I recently heard the news about the passing of RJ Mitte, the actor best known for playing Walter White Jr., also known as Flynn, on Breaking Bad. It’s heartbreaking to hear about his death, especially at such a young age.
I first learned about RJ Mitte through Breaking Bad, and while the show has plenty of memorable characters, I think Walter White Jr. is arguably one of the most relatable characters in the entire series.
Now, I know what some people might say. Walter Jr. doesn’t get nearly as much screen time as characters like Walter White, Jesse Pinkman, Hank Schrader, or Skyler White. And as the series progresses, it can feel like he gets pushed further into the background as the story focuses on the increasingly complicated world of his father.
But I think that would be a mistake when discussing the importance of his character.
Walter White Jr. might not always be at the center of the story, but he plays a pivotal role in it.
One of the things I appreciate most about Walter Jr. is that, despite everything happening around him, he’s still a son trying to make sense of his family and the people he loves. He’s not a criminal mastermind. He’s not cooking meth. He’s not involved in his father’s drug empire. He’s a young man who believes in his family, only to have that understanding of his world shattered as the truth comes out.
And when he finally sees enough to understand that something is seriously wrong, he doesn’t simply stand by and accept it.
Just look at the episode “Ozymandias.”
When Walter and Skyler’s conflict reaches its breaking point, Walter Jr. steps in to defend his mother. He calls the police and tries to protect her from his own father. It’s an incredibly important moment because it shows that, regardless of his relationship with Walter, he isn’t going to sit back and watch his mother be threatened.
Think about that for a moment. This is his father. The man he grew up loving and looking up to. The man he had every reason to believe was a good person. And yet, when faced with the reality of what’s happening in front of him, Walter Jr. chooses to stand up for his mother.
That takes courage, especially when the person you’re standing up against is someone you love.
Then there’s “Granite State,” when Walter calls home and Walter Jr. finally tells him off over the phone. By that point, the relationship between father and son has been damaged beyond repair. Walter Jr. has learned enough about his father’s actions to reject the man he once admired.
It’s a painful moment, but it’s also an important one. Walter Jr. is no longer the son who looks up to his father without question. He’s someone who has reached his limit and is willing to say so.
And let’s not forget the quieter moments, either.
After Holly is born, we see Walter Jr. helping take care of his baby sister. Those scenes might not be as dramatic as the show’s major confrontations, but they tell us something meaningful about who he is. He’s a big brother. He’s part of a family. He’s someone who can be caring and responsible even while the adults around him are making decisions that will ultimately tear that family apart.
That’s part of why I find him so relatable.
Walter Jr. is a reminder that the consequences of someone’s actions don’t stop with that person. They affect the people around them, including the people who never asked to be involved in any of it. Walter White’s choices don’t just put his own life at risk. They devastate his wife, his son, and his daughter, too.
And Walter Jr. is one of the characters who helps us see that human cost.
I think it’s easy to get caught up in the larger-than-life characters in Breaking Bad. Walter’s transformation, Jesse’s suffering, Hank’s investigation, and all the criminal schemes make for compelling television. But sometimes, the characters who aren’t constantly in the spotlight are just as important to understanding what the story is really about.
For me, Walter White Jr. is one of those characters.
He isn’t perfect, and he doesn’t need to be. He’s a young man trying to live his life, care about his family, and understand the truth when the world he thought he knew begins falling apart. That’s something a lot of people can relate to, even if their own family circumstances are nowhere near as extreme as those in Breaking Bad.
RJ Mitte brought that character to life, giving us someone who could be vulnerable, stubborn, caring, and courageous. And while the character might not have received as much attention as some of the show’s other major players, I think his presence made the story more meaningful.
So, today, I want to remember RJ Mitte not only as an actor from one of television’s most celebrated shows, but also as the person who helped bring Walter White Jr. to life.
Thank you for being part of a series that has meant so much to so many people, and for giving us a character who reminds us that sometimes the most important thing we can do is stand up for the people we love, even when doing so is difficult.
Rest in peace, RJ Mitte. You and your work will be remembered.
What did you think of RJ Mitte’s performance as Walter White Jr. in Breaking Bad? Did you also find his character relatable, and what were some of your favorite moments involving him? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
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