Breaking Bad Season 1 Episode 1: Walter's First Step into the Drug World
Bryan Cranston
Walter White
Aaron Paul
Jesse Pinkman
Anna Gunn
Skyler White
RJ Mitte
Walter White Jr.
Dean Joseph Norris
Hank Schrader
Plot Summary:On the eve of his 50th birthday, Walter reflects on his life: his academic qualifications far exceed his current position as a high school chemistry teacher; his rebellious teenage son; his pregnant wife; and his introverted personality. Today, he learns he has lung cancer with only two years to live. He feels numb toward the world around him and desperately tries to hide his illness from his family. He plans to consult his sister-in-law who works at the Drug Enforcement Administration, where authorities have just apprehended a major drug dealer. While waiting for her, he sees someone jump from a window of the building. He instantly recognizes the man as Jesse, one of his former students. Jesse is fleeing from DEA agents, heading toward his car. That night, Walter follows Jesse and they agree on a plan to make and sell methamphetamine together—Walter will produce it, while Jesse handles distribution. The next day, Walter steals chemicals from school, and the two work in a hidden RV. Walter's expert skills produce methamphetamine so pure that Jesse is amazed. Jesse takes the drugs to a dealer, who, knowing Jesse and his associate Emilio have criminal records, decides to take a dangerous risk. The dealer threatens Jesse and Emilio’s lives, demanding Walter hand over the recipe. Walter agrees and begins demonstrating the meth production process, but deliberately adds the wrong chemical to create toxic gas, trapping the dealer. The dealer collapses unconscious. Walter and Jesse escape in the RV, but it suddenly breaks down. Suddenly, police sirens approach—Walter draws his gun, ready to fight, but it turns out to be a false alarm. Walter drives the RV back into town and hides the dealer's body in Jesse's house.