Welcome back, fellow “Breaking Bad” enthusiasts! If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent countless hours immersed in the thrilling universe that Vince Gilligan created, following the life of our favorite high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine manufacturing drug dealer, Walter White.
One question that often pops up among fans is about Walter’s millions: Do Gretchen and Elliot Schwartz actually give Walter White’s remaining money to his family?
It’s a point of intense debate, leaving many fans scratching their heads long after the final credits rolled. So, let’s put on our Heisenberg hats and dive deep into this mystery, because, as Jesse would say, “Yeah, science!”
Gretchen & Elliot’s Background
Before we delve into the heart of the matter, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page.
If you’ve watched “Breaking Bad,” you’ll remember Gretchen and Elliot Schwartz as old friends of Walter. They’re the wealthy co-founders of Gray Matter Technologies, a successful company that Walter helped create but left behind under murky circumstances.
This history sets up a fascinating dynamic throughout the series, and it becomes a key piece of the puzzle when it comes to the destiny of Walter’s illicit earnings.
His pride, mixed with regret and resentment over what could have been, play out in interesting ways – we wrote about that fully in this article on why he left Gray Matter Technologies.
What Happens to the Money?
Now, let’s tackle the question head-on.
In the series finale, “Felina,” we see Walter visit Gretchen and Elliot in their upscale home. He brings with him roughly nine million dollars — the very last of his drug money.
Walter makes them an offer they can’t refuse: to launder this money and give it to his children, Flynn (also known as Walter Jr.) and Holly, under the guise of a charitable donation.
In this scene, Walter reveals a plan. He wants his children to believe that this money is a legitimate gift, not the fruit of his criminal endeavors.
He arranges it so that Gretchen and Elliot will give his kids the money on their 18th birthdays, hoping to secure their futures.
However, the show ends before we get a definitive answer to whether Gretchen and Elliot follow through with Walter’s plan. But given the lengths Walter goes to ensure his plan is carried out – including hiring hitmen (who are, in fact, Badger and Skinny Pete with laser pointers) to intimidate them – it’s a fair bet they do.
As we know, when Walter White wants something done, it usually happens!
To summarize — it’s unknown. But we can assume that Gretchen and Elliot followed through with Walter’s demands. While they likely feared the legal repercussions of getting involved, it’s fair to say they feared their impending assassination even more.
How This Would Impact The White Family
This plan of Walter’s, if executed by Gretchen and Elliot, drastically alters the future for his family.
Without this money, Skyler, Flynn, and Holly would likely face severe financial hardships due to legal complications and lack of income. We definitely saw a peek of this in where Skyler and the kids were living during the events of Felina.
Walter’s illicit earnings, if delivered as a ‘charitable gesture’ from the Schwartzes, would help ensure their financial stability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while we can make educated guesses, we never see a definitive answer on screen to whether Gretchen and Elliot give Walter’s money to his family.
Yet, knowing Walter White, his resourcefulness, and determination, it’s a good bet that his final plan was executed as he envisioned.