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| “ | I have people. I have people waiting for me. They don't know what I do; they never will. They're protected, but I do what I do so they can have a better life, and if I live or if I die, it really doesn't make a difference to me as long as they have what they need. So when it's my time to go, I will go knowing I did everything I could for them. Now, you ask me how I keep going? That's how. | „ |
| ~ Mike to Saul. |
Michael "Mike" Ehrmantraut is a major character in the crime drama series Breaking Bad, a deuteragonist in its prequel series Better Call Saul, and a minor character in its 2019 sequel film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.
Formerly a corrupt Philadelphia police officer, Mike relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico after achieving vengeance for his son's death by killing his murderers. To provide for his daughter-in-law and granddaughter financially, he ultimately chose to work as a hired enforcer for criminal organizations.
Mike's involvement in the underworld led him to encounter Gus Fring, a prominent figure in the drug trade. He climbed the hierarchy within Fring's operation, becoming his trusted enforcer. As a cover for his illegal activities, Mike assumed the role of head of corporate security at Los Pollos Hermanos, Fring's legitimate business. Additionally, he offers his services as a private investigator, cleaner, and fixer to Saul Goodman.
He was portrayed by Jonathan Banks.
What Makes Him a Base Breaking Character?[]
What Do People Like About Him?[]
- His aloof, dry-witted, self-aware and honorable personality make him likable and admirable to many fans, serving as a contrast to the more reckless, malevolent, or delusional criminals within the series.
- He often treats even his opponents with respect and demonstrates hesitation when causing harm to innocent people or creating general disorder, often finding ways to succeed without doing so. He also consistently holds up his end of a deal and treats his jobs with professionalism.
- His tragic backstory revealed in Better Call Saul has led many fans to sympathize with him despite his moral degradation.
- He serves as a mentor and guiding figure for younger individuals involved in the drug trade, such as Jesse Pinkman and Nacho Varga.
- His interactions with his granddaughter, Kaylee, are often regarded as some of the more cute and wholesome moments in the franchise, and also demonstrate his legitimate love for his family.
- Providing for her and his daughter-in-law is his primary motivation for working in the criminal world, and he has stated himself that he does not care what happens to himself so long as they are comfortable.
- Some of his acts are perceived as somewhat heroic in nature, such as when he saved Saul Goodman from a group of cartel members, or when he avenged the death of his son by shooting his killers, which supporters often root for or find cathartic.
What Do People Hate About Him?[]
- Despite being portrayed as honorable and less delusional about his role in the criminal world compared to the other characters, detractors point out his often hypocritical behavior, such as criticizing characters like Walter or Jesse for perceived ethical or strategical failings that he is also guilty of. This is seen as diminishing key aspects and intentions of his character.
- A key example is his "no half measures" idea, which he contradicts throughout the franchise with many of his actions. Another example is his final rant towards Walt, blaming him for the downfall of their meth operation due to his pride and ego. Many fans believe that Mike was vindicated in this, while others find his argument hypocritical or flat-out wrong, considering that it was primarily Jesse's decision to retaliate against Gus's dealers and Walter's subsequent rescue of him that started their shaky relationship with Gus—not necessarily Walter's ego.
- Furthermore, some detractors find that the "honor" he displays is not compelling enough to detract from his ultimate position as an enforcer for a drug lord, and that even then, he also violates his own set of rules by only selectively applying them. What is supposedly a code of ethics is also considered to be mere professionalism and a lack of outright sadism by detractors, as opposed to actually ethical or considerate behavior.
- While the series makes it very clear that he cares for his granddaughter extensively, he is also shown complicit in or willing to engage with harm against children, such as implied threats to Lydia's daughter or helping dispose of Drew Sharp's corpse. Detractors argue that this takes away from the legitimacy of his "nurturing grandfather" aspect of his character.
- His motivation in providing for his granddaughter is also seen by detractors as a lackluster excuse for his participation in the criminal world, and that any nuance it may add to his character is vastly overshadowed by his villainous actions.
- His personality in Breaking Bad is seen by detractors as somewhat inconsistent with his personality in Better Call Saul. A key example is his increased antagonism toward Saul Goodman, with whom he had better relations in the prequel series. While the intention of the prequel series is to highlight the transformation of his character, detractors argue that the increase in his hostility, hypocrisy, and apathy are a bit too inconsistent to be justified by that alone.
- While his murder at the hands of Walter White is portrayed with sympathy in the series and seen by many as unnecessary, detractors believe his death was deserved or, at the very least, largely unsympathetic, given his serious crimes throughout the franchise.
External Links[]
- Mike Ehrmantraut on the Villains Wiki
- Mike Ehrmantraut on the Inconsistently Admirable Wiki
- Mike Ehrmantraut on the Breaking Bad Wiki
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 /  Base-Breaking Characters
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