Since the 2013 airing of Felina, the final great episode of Breaking Bad. The disrespect that everyone has for Skyler, Walter’s wife, who is superbly portrayed by Anna Gunn, is one of the characteristics that stay consistent in the fandom, despite the length of time spent and Better Call Saul’s merits in portraying other sections of the same plot.
Creator of the show Vince Gilligan discussed the sexist effect of this incident on Skyler and her performer in a recent interview with The New Yorker.
Skyler in Breaking Bad had sexual blowback, which offended Vince Gilligan lately.
When the show first aired, Skyler was downright nasty. I think this has always troubled Anna Gunn. And I can tell you that she has constantly upset me because Skyler, the character, has done nothing to deserve it. And Anna certainly did nothing to deserve it. She played the part beautifully.
In hindsight, I realize the show was rigged in the sense that the narrative was only seen through Walt’s eyes, even in scenes he wasn’t there for. Even Gus (Giancarlo Esposito), her bitter enemy, did not suffer from the hatred received from Skyler. It is a strange thing. I’m still thinking about it after all these years.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2018, Anna Gunn brought up this Breaking Bad issue.
It was a combination of sexism and ideas about gender roles. Then, honestly, it was the brilliance of the show’s construct – the actress said. People found a hero in Walt, but they wanted so badly to connect with him in such a visceral way that seeing the person who was often his antagonist – so in a sense, the antagonist of the show – they felt like he was right. ‘hindering him.
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