# The Key To Breaking Bad's Überness **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 6, 2013, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499 "2013-10-06T10:43:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/41 "2013-10-07T21:34:25Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > And Skyler’s job with Beneke. That was a big subplot for a while and Walt didn’t make it happen. We’re agreed that Walt set everything in motion, but there wasn’t only one story. One story dominated, but especially early on, other things happened. :dubious: There was no “story” there… She got a job to help pay bills. The only reason there was a story was as a result of Walt’s lies and their problems, she had an affair with Ted. No Walt cooking meth and lying, nothing interesting happens at Beneke. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/42 "2013-10-07T22:05:26Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > :dubious: There was no “story” there… She got a job to help pay bills. The only reason there was a story was as a result of Walt’s lies and their problems, she had an affair with Ted. No Walt cooking meth and lying, nothing interesting happens at Beneke. You are clearly forgetting the cooking the books she was doing for Ted that had nothing to do with Walt. The resolution of that crossed paths with Walt’s world, but that plot was Skylar’s and Skylar’s alone until the end. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/43 "2013-10-07T22:33:29Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > You are clearly forgetting the cooking the books she was doing for Ted that had nothing to do with Walt. The resolution of that crossed paths with Walt’s world, but that plot was Skylar’s and Skylar’s alone until the end. This is correct. Skyler (by the way, people, it Skyl_e_r, with an “e”) has her own journey to the dark side, that only after a while intersects with Walt’s. Interestingly, it’s really set up all the way back in season one, when she attempts to return the tiara to the store, nearly gets arrested because it’s stolen, and then bluffs her way out of the situation. It’s a bit “blink and you’ll miss it”, but Skyler’s own talent for deception is right there. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2013, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/44 "2013-10-07T22:49:48Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > Skyler (by the way, people, it Skyl_e_r, with an “e”) Dang. It’s what I get for being lazy and not wanting to look up the right spelling. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/45 "2013-10-08T00:39:50Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > You are clearly forgetting the cooking the books she was doing for Ted that had nothing to do with Walt. The resolution of that crossed paths with Walt’s world, but that plot was Skylar’s and Skylar’s alone until the end. > [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > This is correct. Skyler (by the way, people, it Skyl_e_r, with an “e”) has her own journey to the dark side, that only after a while intersects with Walt’s. Interestingly, it’s really set up all the way back in season one, when she attempts to return the tiara to the store, nearly gets arrested because it’s stolen, and then bluffs her way out of the situation. It’s a bit “blink and you’ll miss it”, but Skyler’s own talent for deception is right there. Gotta disagree (and I’m kind of an obseesive fan so I don’t forget much - I’ve seen the first three seasons about 8 times all the way through, and I’m catching up with four and five…plus all the podcasts, commentary, and behind-the-scenes, which I’m pretty sure makes up the bulk of the 55 hours of bonus content\* on the Big Barrel Set, but I want it anyway): she _ **refused** _ to even sign off the already-cooked books, and refused several times…until _ **after** _ they were sleeping together. And without the Walt part, not only does the sleeping together not happen,and therefore the signing his books not happen, but even if she signed off on the books, she wouldn’t really give that much of damn because she wouldn’t’ need to protect Walt’s illicit activities. \*Oooh! The special features include: - No Half Measures, a documentary detailing the filming of the final 8 episodes. - Bad memories, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul talk about the final episodes and their feelings and thoughts on the show. - Scene Envy, the cat tells us which scenes they wish they could have been in. - Shocking Moments, the cast reveals the moments that shocked them the most. - From Walt to Heisenberg, A montage showing the transformation from Walter White to Heisenberg. - How Will It End? Prerecorded predictions from the cast on how the series is going to end. - Avenging Agent: Dean Norris as Hank Schrader. - Scene Stealer: Betsy Brandt as Marie Schrader. - A Criminal Attorney: Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman. - Jesse’s Journey: Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman. - Skyler Breaks Bad: Anna Gunn on Season Four. - Growing Up in the White House: RJ Mitte on Walt Jr. - The Ultimate Chess Match, a look back at the battle between Walt and Gus. - Looking Back: A Season Four Retrospective, the best of season four. - Ted’s Wipeout, Christopher Cousins explains how Ted’s head injury was filmed. - The Truck Attack Storyboard Comparison, storyboards for the episode Bullet Points, and an in depth look at the attack on the Los Pollos Hermanos truck. - Walt and the Challenger Storyboard Comparison, a look at the filming of Walt doing donuts in Walt Jr’s car. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/46 "2013-10-08T00:41:16Z")
Y’know, this could be a fun thread if maybe there didn’t need to be a winner. There can be more than one acceptable POV… ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/47 "2013-10-08T02:52:34Z")
Marie’s shoplifting is, I think, the best example of a non-Walt plot. It really had nothing to do with him. It works as a bit of comparison / contrast with Walt’s flaws, but it really does stick out as a discordant non-Walt note, at least to me. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/48 "2013-10-08T02:59:11Z")
