A prominent figure in the Breaking Bad franchise came into existence due to a scheduling conflict that prevented another character from participating in a specific scene, leading to the creation of this classic character. Among the most renowned tales, widely discussed and prevalent in popular discourse, is the narrative regarding Jesse Pinkman, a nearly co-leading figure in the Breaking Bad television series.
It’s rumored that plans initially involved his demise at the conclusion of Season 1. However, the writers’ admiration for Aaron Paul’s depiction of the character proved so significant that they reconsidered and chose to retain him. Yet, it’s intriguing to note that another iconic member of the show’s exceptional cast owes its creation to a fortunate stroke of serendipity.
Saul Goodman Wasn’t Supposed To Be This Important
In Breaking Bad initial stages, Walter White found himself in need of legal representation for one of his associates involved in the drug trade. He impulsively chose a lawyer from the phone book, little realizing that Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) would later become a pivotal gateway into the drug cartel realm, significantly expanding Walter’s drug enterprise in the days to come.
Saul emerged as a central figure in the series, serving as a legal counsel to Walter and Jesse. He not only facilitated their connection to the cartel but also played a crucial role as a source of essential comedic relief on the show.
During the second season, a significant subplot unfolds as Jesse enters a relationship with Jane (portrayed by the future Jessica Jones actress, Krysten Ritter). Jane influences Jesse to engage in a form of blackmail against Walter, with the two sharing a drug-filled existence at home. Walter eventually confronts them, intending to address the situation, but he discovers them unconscious in Jesse’s bed. Tragically, Jane starts to choke on her back. Although a simple act of turning her onto her side could have saved her, Walter makes the devastating choice to let her pass away.
Bob Odenkirk’s Scheduling Conflicts Introduced Another Character
In the subsequent episode (with Walter feigning his absence, naturally), it became imperative to meticulously tidy up the crime scene, eliminating any traces of drug-related evidence. The initial plan was for Saul to handle this task with his usual flair. However, Bob Odenkirk, not yet a regular cast member of the series, faced scheduling conflicts due to his prior commitment to appear on How I Met Your Mother. Consequently, he couldn’t be featured in the episode, even though he had loosely agreed to appear in four episodes of Breaking Bad.
Consequently, the show’s writers devised a fresh character, a “fixer” under Saul’s employ, named Mike, skillfully portrayed by seasoned character actor Jonathan Banks.
Mike’s captivating performance in the episode propelled him to prominence, leading the writers to increasingly integrate his character into the series, eventually making him a regular cast member as well. Several years have passed, marked by numerous Emmy nominations for Banks, and he, along with Saul, has recently concluded a successful six-season run of the Breaking Bad prequel TV series, Better Call Saul.
Breaking Bad is available for streaming on Netflix.
Source: Legends Revealed
