Breaking Bad: The Forgotten Formula
EXT. DESERT - DAY
An empty patch of desert, nothing but sand and rocks. The signature New Mexico landscape.
We HEAR the sound of a car ENGINE approaching. A worn-out STATION WAGON comes into view, driving fast.
INT. STATION WAGON - DAY
WALTER WHITE sits in the driver's seat, his face drenched in sweat, breathing heavily. JESSE PINKMAN is in the passenger seat, intense focus on his face as he double checks their coordinates on a GPS device.
WALTER: (nervous) Are we close?
JESSE: (anxious) Yeah... (points north) Just over that ridge.
Walter presses on the gas, the car speeding towards the indicated direction.
EXT. DESERT - HIDDEN LAB - DAY
The station wagon stops by a camouflaged underground entrance. Walter and Jesse exit nervously, Jesse holding a NOTE in his hand.
WALTER: (looking at note) So, you're saying that you found this in Mike's car?
JESSE: Yeah, just lying on his dashboard like... (shakes his head) ...I don't know, like some kind of recipe or something.
WALTER: (thinking) A recipe... for what?
JESSE: That's what I want to find out.
They both look at each other and nod, performing a quick sweep of the area to ensure that they are alone.
INT. UNDERGROUND LAB - DAY
The lab is bigger than their previous ones, and better equipped. The air is dense with tension as they start to set up.
Jesse places the note on the workbench and reads aloud the instructions on the mysterious recipe.
JESSE: '(reading) Combine with 1,4-dichlorobenzene in a 3:1 ratio...'
WALTER: (nodding) Proceed.
They begin preparing the chemicals according to the instructions, dumping them one by one into a large vat.
As the last ingredient is poured, the mixture starts to emit a STRANGE GLOW.
WALTER: (concerned) Jesse, watch out! We don't know what this reaction could do!
Jesse steps back from the vat as the glow intensifies.
EXT. UNDERGROUND LAB - DAY
SKYLAR WHITE sits in the station wagon outside the entrance, waiting anxiously. She spots SAUL GOODMAN approaching in his trademark Cadillac.
SAUL: (entering the car) So, this is the place, huh?
SKYLAR: (whispering) Y-yes. They've been in there for hours... I'm worried, Saul.
Saul checks his watch and nods with concern.
INT. UNDERGROUND LAB - DAY
The SMOKING mixture, now stable, is the subject of intense fascination for both Walter and Jesse. The room is silent, filled with dread.
TO BE CONTINUED
Smoke and Mirrors
INT. CAR - DAY
Walt and Jesse are sitting in silence. Walt, with a determined look, starts the car and accelerates heavily.
WALT
(under his breath)
Everything will work out, it has to.
JESSE
(skeptical)
Yo, you really think we can pull this off, Mr. White?
WALT
(assuring)
Yes, Jesse, we can. But we have to be smart, and work together.
INT. SAUL GOODMAN'S OFFICE - DAY
Saul, cheerfully eating a sandwich, is going through documents. An assistant knocks on the door and enters.
ASSISTANT
Mr. Goodman, your clients are here.
SAUL
(smiling)
Send them in!
Walt and Jesse enter. Saul gives them a good look.
SAUL
You two look like a Spielberg movie about two criminals, just saying.
JESSE
(rolls his eyes)
Can we just get down to business?
SAUL
Alright, alright. So, we have a shipment coming in through the border. You have to intercept it before it gets to its destination, and then dispose of it. This won't be an easy task, but if you play your cards right, it'll help you immensely.
WALT
(examines the documents)
There's a new distributor in town?
SAUL
Yes, and they're expanding fast.
JESSE
(reassuring)
Don't worry, Saul, we got this.
EXT. DESERT ROAD - DAY
Walt and Jesse, in the car, are nearing the specific location. They hear sirens in the distance.
WALT
Damn it, Jesse, I said not to draw attention!
JESSE
Yo, relax! It's just one car.
Walt spots a side road, accelerates, and makes a sharp turn.
INT. CAR - CONTINUOUS
Walt and Jesse share a look. They are worried, but not ready to give up yet.
JESSE
Yo, we can't risk getting caught, Mr. White.
WALT
(nods)
You're right, Jesse. We'll have to come up with a new plan.
