Singer/actor/guitar player/producer/radio show host Little Steven has a song called "Men Without Women," that addresses that very subject. Wonder if we'll hear it in Season 3.

Lets not forget that Walt had a serious loss. He lost his health and was told he had maybe two years to live. Donald and Jesse did loose their girls. But Holly will always be Walters daughter and he has not lost her. Skyler left on her own accord and that could be a plus not a loss.

Great questions, Jamm... =)

Repugnant brought up some good points!
I don't feel Walt will miss Skyler, too much in the beginning of their split-up, either...
Sometimes, I got the impression that Walter & Skylers' relationship, had gone beyond that of "just being comfortable" in their marriage, to one of simply "existing" with each other.
Yes, you could tell they cared about each other...but, then there were times, it almost felt like Skyler had been using Walt.

Maybe the time spent apart, will give them a better sense of appreciation for each other??

Jamm54 - Great question. Skyler really caught Walt in one of those unguarded moments in the driveway scene. Next thing you know Walt is standing by the pool, that ever present body of water. Standing there Walt is trying to retrace his steps and isolate where he messed up or is he trying to rationalize and assign blame to someone else ?

Part of the reason I asked this question to the forum is because I started thinking about the relationships in the series, and the characters' motivations or raison d'etre in the context of those relationships.

In Donald Marglois' case, he had centered his whole life on saving Jane. She became his reason for being, his existence, his life. It didn't look like Donald had anything else going on in his personal life, but saving Jane. When he lost Jane, he seemed to lose his reason for living, his purpose in life, as if his own life didn't matter to him.

In Jesse's situation, I felt he was finally making a connection or attachment to something/someone (Jane) whom Jesse felt would give him a reason for turning his life around; planning a future (before they both lapsed into the heroin).

For Walt, even though he did lose his health, that never seemed to be his main concern. Remember, Walt didn't even want to try chemotherapy (and I don't think it was just about the expense). His terminal diagnosis propelled him into the goal of ensuring his family's financial security, and became his raison d'etre, and justified all his future behavior and actions to come.

So......when part of the reason (Skyler, Holly) for his goal walks out the door, and basically is rejecting him (and who he has become even though they don't know the whole story), Walt is left with what, exactly? He's cooking meth for what reason, now? Who will be the recipient of his wealth? Kind of takes alot of Walt's motivation away when part of his family is walking away from him. Which, in turn, truly makes me wonder what Walt is going to do next.

Jamm- I think your correct on everybody but Walt. But why do women( and Ive never been divorced) think that they can take a mans kids from him when they walk out the door. Hell. Holly cant even walk,talk or even know her dad. And you can bet Walt still loves and wants to care for Holly and is concerned for her future. You completely left out Walts love for and responsibility to Walt Jr. So really what motivation has left him, a wife who doesnt even know what he is doing(except dying) and who is already trying to weasel her way into Teds life. Yea the guy who brought her to the hospital and is trying to get into her pants. It shouldnt be hard to figure out what Walt is going to do next. He is going to cook meth. Hes not going to go back to work at the car wash, come home and tell her he just killed two Mexican drug dealers just to appease her needs.

The whole reason for Walt's being was Skyler, Walt Jr and Holly. Now these 3 Principles in his life are in play, he might lose Skyler, but as far as Walt Jr and Holly this is TBD. Will he clean himself up? Walt has made an effort to help try and get Jesse back on track. Walt could use a good cleansing of the soul, but he might or might not be beyond the point of no return, I'm still out on this question? I do think that as our show is all about Breaking Bad, that Walt will never be able to redeem his character and return to normal. So the first couple of new Season 3 episodes will be interesting to watch unfold.

I don't know that he will be able to go back to who he was at the beginning of the series. Once people change, it's very hard to recapture what they lost in themselves.

As for Walt, Jr., well, my focus was the impact of men losing their women. But, Junior aka Flynn, is a whole different kettle of fish in relation to Walt. Even though Walt loves Flynn very much, I've always felt there's a kind of ambivalance/detachment on Walt's part. I can't explain it any better than to compare how Skyler, and even Hank, interact with Flynn as compared to Walt. Anyone else sense that? They've got a connection, but then again they don't.

Yes. I feel that they interact like most father and teenage boys. The sons struggle is to try and fit into society and the dads job is to see that the son grows into a man and is an asset to society . There is a struggle and it looks like they dont connect but there is a very strong connection. Yes Walt Jr.looks at Hank like he is cool, but down deep inside his father is his hero. The show is illistrating that perfectly. Skyler is his mother and that is a whole other bond. Most people have a cool uncle with a cool job but a good dad is unbeatable. Thats my opinion.

Walt and Flynn's relationship could take up a whole other topic, believe me. For the little screen time Flynn has had, you can tell that he's intelligent, very perceptive and empathetic toward others, and yet still a teenager in so many ways.

The scariest part about Flynn is his vulnerability, maybe due to his cerebral palsy which may or may not play a part in him wanting to "belong" or be like his dad.

