Why did Walt like Jesse THAT much

no one?

Beats me.

I'm just about finished with a BB re-watch, the first in a few years, and what strikes me now is how unbelievable it is that Walt would risk having Jesse as a partner. Jesse is not bright at all, which makes Walt look rather dim for keeping him around. The show, in fact, seems much more like a comedy of sorts. I know, that's strong. But that's how the show -- still entertaining mind you -- comes off.

Oh and btw, Walt may have answered your question in one of the episodes when he was questioned about why he "needed" Jesse so badly. If I remember correctly the answer was that he could trust him. Loyalty has its perks.

Walt definitely needed him for his empire. Other than that, I think it was just a general desire not to see him get killed which doesn’t require much compassion.

Walt being the top meth cook in all America was exactly the kind of superiority Walt always wanted, but in all of that he managed to get someone who he could actually share his dream with.

Jesse knows the real Walt, the Walt no one else is allowed to know about……..and actually loves him.

- When Jesse sees the “pure glass” Walt is able to cook for the first time, he doesn’t get jealous. He immediately celebrates Walt.

- Jesse doesn’t mind taking on Walt’s emotional burden in the crime world, wanting to “debrief” about having to kill Crazy 8. He listens to Walt when Walt is in despair in “4 days out”, assuring Walt is doing everything for his family

- Jesse wants to be there for Walt, making sure Walt’s family gets his money……something Walt knows is rare given how evil the crime business tends to be (The show actually amplified this point by having the disappearer NOT be this trustworthy)

- When they’re in trouble, Jesse is quick to try and come with workable solutions instead of just freaking out……coming up with great ones like taking out Tuco with a rock, connecting them with Saul Goodman, letting Walt know about Gus’s relationship with Hector Salamanca.

- Jesse loves Walt. He is often able to deal with Walt’s aggression (Walt gets loud often) and weirdness (wanting to kill the fly for him)

- Jesse REALLY loves Walt. Jesse never forgets Walt’s desperation in caring for his family nor every time Walt saved Jesse. Jesse likes Walt being a genius and a soft-spoken deep individual (The fly episode) when he can be. So even Walt goes ballistic like the fight in season 4………Jesse can’t let go of the Walt he knows is still there, the family man, the rational thinker…..the good man.


Jesse is the exactly the kind of person Walt has always wanted:

- Someone who makes the same moral compromises he does
- Someone who wants to understand
- Someone who is willing to risks it all for him
- Someone who breaks purely FOR WALT (s5e02)

Just a small ‘first of all’ but there are only 5 seasons. Second, I don’t think he cared that much for Jesse at all. If you look at everything he does to “help” him, it really benefits Walt. Jesse being caught equals Walt being caught - until the last episode. That was more about revenge than helping Jesse.

Been awhile but from what I can remember Walt bonded with Jesse for sure, but mostly, he used Jessie.

Because he was there from the start. Embarking on a life of crime, with all the dangers to be faced, all the social consequences, is psychologically easier if you have someone there to share the burden - even if that someone is a bit of an idiot. Walt knew that not matter what the end may have in store, he was linked with Jessie. Without Jessie, he’d be alone with it all.

delete