Top 5 “Breaking Bad” Villains
Welcome fans of the hit AMC series “Breaking Bad” and anyone else needing a distraction. Below is my list of Vince Gilligan’s series top 5 villains.
This is only for the “Breaking Bad” series, not the universe (Better Call Saul, El Camino, etc). Obviously there will be spoilers from the show.
You can find all kinds of lists in our LISTRactions section.
Feel free to leave any comments or a whole list of your own!
#5: The Cousins (Marco & Leonel Salamanca)
This may be cheating cause there are two of them, but they’re twins. So I think I’m good? The twins were involved in one of the best and most tense scenes in the series. This was when they were sent to kill Hank Hank Schrader, Walt’s brother-in-law, played by the fantastic Dean Norris.
Sadly for the Salamanca twins, played by Luis Moncada & Daniel Moncada, Hank wasn’t ready to die. Not only did he survive the ordeal after being shot, but he killed both twins! They weren’t around long but they were awesome and scary as hell while they lasted.
#4: Tuco Salamanca
I’ve seen a bunch of similar lists and always shocked Tuco Salamanca (played by the scene-stealing Raymond Cruz) doesn’t get more love. He was an absolute blast, IMO. Fans had NO IDEA what he was going to do, ever!
What made Tuco fascinating was his complex personality. While he was clearly a ruthless criminal, we caught glimpses of his softer side, revealing a deeper vulnerability.
His love for his abuelita and his willingness to fiercely protect his family (seemingly more than Walter White) showed the depths to his Breaking Bad character.
#3: Jack Welker
In one of the most shocking moments of the series, Jack Welker murdered Hank Schrader in front of Walt. This cemented him as one of the top “Breaking Bad” villains, possibly THE most disliked by fans?
He was also part of another of the series top scenes when Walter returned with his car, set up with a machine gun, taking out the gang and Welker.
Skillfully portrayed by Michael Bowen, Jack is a cold-blooded criminal whose presence brings an immediate sense of danger and foreboding.
#2: Gustavo Fring
Gustavo Fring, played by the brilliant Giancarlo Esposito, was the best villain of the series….from a certain point of view. That will make more sense when you see #1.
Gus vs Walt was awesome, because they were both incredibly smart. It was a lot different than what we had seen before him. Walt dealing with thugs and scary drug kingpins. But having to match wits and outsmart someone like Fring was a totally different, refreshing thing.
He presented himself as a charitable philanthropist, gaining respect in the community. While being a merciless drug lord, overseeing a vast criminal organization. A great example of “don’t judge a book by it’s cover”.
I need to be careful about saying too much because he plays a big role in “Better Call Saul”. And that’s a story for another time.
#1: Walter White
Yeah, I said it! Typed it, actually. But that’s not important now. Walter White was an amazing character but also the top villain of the series, according to this writer.
First off, he poisoned a child! That’s just about as evil as it gets. Obviously there’s much more, but stay with me on Brock (Jesse Pinkman’s girlfriend Andrea’s son).
It seems like they all died, but if there’s even one member of Jack Welker’s gang out there, Brock's life is STILL in danger!
*Sorry if I spoiled some of “El Camino”. But you should have seen that by now.
He got Hank killed and destroyed most of his family, that we knew of. I’m guessing Skyler, Marie and Walt Jr were pretty f-d up after Walt and Hank died.
Walt also could have saved Jesse’s other girlfriend and seemingly true love, Jane. And how many people did his drugs kill?
Like most fans, I was rooting for him all along. But also, I believe he was the top “Breaking Bad Guy” in the series.
You can watch the entire “Breaking Bad” series on Netflix now! Along with “El Camino and Better Call Saul”. Unless you are reading this a long time from now, then who knows.
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