Breaking Bad

No normal people are sociopaths.
Walt is a sociopath.

Walt is not a normal person.

Which is why this show (for me) isn't the GREATEST EVAR! b/c the conceit (normal guy becomes Scarface) just doesn't work.

Mmm hmmm... yes, it's agreed then. The_Meach won't be allowed near the phone again.

Walt definitely has sociopathic tendencies that come out through his ego and ambition. But he is genuinely remorseful multiple times throughout the series because of his actions. Doesn't sound like a sociopath to me. This series was the best ever for me because of the consistent characters, the subtle yet playful imagery through colour and setting, the multi-levelled dialogue, the clever twists, the fun plot devices (through sciency stuff!) and the top notch acting.

It all worked well and even though it had many MANY grand moments it always felt poignant and grounded.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by aren

"I did it for me. I liked it. I was good at it. And, I was really.. I was alive."

/enddiscussion

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He clearly didn't start doing it for him, and he didn't even know how good he'd be at it. I think the turning about between doing it for his family and doing it for himself was S2 E10 where he goes back to cooking even though his cancer is in remission.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Advocate

Not reading the whole thread, because well. Just started to watch this (Season 2 ep 8). I agree and disagree with Meach. Walt's sociopath ways were hinted at when he talked to Gretchen at the restaurant in Santa Ana (?). Gretchen had a COMPLETELY different viewpoint of his leaving Grey Matter versus Walt viewpoint where he was ADAMANT words WERE spoken.

Hints as well:

• Gretchen and Elliot's wedding - Instead of staying around and talking to people. He took a tour of the library.
• Skylar's baby shower - He seemed detached from even talking to Hank.

I agree though that ...



agree.

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I'm not sure those things are evidence of him being a sociopath. They are evidence of him being socially awkward, self-centered, arrogant, ashamed, prideful, etc. But a sociopath has no conscience and those don't seem (to me) to be evidence of that.

Here are some of the prime facets of psychopathy:

Facet 1: Interpersonal
Glibness/superficial charm
Grandiose sense of self-worth
Pathological lying
Conning/manipulative

Facet 2: Affective
Lack of remorse or guilt
Emotionally shallow
Callous/lack of empathy
Failure to accept responsibility for own actions

Facet 3: Lifestyle
Need for stimulation/proneness to boredom
Parasitic lifestyle
Lack of realistic, long-term goals
Impulsivity
Irresponsibility

Facet 4: Antisocial
Poor behavioral controls
Early behavioral problems
Juvenile delinquency
Revocation of conditional release
Criminal versatility

Other factors:
Many short-term marital relationships
Promiscuous sexual behavior

Only PART of Factor 2 is there prior to the cancer (emotionally shallow) and NONE of Factor 1, 3, or 4 is there until he starts down the road. Walt hits pretty much all of these (other than promiscuity/lack of impulse control) as he goes deeper into things.

Yeah dave nailed it. That's the whole point of the Heisenberg persona in the end too.

Facet 5: "Television"

For the writers, narrative > factual psychological profile.

There's your answer, fishbulb.

Ignoring this entire thread for the moment. Just finished season 2 and have never been this entranced by a TV drama. There's literally never been a show I cared to discuss with friends, co-workers til this. Damn.

Wait till the end of 4. Straight balls.

I watched the entire series over the course of a month or so, and after the finale, I unhooked my cable.
It's the only tv show that I've gotten into in the last decade, and it was the only thing worth watching on basic cable.