How Vince Gilligan Would Have Ended 'Breaking Bad' if It Knew It Was Five Seasons Long

Knowing that Vince Gilligan had a predetermined goal for Breaking Bad of turning a classic protagonist into an antagonist, one wonders how the show's outcome might have changed had the creators known it would span five seasons. Given the detailed plan and extensive character development already in place, it's likely that the ending we experienced would have remained the same.

The Central Character's Arc

The central character, Walter White, was granted a 2-year survival grant in the final season, an intentional choice by the creators. This intervention allowed the audience to see Walter's final moments, playing out not unlike the actual ending of the show. Given that the creators openly declared their plan, it's reasonable to infer that the series would have ended as it did, with Walter delivering the iconic monologue and leaving behind his complex legacy.

Changing the Face of Television Protagonists

Vince Gilligan and his team did not have much of an ideal story in place when they started. Instead, they set out to create a unique protagonist who defied the traditional norms. Up until that point, television's protagonists were typically:

Good Guys: Characters who followed the moral right path. Anti-Heroes: Characters with questionable morals but still possessing some form of goodness. Self-Destructive Tragic Figures: Characters whose self-destruction stems from their flaws. Broken Souls Looking for Redemption: Characters who have strayed but seek to return to the right path. Real Bad Guys: Characters who are fundamentally evil from the start.

What made Walter White unique was his character arc. No protagonist had undergone such a profound transformation into an antagonist, and this shift was the cornerstone of the entire series. Walter's journey began as a relatable underdog and took a dramatic turn as he embraced his darker side to fulfill a sense of purpose.

Reimagining the Antagonist

The protagonist in television was fundamentally different with Walter White. He started as a relatable and sympathetic character, yet ultimately became a dangerous and opportunistic figure. This shift set Breaking Bad apart from other shows. By choosing to make their protagonist an antagonist, the creators:

Created a more captivating and unpredictable storyline. Made the audience question the morality of the character. Explored the depths of human nature in a way that had not been seen in television before.

The success of Breaking Bad lies in its ability to subvert expectations. From its inception, the show was designed to challenge the norms, making it a groundbreaking series in television history. The way it ended, with a morally ambiguous character delivering a bittersweet final message, further cemented its status as a television hallmark.

Conclusion

Given that Vince Gilligan and his team had a clear vision for turning Walter White into an antagonist, it is evident that the ending of Breaking Bad was planned meticulously. The five-season arc, with its complex character development and ethical dilemmas, was precisely what the creators wanted to achieve. Even if they knew they had a five-season show ahead, the storyline would have remained faithful to Walter's arc, ending with the iconic scenes that have become etched in television history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Did Vince Gilligan have a detailed plan for the ending?

A: Yes, Vince Gilligan and the writing team had a meticulous plan for the series, which included Walter's character arc and the moral shift of the protagonist. They aimed for a unique and compelling narrative that subverted traditional television norms.

Q: How did 'Breaking Bad' change the landscape of television protagonists?

A: 'Breaking Bad' changed the landscape by introducing a character who started as a sympathetic underdog and transformed into a morally complex antagonist. This shift in the protagonist's role made the show unique and groundbreaking, setting a new standard for television storytelling.

Q: What were the specific influences of Walter White's character arc?

A: Walter White's arc influenced the show's plot, audience engagement, and ethical questions. It made the series a critical and commercial success by addressing complex themes and challenging the audience's understanding of morality.