Random Most Plausible Fan Theories About Breaking Bad (13 items)

(#7) The Basis of the Entire Show Was Marty Robbins's Song, "El Paso"

According to one fan's theory, the basis of the entire show is the song "El Paso" by Marty Robbins, about a gunslinger and a girl named Felina. The series finale is even titled "Felina" and a Marty Robbins cassette tape of the song is in Walt's car, playing as he pulls away from the bar in the opening.

The plot of the series follows the happenings of the song too closely to simply be a coincidence, with the character of Felina representing Walt's blue meth and unexpected love for his new identity.
(#13) Walt Froze to Death - "Felina" Occurred as His Dying Dream

Walt froze to death in his car and the finale episode, "Felina," was actually a hallucination he had while dying. Emily Nussbaum (the main proponent of the theory) writes in her piece for the New Yorker, "what we were watching must be a dying fantasy on the part of Walter White, not something that was actually happening—at least not in the 'real world' of the previous seasons."

The car scene is shot in so much darkness that it's hard to decipher exactly what happens, but it It seems like Walt broke the ignition lock when he was trying to start the car with a screwdriver. This means he would have been stuck there, because the key that he found in the visor wouldn't be able to start the car (since the ignition lock is broken), leaving him to succumb to the freezing temperatures.
(#3) Jesse Redeems Himself, Ultimately "Breaking Good"

Reddit user fuhqueue suggests, "A theory I have is that Jesse will end up happily married with two kids, while Walt will end up dying alone. Walt started out as a nice guy and broke bad, while Jesse started as 'a bad guy' and then gradually [became] more and more of a nice person with a heart. Meaning, at the end of the show, they will have switched places completely. And who knows, maybe Jesse will become a chemistry teacher, after everything Walt has taught him."
RJ Mitte of Breaking Bad says: "I don't know how about this. He did leave Walt to die, but he would have been in the same position too. I think in a way he has gone off to redeem himself, but he's super messed up."
(#4) Gale Botetticher Was a Sex Offender

What if the reason Gale (a chemist with an MS in organic chemistry) worked as a meth cook for a criminal organization was because his sordid history prevented him from being able to secure a position in regular society? Specifically, what if he was a registered sex offender?

Botetticher's video, "Major Tom," had Thai subtitles, which implied that Gale had been to Thailand (which has a reputation for sex trading, especially sex workers who are minors) recently. We also see a flashback photo of him that looks an awful lot like a mugshot, not to mention Botetticher's oddly phrased comment to Walt: "Consenting adults want what they want. At least with me they’re getting exactly what they pay for."
While Gale is an admitted libertarian (he has no moral qualms with cooking meth), this theory still works.
(#2) Gus and Max Were More Than Platonic Business Partners

When Max gets shot in the head by Hector and Gus is thrown down next to him, the look the two share as Max is dying indicates that they had a much closer relationship than just mere business partners. The way Gus looks at Max (even before his death scene), their clear esteem for each other, and Gus's absence of a wife and family has lead many fans to speculate about Gus's sexuality.

RJ Mitte of Breaking Bad says about the fan theories, "OK then."
(#1) Walt Adopts Character Traits from the People He's Killed

Walt clearly does this - yet fans speculate whether this is a sign of Walt's remorse for killing, or if the writers are drawing attention to Walt's increasing willingness to adopt more Machiavellian traits (like ruthlessness and manipulation) from those he encounters in the criminal world, symbolized by his adaptation of their more innocuous traits. Throughout the series, we see him adopt Krazy 8's crust cutting, ask for a Scotch on the rocks a la Mike, and place a hand towel underneath his knees before vomiting, exactly as Gus had done in Mexico.
RJ Mitte of Breaking Bad says: "I guess that makes sense. The thing is that everyone develops traits from their actions. I think as his character kept growing, and became this monster."