A central question runs like a thread through “Breaking Bad”: Is Walt (Bryan Cranston) doing all this for his family, or because the power he builds through his illegal activities gives him a special kick? The more you get to know the character and what atrocities she is capable of, the harder it is to believe in the image of the caring father. A large Easter egg at the end of the series impressively emphasizes this conflict.
In the episode “Granite State”, the penultimate episode of the series, Walt has retreated to a snowy mountain cabin in New Hampshire. There he tries to escape the revelations that gradually unfold about him. Meanwhile, his entire environment is eroding: Skyler (Anna Gunn), Jesse (Aaron Paul) and Saul (Bob Odenkirk) each find themselves in precarious situations. You feel the series coming to an end. You can also see this with Walt: Significantly weakened, camouflaged behind a beard and thick hair, his posture slowly radiates insight. Not only its shape has changed. He even had to give his name.
Walt and Skyler: Mr. and Mrs. Lambert?
It has already been announced in the season five opener that Walter White will change his name to Mr. Lambert. At a breakfast cafe, Walt arranges the bacon on his fried eggs in a 52. The waitress then asked him if it was his birthday. When Walt says yes, she offers him dinner on the house if he shows his ID to prove his age. At the end of the opener, Walt leaves the store and the waitress says, “Congratulations again, Mr. Lambert.” Here, viewers get a hint that Walt’s ID will have a different last name as the season progresses.
In “Granite State” the mystery of the opener is solved: Walt has obtained false identity papers in order to go into hiding. “mr. Lambert” may seem like a modest name, but it is a reference to Walt’s early family life. In the Season 3 Episode 5 episode “Más”, Walt and Skyler’s divorce papers reveal that her name was “Lambert” before marriage.
In addition, it appears that Walt and Skyler shared the name “Lambert” for a short while. For example, in “Granite State”, Walt learns from his contact that Skyler has reverted to her birth name. iUnofficially, the two remain linked by name. Chance? Certainly not! The series is too detailed for that. Also, Vince Gilligan’s mother, Gail Gilligan, goes by the maiden name “Lambert.” It certainly wouldn’t have been used carelessly.
Everything for the family?
You could interpret this Easter egg as a silent token of love, or as a comfort to the now regretful Walt. Perhaps even as a self-righteous reassurance that in the end he did everything for the family alone. In any case, it is clear that Walt did not want a break with his family, but wanted to stay connected to his wife by name. This really suits the tone of the last few episodes as he tries to complete his mission and give the money he earns to his family. Whether it is for yourself, for love or a combination of both is an open question.
The name “Lambert” is a small but significant Easter egg. In it, one of the main conflicts of the series is immortalized. You know it now and you will see in the next rewatch that it makes the ending of the series even more melancholic.