The Protagonists In Walter White's Breaking Bad

The anti-hero, a flawed character acting as the protagonist, has grown in popularity despite the character’s questionable morals and unpredictable actions that follow. Those who oppose the anti-hero are widely ostracized in the piece itself and even publicly. Skyler White, played by Anna Gunn, in AMC’s groundbreaking hit Breaking Bad is cast as the antagonist to her husband, Walter White, which is especially evident in season one, episode five. In this episode Walt and Skyler’s relationship is the focus as the family looks at the course of action after finding out Walt has lung cancer. Breaking Bad sets up Skyler as the unlikable antagonist using gender, wardrobe, and cinematography to do so while the characters reacting to her as the antagonist …show more content…
When the family eats breakfast, the focus is on Walter Jr. seated in the middle of the table. His eyes dart back and forth; he watches his parents glare at each other from the heads of the table. There is an establishing shot of the exterior of the house before the interior shot revealing the family eating breakfast. A medium close-up is used on each character individually several times as the camera moves to each character reacting to each other’s stares. Additionally, each shot has the same composition: the character perfectly in the middle while a shallow depth of field is implemented (00:16:20-00:17:17). The scene exhibits the deterioration of the couple’s relationship as their son observes. The report is perfectly timed with the weather report playing in the background that includes a commentary on how it is a perfect day it is to be out with …show more content…
She has the ability to conjure such raw emotions from those not only on screen, but from Breaking Bad’s loyal fans as well. In season one, episode five the rivaling duo of a husband and wife presents an intriguing dynamic. Most find her repelling, albeit she has no malicious intentions. Her quirks are not complimentary, her clothes and presence most find distasteful, Skyler admittedly is hard to like. Anna Gunn plays the challenging role of antagonist in the newly male dominated environment that has suddenly and expectantly entered her life; her once passive husband has become a man she does not know anymore. She does provide the voice of reason in the enthralling chaos that ensues following Walt’s diagnosis. As the antagonist, her role is to fulfill the conflict necessary to propel the protagonist; her role should be revered as it is an interesting choice to write the character’s opposition as their