5 Reasons Fans Hated Walter White's Wife in Breaking Bad
Was the hate for Skyler always fair?
In Breaking Bad, Walter White's transformation from a mild-mannered chemistry teacher to a meth-producing drug lord took center stage, but the characters surrounding him also played pivotal roles in the narrative.
One such character, Skyler White, became a subject of intense debate and straight-up hate. Despite being a central figure in the series, Skyler faced significant backlash from fans, — sometimes, for a good reason, other times, unfairly.
That “Happy Birthday” Scene
You can’t possibly forget the scene where Skyler sings Happy Birthday to Ted, specifically, the way she did it. When she later cheats on Walt with Ted and then confesses to Walt, that’s when the hate towards the characters is arguably most justified.
Skyler the Bully
Fans felt that Skyler frequently emasculated her husband, Walter White. From berating him for arriving late to his own birthday party to nagging him about obtaining money for his cancer treatment, she was seen as the opposite of the "supportive housewife" archetype.
This perception was further solidified when Walt began his journey as a drug lord, and Skyler's protective instincts were seen as attempts to hold him back.
She Was Kinda Hypocritical
As Walt's criminal activities escalated, Skyler tried to distance herself from him. However, she eventually became seduced by the money and was accused of developing something akin to Stockholm Syndrome. This led many fans to label her a hypocrite.
Misunderstood Intentions
But not all the hate was justified. Throughout the series, Skyler was subjected to lies, manipulation, and abuse. However, many fans viewed Walt as the victim of Skyler's domineering nature.
This was evident in an episode where Walt breaks into their home and manipulates the situation to appear as a loving father. Instead of sympathizing with Skyler, fans sided with Walt, failing to see the danger he posed to the family.
Societal Bias
This might be the reason behind the above-mentioned misunderstood intentions. The societal bias and double standards could contribute to the negative perception of Skyler.
While Walt's actions as a drug lord were often overlooked, Skyler's actions, even when trying to protect her family, were heavily scrutinized.