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The syndicated series Breaking Bad had numerous concealed elements that expanded its narrative while entertaining the fans with understated connecting storylines and clue motifs. Through visual elements, clue motifs, and film references, this show delivered discrete moments, resulting in a strong story along with its characters.
The mysterious elements scattered throughout this TV show will enhance your admiration of the series' genius when you review them regardless of your watch history. In this article, the season and the episodes are abbreviated as "S" and "E," respectively.
Did you identify all these elements within the scenes, or did they evade your attention? Here are 10 hidden details in Breaking Bad you probably missed.
Please note that this entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.
X-Files easter eggs
Reference to The X-Files had been used in this TV show's fascinating shoutout. This moment gave a sweet touch to the viewers of Breaking Bad. This show's creator, Vince Gilligan, was a former cast member of The X-Files. Here, Gillian made a reference to his prior work. It is a scene of a fictional business where Jesse Pinkman borrowed a car. The name of the business was Lariat Rent-A-Car. The X-files featured this rental company a lot. Look for these tiny secrets the next time you watch Breaking Bad!
Saul Goodman’s license plate
The audience of Breaking Bad witnessed Saul GooGoodman’sdillac in S2 E8. This episode features a customized license plate that reads “LWRUP.” This specific aspect aptly captures Saul's ostentatious and self-serving character as a dishonest lawyer. Throughout the series, his Cadillac is frequently seen as a representation of his achievement and personality. Moreover, the plate foreshadows his ability to swiftly navigate legal issues for his clients apart from adding comedy.
Walt's bacon ritual
The first time Walt's bacon birthday habit appears in Breaking Bad in the pilot episode where Skyler arranges breakfast bacon into numbers for his birthday. Walt perpetuates his breakfast tradition through the number "52" with bacon because he finds himself alone while on the run. This scene took place in S5 E1 at their family diner table. At this point, Walt reveals his shift from family man to criminal kingpin while demonstrating all the things he has sacrificed throughout his journey.
Homage to The Godfather
The costume motif of Breaking Bad heavily reflects The Godfather in its cinematography. By hiding facial emotions, Gordon Willis' recognizable dark imagery from the iconic film from the 1970s evokes intrigue. In this TV show, Walter White uses this new approach to filmmaking along with other key scenes. For instance, Walter's black hat and dark attire in S5 E14 allude to Michael Corleone's transformation in The Godfather. The theme represents the whole scenario of a criminal organization. Through visual parallels, the story reveals how Walter transforms into a forceful character.
Skyler's wardrobe evolution
Not only do Skyler's clothes highlight her sense of style, but they also symbolize her moral decline. Her frequent use of soft blues and whites throughout S1 of Breaking Bad represents her everyday existence. Her attire darkens as she becomes more involved with Walt's enterprise. Moreover, her transition into a complicit and burdened spouse is revealed through her deep blue and black clothes in S5 E8. This change parallels Walt's journey towards a full-fledged villainy.
Gale's karaoke video
In S4 E10, the viewers of Breaking Bad could have made a unique discovery in GalGale’sartment. You might have missed the main attraction of a scene regarding a karaoke performance featuring Gale singing "Major Tom (Coming Home)" by Peter Schilling. Hank showed this video, and watching this video gave Walt a minor burst of amusement. Gale's playful habits enhance his tragic nature by revealing his harmless hobbies against his criminal activities in the drug industry.
"Felina" episode title significance
The final television episode of Breaking Bad is known as "Felina" (S5, E16). Three distinct meanings can be found within this title. The anagram style reveals the hidden message behind the word "Finale." The name "Felina" also relates to Marty Robbins' song's protagonist, who died because of the character Felina, causing Walt to show intense interest in his drug business. The final symbol within this structure shows iron (Fe), lithium (Li), and sodium (Na) which represent blood together with meth and tears and define the entire web series Breaking Bad.
The reappearance of Walter's pants
The character Walter White in Breaking Bad wears his trouser-look pants once more in S5 E14, just like in the pilot episode's storyline. The flashback reveals Walter's desert pants resting where they fell after his first meth cook with Jesse in that location. This brief flashback indicates Walter's immense transformation from Heisenberg since his criminal journey began as he shows the extent of his moral deterioration in his dangerous criminal operations.
Walt Whitman connection
The most poetic part of Breaking Bad comes in its tribute to poet Walt Whitman because his name shares similarities with Walter White. The connection becomes essential when Hank finds Leaves of Grass left by Gale Boetticher in S5 E8, which includes the inscription "To my other favorite W.W." Hank makes the connection between Walter White and Heisenberg during this moment. Throughout the production, the director incorporates Whitman's specific work "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer" to display themes about power along with knowledge and Walt's ultimate downfall.
Walt's acquisition of victims' traits
Walt picks up qualities from his murdered victims that represent his progressive moral fall. Walt begins to cut the crusts from his sandwiches as a habit after strangling Krazy-8 in the first season, episode 3. After poisoning Brock, he tenderly handles his gun by rotating it casually on a table in S4 E13, just like Mike used to do. The vicious transformation of Walt in Breaking Bad toward becoming a killer manifests through small behavioral changes, which are clearly visible to the audience.
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The story of Breaking Bad presented itself as a perfect example of storytelling excellence because every visual piece, from dialogue to props, served important functions. The subtle elements hidden within Breaking Bad served their purpose of developing character progress while taping major narrative events before they unfolded, whether it be about Walter's subconscious behavior or Skyler's style changes.
If you have missed all the above ten clue motifs and moments in the show, then you should literally watch Breaking Bad as soon as possible, streaming on Netflix.
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