Guilt and Morality in Breaking Bad

Photo by James Toose on Unsplash

I recently finished watching Breaking Bad, and the show is nothing short of intense. It is so layered, I am still figuring out how each moment contributes to the narrative at large. One perspective I find quite polarizing is the double standard people place on Walter White and Jesse Pinkman's morality.

A common argument is that Jesse is morally "better" than Walter because he feels guilt. Jesse constantly reflects on his actions. He even accepts that he is the "bad guy." But despite knowing the damage he causes, he continues making the same decisions. He keeps cooking meth. He stays in the same environment. He continues putting both himself and the people around him at risk. Feeling guilty never actually stopped him.

Walter is nothing short of evil and selfish. But the outcome we see is only possible because of his partnership with Jesse. Walter is simply more capable. He is smarter, more manipulative, and able to execute his plans. Jesse depends on Walter throughout much of the series. Walter's actions may have caused greater damage, but Jesse continued enabling them.

I think this perspective exists outside of Breaking Bad too. We often judge people more by how guilty they feel than by what they continue choosing to do. Guilt is important. It shows that someone understands right from wrong. But eventually, actions have to matter more than thoughts. If someone repeatedly chooses the same path, knowing the consequences, does feeling bad really make them a better person?