Does this episode pass the Bechdel Test? Technically not. Why not? Walt is scheduled to have another scan on the tumor in his lung and the whole family comes with. Skyler is extremely nervous, and Marie keeps rambling about how if Walt went to her clinic she would have his results much faster than the one week it will take for Walt’s doctor to receive and discuss his results with him. After the scan, Walt thinks that he will receive bad news because the scan is lit up in so many different places. That night, he tells Skyler he thinks he is going to go home and see his mom and ensure that they have money set aside for Skyler, Walter Jr., and the new baby girl arriving soon in case anything happens to Walt, even though this is a lie and he ends up faking a flight to see his mother, and instead goes and does business with his meth-making partner Jesse Pinkman. Skyler instills both masculine and feminine traits when Walter tells her this. She is compassionate in ensuring him that everything will be okay, but she is also assertive in saying that he needs to remain positive for her and that he can’t assume the worst. She also tries to remain positive by saying she thinks the news from the scan is actually going to be good, and she was right. The scan ended up showing that Walt’s tumor had shrunk by 80%, and both Skyler and Marie get emotional and their compassionate sides come out. These scenes portrayed female stereotypes, but also it would be common for anyone to act this way when they receive such good news. Even though this episode technically doesn’t pass the test because Skyler and Marie are never alone, nor do they have a conversation that doesn’t involve Walt, this episode had many female stereotypes present and the outcome ended up being outstanding.
Shared by: Claire Hafeman
Image Credit: https://www.netflix.com/watch/70196267?trackId=13752289&tctx=-97-97