A question about Breaking Bad? What are your opinions?
Did Walt care about Jesse?
Or, did he merely use Jesse for what he needed?
As I watched the series, and I saw these two interact, I wasn't always sure.
In some respects, it seemed that perhaps Walt did care about Jesse.
But what made me question that, is the first time Walt met with Gus Fring, and this was in Season 2.
Earlier in the episode, Jesse had shown up, and he was obviously high.
When Gus asked Walt why he had Jesse as a partner, Walt responded in a cold, direct voice: "Because he does what I say."
And there was the time in Season 5, when after Walt had poisoned that kid Brock, who was the son of Jesse's girlfriend.
When Jesse was freaking out when he thought he lost his ricin-filled cigarette, Walt made a duplicate using table salt, and planted in Jesse's apartment for them both to find.
However, when Jesse was hooked up with Jenny in Season 2, who was a heroin addict and who got Jesse turned on to the stuff, Walt refused to give Jesse his share of the money they made.
When Jenny demanded Walt give Jesse the money, Walt told her flat-out: "I will not contribute his substance abuse!"
Plus if you watched that episode closely, it was quite clear that Jenny didn't really care about Jesse, she was more interested in the money, and she was manipulating Jesse into going along with her.
And Walt knew that as long as Jenny as alive, she would eventually be the end of Jesse, and that's why he let her die, which was supported by Breaking Bad director, Vince Gilligan.
And after Jesse made an attempt on Walt's home, and Skyler suggested Walt put a hit out on Jesse, Walt was clearly displeased at the notion.
And when Saul made the same suggestion, Walt told him in a very threatening tone: "Don't ever make that type of suggestion again."
And when Walt wanted to meet with Jesse in a public place so the two of them could talk, it was shown that Walt was being completely honest with Jesse, as he showed up unarmed and alone, even though Jesse mistakenly got the wrong idea when he saw a guy in a leather coat standing near Walt, who turned out to be just a guy waiting for his daughter.
In the end, I would say that their relationship was complicated.
Yes, there were times when Walt clearly used and manipulated Jesse.
And it was clear that Walt enjoyed having control over people.
However, in spite of that, indications seemed to be throughout the course of the series that Walt did care about Jesse.
Comments
Yes, he cared but also used him, in "Felina" he could have just let Jesse die with the others instead of brilliantly covering his attempt to save him by starting a fight with him on the floor so the Machine gun rounds could not hit Jesse.
After all Jesse did to Walt, Walt still didn't kill him even when he got the chance.
And yeah all the things you said support this matter.
Walt certainly cared a lot about Jesse. He just cared about himself more, at least until the end.
Their relationship was pretty much the main reason I watched the show.
Yep this is what I think too. I actually thought Walt cared for Jess like a Son.(though Walt obviously cared for himself more till the end.)
Well said. Kudos!