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AMC’s Breaking Bad was a massive television hit, drawing millions of viewers each week during its final season. The crime drama went on to produce a spin-off series and a Netflix movie. Despite the show’s action-packed finale airing eight years ago, the series is still discussed by fans to this day. As such, storylines and plots continue to be analyzed through the minds of Breaking Bad fans. Better Call Saul, Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad spin-off, has further explored the endless possibilities of fan theories. However, fans are mostly dedicated to the wild journey of growth, decay, and transformation in the life of drug-kingpin and cancer patient, Walter White. Let’s take a look at five underrated fan theories for Breaking Bad.
5. The Pool Drove Walter Insane
Shortly after Walt’s initial cancer diagnosis, he is sitting in a lawn chair by the pool and flicking matches into the water. In the scene, Walter’s clear lack of morality and sense of life is washed away with the “waves” in the pool. The water eclipses Walt’s grip on reality, realizing that he has little time left. Time and time again, pools resurface as steady objects of chaos and trouble within the Breaking Bad universe.
Many fans have speculated that the White’s swimming pool was the driving force in Walter’s determination to “break” bad. Several traumatic events also ensued within the pool in later seasons. These incidents include Walter Jr. drunkenly throwing up, Skyler’s methodical “suicide” attempt, and the infamous plane-crash pink teddy bear that landed in the water. As such, Walt spends the majority of the season staring into the pool’s blue emptiness. Rather than a reflection of a good-hearted kind man, Walt begins to see his true reflection as a monstrous drug manufacturer.
4. Holly Will Revive The “Family” Business
Arguably, the most underrated Breaking Bad theory insists that Holly White will continue her father’s legacy. However, some fans are still skeptical of the idea. Many fans believe that Walter Jr. would be the protégé to his father’s controversial drug empire. While Walter Jr. was made aware of his father’s crimes, his actions imply that he wasn’t a fan of his father’s true money-making empire. As such, newer theories suggest that Holly has the potential to be the actual mastermind.
During the original run of the series, Holly is the infant daughter of Walt and Skyler. Oblivious to everything happening around her, Skyler tries to give Holly a joyous childhood. However, her father’s selfish decisions and illegal schemes cause endless trouble for their family. As such, Breaking Bad’s finale ends with Walt’s demise while the rest of the family picks up the pieces of their broken lives. However, this theory speculates that Holly will revive her father’s drug business, having inherited his intelligence and tactical skills.
3. Walt Never Had Cancer
Out of the plethora of Breaking Bad theories, this one is perhaps the most far-fetched. Walt’s downward spiral and bed of lies first begin with his unfortunate cancer diagnosis. The following months include his weekly appointments for chemotherapy sessions, as well a cocktail of medications and the loss of his hair. However, fans have conjured up the idea that maybe Walter never actually had cancer in the first place.
Walter White was undoubtedly a chemistry genius and an all-around smart man. Theorists have discussed the possibility that Walt used having “cancer” as an excuse to break free of his mundane lifestyle for something more interesting. To further prove the lie, fans suggest that Walt paid off the doctors and nurses to make it look like he was receiving chemotherapy. Then, at the right moment, Walt made it look like he went into remission, yet he continues to cook meth. While the theory is unlikely, it wouldn’t be the worst lie that Walt ever told.
2. Ted Beneke Was Walter Jr.’s Father
One of the boldest Breaking Bad fan theories on the internet suggests that Ted Beneke, Skyler White’s former boss, is the biological father of Walter Jr. Fans have backed up the theory with multiple hints during interactions between Skyler and Ted. Skyler first worked for Ted Beneke’s father, who owned Beneke Fabricators. Blaming the “toxic fumes” of the workplace’s environment, Skyler suddenly quit.
During the show’s third and fourth seasons, Skyler returns to work for Beneke Fabricators as a bookkeeper. In one encounter between Ted and Skyler, he asks about Walter Jr. Skyler tells Ted that he’s doing good and that he’s handsome, to which Ted exclaims that Jr. has “good genes.” While the common conception is that Ted was flirting with Skyler, many fans believe the remark was referring to his good looks and passing them on to Walter Jr. The theory is certainly believable, as it is hinted that Skyler and Ted had a history of sexual tension, and the two even begin an affair together.
1. Gus and Max Were Romantic Lovers
Gustavo Fring remains one of Breaking Bad’s most polarizing and threatening villains. However, fans suggest that Gus Fring harbored a softer side, one that only those closest to him were allowed to see. As such, all fingers point to Max Arciniega, Fring’s original business partner, and associate. Gus Fring’s motive to destroy the Mexican Cartel originates from the brutal murder of Max at the hands of Hector Salamanca. This theory suggests that there was more to their relationship than meets the eye.
Fring’s plot for revenge stems from Don Eladio giving the orders for Hector to kill Max. While the pair attend a meeting with the cartel members, they explain their recent start-up of Los Pollos Hermanos. After Max’s murder, Gus falls to the ground below and uncontrollably sobs. To add, Gus makes it his mission to seek revenge against the cartel when the time is right. This series of events has led many fans to believe that the relationship between Gus and Max was romantically charged. Gus’ sexuality has been a hot topic of debate, with references in both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul helping to fuel the rumors. Despite the rumor’s lack of official confirmation, fans believe the theory to be true. As such, it is one of Breaking Bad’s best fan theories.
