Gus Fring's Ruthless Act That Shocked Breaking Bad Fans

There are only a few TV shows from the 21st century that have truly left a lasting impact as some of the greatest television of all time. From The Sopranos to Lost, these shows have amassed a huge following of fans and viewers. And, of course, we can't forget the iconic Breaking Bad, brought to life on the small screen by Vince Gilligan.

Breaking Bad not only features two phenomenal lead characters - Bryan Cranston as Walter White and Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman - but also a diverse cast of characters, both good and evil, who add depth and complexity to the story and its characters. Over the course of five seasons, Walter encounters various villains whom he must collaborate with or overcome. Among these villains, Gus Fring, portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito, shines as one of the most formidable and chilling figures.

Gus's on-screen debut occurred at the conclusion of season 2, and his significant presence continued throughout seasons 3 and 4. Undoubtedly, his most memorable appearance took place in the season 4 premiere titled "Box Cutter". After the astonishing events of the season 3 finale, "Box Cutter" unravels with its own unexpected twists, demonstrating the extent to which Gus is willing to exert his authority as a drug lord.

What Happens in Breaking Bad's 'Box Cutter' Episode?

Breaking Bad's third season culminates in a clash between Walt and Jesse against their newly appointed boss, Gus. Acting without Gus's approval, they take crucial decisions for their shared business. In a desperate act, Walt eliminates two dealers working for Gus, forcing Jesse to flee. Confronted by Gus, Walt must justify his actions and propose alternatives for their future collaboration. Despite appearing to keep Walt on board, Gus secretly hatches a plot to replace him with another talented chemist, Gale Boetticher.

Once Walt becomes aware of their plan, he and Jesse realize that their only chance of survival is to eliminate the cook who is meant to replace them. Initially, Walt agrees to carry out the task himself. However, after being captured by Victor, Gus' right-hand man, and brought to the lab for execution, Walt changes his mind and instructs Jesse to go ahead with the murder of Gale, which Jesse successfully accomplishes.

The episode "Box Cutter" picks up right where season 3 left off. Following Gale's murder, Jesse flees the scene and heads to his car parked outside Gale's apartment. Concerned neighbors call the police and wait for them to arrive at Gale's door. In the meantime, Victor arrives to confirm Gale's death. He quickly exits the building and finds Jesse in distress inside his car. Getting into the vehicle, he forces Jesse to drive to the lab under threat of a gun.

Upon their arrival at the lab, Walt and Jesse find themselves held captive by Victor and hitman Mike Ehrmantraut. They anxiously await Gus's arrival, unsure of the fate that awaits them as punishment for their disobedience. During this tense period, Walt attempts to justify his actions, particularly the murder of Gale. He emphasizes the crucial role they play in Gus's meth operation, as they possess the exclusive knowledge required to cook the highly coveted pure blue crystal meth, which is renowned for its exceptional 99% purity.

After weeks of observing their process, Victor starts cooking the next batch, proving that Gus doesn't require their assistance. Walter becomes increasingly anxious when Gus himself enters the lab, pleading for mercy and offering reasons to spare their lives. Without uttering a word, Gus descends the stairs in his sinister manner and approaches Walt and Jesse. He then puts on a hazmat suit, catching everyone off guard.

Gus retrieves a box cutter and opens the blade, before rejoining the group. Standing beside a hopeful Victor, who anticipates Gus killing Walt and Jesse, he abruptly turns around and slashes Victor's throat instead. With Victor bleeding out, Gus maintains unwavering eye contact with a shocked Walt. Once Victor dies, Gus drops his lifeless body, removes the suit, tidies himself up, and ascends the stairs. Before leaving, he glances at the cooks and delivers his only line in the entire scene, "Well?... Get back to work."

After that,

Why Does Gus Fring Kill Victor?

During his tenure in the series, Gus Fring emerges as a highly methodical kingpin, meticulously strategizing every move and sparing no effort to execute his plans to completion. This showcases his unwavering pragmatism and exemplifies his authoritative prowess as both a visionary leader and a shrewd entrepreneur, culminating in his fateful choice to eliminate Victor.

Gus saw killing Victor as crucial to saving himself. While Jesse managed to escape undetected from the scene of Gale's murder, Victor's carelessness led to him being witnessed by neighbors entering and leaving Gale's apartment. Keeping Victor alive would have given police only one person to identify. Moreover, Victor's use of Jesse's car to flee left his own vehicle behind, providing another traceable lead for law enforcement.

Gus' action not only served practical purposes but also demonstrated his power to Walt and Jesse. Victor held a significant role as Gus' right-hand man, attending meetings and relaying information between Gus and others, all while acting as a bodyguard. By swiftly and unhesitatingly murdering his assistant, Gus made it clear that anyone employed by him was expendable, regardless of their importance in the daily operations of the business.

Given the circumstances that led Walt and Jesse to their current situation, Gus felt it necessary to reaffirm his authority. Walt's impulsive actions led him to believe he held control over Gus, but Gus swiftly countered, showing that he holds the power. He made it clear that anyone who challenges him will face the consequences.

Gus Fring was undoubtedly the most formidable drug lord and crystal meth distributor that Walt and Jesse ever worked for in Breaking Bad. With his connections to the Mexican Cartel and his inconspicuous role as a restaurant owner, Gus established himself as a pivotal character in the series. Even after his eventual downfall, his influence continued to shape the unfolding events.