Q&A - Aaron Paul (Jesse Pinkman)
The actor who portrays Walt's partner-in-crime, Jesse Pinkman, discusses the duo's ever-shifting chemistry and stepping back into his role with Bryan Cranston holding the reins in AMCtv.com's exclusive interview. Click here to read Aaron Paul's interview for his upcoming horror movie, The Last House on the Left.
Q: After a strike-shortened first season, did you ever doubt Breaking Bad would be back?
A: You never know. But honestly, I would be really sad at society if they didn't bring it back, just because I think this show is genius. And even though I think the first season was beautiful, the second season absolutely knocks it out of the water.
Q: Season 2 picks up exactly where the Season 1 finale left off - was it difficult to step right back into the moment?
A: It was definitely surreal, but it was great because Bryan Cranston was the director. So we jumped into something very familiar on-screen and off. And I loved how they started our second season -- how there's no time lost, and you realize that Tuco is just this insane lunatic, more insane than you imagined. Jesse is literally thinking he is not going to live another moment. So now he's just trying anything to survive.
Q: Was it strange to have Bryan directing you?
A: Dude, it was amazing. I truly hope he continues to do this. I would like him to direct an episode each season -- his episode turned out beautifully. How he can step into the shoes as a director and a star is just beyond me. It was a nice way to begin, because we didn't have someone we didn't know directing. I know Bryan very well, and stepping back into this character with him holding the reins ready to make that happen with such an intense script couldn't have worked out better.
Q: How do you think Episode 1 sets the tone for the rest of the season?
A: The first episode is really non-stop, heart-pumping intense, and it just goes above and beyond from there. The show might slow down to give the audience and the characters a chance to take a breath, and maybe think they're okay, and then it just keeps going like a snowball effect. Second season there's a lot more sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. [Laughs]. That's what we're all about here at Breaking Bad.
Q: It sounds like it's going to get much darker. Does that make it harder to integrate the show's humor?
A: Actually, I thought it became more natural. It's so funny this season, and the circumstances just make it funnier. It's fantastic how you find yourself laughing at such horrible things. Even as an actor reading these scripts, I found myself laughing at things I knew I should absolutely not be laughing about. You'll see. [Laughs].
Q: Do you feel like the chemistry between Walt and Jesse has altered this season? Does it feel to you like they're on a more equal turf in this episode?
A: Yes and no. Jesse's not afraid to bring anything up to Walt. He's definitely going to put in his two cents, like when they're talking about what to do with Tuco. Jesse's idea is young and guff, and Walt's is more sophisticated and scientific. So even though Jesse and Walt are becoming more comfortable with each other, they are still such polar opposites as human beings. There's always going to be that butting of heads and pulling back and forth tug of war. That's what works with these characters. But I think as the second season goes on, they become to truly trust one another.
Q: Vince Gilligan says Season 2 is about chickens coming home to roost. What does that mean to you?
A: Oh man. I think Walt and Jesse are coming into their own -- they're feeling comfortable. Even though they're terrified, they know what's going on. And so many things come their way that distract them or terrify them -- but they do realize that they have something good coming, and they're making good moves. The chickens are coming home to roost. I love that.
Fans want Aaron on myspace. I'm hoping that Aaron will be nominated for an Emmy this year. I believe he should have won one or at-least been nominated for one last year. He is a crucial part to the show. I love the entire cast they play their roles very well, but in all honesty the show would flop if not for the duo of Walt "Bryan" and Jesse "Aaron" They are in a way, the Cheech and Chong of the 21st Century.
Very cool interview. Thanks for this kind of stuff AMC!
And I agree with the comment above, Aaron you are an amazing actor, and I really wish for you to get some recognition soon. Keep up the good work!
Aaron has definately got it down as a Tweeker with , I feel - a well hidden want to discover recovery.
The maturing of these characters is going to awesome to see in development!
Aaron - man - you were hangin out with some really twisted folks once upon a time; just TOO HARD for me to imagine it was actually YOU in the "tweeker" job description, I guess anythings possible - but normally true "METH TWEEKS" don't get the oppportunities you have.
So, GREAT ACTING MAN!
I see a future of "Walt", finding himself choosing to display his inner MASCULINITY and balancing it out with his softer mostly prevlant, passive, feminine nature... Before accepting his call back to GOD. (Finding out exactly how much a soul weighs - whispering in Sky's ear as his spirit is leaving this plane, reassurnglt, comfortably commenting invisably:"Baby, we were just a couple a grams short")
Walt doesn't die of the lung cancer... He dies after Tuco stabs him through the lungs after the final hookup - for lets say 30 kilos, and Walt is ONLY 2 Grams off"
Jesse, I see slowly heading down his own path to finding his proverbial "bottom", where those of this dark life style choice need to arrive in order to achieve a clarity to want to change; and then being the DEVOTED hand holding FRIEND to Walt as he lies in a hospice bed, awaiting the end of what WEwill one some day really miss as a truely effective MIND OPENING and EDUCATIONAL DRAMA on the EPIDEMIC from the 90's to 2015, METHAMPHETAMINE.
This is an Alchemist Stone!
In Video Media Voyoristic Format.
DARING
MAYBE --- Walt won't even actually cash out!, They can be bringing in the crash carts and make this an absolutely insufferable cliffhanger!
For season - 4? lol
Keep up the brilliance fellas!
gypsy
Aaron Paul is fantastic as Jesse. He is so high-strung and brings out both the sad and pathetic side along with his good, honest side with great comic timing. He is my favorite character on the show and I hope he gains some buzz come next year's award season.
Aaron plays the STONER part perfectly. I grew up in the late 70's and 80's and he could of easily been one of those guys in the neighborhood that sold pot or whatever. Fantastic acting and props to everyone on the show for making this priority #1 for veiwing each week!!
Aaron Paul is an excellent actor. As a teenager in the late '60's and early '70's, I have met several "Jesse(s)" in my day. As Walt's personality becomes stronger and he gets deeper into criminal behavior, the more Jesse takes on beatings and his life spirals out of control; Jesse desires to get out of the meth life. It is almost as if Jesse is Walt's cancer - he is the one feeling all the pain of their endeavors. It is in only in the most recent episodes in the second season that Walt is now experiencing repercussions of his involvement in cooking meth with the ostricism of his wife and son. It would be nice to see Aaron Paul receive an award for his efforts on the show because his acting is so authentic and profound.
Aaron Paul was born to play Jesse, your acting in the GRILLED episode was phenomenal , the constant state of nervousness was fantastic to watch how Jessie tells Walt he should be all suicidal and shit had me cracking up in stiches, you're a gifted actor , keep up the good work, I know your best is yet to come, good luck
screw apology gurl....
yo,
would love to smoke a bowl with you......too bad jesse is just a character on the show....
keep up the good work...yo.
infinitegurl
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