TO BE CONTINUED
Breaking Bad: Breaking Point
INT. WHITE’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY
Skyler stands near the sink, staring blankly out the window. Junior is at the table eating cereal.
SKYLER
You have therapy today… don’t forget.
JUNIOR
I won’t.
INT. CARWASH – DAY
Skyler works on the carwash paperwork, a solemn look on her face.
EXT. WOODS – DAY
Jesse sits by a small campfire with Skinny Pete and Badger. They pass a joint around.
SKINNY PETE
So, what’s the plan, man?
JESSE
We stay under the radar for a while. No more cookin’, not for a bit at least.
BADGER
But, like, what are we gonna do for cash?
Jesse hesitates, then reaches into his bag, pulling out a chunk of blue meth.
JESSE
We got this… for emergencies.
INT. SCHRADER’S HOUSE – DAY
Marie, tense, paces the living room while Hank is on the couch, flipping through the case files.
MARIE
You really shouldn’t be working on this case, Hank. You’re still recovering.
HANK
Someone out there is cooking great meth, better than ever – and I can find them.
INT. SUPERLAB – DAY
Walt, wearing a suit, walks into the pristine Superlab. Gale prepares for a cook.
GALE
(welcoming)
Good morning! Ready for another day?
Walt hesitates, his jaw clenched.
WALT
I have some things to take care of first… I’ll be back later for the cook.
GALE
(disappointed)
Alright.
INT. POLLOS HERMANOS – DAY
Walt sits across from Gus, visibly upset.
WALT
This is not what I signed up for, Gus. My brother-in-law… I never wanted to hurt him like this.
GUS
You did what was necessary for your family.
WALT
What about Jesse? What’s going to happen to him?
GUS
Let me worry about Jesse. You need to focus on the business, Walter.
WALT
(angry)
This wasn’t part of the deal.
Gus stands abruptly, startling Walt.
GUS
You chose this path, Walter. You have to live with the consequences.
Gus leaves, leaving Walt to stew in his thoughts.
TO BE CONTINUED
Breaking Bad: The Rio Effect
EXT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - DAY
An unmarked van pulls up to the warehouse. WALTER WHITE (early 50s, wearing a Heisenberg hat) and JESSE PINKMAN (late 20s, disheveled) step out nervously.
WALTER
(to himself)
Remember, we're just here to meet our new competition. No violence. We just want to see who we're up against.
JESSE
Yo, Mr. White, are we really ready for this?
WALTER
As long as we stick to the plan, we'll be fine.
INT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - DAY
Inside, a group of men in suits and sunglasses flank a woman, ISABELLA (early 40s, Latina, wearing a red dress).
ISABELLA
(smiles)
Ah, the famous Heisenberg, and his sidekick.
WALTER
We're here to talk business, not exchange pleasantries.
ISABELLA
Of course. I hear you've built quite an empire. However, my product has now started to eat into your market share.
WALTER
(trying to maintain calm)
We know that. We just want to negotiate a truce –
ISABELLA
(cuts him off)
A truce implies negotiation. This is the reality, Mr. White. My product will soon replace yours, and you need to accept that.
JESSE
(angry)
Hey, no one's gonna replace us, a'ight?!
ISABELLA
(gesturing towards her men)
Kill them but make sure it's slow and painful.
Before her henchmen can act, an explosion rips through the warehouse. Chaos ensues.
INT. VAN - DAY
SAUL GOODMAN (early 40s, slick lawyer, wearing his signature flashy suit) listens to the chaos over a police scanner.
SAUL
(panicking)
What have I done?
MIKE EHRMANTRAUT (late 50s, bald, stoic) is next to him.
MIKE
(emotionless)
You just saved their lives. Now let's get them out of there before things get worse.
EXT. ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - DAY
As the smoke clears, Jesse and Walter find themselves miraculously unharmed.
JESSE
(dazed)
What the hell just happened?
WALTER
(looking around)
I don't know. But let's use this chance to get out of here.
The van races around the corner to their rescue. Saul opens the sliding door.
SAUL
(yelling)
Get in, you two!
Walter and Jesse quickly jump inside the van, and they speed off. Inside, everybody catches their breaths.
