Did Walter Jr. Really Hate Walter White?

Hey Breaking Bad fans! One of the most heartbreaking relationships in the series is undoubtedly that of Walter White and his son, Walter White Jr. (also known as Flynn). As Walter transforms from a mild-mannered chemistry teacher into the ruthless Heisenberg, his relationship with his family, especially Walt Jr., deteriorates significantly. So, did Walter Jr. really hate his dad? Let's dive deep into their complex dynamic and explore the reasons behind Walt Jr.'s feelings.

The Initial Idealization

At the beginning of the series, Walt Jr. idolizes his father. He sees Walter as a good, if somewhat passive, man struggling with a difficult life. Walt Jr.'s admiration is evident in his concern for his father's health and his desire to support him. This initial idealization sets the stage for the devastating impact of Walter's transformation.

Walt Jr. has to deal with a lot, including cerebral palsy, which affects his speech and motor skills. Despite these challenges, he maintains a positive attitude and a strong sense of morality. This makes Walter's descent into criminality even more painful for him. He always looked up to his dad, so discovering the truth about Walter's double life is a crushing blow. It's like finding out your superhero is actually a villain.

As Walter becomes more deeply involved in the meth business, his lies and absences begin to take a toll on his family. Walt Jr. notices the changes in his father's behavior and becomes increasingly confused and hurt. He can sense that something is wrong, but he doesn't know the full extent of his father's criminal activities. This uncertainty creates a rift between them, as Walt Jr. struggles to understand his father's actions.

The biggest turning point comes when Walt Jr. finally learns the truth about his father's involvement in the drug trade. The revelation shatters his perception of Walter and leads to feelings of anger, betrayal, and disgust. He feels like his entire life has been a lie, and he struggles to reconcile the image of the father he once admired with the criminal he has become.

The Crushing Revelation

The moment Walt Jr. discovers the truth about his father's drug empire is a pivotal point in the series. It's not just the fact that his dad is a criminal; it's the realization that everything he thought he knew about his family was built on lies. This revelation completely shatters his worldview and leaves him feeling lost and betrayed.

When Walt Jr. learns about Heisenberg, it’s not just a simple case of disappointment. It’s a complete upheaval of his reality. He sees his father not as a provider or a protector, but as a dangerous criminal who has put his entire family at risk. This new understanding is incredibly difficult for him to process, leading to a profound sense of disillusionment.

From Walt Jr.'s perspective, his father's actions are not only illegal but also deeply immoral. He can't understand why Walter would choose a life of crime over the well-being of his family. This moral conflict is a major source of his anger and resentment towards his father. He feels like Walter has abandoned his responsibilities as a father and a husband in pursuit of power and wealth.

Moreover, Walt Jr. feels personally betrayed by his father's lies. He trusted Walter and looked up to him, only to discover that their entire relationship was based on deception. This betrayal cuts deep, making it difficult for him to forgive his father's actions. He feels like he can no longer trust Walter, which further isolates him from his father.

The revelation of Walter's double life also brings shame and embarrassment to Walt Jr. He has to face the judgment of his friends and classmates, who now see him as the son of a notorious drug lord. This stigma adds another layer of pain to his already difficult situation, making it even harder for him to cope with his father's actions.

Anger and Disgust

Following the revelation, Walt Jr.’s feelings towards his father shift dramatically. Anger and disgust become the predominant emotions. He can no longer reconcile the image of the father he once knew with the criminal mastermind Heisenberg. Every interaction with Walter is now tainted by the knowledge of his crimes.

Walt Jr. feels a deep sense of betrayal. He had always believed in his father's integrity, but now he realizes that Walter has been lying to him for years. This betrayal shatters his trust in his father and makes it difficult for him to forgive Walter's actions. He feels like he can no longer rely on his father for support or guidance.

The anger stems from the realization that Walter's actions have put the entire family in danger. Walt Jr. worries about the safety of his mother, his sister, and himself. He knows that Walter's involvement in the drug trade has made them targets for criminals and law enforcement alike. This constant fear fuels his anger and resentment towards his father.

Walt Jr. is disgusted by his father's transformation into Heisenberg. He sees Walter as a selfish and ruthless man who is willing to sacrifice anything for his own gain. He can't understand why his father would choose a life of crime over the well-being of his family. This disgust further alienates him from his father and makes it impossible for him to maintain a close relationship with Walter.

Moreover, Walt Jr. is ashamed of his father's actions. He has to face the judgment of his friends and classmates, who now see him as the son of a criminal. This shame adds another layer of pain to his already difficult situation, making it even harder for him to cope with his father's actions. He feels like he is constantly being judged and that he can never escape the shadow of his father's crimes.

Rejecting Walter

One of the most poignant moments illustrating Walt Jr.’s rejection of his father is when he insists on Walter leaving their home. This act is not just a teenage rebellion; it’s a profound statement of his moral stance. He refuses to be associated with his father’s criminal activities and wants to protect his family from further harm.

When Walt Jr. demands that Walter leave, it's a clear indication of how deeply he has been affected by his father's actions. He is no longer willing to tolerate Walter's presence in their lives and wants to distance himself from his father's criminal activities. This decision is not easy for him, but he feels it is necessary to protect his family and maintain his own sense of integrity.

This rejection is also a way for Walt Jr. to assert his independence from his father. He wants to show that he is not defined by his father's choices and that he is capable of making his own decisions. By rejecting Walter, he is reclaiming his identity and asserting his own moral compass.

Furthermore, Walt Jr.'s rejection of his father is a form of self-preservation. He knows that being associated with Walter puts him and his family at risk, and he wants to protect them from further harm. By distancing himself from his father, he hopes to create a safer environment for his loved ones.

The act of demanding Walter to leave is also a way for Walt Jr. to express his anger and disappointment towards his father. He feels betrayed and hurt by Walter's lies and actions, and he wants to make it clear that he does not approve of his father's behavior. This rejection is a powerful message to Walter, showing him the consequences of his choices.

A Glimmer of Understanding?

Despite the overwhelming negativity, there are moments when Walt Jr. shows a glimmer of understanding or perhaps even a hint of compassion towards his father. These moments are fleeting, often overshadowed by his anger, but they suggest that his feelings are not entirely black and white.

One such moment occurs when Walt Jr. learns about his father's cancer diagnosis. Despite his anger, he feels sympathy for his father's suffering and wants to support him. This shows that he still cares about his father's well-being, even though he disapproves of his actions.

Another moment of understanding comes when Walt Jr. sees his father's vulnerability. There are times when Walter breaks down and shows remorse for his actions, and these moments touch Walt Jr.'s heart. He realizes that his father is not just a monster but a flawed human being who is struggling with his own demons.

However, these moments of understanding are often short-lived. Walt Jr.'s anger and resentment quickly resurface, especially when he is reminded of his father's criminal activities. It is difficult for him to reconcile his feelings of sympathy with his disgust for his father's actions.

Despite the challenges, these glimmers of understanding suggest that there is still a possibility for reconciliation between Walt Jr. and his father. It shows that their relationship is not beyond repair and that there is still hope for them to find common ground. However, it would require a significant amount of effort and forgiveness from both sides.

Conclusion

So, did Walter Jr. hate his dad? The answer is complex. While he experienced intense anger, disgust, and betrayal, there were also moments of underlying compassion. Walt Jr.’s feelings were a natural response to the trauma and deception he experienced. Ultimately, his rejection of Walter was an act of self-preservation and a desperate attempt to reclaim his own identity in the face of his father’s destructive choices. What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments!