The Top 50 Best Breaking Bad Characters: 30-21

With the finale of Breaking Bad coming next Sunday, now is as good of a time as any to look back on all of the great characters that have been created for the show. From "Pilot" through "Granite State," this is the list of those who went above and beyond to make Albuquerque the drug capitol of the southwest and milquetoast Walter White into the scariest guy in the world. It wasn't a pretty ride, but at least we have these 50 memorable characters to share the memories with.

30. Don Eladio Vuente


Actor: Steven Bauer
First Episode: "Hermanos"
Status: Dead


The head of the Juarez Cartel and someone who doesn't have a lot of screen time, but leaves a strong impression. He is the one who negotiated with Gus Fring in "Hermanos" for distribution rights only to tear him down as a person. Just as Fring would do to everyone who stood in his way, he was a ruthless empire building man who sold products. He was cocky and slick to the point of trying to mend ways with Fring. Even if he was just a loud, boisterous man who enjoyed his drinks to be fancy, he was the one who operated one of the show's biggest threats, and that is saying something.


29. Tyrus Kitt and Victor


Actors: Ray Campbell and Jeremiah Bitsui
First Episode: "Thirty-Eight Snub" and "Mandala"
Status: Dead

This one is sort of a cheat, but both Victor and Tyrus' main service to the series was to be the surveillance team for Gus Fring's operation. They kept an eye on Walter and Jesse and kept the tight shift. Without them, Fring's legacy would lose impact as he would be consistently present and lose the ominous feeling of transparency. Whether it is Victor introducing Walter into the big world or his infamous throat slitting, these characters were small without losing momentum. Even if Tyrus never had a moment as iconic as Victor's, both knew how to keep the operation under wraps, which is a pretty thankless task.

28. Tortuga


Actor: Danny Trejo
First Episode: "Negro y Azul"
Status: Dead


In terms of Top 5 Breaking Bad deaths, this one manages to rank among them. Even if he was only present for two episodes, he was the introduction to El Paso that Hank needed. He wasn't necessarily fast moving, but his hardcore wit and ethics made for a compelling character that managed to be shady without being exceptionally great. He knew how to take of himself, but not when it came to the hands of the Cousins. By that point in season two, there hadn't been that many memorable deaths, and to have his head severed on the back of an explosive tortoise was a nice start to the era of off the wall, crazy kills that the show has since become experts at. Even if he wasn't that versatile, Tortuga's death at very least was the moment that Hank became the vulnerable human being that solidified the show's deeper context of family.


27. Dr. Delcavoli


Actor: David House
First Episode: "Cancer Man"
Status: Alive

While not the doctor responsible for setting everything in motion (that would be the one time use of Dr. Belknap), Dr. Delcavoli is the one responsible for all of Walter's treatments. He keeps him in check and is the lingering force of whether he is going to live or die. With the treatments themselves being cyclical and bringing out moments of Walter's frustrations, notably on a towel dispenser, he is probably the most referenced character to rarely be seen on camera. From paying for the treatment to the current resurgence, Delcavoli has been there through it all. Whether or not Walter is using his own ego to do things, I am sure that those diagnoses fuel some rage. Even if you don't consider his use valuable, he did provide one of season two's best plot twists in which Walter's cancer was temporarily gone and thus brought into question just how exactly he was planning to go on.

26. Ted Beneke

Actor: Christopher Cousins
First Episode: "Negro y Azul"
Status: Alive

Skyler's former boss and the one person who had no idea what to do when being secretly paid a lot of money, Ted is one of the oddest characters. He is used time again as Skyler's release from Walter's reclusive manners to the point that she famously has sex with him. Even if his existence was more to pose a threat to Walter's manhood, Ted was someone who leveled the playing fields by making Skyler more of a rebellious person. It was also nice to know that in a world full of money laundering and being financially concerned at all points, there was someone who managed to own a successful business that had problems with the books and eventually lead Huell and Kuby to babysit him until checks cleared. Ted may have been a threat, but as he lives out his days in a hospital's care, it seems tragic to see him ruin his life by just tripping over a rug.


25. Lydia Rodarte-Quayle


Actor: Laura Fraser
First Episode: "Madrigal"
Status: Alive

An employee for Madrigal Electromotive in the south western area, Lydia somehow got mixed up in the distribution of meth to international clients. While at first she wasn't a great business woman, through a few too many interrogations with Walter, Jesse, and Mike, she gained confidence and skills that not only made Walter a rich man, but also turned her into one of the wealthiest distributors. She may not dress appropriately for her meetings and wear high heels in the desert, but she has slowly gained dominance as a character, even if she pales in comparison to most of the season five newbies. At very least, she remains a viable force who wants a pure product, and that is admirable, even if it made Todd fall madly in love with her.


24. Patrick Kuby


Actor: Bill Burr
First Episode: "Open House"
Status: Alive

Saul Goodman's henchmen and the show's travelling comic relief. That isn't to say that he is a terrible employee. In fact, Kuby is one of the better pawns that the show has in its existence. Whenever Walter had a plan that needed an outside source to help, Kuby was his man. From interrogating Ted to blocking trains, he was a champ through it all. With plenty of humor, he at times felt like a protege to the Goodman model with an ability to escape from any situation by the skin of his teeth. While his debut came in my least favorite episode of the series, he started off strong by managing to convince Bogdan Wolynetz to sell the car wash to Skyler. His charisma paid off and without him, there wouldn't be a White family car wash right now. 

23. Uncle Jack


Actor: Michael Bowen
First Episode: "Gliding Over All"
Status:

While a little less sadistic than Todd, he is definitely from the same mold. In his first episode, he is responsible for orchestrating the death of multiple snitches in multiple jail locations. Since then, he has only gotten more intimidating and is even responsible for killing Hank. While Walter may be considered the show's most vile character, Uncle Jack's last minute installment in the series is one of tragedy and unfortunate timing. He is the one who took down the Heisenberg Empire, and not with a quality product either. He was just a violent psychopath who followed orders and ruined anyone's life who stood in his way. In a way, it is a fitting final villain for Walter to face simply because he is not an equal or greater than him. He is just ruthless.

22. Huell Babineaux


Actor: Lavell Crawford
First Episode: "Box Cutter"
Status: Alive

Saul Goodman's bodyguard who managed to chalk up an impressive amount of memorable moments. His towering presence was intimidating and simply saying "Reasonably" gave off a comical menace that defined the character as the series went darker. Even towards the end of the series when he became less important, Huell had some memorable moments that served as his farewell. From planting the cigarettes on Jesse to rolling around in a pile of money and being interrogated by Hank, he has had a memorable final season. Even if he managed to steal enough money to retire, Huell's existence in the show was full of comedic intimidation and memorable moments of just trying to keep Saul's increasingly crazy plans from falling apart.


21. Wendy


Actor: Julia Minesci
First Episode: "...and the Bag's in the River"
Status: Alive

The show's resident prostitute who not only introduced Walt Jr. to a world of crime in the second episode, but served as Jesse's least involved romantic interest. She was a good soul who managed to protect him while figuratively serving the public. She may have disappeared as a character after season three, but her early goings lead to several memorable moments, including one of the most lively montages the show has produced. She is a tough woman who won't let down her guard and even if she is getting money for drugs, she isn't nearly as tragic as her demeanor makes her look. She is useful, if just to try and slip rival drug dealers some ricin burgers.


Come back tomorrow when we cover #20-11 which includes babies, psychopaths, and a whole lot of purple.

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