‘Breaking Bad’: Jonathan Banks Reveals His Favorite Scene From the Series — ‘It Was So Emotional’
Breaking Bad had so many epic scenes it’s almost impossible to choose the best one. With comedy, drama, and heart-pounding suspense all mixed in, the series became one of the best-loved shows on television. It truly had something for everyone.
The actors on Breaking Bad had the most insight into the show because they got to know the characters better than any fans. Jonathan Banks, who played Gus Fring’s top enforcer Mike Ehrmantraut, revealed his favorite scene on Breaking Bad.
Who was Mike Ehrmantraut?
The complexity of Mike doesn’t become fully realized until the spinoff prequel Better Call Saul. But even before that show existed, fans were deeply respectful of the character.
Mike Ehrmantraut is a former Philadelphia police officer who suffers a great tragedy in his personal life. He was a corrupt officer who got his son Matt involved in sinister dealing accepting bribes, which wound up getting him killed. Mike blamed himself for Matt’s death and left Philadelphia after exacting revenge on his son’s murderers.
Mike winds up working for drug kingpin Gus Fring and uses his law enforcement experience to the fullest extent. As an adept marksman and ruthless murderer, Mike is integral to Gus’ team. But he doesn’t like Walter White and reacts badly when Walt starts taking trying to take over the drug business.
Eventually, his instincts are proven correct. Walt kills Mike for no discernible reason during the last season of the series in the episode “Say My Name.”
Mike gives some solid advice about full measures
One of Mike’s most famous speeches on Breaking Bad occurs in season 3. At the time, Mike is trying to explain to Walt about the importance of making tough decisions. The former cop recounts a time when he gave a domestic abuser “one more chance” to stop hurting his wife. Mike had threatened the man with a gun and backed off, which he regretted.
“Just trying to do the right thing,” Mike said after explaining the situation. “But two weeks later he killed her. Of course. Caved her head in with the base of a Waring blender. We got there, there was so much blood you could taste the metal. The moral of the story is: I chose a half measure when I should have gone all the way. I’ll never make that mistake again. No more half measures, Walter.”
Banks loved his half measures speech but that wasn’t his favorite scene in the show.
Jonathan Banks loves when Jesse and Mike forge a new relationship
As he told Entertainment Weekly, Banks loves the scene in “Say My Name” when Jesse tells Mike he’s quitting the meth business. Again, Mike offers solid advice for his former nemesis, saying, “Kid, just look out for yourself.”
“It was so emotional, and it’s just a small scene,” Banks said. “I tell Jesse to be careful and I leave. I’ve always said I don’t think he could save Jesse. But he thought there was a chance that maybe he could get out of the life. Not unlike Mike, I can’t describe the level of empathy or protection maybe that he felt toward Jesse as he’s walking away.”
It’s all the small, seemingly insignificant scenes like this that add up to one memorable series. Breaking Bad is full of them.
