Unveiling Breaking Bad's Untapped Potential: The Astonishing Alternate Jesse Ending that Would Ignite New Perspectives

Summary

Jesse Pinkman's character development throughout Breaking Bad was arguably the best and most well-deserved, making him deserving of a happy ending.

It would have been a mistake for Jesse to take over Walter's drug empire in the final episodes since witnessing the murder of an innocent child would have been out of character for him. Instead, Jesse's emotional journey and contrasting storyline with Walter in the final season had a stronger impact, resulting in a more authentic and satisfying ending for him as a free man.

Jesse Pinkman, a character in Breaking Bad, truly deserved a (somewhat) happy ending. Throughout the AMC drama series, Aaron Paul's portrayal of Jesse underwent remarkable character development. In contrast, Bryan Cranston's Walter White experienced a notable regression, as suggested by the show's title. Interestingly, the original plan for Jesse's storyline almost led to an unfavorable outcome for the series.

The final episodes of Breaking Bad depicted Jesse's journey through immense challenges. His character reached a level of vulnerability previously unseen in the show. Over the course of five seasons, Jesse's firsthand exposure to the darkest aspects of humanity transformed him into a more compassionate and empathetic individual. After attempting to aid the authorities in exposing Walt's crimes, Jesse was captured by Jack Welker's gang. Subjected to months of torture and coerced into cooking methamphetamine, Jesse's ordeal reached its apex. In the series finale, Walt ultimately rescued Jesse, granting him freedom from this treacherous existence.

Breaking Bad Season 5 Almost Saw Jesse Take Over Walt's Empire

During an interview with SlashFilm, Breaking Bad writers Thomas Schnauz and George Mastras disclosed that Jesse almost had a completely different conclusion in season 5. Initially, the writers had intended for Jesse to assume control of Walter's drug empire in the final episodes, presenting a different side to his character. However, their plans changed after the incident involving Drew Sharp, an innocent child who stumbled upon Walt, Jesse, and Todd following their train heist in season 5, episode 5. Todd's decision to shoot and kill Drew ultimately influenced Jesse's trajectory. Witnessing Drew's murder made it impossible for Jesse to fully embrace the role of a drug lord. Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Mastras explained that Drew's death served as a catalyst, intensifying the conflict between Jesse and Walt and ultimately shaping the overall conclusion of the series.

How Breaking Bad's Alternate Ending Would've Hurt Jesse's Emotional Journey

Jesse's conclusion in the fifth season of Breaking Bad was a long-awaited event. Throughout the show's 62 episodes, he had endured countless deaths, traumas, and emotional pain. It would have been out of character for him to follow the same path as Walt. While it may have been intriguing to witness Jesse embracing his darker side (as everyone has one), it would not have been true to his emotional development. Additionally, Aaron Paul's character arc in the show's final season had a profound impact and served as a stark contrast to Walter's ultimate fate.