WALTER
(processing the situation)
Saul, I cannot believe I'm saying this, but thank you.
SAUL
No problem, but we need to find out who saved us. That explosion wasn't just a coincidence.
TO BE CONTINUED
Breaking Bad: A Storm Brewing
EXT. NEW MEXICO DESERT - DAY
An old RV speeds down a deserted highway, kicking up dust in the scorching sun. The landscape is dry, desolate, and harsh.
INT. RV - MOVING - DAY
WALTER WHITE, mid-50s and a high school chemistry teacher turned meth cook, is driving with a serious expression. His former student and partner in crime, JESSE PINKMAN, is nervously checking his gun in the passenger's seat.
JESSE
Yo, Mr. White! Are you sure this is the place?
WALTER
(with determination)
According to our client, yes.
As they approach a lonely windmill, Walter slows the RV to a stop.
EXT. NEW MEXICO DESERT - DAY
Walter and Jesse exit the vehicle, scanning the area for any sign of life.
JESSE
I don't like this, Mr. White. I got a bad feeling.
WALTER
We don't have a choice. We need this money.
They walk a short distance and find a dusty car hidden behind some bushes. They inspect it.
INT. HIDDEN CAR - DAY
Jesse finds a duffel bag full of money in the trunk.
JESSE
(giddy)
Jackpot, bitch!
Suddenly, a menacing and unfamiliar voice echoes through the desert.
VOICE
OSCAR
Hands up! Now!
Walter and Jesse slowly raise their hands as they turn to face OSCAR, a gruff, tattooed man with a shotgun pointed directly at them.
OSCAR
Thought you were clever, huh? This is my territory.
WALTER
We... we didn't know, I swear.
OSCAR
No one sells in my territory without paying the price.
Walter subtly gestures to Jesse, communicating a plan. Jesse nods.
WALTER
(faking panic)
Please, just take the money. We won't come back, I promise.
OSCAR
Oh, you won't be coming back. That's for damn sure.
Jesse suddenly throws a handful of sand at Oscar's face, momentarily blinding him. Walter quickly tackles him, and a struggle for the shotgun ensues.
A tense fight follows, with the three men all trying to gain control of the weapon.
After a brief moment, a gunshot rings out into the desolate landscape, and the camera pulls out to reveal who has been hit.
TO BE CONTINUED
Breaking Bonds
INT. EMPTY WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Walter White is writing on a whiteboard, detailing a new distribution plan. Jesse Pinkman watches, but appears disconnected.
WALTER
(points to the whiteboard)
So, we create a decoy batch.
Sales will push it, but law enforcement will waste time on this useless runaround.
JESSE
(disinterested)
...yeah, sure.
WALTER
(irritated)
Jesse, are you with me or not? Your involvement is crucial to this plan's success.
JESSE
I don't know, alright? I'm just... I'm getting tired of this.
WALTER
(somberly)
We're not done yet. We have to protect what we've built.
INT. SAUL GOODMAN'S OFFICE - DAY
Saul speaks with Skyler White who is visibly distressed.
SKYLER
My entire world is upside down, Saul. I can't raise my children if this keeps up.
SAUL
Look, I understand. Walter is... complicated. But he's been under a lot of stress lately.
SKYLER
It's not just that. There's more danger now... more risk.
SAUL
I'm always here to mitigate that risk, Skyler.
INT. DEA OFFICE - DAY
Hank Schrader is seated, talking to his partner Steve Gomez.
HANK
(unfolding a piece of paper)
Found this in another meth lab. The signature's a match for our 'Heisenberg' case.
STEVE
Goddamn, Hank. This guy could be running the whole southwest by now.
HANK
We need to make a move. And fast.
INT. WALTER'S CAR - DAY
Walter is driving, deep in thought. His phone rings - it's Lydia. He reluctantly picks up.
LYDIA
(on the phone)
The DEA is getting closer, Walter. Our contact warned that they are planning a raid.
WALTER
(panicking)
We need to gather everyone for a meeting. Now.
INT. EMPTY WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Walter, Jesse, Saul, Lydia, and their distributors (including Skinny Pete, Badger, and others) gather around a large table, planning their next move.
