imagine if these roles were reversed? Walter White, and Rick Grimes.
Walter White, aka Heisenberg, leading Rick's group instead of Rick.
And Rick, running the meth business, instead of Walt.
How do you think both men would fair?
And what changes do think we would see in their personalities?
And incidentally, I'm discussing both characters, in their Season 5 roles.
And for the sake of this argument, hypothesize that Walt's cancer in this scenario did not return.
I think Walt, would begin to regain his humanity.
Obviously being associated with criminals had a very negative affect on him.
In season 1-3 of Breaking Bad, Walt was a decent man, trying to leave something behind for his family.
But as things progressed, especially when it got to the 5th season, greed and a desire for power turned him into someone who was unrecognizable .
Instead of being Walter White, he was now fully transformed into Heisenberg.
But I think that being in a situation where people depended on him, I think being around decent people, would help Walt to regain his humanity.
Being around ones like Dale, Hershel, Bob, and Beth, would bring Walt back from the darkness that had overtaken him.
Either that, or he would corrupt the entire group.
And what about Rick Crimes?
Though not as intelligent as Walt, with Rick being able to keep a cool head in dangerous situations, as well as police training and his skills as a negotiator, I believe the meth business would do well.
Like the aging Mike, due to his police training, I believe that Rick would become an enforcer, and the later on kill Gus and take over the business.
However, unlike Walt, I do not believe that Rick would become as ruthless.
Rick would certainly never poison a little boy just to further his own interests, as Walt had done.
And with his background in police work, I believe that with Mike's help, that Rick would always be one step ahead of the DEA.
And would not have gotten caught like Walt eventually did.
And when it came time to get out of the meth business, Rick would've done the smart thing and got out while their was still time.
And as far as dealing with Jack's Nazi gang, unlike Walt, I don't think Rick would've climbed in bed with them in the first place.
But would've rather dealt with people who were more malleable, than Jack and his crew.
And as far as his family, I believe Rick would've never become the tyrant, like Walt became toward Skyler.
Now some might say that Rick was a tyrant toward Laurie in Season 3.
However given Laurie's betrayal, Rick feeling hurt and angry, and keeping her at arms-length as a result, was more than understandable.
I think Rick would have still been a good husband and father toward them, despite his being a kingpin druglord.
Comments
Walter: Say my name!
Zombie: Graaaagh
Walter: You're goddamn right!
Walter would succumb to cancer due to tratment being absent in the apocalypse. That, or he would become too weak to fight and either die in combat, or become a burden to the group. No amount of ruthlessness will save you from a severe medical condition if treatment is no longer an option.
As for Rick, that depends on which season Rick we're talking about. I really don't see the season 1 goody two shoes deputy doing ANYTHING remotely dishonest, no matter how dire his situation. Even if he did, I don't think Rick has enough cunning to successfully run a drug empire.
Would be awesome to see Rick throw a pizza on a roof.