Breaking Bad creators Had a Much Darker Ending Planned for Skyler White

Breaking Bad fans always have mixed opinions about Walter White, a high-school chemistry teacher who builds a meth empire for himself. He is often criticized for doing some of the worst things in the series.

It turns out that Breaking Bad originally had a different ending planned for Walter’s wife, Skyler White, and it would make us hate Walt even more. Throughout the series, Walter justifies his actions in his family’s name. He begins cooking meth to make enough money to leave for his family after his cancer diagnosis. 

However, the show quickly establishes that Walter is only fooling himself into believing it. He continues to cook meth and deal in the business to fulfill his ego. In the much-acclaimed finale, Walter finally admits to Skyler that he did it all because he “liked it” and was “good at it.” 

It seems like Walt could have damaged things further, especially with regard to his wife. Skyler plays a key role in the series despite Walt doing everything to keep his meth business a secret from her. She later helps Walt with money laundering as well. 

She suffers a much better fate compared to other Breaking Bad characters, including Hank, Mike, and Jesse. However, the makers had a much darker ending in mind for her. 

1. Skyler White’s Original Ending in Breaking Bad Explained 

The makers of Breaking Bad originally planned to kill Skyler’s character. The script planned for her to commit suicide. As per creator Vince Gilligan, they even had a scene in mind.

As per the scene, Walt and Skyler would have been trapped in a motel. Walter would eventually make his way to the washroom to find out that Skyler had killed herself by slitting her wrists in the bathtub. 

Skyler’s original ending is much darker compared to how she ended up in the actual ending. However, the makers gave us enough hints about their initial plans. In season 5, there’s a scene where Skyler walks into a swimming pool, likely to drown herself. 

Skyler’s original ending is intended to be a paradoxical one, as it would be Walt who would lead his wife towards her death. It would defeat Walter’s purpose of doing it all for his family. Instead of saving them, he would end up pushing them to death. 

2. Skyler’s Original Ending Would Make Walter White A Complete Villain

Although Walter does unforgivable things in Breaking Bad, he remains an anti-hero or a grey character. The show focuses on his descent into madness and becoming completely evil but does not let us forget his human side. 

If Walt were to drive Skyler towards committing suicide, it would turn him into a complete villain rather than an anti-hero. It would also destroy the dichotomy of his character. Despite all his deeds, Walter White remains a complex character because of his grey shades. 

The Skyler arc would ruin Walter’s character development and leave the viewers to loathe him. Walt’s death scene in the finale would not create the same impact either. In other words, the essence of Breaking Bad would somehow be lost. 

3. Skyler’s Actual Ending is a Better Decision

Skyler White remaining alive at the end of the series was the right choice for Breaking Bad, as it makes her look more complex and dynamic. As such, it is all about which character arc appeals to the audience more. 

Skyler being alive made her own character and Walter’s character more dynamic and interesting to watch. Skyler also played a major role in supporting Walt towards the end, which made the story more interesting. 

Skyler also knew when to stop getting involved in Walt’s crimes. She knew when to step down and talk to Hank. She does not support him beyond a point, which makes her character a sharp contrast to Walter’s. 

The makers used Skyler’s character to prove a point and did it well enough. 

4. About Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad is an American crime drama TV show filmed in Alburquerque Studios in New Mexico and produced by Sony Pictures Television.

Directed by Vince Gilligan, the show follows the life of an overqualified, underpaid, and depressed chemistry teacher who gets diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. The show follows the story of White as he pairs up with his former student Jesse Pinkman as they enter the world of crime.

The show went on to win several awards including 16 Primetime Emmy Awards, eight Satellite Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, two Peabody Awards, two Critics’ Choice Awards, and four Television Critics Association Awards.