WALTER
Alright. We need to prepare for a DEA raid. We might have a very small window of time, so we must act decisively.
SAUL
(rubbing his temples)
This could get us all arrested if we don't play our cards right.
WALTER
We need to throw them off our scent. Jesse and I will create diversions, while the rest of you will take care of the decoy batch.
JESSE
(unenthusiastically)
Another decoy? This feels like a death wish, man.
WALTER
(angrily slams the table)
I said we need to persevere, and we will.
everyone starts arguing
WALTER
(screaming over them)
Fine, what do you propose? Lie down and give up everything?
TO BE CONTINUED
Breaking Deadlines
EXT. DESERT - DAY
A rusty pick-up truck screeches to a halt, kicking up a cloud of dust. WALTER WHITE and JESSE PINKMAN get out, standing next to a shallow grave.
INT. PICK-UP TRUCK - DAY (FLASHBACK)
Walt and Jesse sit in the truck, arguing.
WALTER: We don't have a choice, Jesse! We need the money quickly, or it's all over for both of us.
JESSE: Rollin' with another cook? That's crazy, man. We don't know this guy!
WALTER: Neither did I when we started. Trust me on this one.
EXT. DESERT - DAY (PRESENT)
Walt and Jesse look down at the shallow grave, their faces filled with a mix of anger and regret.
WALTER: We have to be smart about this, Jesse. We can't go down for his mistake. Do you understand?
JESSE: I get it, man. But this is messed up.
As they prepare to fill the grave, the sound of an approaching vehicle catches their attention. They duck behind the truck and watch as two men get out of a black SUV. One of the men, DOMINIC, steps forward, holding a gun.
DOMINIC: Well, well. Look who we have here. The great Heisenberg and his sidekick.
Jesse springs up, hand on his own gun.
JESSE: (angry) We ain't no sidekicks, yo!
WALTER: (sternly) Jesse, stand down.
Dominic smirks and raises his gun.
DOMINIC: Good boy. Looks like we have some unfinished business to take care of, don't we?
Walter and Jesse exchange a knowing look before dropping their weapons and raising their hands in surrender.
INT. NEW MEXICO POLICE STATION - DAY
DEA Agent HANK SCHRADER briefs his team on the ongoing investigation.
HANK: All right, folks. We're getting damn close to our target, but he's slipped away before. Our intel suggests Heisenberg may have teamed up with another cook.
AGENT GOMEZ: Any leads on this new guy?
HANK: Not yet. But something tells me it's just a matter of time before they slip up.
INT. GUS FRING'S OFFICE - DAY
Gus Fring sits at his desk, looking over the news of the day, when MIKE ERHMANTRAUT enters.
MIKE: We may have a problem.
GUS: (calmly) What kind of problem?
MIKE: It seems our friend Heisenberg has found a new partner. And it's not going as smoothly as he'd hoped.
Gus's face darkens as he contemplates the situation.
GUS: Keep an eye on them, Mike. We can't afford any more surprises.
TO BE CONTINUED
Breaking Bad - Episode 6.01: Undeniable
INT. SCHWARTZ'S MANSION - DAY
Gretchen and Elliot Schwartz are sitting in their study, discussing a recent newspaper article about Walter White's fate.
GRETCHEN
I can't believe this... It's like everything he built just... crumbled.
ELLIOT
(drinking whiskey)
And it all happened because of that man, Walter White.
GRETCHEN
(looking out the window)
I wonder how many other lives he ruined. I still can't believe we were once... friends.
ELLIOT
(nods)
Yes, but that was a long time ago.
INT. CAR WASH - DAY
Skyler White is now the owner of the car wash, working to provide for her family. A television screen in the waiting room is broadcasting news about Walter's criminal case.
Skyler looks towards the television, but then quickly focuses back on her work. She's interrupted by the sound of the bell ringing above the entrance.
SAUL GOODMAN (now going by his real name JIMMY MCGILL) enters the car wash, straightening his tie.
SKYLER
(surprised)
Jimmy? What are you doing here?
JIMMY
(smiling nervously)
Hey, Skyler. I need to talk to you about something important. It's about your late husband, Walter.
Skyler's face hardens.
SKYLER
(tense)
What about him?
JIMMY
In private, please?
