As an ardent fan of the groundbreaking television series “Breaking Bad”, I have always been fascinated by the deep and intricate symbolism embedded within its narrative.
The rich character development, particularly of Skyler White, wife to the anti-hero protagonist Walter White, provides fertile ground for analysis. One pivotal scene, often discussed, is when Skyler walks into the family swimming pool.
This moment, while brief, is charged with meaning and insight into her psychological state.
But why did Skyler walk into the family pool?
Skyler’s motivation for walking into the pool was to ultimately get her children out of the house and away from Walt. Knowing what he was capable of after the nursing home explosion, she needed to act out to provide a basis for moving Holly and Walt Jr. to Hank and Marie’s. Symbolically, we can also view it as a cry for help and an indication that she was in over her head.
Symbolism
Skyler White was undoubtedly entangled in Walter’s illicit enterprise, although reluctantly (at first). As Walter’s silent partner, she laundered his drug money through their car wash business, a critical part of their operation that allowed them to legitimize the illicit earnings.
This complicity was not without its toll on Skyler. She became acutely aware of the nefarious nature of their operation and the constant threat it posed to their family.
Walking into the pool, particularly the “deep end,” was a powerful symbol of Skyler’s feeling of being utterly submerged in a life she hadn’t signed up for.
This desperate act mirrored the depth of her entanglement in Walter’s world of crime. Skyler was in over her head, not just metaphorically, but physically embodied in this act.
Moreover, this pivotal scene marked a turning point in Skyler’s character development. Her fatigue and desperation were palpable. It showed that she was no longer content to passively participate in Walter’s dangerous game and was ready to assert herself in whatever way she could.
A Cry for Help
Skyler’s silence about Walter’s activities was not out of loyalty to her husband, but rather, an intricate web of fear and necessity. She couldn’t afford to expose Walter’s crimes, not only because she was complicit, but also because she had just come to the shocking realization of Walter’s ruthless nature.
Her husband, the man she thought she knew, was involved in heinous crimes, including blowing up a nursing home to kill Gustavo Fring, a drug kingpin.
This grim revelation made her feel trapped, with no one to turn to for help.
Walking into the pool was, in many ways, Skyler’s silent scream for help. Unable to voice her fears and anxieties, she resorted to this act of desperation. She mirrored the behavior of a scared child, plunging into the deep end, hoping someone would notice her distress and come to her rescue.
Getting the Kids Out
Above all else, Skyler was a mother, determined to protect her children at all costs. Walt’s descent into the underworld of crime had brought danger right to their doorstep, a fact that Skyler was painfully aware of.
One of the most persistent themes in her character arc is the lengths she would go to shield her children from their father’s dangerous world.
This disturbing act of walking into the pool was not only a cry for help but also a tactical move on Skyler’s part.
By creating an impression of mental instability, she set the stage for getting her kids away from their increasingly unstable home environment.
She orchestrated this public display of psychological distress during a family gathering, in front of Hank and Marie, her sister and brother-in-law. By doing so, she created an opportunity to send the kids to their house under the guise of needing time to recover, when in reality, she was getting them out of harm’s way.
Conclusion
Breaking Bad is a masterclass in storytelling, and Skyler’s walk into the pool is a prime example of the show’s ability to convey complex emotions and motivations through simple yet powerful actions.
Skyler’s decision to step into the deep end of the pool symbolized her feeling of being out of her depth, reflected her cry for help, and laid the groundwork for her plan to protect her children
It was a quiet act of desperation, resistance, and maternal instinct, all wrapped into one, underlining the tragic complexity of her situation.