As the AMC series, Breaking Bad, commenced, Walter White served as a relatable character, a high school teacher who felt passionate about engaging his students in chemistry and acting as an involved family man. The loving relationship he had with his wife, teenage son with learning challenges, and his high school students, constructed an endearing character that demanded sympathy for his illness. My devotion to Walter grew stronger along with his cancer diagnosis, however, I began to question his character's integrity momentarily during his DEA ride-along with Hank; Walt's curiosity involving the meth industry peaked as Hank discussed the financial gains and the specifics of the crime. As he saw a former student, Jesse Pinkman, flee the scene. As the Walt's illness grew dire, he devised a plan to blackmail Pinkman, already involved in the crystal meth business, to make money for his family after his passing. Walter's heightened interest and involvement in cooking meth, along with his relationship with Jesse provide the basis of the show and the beginning of Walt's transformation. Walt and Jesse's relationship was extremely complex and involved numerous trials and tribulations. Their relationship exposed not only the tender, loyal, and paternal side of Walt's character, it also showcased the Walt's evolution into the monstrous criminal mastermind. Walt's relationship with Jesse drives the action and tension in the series because it complicates Walt's characterization. Specifically, by juxtaposing Walt's monstrous actions with father-like caring, audiences can remain hopeful and continue watching the program despite the dire, outlandish situations. .
Throughout the series, Walt's relationship with Jesse demonstrates his wavering moral compass. Walter saw his old student Jesse Pinkman fleeing the meth lab and realized that their skills matched well enough to create a partnership: Walt would cook and Jesse would manage the drug business.