This article contains mention of sexual assault.

12 years after the Breaking Bad universe characters being among the most compelling in the history of television. The writing and the unforgettable performances from Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul make Walter White and Jesse Pinkman iconic characters with a deeply complex relationship. Skyler White (Anna Gunn), Hank Schrader (Dean Norris), and Gustavo Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) all prove to be unforgettable characters as well.

In the case of lawyer Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), he is riveting enough to warrant his own Breaking Bad spinoff series. best shows of all time and there is plenty to praise, I still have issues with the response to a particularly important character.

Skyler White Is One Of Breaking Bad's Most Tragic Characters

She Loses Everything

While there is no shortage of heartbreaking stories in Breaking Bad, few characters are as tragic as Skyler. She does her best to protect her family and to do what she thinks is best for them, even when that means going against what she wants. She s Walt every step of the way as he battles cancer, and after she learns about his secret life making and selling crystal methamphetamine, she eventually helps launder the money, seeing it as the only way forward given Walt's choices.

As if this is not difficult enough, she is doing her best to raise their two children, the teenage Walter Jr. (RJ Mitte), along with the young Holly, who is born toward the end of Breaking Bad season 2. Despite doing her best to navigate a perilous situation, Walt's self-destructive choices eventually destroy their family, resulting in the murder of Skyler's brother-in-law, Hank, and her sister Marie Schrader (Betsy Brandt), cutting her out of her life. Skyler and her children lose their house and are maligned because of their connection to Walt.

Skyler's Ending Breaks My Heart

She Does Not Go Out On Her Own Like The Other Main Characters

It breaks my heart to see Skyler's Breaking Bad story ending with her losing everything after making countless sacrifices to protect her family. In her final scene with Walt in the Breaking Bad series finale, "Felina," he its to Skyler that despite what he always said, he now knows that the drug empire was ultimately not for their family and that he did it for himself. This is a pivotal moment for Walt's character arc, but it is a truth that Skyler has always known, and while the moment offers closure between them, it is really about Walt.

Skyler continues to suffer, and there is no sense of catharsis to how her story concludes.

It is also difficult to see Breaking Bad's other main characters going out on their own while Skyler continues to pay the price for Walt's actions. Hank stands by his principles in his final moments and dies defiantly. Walt ends his life doing everything he ever wanted to do, getting his revenge against those who wronged him, and freeing Jesse. Jesse finally gets his freedom, and the Breaking Bad sequel movie El Camino sees him getting a truly fresh start. Meanwhile, Skyler continues to suffer, and there is no sense of catharsis to how her story concludes.

Why The Conversation About Skyler White Needs To Change After The Unnecessary Hate

The Backlash Against Skyler Has Always Been Problematic

Outside the show, there has been a great deal of unnecessary hate and backlash targeted at Skyler. During and after the show's run, she has been condemned as an unlikable and unive character who gets in the way of Walt and his potential. This criticism misses the point of Breaking Bad, which is an exploration of an individual gradually turning into and justifying his worst self. Beyond Walt, practically every character, including Skyler, makes poor decisions due to hubris and believing they are making the best choice for themselves in a horrible situation.

Demonizing Skyler while glorifying Walt and other male characters is hypocritical and overlooks the essence of Breaking Bad's core themes. The conversation surrounding Skyler, especially while the show was airing, is a reflection of ingrained misogyny in popular culture, especially as much of it does not even take into how Walt sexually assaults Skyler in season 2. As Breaking Bad continues to be celebrated and rewatched for years to come, I hope more nuance can be brought to discussions of Skyler and to Gunn's phenomenal performance.