Author(s)

TiTan Zhong

Affiliation(s)

Guangdong Country Garden School, Foshan 528300, Guangdong, China.

Corresponding Author

TiTan Zhong

ABSTRACT

This study explores Vince Gilligan’s innovative approach to character development in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, focusing on how Vince Gilligan uses moral ambiguity and the lack of clear motivation of deuteragonists as a key element in orchestrating the development of the main character. Through a detailed comparative analysis of the scripts, it examines how Jesse’s conflicted morality and lack of clear motivation accentuate Walter’s descent into megalomania, while Kim’s ethical wavering and inconsistent motives complicate Jimmy’s transformation into Saul Goodman. This paper highlights the distinct narrative roles of these deuteragonists, showing how their character flaws serve as catalysts and foils for the protagonists’ development journeys. By leveraging the moral complexity of secondary characters, Vince Gilligan creates emotionally resonant and ethically fraught narratives that challenge traditional distinctions between hero and villain.

KEYWORDS

Breaking bad; Better call saul; Character development; Deuteragonist

CITE THIS PAPER

TiTan Zhong. How character flaws in deuteragonists amplify the character arc of protagonists: vince gilligan’s revolutionary approach to character development. Social Science and Management. 2025, 2(3): 79-82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/ssm3063.

REFERENCES

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