Skyler Hatred Misses the Point of Breaking Bad
Seehorn deserves to be honored for her outstanding performance as Better Call Saul's Kim; she is right about the appreciation of Gunn's Breaking Bad performance being long overdue, with Gunn being just as vital to the success of the show as Cranston, Aaron Paul, and the rest of the gifted cast.
The hostility aimed at Gunn was always problematic as, regardless of how appealing or unlikable the character may be, an actor should never be attacked for just doing a role. Furthermore problematic is the hate directed on Skyler since it deviates from the essence of Breaking Bad. The show deftly explores how an empathic protagonist may develop into an antihero and then a full-on villain. The genius is Walt's persistent persuasion of the audience and himself that his actions are justified in spite of all the data to the contrary.
Improved Call Saul's Kim Actor Notes Reaction Against One Breaking Bad Character
Playing Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul, Rhea Seehorn muses over the reaction against one of the most iconic characters in Breaking Bad.
Star Rhea Seehorn of Better Call Saul tackles the reaction against Skyler White (Anna Gunn). Seehorn celebrated her work as Kim Wexler, but Gunn had a quite different experience both during and following the five seasons of Breaking Bad. Certain viewers unfairly hated Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as the protagonist in Breaking Bad with Skyler opposing much of his progressively unethical behavior. Gunn has more lately discussed how popular opinion of Skyler has changed over time to be more favorable.
Skyler's Trip
Among the few people who sees Walt's falsehoods and seeks to hold him responsible is Skyler. Given Walt's behavior and the risk he routinely puts her and their son Walter Jr. (RJ Mitte) in, she is as logical and pragmatic as she can be. When Walt eventually tells Skyler and himself he didn't do everything for their family, but that he did it for himself and for the satisfaction it afforded him and his ego in the Breaking Bad season 5 finale marks the real pinnacle and catharsis of Walt's story. Walt's Breaking Bad journey falls short and unsatisfying without Skyler.
Skyler not only was essential for Walt's path but also had her own sad and complex one. Reducing the character to an irritable barrier that Walt has to cross results from a misreading of his character and Skyler. Seehorn is right about the appreciation of Gunn's Breaking Bad performance being long overdue, even if she deserves to be praised for her outstanding performance as Better Call Saul's Kim. Gunn is absolutely vital to the show's success.
Breaking Bad: An Historical Viewpoint
Vince Gilligan's Breaking Bad centres Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin trying to support his family after a devastating diagnosis. White rises to dominance in the realm of drugs and crime, turning the ordinary family man into someone only known as Heisenberg with nothing left to fear.
Skyler White was among the most divisive characters in the program, even if it gained great popularity and compliments for its writing and acting. The character provided an aspect of truth and moral complexity even though viewers did not particularly enjoy her.
Effects of Skyler
Seehorn spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about and complimented Gunn's portrayal of Skyler as well as Betsy Brandt's portrayal of Skyler's sister Marie Schrader, so discussing how their performances affected her as she got ready for her Kim role in Better Call Saul. She also offered her own observations on the hostile reaction to Skyler's character and changes in that regard. Read the remarks made by Seehorn below:
Later on, I came to that [issue] and was astounded since I simply find [Anna Gunn to be] outstanding. She actually met the expectations of her position and how you would have responded if your husband had been acting in such manner and done those things. I thus continued to wish I could live up to her level of brilliance. I felt as though, "What if they compare me to [Gunn and Betsy Brandt] and I'm not as good?" I thus truly feared that non-Breaking Bad family members would not be accepted by the fans.
People historically dislike anyone who challenges your hero or even your anti-hero. That can happen, but definitely, when it goes far too far and reeks of misogyny and bullying and abuse, then the narrative loses meaning. That she feels she is getting a different reception these days makes me pleased. It is the reception she ought to have always received.
The Cohort of Your Honor
Actor Your Honor; Their Character, Notable Recent Role
Wednesday's Hunter Doohan, Adam Desiato, Tyler Galpin
Amy Landecker | Detective Nancy Costello; Sarah Pfefferman (Transparent)
Benjamin Flores Jr. | Eugene | Josh (The Fear Street movies)
Carmen Ejoco | Lee Delamere | Lafrancine (Virago)
Hope Davis; Gina Baxter; Sandi Furness; Sequentiality
Isiah Whitlock Jr., of The Wire; Charlie Figaro; Clay Davis
Margo Martindale; Elizabeth Guthrie; The Americans, Claudia
Michael Stuhlbarg; Jimmy Baxter; Samuel Perlman, Call Me by Your Name
Frannie Latimer; Samantha Fink, Single Drunk Female; Sofia Black D'Elia
Regarding the Iron Claw, Maura Tierney | Fiona McKee | Doris Von Erich
The flight attendant was Rosie Perez | Olivia Delmont | Megan Briscoe.
Along with Moffat, who also acts as showrunner and writer, Robert and Michelle King created the show. The Good Wife and its spin-off The Good Fight are especially well-known creations of The Kings. Moffat has meantime worked on a number of British court system dramas. Among others he thanks Criminal Justice, North Square, and Silk.
