Q&A - Aaron Paul (Jesse Pinkman)
The actor ponders whether Jesse has hit rock bottom, reflects on Season 2's more domesticated moments and relates the inherent danger of interacting with other cast members in AMCtv.com's exclusive interview.
Q: You played a heroin addict in the movie Wasted. Was that helpful in preparing you for this season of Breaking Bad?
A: Yeah, Wasted was about an epidemic that happened in Plano, Texas. And they set us up then with actual users who were still using, and we got to ask them any question we could think of: I asked if there was anything they could compare the feeling to, what it tastes like; what do you do the first time you do it? I've never been around that kind of drug. Living in Los Angeles you run into other sketchy things, but heroin is so dark and intense and very specific.
Q: Jesse has been depicted throughout the show as an addict, but at least a functioning one. Do you think by the end of Season 2 he's hit bottom?
A: He was definitely a functioning drug user. But in Season 2, I think Vince and the writers really show what drugs do to the human body and the human soul -- it completely destroys them. It really seems like Jesse has hit bottom, but you never know [Laughs]. In my own reality, I think that would absolutely be rock bottom. Reading the season finale, I was thinking "Oh my God, Jesse is going to off himself. He can't survive any more." But who knows what the writers will come up with next season. Sadly, the statistic with heroin addicts is that 1 out of 1,000 that becomes sober stays sober. This is his livelihood; this is what he knows. I think that inevitably the world is going to draw him back in.
Q: Jesse also gets to have some light moments in Season 2 -- cooking Jane breakfast, for example. Was that a welcome contrast?
A: It's great to be able to play the crazy drug-addict kid -- it's fun to portray something that you're absolutely not. It's why I got into this business. But man, it was nice to have that diversity this season. I'm glad they're showing the kinder side of Jesse. And working opposite Krysten Ritter, who is a wonderful actress -- I'm sad to see her go, but someone had to die.
Q: Thankfully not you!
A: [Laughs] Thankfully not me.
Q: Last season you got a scene with Anna Gunn (Skyler). This season you got a scene with Dean Norris (Hank) --
A: I did! It was amazing. I so enjoy just talking to him and being around him. In the episode where they actually come face to face, and Hank says, "Jesse Pinkman," and they lock eyes? I was like "Yesss!" I knew that Jesse was probably going to be meeting Hank at some point, but I didn't think it would be so early. I rarely get to work with anybody other than Bryan and the guest stars. So when it happens you're like, "Why are these characters in the same room together? Something has gotta be going wrong." [Laughs]
Q: RJ Mitte (Walter Jr.) tells us you became quite the go-karting aficionado during off-hours this season...
A: Yes! Bryan rented out the go-kart track nearby and he got pizza for the entire cast and crew and we were there for hours and hours racing against each other. He completely got me addicted -- the track was right near this place that I bought out there, and I'm like, "Oh my God this is genius! Anyone wanna go race after work?" By the way, can I say something?
Q: Of course.
A: Michael Slovis, our wonderful DP, is one of the most beautiful people I've ever met in my life. Michael, I love you so much. We will see you back in Season 3! I always joke around with him, like, "You better be coming back next season." But it's hard for him because he doesn't get to see his family. We need to hassle him. If you could put that little quote in there, that'd be great -- it's all about peer pressure these days.
Q: Having played a druggie, you know that all too well, right?
A: Exactly. [Laughs] I know this. I know this.
Check back Thursday for an interview with Breaking Bad's location manager, Scott Clark.
I absolutely adore your role as Jessie and is one of my favorite characters in the series. Jessie had a sense of "right vs. wrong", but circumstances of his life lead him to a much different lifestyle that even tough love parents couldn't handle. You are soooo savvy to bring out the "human' side of Jessie amongst the shouting matches with Walt, but even Walt sees the soft side of Jessie under duress. You portray Jessie as a quick wit sassy, take no prisonsor's attitude when confronted or cornered and handle it well, seasoned with that saucey back-talk humor! In the beginning I didn't have any sympathy for the screwed-up, dropout druggie kid Jessie, but your portrayal certainly changed my attitude. The shooting gallery scene hugging Walt was the most heart-wrenching and caught me off guard concerning Jessie's character. My compassion for Jessie had changed to a more forgiving mode of him, not as a druggie, but just kid with a lot of past hurts and painful memories struggling through life. Looking forward to seeing how life unfolds for him in the next few weeks. Thank you, Aaron! You're the best!