INT. CAR WASH - BACK ROOM - DAY
Skyler and Jimmy sit down on a couple of boxes.
JIMMY
So, there are some loose ends with Walt's business. There's money still out there, and I think it's coming back to haunt us.
SKYLER
(paraphrasing)
Loose ends? What kind of loose ends?
JIMMY
It's not just the money, Skyler. There's a new player in town. Someone who's trying to pick up where Walter left off.
SKYLER
(leaning in)
Who?
JIMMY
I don't know yet, but we need to find out before it's too late.
EXT. GUS FRING'S CHICKEN FARM - DAY
Jesse Pinkman watches from inside his truck as a line of delivery trucks depart the farm. He's determined to find out who has taken over the remnants of Gus Fring's business empire.
BADGER and SKINNY PETE are sitting in the back of Jesse's truck, eating from a bucket of Los Pollos Hermanos fried chicken.
SKINNY PETE
(dropping a chicken bone)
Yo, Jesse, are you sure this is a good idea?
JESSE
If we're gonna find out who's running things now, we need to start somewhere.
BADGER
(points to the chicken farm)
Maybe the answer's somewhere in there.
Jesse takes a deep breath and starts his truck.
JESSE
Then let's go get some answers.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Breaking Bonds
INT. SCHOOL CLASSROOM - DAY
WALTER WHITE stands at the front, finishing a chemistry lecture. As the bell RINGS, students shuffle out, eager to escape. Walter scans the room, noticing the lack of interest and respect from his students.
WALTER WHITE: ...and that is how chemical bonds form on a basic level. Remember, there's a quiz on this next week.
INT. WHITE RESIDENCE - NIGHT
Walter, SKYLER, and WALTER JR. sit around the dinner table, eating in silence. The atmosphere is tense. Skyler checks her phone while Walter Jr. picks at his food.
WALTER WHITE: So, how was everyone's day?
SKYLER: Fine.
WALTER JR.: Same.
The silence continues, broken only by the sound of forks scraping against plates.
INT. CAR WASH - DAY
Walter is at work, mistreated by BOG-BOSS, who orders him to clean a filthy station.
BOG-BOSS: Hey White, go scrub those mats. We got a big rush coming, and I want everything spotless!
WALTER WHITE: Yes, sir.
Walter grabs supplies and heads to the soiled station, feeling belittled.
INT. JESSE PINKMAN'S HOUSE - DAY
JESSE PINKMAN, high and scattered, is trying to cook meth, but botching the process. He's frustrated, but his associates, BADGER and SKINNY PETE, are too stoned to care.
JESSE: Damn it! This batch is ruined!
BADGER: Oh well, we're still vibing man.
SKINNY PETE: We'll get it next time, yo.
INT. WHITE RESIDENCE - NIGHT
Walter is in bed, unable to sleep. He hears sirens outside and looks out the window, seeing flashing lights in the distance.
WALTER WHITE (V.O.): I can't keep living like this. Something has to change.
INT. CAR WASH - DAY
Walter, fed up, confronts Bog-Boss.
WALTER WHITE: I quit.
BOG-BOSS: What?! You can't be serious.
WALTER WHITE: I'm done being treated like dirt. I'm worth more than this.
Walter storms out as Bog-Boss looks on in shock.
INT. WHITE RESIDENCE - NIGHT
Walter, feeling determined, sits down in front of the computer and searches for new opportunities. He comes across an intriguing ad:
'High Demand, Huge Profit! Be your own Boss! Contact for info!'
Walter copies the contact information.
EXT. DESERTED STREET - NIGHT
Jesse, Badger, and Skinny Pete are attempting another cook in an RV. Suddenly, the RV is surrounded by gang members. Their leader, TERRENCE, speaks.
TERRENCE: You're cooking on our turf now, Pinkman. Pay up or face the consequences.
Jesse pulls a wad of cash out of his pocket.
JESSE: Fine, here's your cut.
Terrence smirks, sensing an opportunity.
TERRENCE: Oh, and we'll need your cook too. We can't risk you working for the competition.
As the gang threatens Jesse's life, he scans the contact list on his phone, desperately seeking help.
Jesse's eyes widen as he spots a familiar name: Walter White.
TO BE CONTINUED.
