How a Scheduling Conflict Created Breaking Bad’s Mike

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⚠️ Warning: Potential spoilers for Breaking Bad ahead ⚠️

Few modern television dramas have garnered as much acclaim as Breaking Bad. Initially, a niche favorite, the series, under the direction of Vince Gilligan, evolved into a pivotal anti-hero tragedy of the 21st century. The story revolves around Walter White, a chemistry teacher who transforms into a powerful methamphetamine kingpin. The show’s unique appeal lies in its portrayal of the seemingly unwatchable. Had another actor portrayed Walter White, he might have been too unsympathetic for viewers to endure (despite many fans mysteriously empathizing with him by the conclusion). However, Bryan Cranston made it impossible to look away from this captivating character.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the stellar cast that graced “Breaking Bad,” a television phenomenon. Aaron Paul, with his portrayal of the complex anti-hero Jesse Pinkman, left an indelible mark. Anna Gunn, despite facing unfair criticism, brilliantly brought Walt’s wife, Skyler White, to life. Giancarlo Esposito sent chills down our spines as the menacing Gus Fring.

Bob Odenkirk’s portrayal of Saul Goodman, a lawyer who was as slippery as they come, was nothing short of delightful. His character was so well-received that he even starred in his own spinoff series, “Better Call Saul.”

What many might not know is that one of the ensemble’s standout performances almost didn’t make it to the screen. Mike Ehrmantraut, the unforgettable hitman, only joined the cast midway through Season 2, making his debut in Episode 13, “ABQ.” It’s hard to imagine the series without him now.

Mike Joined ‘Breaking Bad’ Due to a Scheduling Conflict

In the second season’s latter half, Saul Goodman, portrayed by Bob Odenkirk, joined “Breaking Bad”. However, due to previous obligations with “How I Met Your Mother”, he couldn’t be part of the series finale. This posed a challenge for the writing team because a significant portion of the episode revolved around Jesse trying to hide his tracks after the unexpected death of his girlfriend Jane (played by Krysten Ritter), a secret murder that Walt was involved in.

In a pinch for someone to aid Jesse in concealing incriminating drug evidence from his home, the writers of Breaking Bad brought on board seasoned character actor Jonathan Banks for the fresh role of Mike Ehrmantraut – a fixer. The choice was partly influenced by the writing team’s longstanding appreciation for Banks’ acting prowess in the 1980s police drama Wiseguy, while the character Mike was modeled after Winston Wolf from Pulp Fiction, portrayed by Harvey Keitel.

At first, Banks assumed their scene together would be a one-time event, but once he got caught up in Vince Gilligan’s creative direction for the show and was captivated by Aaron Paul’s performance in their shared scene, he eagerly discovered that Gilligan planned to keep Mike as part of the Breaking Bad cast long term. Consequently, Mike became a crucial element not only in Breaking Bad but also in Better Call Saul moving forward.

In the gritty world of “Breaking Bad,” Mike Ehrmantraut, working under local crime lord Gus Fring, was one of the series’ most lethal and intriguing characters. Despite his ruthless efficiency in carrying out hits or cleaning up after his team, he remained somewhat relatable and compassionate. He embodied the paradoxical “heartfelt assassin,” never failing to execute deadly tasks or conceal evidence, but refraining from harboring grudges and treating his work as a professional obligation rather than a personal vendetta.

Moreover, Mike adhered to a strict personal moral compass that Walter White lacked, which led to frequent conflicts between them throughout the series.

Mike Was an Important Part of the ‘Breaking Bad’ Ensemble

It might seem surprising that Mike wasn’t initially part of ‘Breaking Bad’, but his character’s creation reflects a crucial aspect of Vince Gilligan’s writing style. Gilligan, on numerous occasions, has admitted that he didn’t meticulously plan the entire series from the start and preferred letting the story unfold as he progressed. For instance, Jesse Pinkman was originally meant to perish at the end of the first season, but the team grew fond of Aaron Paul’s acting and decided to keep him in the show.

Hardly can one envision Breaking Bad being as captivating without Mike. He emerged as a significant figure in the third season, particularly during the year that underscored Walter White’s struggle to keep up as he delved into the drug trade. As we came to understand that Mike and Gus Fring were waging war against the Mexican cartel, Walt understood that he needed to toughen up if he was to survive. One of the show’s most impactful scenes, where Mike forebodingly advised Walt, “no more half measures,” illustrated how serious things had become for what initially appeared as a dark comedy by the Coen brothers.

Mike demonstrated an unexpected sense of morality towards the end of the series, especially after Walt took over as a drug lord. Initially compelled to work under Walt for safety, Mike gradually became disenchanted with his boss’s dangerous behavior and total lack of ethics. As Jesse gradually lost respect for Walt, it wasn’t coincidental that he began seeking guidance from Mike, who served as a mentor-like figure. The heartbreaking death of Mike in the fifth season episode “Say My Name” signified a significant turn in Walt’s moral decline. In a moment of uncontrolled anger, Walt fatally shot him, an action that was hard to justify as anything other than self-serving and ego-driven.

In essence, Mike Ehrmantraut was undeniably one of the most outstanding characters in what’s widely regarded as one of the best TV dramas ever made. Regardless of whether his presence on the show was by chance, we couldn’t have asked for a better addition to our viewing experience. By the way, you can watch Breaking Bad on Netflix.

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2025-04-07 02:02