LogFAQs > #965997511

#8 Tuco Salamanca
Enter the most unstable and unpredictable character in the entire Breaking Bad universe.

Its his intensity, unpredictability, and his insanity that makes Tuco Salamanca so compelling to watch. From the moment he first appears, you get one look into his eyes and you automatically register that Tuco is someone to be dreaded. Theres an uneasiness when Walt and Jesse are working with him, as if you just know at some point hes going to completely snap. And then he beats No-Doze to death, before pleading and begging with Walt to save his life in a remorsefully disturbing scene. Like yes, Tuco has loved ones and people he cares about, but he has no freaking regard when it comes to his own anger.

Tuco will get really quiet at times, speaking in almost a hushed, sinister tone. Then hell explode with angry and you dont want to make Tuco angry. See, if Chuck McGill is lawful evil, and Gus Fring is neutral evil, then Tuco is pure, 100% chaotic evil. Grilled still holds up as one of the best episodes in Breaking Bads history. Youd believe that Tuco would beat his own henchman to death and then beg for his life to be saved. Youd believe that Tuco would stalk Walt and Jesse, before kidnapping them out into his cabin. Youd have believed that Tuco wouldve shot Jesse dead or won that shootout with Hank. You believe that this man is a violent, murderous, resilient psychopath who it will take nothing short of a train (or a very well-aimed bullet to the head) to stop.

Tuco is the perfect early antagonist for Walter White. Its intelligence and science versus pure anger, violence and chaos. Walt certainly cant outmuscle Tuco, and he can barely be reasoned with, even if youre Saul Goodman. But Tuco isnt the brightest bulb in the closet, and he can be outsmarted. When outsmarting him doesn't work, throw a rock at his head and shoot in him in the stomach. That'll at least make him blink. Tuco has the resources and the capital to help Walt provide for his family, but Walt has to control him and keep him calm first. Season 5B Walt probably would have hired Tuco as a hitman the same way that Walt hired the neo-nazis. But season 2 Walt is just left bewildered and disgusted.