The scene I'm thinking of is the pool party where Walt gets him drunk, and then the next morning Flynn is saying "I kept up, right? I kept up.". Walt looks both sickened and guilty beyond belief for contaminating his son's innocence in the name of standing up to Hank. So, in the current schism/separation between Skyler and Walt, who will Flynn choose in the interim to stay with? Who will he try to emulate?

Quote By jamm54 on August 31, 2009 10:53 AM

"I don't know that he will be able to go back to who he was at the beginning of the series. Once people change, it's very hard to recapture what they lost in themselves."

I agree. Life may go on & get "back to normal" for him/them...but...
It's pretty hard to unring a bell.
(Especially, if it's Tios'! Hah!)

The possibility of Skyler & Walt, getting back together again romantically, seems very remote, right now.

But, I could see them getting back together again... because deep down inside, they are truly devoted to each other & their family.

For instance: When his cancer comes back, she'll give up everything, she's gained while away from Walt, to come back to care for him. (Remember it had gotten into his lymph-nodes...so, unfortunately, more often than not...it will come back somewhere.)

WalkerColt had a thread going, about Anna Gunn having a chance to shine, in Season 3...
Maybe we'll get to see Skyler show her TRUE strength, while letting her guard down, and showing her softer side??

A womans' strength does'nt always have to be proved, by being domineering to others, or by "nut-cutting" every male in sight.

Sometimes it just means, being strong for someone, when they can't be strong for themselves.

Does that make sense?? =\

Whether anyone likes Sklyer or not for her actions, I believe Skyler just was fed up with Walt's lies and deception in Season 2 and waiting for Walt to tell her what the devil was going on in his life. She did ask him several times to reveal his deceptive ways. We, the viewers understand why Walt couldn't tell Skyler, and knew she wouldn't endorse his actions, but plain and simple, I am not sure too many people would carry on a relationship based on lies and running off in the night without any explanation.

Linda- Have you ever heard of Jackie Kennedy or Hillary Clinton. Now thats just two of millions. Now please in a couple of short paragraphs what should Walt tell Skyler.?

Gambling addiction. Walt is a very smart guy, some games like Poker actually require a large element of skill to win. As Walt is a super brainy guy, he can workout Odds and Probabilities quite easily. Add the Fearlessness of his new "Heisenberg" alter ego and you have one superior NLHE player. Walt would need to play Cash Games and probably outside of any Casino, so there will be no paper trail, unless he can create a new "Identity", false ID, etc...

I think I really like R.W.'s scenero for Walt's "confession" tactic with Skyler.

In the interim during their separation or spat or schism or whatever it is (and depending on how long it lasts), it will be a perfect time for Walt/Heisenberg to set up his game plan/schedule a little better.

So far, in the meth business, Walt and Jesse's business practices/operating procedures have all been pretty "fly by the seat of their pants" chaotic. Of course, Walt wouldn't have taken the pseudonymn of Heisenberg if he hadn't kind of sensed the whole enterprise would be rather chaotic and uncertain from beginning to end; it sure has been in every way!

jamm54: Walt has been cold and distant with everyone, except for Jesse, who he has showed more fatherly attention to than his own son. I think it's just the scientific, analytical trait that makes him that way. Now that he is venturing into this new criminal world, it is an assest. The only problem is the whole Heisenberg persona is starting to take over more, and it is creating a greater rift in the family relationship, like at the pool scene.

RW- Were you suggesting that Walt could use the gambling addiction as an excuse for Skyler, or did think he might actually get into gambling to make or launder money? I like both but the later would be much harder to accomplish. In any event wou are right on that he is going to have to start a new identity or else he can find a front man.

Repugnant - Good morning. On the Poker angle, It was more of a way to generate large amounts of Money. Walt could use this to explain the large amounts of money used to pay for his Cancer Treatments and also his periods of where a bouts unknown. I think this would be a very plausible explanation, he would just need to fill in certain details pertaining to this exercise in deception. Not a difficult thing for Walt as he is good at telling stories.

RW- Good afternnoon est- I see. He gets the money, Skylar loves him again, and he has a story for the feds. Your right , he is getting good at telling stories. I think he is going to have to deal with Tucos people south of the border( they didnt pay that band for nothing) so Walter will have to deal with that too. Maybee diksee or someone else has that area figured out.

It is not known whether Donald caused the accident He did not seem aware of the collission that was going to happen but he may have been directing the planes from colliding with each other and the planes were not taking his directions. 1 mile and hour is 1.5 feet per second 5280 feet in one mile devided by 3600 seconds in an hour. planes move at 200 miles an hour so that is 300 feet per second blink while your in a plane and you go about 80 feet.

I agree with you, repugnant, about feeling R.W.'s idea of using gambling, to explain everything to Skyler, is a great one!
You always post some really great ideas/theories yourself! =)

Myself, however...all's I'm good at is, taking a thread TOTALLY "Off-Topic"! Unintentionally, of course. ;) LOL!

diksee - Now that is just not true, you a Catalyst and an essential player here. You bring Humor and a playful sense of well being to this forum. Besides that I like your attitude. :-)

Thanks R.W.!! I'm glad you get my off-beat sense of humour!! ;)