Aaron Paul......yo! Jesse is the coolest tv character ever.....I must admit......probably the first half of season 1, I just wasn't buying your character....his lingo(what was i thinkin!)....i guess it went over my head or i didnt get it......i dunno but Jesse has been my favorite character on the show since i saw the light.........and especially after "737" and "grilled" episodes!!!!!
I was scared they were gonna kill u off man......it will be a sad day for b.bad if they ever do! CHEERS MAN....U RULE! YO!
Aaron Paul you should win the Emmy for best supporting actor in a drama!
Aaron, I really like your character Jesse, but sometimes I wonder just how long Jesse will be able to survive the many Misadventures he is involved in. Some of the stuff Jesse goes through is absolutely comical, then there are those darker moments. That scene in Season 1 episode 1 where you roll off that roof of the duplex, man that must have been a 12 foot drop. Then there's the episode where you fall through the roof of the Porta Potty, brilliant. Jesse falls down a lot, but he seems to be able to always recover. Hope to see Jesse straighten himself out next Season, would hate to see him become just another dead junky.
You should have won an Emmy last season, but this season its not only over due, but well deserved. The way I see it, you should receive an Emmy and the Peoples Choice award this year. Great work Aaron.
Aaron, how you manage to deliver some of those incredible lines with a straight face is beyond me. (Layered, like nachos is one of my favorites.) We've all commented on the forums about how Walt is becoming less and less human while Jesse's humanity is becoming more apparent. It's his humanity that makes his suffering so very real. You are doing an amazing job of bringing depth to this character. If you don't get an Emmy, it will definitely be a crime, 'cause you got some mad skills, yo.
Aaron Paul, the moment I discovered that the guy playing "Scott" on "Big Love" and the guy playing "Jesse" on "Breaking Bad" were one and the same, I knew you were something special. The two characters are so different, and you make them both completely believable. I've Broken out into Big, Bad Love! You have a long and amazing career ahead of you..
Aaron Paul's work on Breaking Bad is fantastic! I love this show and I can't wait for season 3!!!
Jesse, love your wardrobe - you are definitely not a skank. You have shown great compassion toward young children and have been a seemingly kind person under the drug-user facade. So looking forward to Season 3.
Mr. Paul
You're so natural in your role. I live in ABQ and I swear I've seen you at the laundromat. You are that good. Sad to say, Albuquerque is also pretty natural in that same way, it's kind of a rough town. I hope you help someone doing what you do. Thanks.
you are an awesome actor. if they kill you, im done. it will be hard but you and walt are an awesome pair.
Aaron, this show wouldn't have the heart or the magic that it has without you. You add so much emotion and humor to the show. Everyone worries and wonders about Jesse, and how is such and such going to effect Jesse. And one of your funniest lines:" Ricen beans?"
( I loaned my Mom my season 1 BB, and she loves you, so I think you really have something, that so many age groups are enjoying the show and your character so much).
I look forward to all of Jesse's adventures, mishaps, successes and hilarious lines in season 3.
:)
Jesse's character is great, although I think they dumb him down a bit too much sometimes. I agree that the shooting gallery scene was one of the most powerful scenes in memory.
Jesse had some great lines this season. I esp liked, "we don't need a criminal lawyer, we need a CRIMINAL lawyer." It's nice when Jesse's street smarts actually pay off.
Jesse is also someone who is turning out to be more trustworthy than Walt. He takes the heat for his younger brother, pays back Badger's red neck cousin, and regrets putting the pressure on Walt for his cut. He also shows genuine concern for the kid in Peekaboo.
Jesse's character is great, although I think they dumb him down a bit too much sometimes. I agree that the shooting gallery scene was one of the most powerful scenes in memory.
Jesse had some great lines this season. I esp liked, "we don't need a criminal lawyer, we need a CRIMINAL lawyer." It's nice when Jesse's street smarts actually pay off.
Jesse is also someone who is turning out to be more trustworthy than Walt. He takes the heat for his younger brother, pays back Badger's red neck cousin, and regrets putting the pressure on Walt for his cut. He also shows genuine concern for the kid in Peekaboo.