Brock Cantillo was poisoned by Breaking Bad’s protagonist, Walter White. Walt is well-known for having poisoned a child with the Lily of the Valley plant.
But he wasn’t acting maliciously; rather, he was carrying out a convoluted scheme to turn Jesse Pinkman against Gus Fring, the drug lord.
Understanding the Role of Brock in Breaking Bad
Despite being a supporting character in Breaking Bad, Brock Cantillo is vital to the story. He is the son of Jesse Pinkman’s intermittent girlfriend, Andrea Cantillo. Despite Walt and Brock’s brief friendship, the youngster turned out to be a crucial component of Walt’s grand scheme to depose Gus. Brock’s life was put in jeopardy for a potentially benign reason, demonstrating the depth of Walt’s desperation.
Related: Which Breaking Bad Character Are You?
The Circumstances Around Brock’s Poisoning
Breaking Bad’s fourth season features Walter White and Gus Fring engaged in a high-stakes conflict. Considering that Jesse can assist Walt in getting rid of Gus and has the knowledge to do it, his loyalty is crucial. But in light of the prior events of season four, Jesse appears to have chosen Gus over Walt. Walt comes up with a risky scheme that includes poisoning Brock and making it seem like Gus is the one at fault in an effort to regain Jesse’s trust.
How Walter White Maneuvered Brock’s Poisoning
With the help of a lily of the valley plant, Walt poisons Brock thanks to his extensive understanding of chemistry. He selects this plant because it has properties akin to ricin, a toxin Jesse was aware Gus owned. Because of their past tension, Jesse initially thinks that Brock was poisoned with ricin and naturally suspects Gus. But in the season four conclusion, it’s discovered that Brock wasn’t actually poisoned by ricin, but rather by lily of the valley, which makes Jesse realize Walt was the real bad guy.
The Aftermath of Brock’s Poisoning
Walt’s risky bet pays off in the near run, but there are serious long-term repercussions. Despite being duped at first, Jesse eventually discovers Walt’s dishonesty, which causes a big rift and marks a turning point in their relationship. Walt’s transformation from a troubled chemistry teacher to a morally tainted man willing to risk a child’s life for his own gain is cemented by this episode.
Conclusion: The Dark Depths of Walter White’s Character
In conclusion, Walt’s sinister metamorphosis was made clear by the poisoning of Brock in Breaking Bad. It made it clear to the audience that Walt was no longer the guy to cheer for—rather, he was a man who had lost his path and made terrible choices that had dire repercussions. The sequence of events that led up to this point beautifully captured Breaking Bad’s ability to construct complex storylines and delve into the darkest corners of human decency.
