Load of Books

28.3.2025

At this point in the story, Walter is unsure if he wants to begin with the cancer treatment.
After a heated debate with the whole family, including Skylar, Hank, Marie and Walter Junior, he states that it is his decision, and he does not want to live his last months in agony.
After what seems to be a decision made, the next scene starts in the master bedroom, where Walt wakes up alone in bed. The camera points us to some books stacked on top of each other.
Now, why do I like this image so much? We see that every book on that stack is a book about babies, birth, and names. As these books are all on Skylar’s nightstand, it is obvious that she is reading them, and the subject of becoming a mother again is dominating her thoughts.

Now on top of that is another book. The book is labeled “Healing Gourmet Eat to fight Cancer”. Visualizing the added pressure that now resides on her. Not only will she become a mother soon, which is already enough to keep you up at night, but she now additionally has to worry about her sick with cancer husband.

I really like the visualization of this. As books stacked upon another, increasing the pressure on her. But I think there is still more to it. On top of the last book, the book about cancer, we can see a face lotion, adding yet another layer. Physically and on the meta level. It is no stretch to say the lotion represents beauty, and by that, Skylar’s need to look well. Even when you’re becoming a mother, even when your husband has lung cancer, even when he refuses treatment.

And I think Walt sees it. When he wakes up, alone in bed, he reaches over, looks at the stack of books, takes the lotion, smells it, puts it back, rises up and thinks for a minute. Right after that, he joins Skylar in the kitchen and tells her he will begin with the treatment. For me, it is obvious his decision is influenced by the stack of books.

In addition to that, it really gives us another glimpse of the Walter we rarely see, the human one, which is not driven by his ego and pride but also feels empathy and cares for his wife.
So, to sum up, the image of the load of this stack of books that resided on Skylar’s shoulders was really thought-provoking to me and told a story that is not the focus of Breaking Bad but which makes it so realistic and layered.