> [@BlackKnight](#): > > Marie’s shoplifting is, I think, the best example of a non-Walt plot. It really had nothing to do with him. It works as a bit of comparison / contrast with Walt’s flaws, but it really does stick out as a discordant non-Walt note, at least to me. Even Hank’s mineral collecting. They used it as an excuse to get Walt and Hank out, but they could’ve used anything. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/49 "2013-10-08T03:07:08Z")
At least in that case the mineral collecting is something Hank takes up as a result of his injuries - which are ultimately caused by actions and decisions made by Walt. Marie’s shoplifting is completely unrelated to Walt’s breaking bad, unlike nearly every other plot point. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/50 "2013-10-08T03:17:25Z")
> [@BlackKnight](#): > > At least in that case the mineral collecting is something Hank takes up as a result of his injuries - which are ultimately caused by actions and decisions made by Walt. Marie’s shoplifting is completely unrelated to Walt’s breaking bad, unlike nearly every other plot point. That’s true, though it could have been any hobby. Minerals, specifically, ddnt lead to anything. What about Marie’s open house tall tales? Stressed out due to Hank, but it’s own arc as well. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/51 "2013-10-08T03:57:25Z")
Skyler and Ted also have a history and it’s a little more complicated than you’re suggesting, **Stoid**. It looks like there are some complicated feelings between them even before she finds out about Walt and it turns into an actual affair. Walt’s actions play a part but the point to me is that that’s a story arc about Skyler, not Walt. It’s about her trying in some way to get away (and failing) and her own grappling with being a criminal and its consequences. And of course there’s the scary twist ending when she gives the money away and Walt has a breakdown. For that matter some of Jesse’s mini arcs are money about him than Walt even if they’re always bound together by themes and cause and effect. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/52 "2013-10-08T04:46:16Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Skyler and Ted also have a history and it’s a little more complicated than you’re suggesting, **Stoid**. It looks like there are some complicated feelings between them even before she finds out about Walt and it turns into an actual affair. Walt’s actions play a part but the point to me is that that’s a story arc about Skyler, not Walt. It’s about her trying in some way to get away (and failing) and her own grappling with being a criminal and its consequences. And of course there’s the scary twist ending when she gives the money away and Walt has a breakdown. For that matter some of Jesse’s mini arcs are money about him than Walt even if they’re always bound together by themes and cause and effect. ?😕? How Is Skyler trying to “get away” (from Walt) and grappling with being a criminal (because of Walt, which actually hadn’t happened at that point, by the way, Walt had called her bluff to force his way back into the house after she kicked him out after learning he was cooking meth…that’s why she fucked Ted in the first place…toldya this is etched on my brain) not about Walt’s decision to cook meth and everything attached to that? Also Skyler’s history with Ted was absolutely one-sided. Marie refers to him as Mr. Grabby Hands and Skyler reminds her it was a drunken christmas party moment that he apologized for. Later walt asks about the fumes, which was obviously some bullshit skyler told him to keep him from getting upset about the fact that she quit because Ted made her uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/53 "2013-10-08T04:54:21Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > ?😕? > > How Is Skyler trying to “get away” (from Walt) and grappling with being a criminal (because of Walt, which actually hadn’t happened at that point, by the way, Walt had called her bluff to force his way back into the house after she kicked him out after learning he was cooking meth…that’s why she fucked Ted in the first place…toldya this is etched on my brain) not about Walt’s decision to cook meth and everything attached to that? You’re right about the timing of events here, but this doesn’t support your theory that Walt made everything happened. > [@](#): > > Also Skyler’s history with Ted was absolutely one-sided. Marie refers to him as Mr. Grabby Hands and Skyler reminds her it was a drunken christmas party moment that he apologized for. I’m not sure Skyler is telling the truth there. She’s trying to get Marie to stop worrying. Once Skyler is actually around Ted on a regular basis things seem a little more complicated than a one-time grope at a Christmas party. > [@](#): > > Later walt asks about the fumes, which was obviously some bullshit skyler told him to keep him from getting upset about the fact that she quit because Ted made her uncomfortable. Right. And there are a few different ways to interpret her decision to lie about why she quit. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/54 "2013-10-08T08:14:45Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Also Skyler’s history with Ted was absolutely one-sided. Marie refers to him as Mr. Grabby Hands and Skyler reminds her it was a drunken christmas party moment that he apologized for. Look again at the first episode of season two, starting at about the 30:45 point. Skyler is sitting on the floor in the baby’s room, looking at old photographs. She comes across one of her and Ted sitting in a restaurant, arms around each other. She smiles at the picture, and then gazes off with a slightly giddy, yet wistful look on her face. She was clearly inclined to sneak off the reservation for some dirty, damp, and deep well before even the events of the pilot episode. