Here's a deep dive into the potential lives these characters could have led, and how their choices affected the series.

Gale Boetticher: The Chemist Turned Meth Kingpin

Gale Boetticher was a highly educated chemist with a promising career in legitimate fields. However, his ambition and desire to work with Walter White ultimately led him to the world of methamphetamine production. Despite his educational background, Gale's decision to abandon his academic career for the lure of power and money was a pivotal moment in the series.

Gale's inevitable downfall highlights the dark consequences of prioritizing illegal activities over a legitimate career. If he had focused on his medicinal and scientific skills, he might have led a far more peaceful and successful life. The potential for him to have a fulfilling career in scientific research, drug development, or any other legitimate field is a compelling alternative to his criminal path.

Gustavo "Gus" Fring: Legitimate Business Mogul or Meth Kingpin?

Gus Fring was a savvy businessman who built a successful and legitimate empire through his fast-food chain, Los Pollos Hermanos. His business acumen and understanding of market dynamics made it plausible for him to have excelled in numerous legal industries. However, his desire for power and revenge against the drug trade, which killed his partner, propelled him into the criminal world.

It's intriguing to wonder if Gus could have channeled his talents into other legitimate avenues. His skills in business, management, and the understanding of market dynamics could have been used to thrive in the corporate world, venture capital, or even public relations. His potential to have led a successful, respected, and peaceful life is a stark contrast to the violent and tragic end he experienced in the series.

Mike Ehrmantraut: The Ex-Police Officer Turned Enforcer

Mike Ehrmantraut's background as a former police officer and his skills in security and surveillance suggest a potential career in law enforcement or private security. Despite his strong moral code and desire to protect his family, his association with Gus and the allure of easy money in the drug trade complicated his life.

Mike's potential for a legitimate career is significant. His experience in security and surveillance could have made him a valuable asset in various sectors. By staying true to his moral principles, he might have maintained his integrity and avoided the violent consequences of his association with Gus. The potential for Mike to have led a successful, ethical, and peaceful life highlights the far-reaching consequences of his choices.

Conclusion

Each character in the series had the potential to lead a legitimate life. However, their personal motivations, relationships, and the allure of power and money ultimately guided them toward illegal activities. A narrative focusing on their legitimate skills and ambitions could have resulted in a very different and more peaceful outcome.

The themes of ambition, morality, and choice are central to the storytelling in both Breaking Bad and Gustavo Fring. These characters' tragic arcs are deeply compelling and integral to the overall narrative, showcasing how even those with the greatest potential can be led astray by their own desires.