Vince Gilligan’s Main Characters In Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul & Pluribus Have 1 Thing In Common

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Vince Gilligan, the creator of popular shows like Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and Pluribus, consistently develops main characters with a similar quality. He’s remarkably skilled at building detailed, fascinating worlds filled with memorable characters and believable relationships.

As a huge fan, I was completely blown away by what Vince Gilligan did with Breaking Bad. He proved he could build a really compelling, long story, and Brian Cranston was Walter White – it all just clicked. Then, he did it again with Better Call Saul, and Bob Odenkirk’s performance as Jimmy McGill was phenomenal – seriously, another home run!

Gilligan, known for his hit crime dramas, has clearly demonstrated he’s no one-hit wonder with his new sci-fi mystery, Pluribus. Though he’s moved into a different genre, his characters still share a key characteristic.

Vince Gilligan Has Created Deeply Complex Leading Characters For His Shows

I’m a huge fan of Vince Gilligan’s work because he just creates characters you really believe in. Take Walter White from Breaking Bad – he started as this weak, defeated guy, and it was fascinating to watch him change. And then there’s Jimmy McGill, or Saul Goodman – getting to know him over six seasons was incredible. It’s seriously addictive watching these characters and how they evolve, you just get so invested in their journeys.

It’s not just the stars of Gilligan’s Island, either. Characters like Jesse Pinkman were incredibly compelling because he went through such a dramatic change – from a troubled person to someone many people genuinely liked and felt deserved a better fate.

Kim Wexler, brilliantly portrayed by Rhea Seehorn, faced tough choices balancing her morals and her connection with Jimmy. But the central characters in all of Vince Gilligan’s shows share a key similarity.

Walter White, Saul Goodman, & Carol Sturka Have One Thing In Common

Apple

I’ve always been struck by how deeply unhappy the central characters in Gilligan’s shows seem to be. It’s remarkable, really, how consistently they struggle just to cope with life and get through whatever difficulties are thrown their way. Their unhappiness feels like a constant, even as they try to navigate everything.

Walter White was deeply unhappy. He felt abandoned by his wife and devastated by a life-threatening illness. Even after becoming wealthy and securing his family’s future, he remained unfulfilled and constantly searched for something more to give his life meaning.

I was completely captivated by Jimmy McGill’s journey. At its heart, this isn’t a story about a shady lawyer, but a man desperately seeking respect and recognition. He was capable and hardworking, but his brother’s lack of faith constantly held him back. Even when he did find success – albeit through morally questionable means – he never truly escaped a sense of anxiety and self-doubt. It’s a deeply human story, and honestly, it’s heartbreaking to watch him struggle with that internal conflict.

Joining the cast is Carol Sturka, played by Rhea Seehorn, another character feeling lost and disillusioned. Despite having wealth and success, Carol finds her work meaningless, leaving her empty inside. Naturally, when disaster strikes, she’s left completely alone and unhappy.

Vince Gilligan is a fantastic creator of characters, but it’s notable that many of his main characters are unhappy. This is a departure from typical TV, where stories often end happily. Instead, Gilligan crafts compelling narratives built around deeply interesting, yet troubled, characters, much like in his show, Pluribus.

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2025-11-09 18:28