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/55 "2013-10-08T08:24:20Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > You’re right about the timing of events here, but this doesn’t support your theory that Walt made everything happened. Because…? The episode was I.F.T. “I fucked Ted”. Walt comes home, she calls the cops, fail, next day “Here honey, see all the money I made for you?” She sees her lawyer, realizes she’s powerless, goes to work and fucks Ted. Right after seeing her lawyer. After Walt bullies his way back in. Like… 24 hours later. But none of that is a reaction to Walt? > [@](#): > > I’m not sure Skyler is telling the truth there. She’s trying to get Marie to stop worrying. Exactly. Because they are sisters, and she told Marie what had really happened. No reason for her to feed that story to Marie if she’d been into him. She either would have said nothing or told her the truth. > [@](#): > > Once Skyler is actually around Ted on a regular basis things seem a little more complicated than a one-time grope at a Christmas party. > Right. And there are a few different ways to interpret her decision to lie about why she quit. Given Ted’s reaction to her hitting on him, I think it’s obvious that it was a case of him drooling over her from afar and he never dreamed he could really have her. There’s nothing anywhere to suggest anything else, including the fact that the Whites had a somewhat dull, but very solid and loving marriage with no meaningful problems before Walt broke bad. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/56 "2013-10-08T08:29:57Z")
IFT: > [@](#): > > “Speaking of riding desks, I got myself a job today.” > > “You did not! As big as you are – “ > > “Thank you.” > > “Where?” > > “Beneke.” > > “You did not! Is Mr. Grabby-hands still there?” > > “Marie, that was one time at a Christmas party, and he was so drunk he was practically slurring his words. He apologized profusely. Plus, he’s married with a family, so I’m sure he doesn’t want to get sued for sexual harassment. It will not happen again.” I just don’t see anything at all there suggesting that something else was true. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/57 "2013-10-08T08:34:58Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > She either would have said nothing or told her the truth. Why would you think that? The sisters are close, but it’s not exactly like they always tell each other the whole truth and nothing but the truth during the run of the show, to put it mildly. Especially Skyler, in fact. Also, does it seem likely that Skyler would suddenly F.T. (and yes, I agree that she did it to get back at Walt), if there wasn’t some previous history there? ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/58 "2013-10-08T08:45:38Z")
You’re all wrong. [THIS](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIom3LSbB0I) is the key to Breaking Bad’s uberness. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/59 "2013-10-08T10:08:44Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > Why would you think that? The sisters are close, but it’s not exactly like they always tell each other the whole truth and nothing but the truth during the run of the show, to put it mildly. Especially Skyler, in fact. 1. The sisters are close. 2. Skyler tells Marie the truth, prior to Walt. Why do we know this? It was exactly because, (as far as Skyler understood it) they were entirely honest with each other, that Skyler was so devastated by _Marie’s_ lies. If lying was an established part of their relationship, it would have made no sense for Skyler to have been so extremely angry and offended. 3. Because of all that, as well as her reaction to Walt’s lies, also extreme, that there is no logic in thinking that Skyler was lying to Marie or anyone else. The hypocrisy would be too glaring. 4. There is no point of any kind in making up a lie to tell Marie about Mr. Grabby hands and his apologies if she were into it. No purpose is served. If she doesn’t want to share it with Marie, she doesn’t mention it. Lying doesn’t solve any problem. > [@](#): > > Also, does it seem likely that Skyler would suddenly F.T. (and yes, I agree that she did it to get back at Walt), if there wasn’t some previous history there? There IS history: the history of Ted obviously desiring her, and her being a happily married woman who was uncomfortable with the situation, so she left the job. Then, angry and powerless and looking to hurt Walt, she went for it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2013, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499/60 "2013-10-08T13:51:54Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > But none of that is a reaction to Walt? Her decision to go back to work in spite of Ted’s feelings for her (and her potential feelings for him) is not in reaction to Walt’s drug dealing. It has to do with Walt’s cancer, of course, but because of his new job. And I think you’re overlooking the state of their marriage at that point. Walt has already been disappearing at random and hiding things from her, and he’d told her he was buying pot from Jesse. > [@](#): > > Exactly. Because they are sisters, and she told Marie what had really happened. And why do you think she didn’t tell her meek older husband the truth? Do you think she believes he’d freak out and try to goad Ted into a fight? I don’t. To me that’s more of a Heisenberg response. > [@](#): > > No reason for her to feed that story to Marie if she’d been into him. She either would have said nothing or told her the truth. Do you think she told Marie about “Happy birthday, Mr. President?” About agreeing to perform it for Ted _again_ when she went back to work for him? This is a show about a guy who is completely unable to be honest with himself, so I think you’re oversimplifying if you believe Skyler was totally honest with herself about what was going on. My argument isn’t that she was upfront with herself about what she was doing- it’s that she put herself in a position where something was likely to happen with Ted. And I’m not sure how truthful she would have been with Marie either. This is long after the tiara thing. I forget if she’s aware at that point that Marie is a serial liar and a kleptomaniac. > [@Stoid](#): > > I just don’t see anything at all there suggesting that something else was true. It’s a TV show, not a radio play. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-key-to-breaking-bads-uberness/670499.md?page=4)