Keith Mack
In the American crime drama series Breaking Bad, Walter White's brother-in-law, Hank Schrader, is a central character. Hank is a high-ranking officer and agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is married to Marie Schrader, who is the sister of Walter's wife, Skyler. Hank's character development throughout the series has been critically acclaimed, with many considering him to be the true hero of the show. Hank is eventually killed, despite Walter pleading for his life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Hank Schrader |
| Relationship with Walter White | Brother-in-law |
| Occupation | DEA agent |
| Status | Deceased |
| Cause of death | Killed by Jack |
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What You'll Learn
Hank Schrader is Walter White's brother-in-law
Hank Schrader is a central character in the American crime drama series Breaking Bad, portrayed by Dean Norris and created by Vince Gilligan. Hank is the brother-in-law of the show's protagonist, Walter White. He is married to Marie Schrader, who is Skyler White's sister, making him Skyler's brother-in-law and Walter's brother-in-law. Hank and Marie have no children, but Hank is close to his nephew, Walter Jr., and niece, Holly White.
Hank is a high-ranking officer at the Albuquerque office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He is a major antagonist and a central foil to Walter, who is a drug lord known as "Heisenberg". Hank spends much of the series trying to apprehend "Heisenberg", unaware that he is his brother-in-law. Hank's character development over the course of the series and Norris's performance have been critically acclaimed, with many labelling him as the true hero of Breaking Bad.
Hank's relationship with Walter exacerbates his insecurity, as he often perceives himself as the less intelligent brother-in-law. However, this insecurity also drives him to persist in his investigation of "Heisenberg", even when the odds are stacked against him. Hank's pursuit of justice becomes increasingly personal, and once he discovers that Walter is the drug kingpin he has been chasing, it triggers an emotional crisis. Hank's need for justice clashes with his family loyalty, further complicating his psychological state.
In the show, Hank almost dies in season 1. In fact, according to Vince Gilligan, the only reason Hank made it through was because of a writers' strike in 2008 that shuttered production. Hank eventually dies in the show, serving as one of the most tragic consequences of Walter's descent into criminality.
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Hank is a DEA agent
Hank Schrader is a central character in the American crime drama series Breaking Bad. He is the brother-in-law of the protagonist, Walter White, and is a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Hank is a high-ranking officer at the Albuquerque office of the DEA, starting out as a DEA agent and later being promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA (ASAC). He is married to Marie Schrader and is the uncle of Walter White Jr. and Holly White.
Hank's role as a DEA agent is particularly significant in the context of Walter's secret life as a drug lord. Unaware of Walter's double identity, Hank spends much of the series trying to apprehend the elusive drug kingpin known as "Heisenberg," who is, in fact, his own brother-in-law. Hank's investigation of Heisenberg and his attempts to bring down the meth empire form a critical part of the show's narrative tension.
Hank's character development throughout the series has been praised by critics, with many considering him the true hero of Breaking Bad. Initially portrayed as a ""knuckleheaded jock" and a "cliché-spewing" comic relief character, Hank evolves into a complex, sympathetic, and heroic figure. His transformation showcases a savvy and vulnerable side, making him a compelling counterpoint to Walter's anti-hero persona.
Despite his law enforcement background, Hank struggles to connect the dots and identify Walter as Heisenberg due to his preconceived notion of what a drug kingpin should be. Walter's meek and unassuming demeanour contradicts Hank's image of a criminal mastermind, allowing Walter to evade capture for a significant portion of the series. However, in Season 5, Episode 8 ("Gliding All Over"), Hank finally discovers Walter's secret, leading to one of the most iconic scenes in the show.
Throughout the series, Hank's life is intertwined with Walter's, creating a complex dynamic between the two characters. Hank's close relationship with his nephew, Walter Jr., and his promise to take care of him and Holly in case of Walter's death, further complicates their relationship. Additionally, Hank's involvement in Walter's life often puts him and his wife, Marie, in danger, as they become targets of Walter's criminal associates. Ultimately, Hank's pursuit of justice and his unwavering dedication to his job as a DEA agent lead to his tragic demise.
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Hank discovers Walter's secret in season 5
In Breaking Bad, Walter White, a mild-mannered chemistry teacher, is diagnosed with terminal cancer. To secure his family's financial future, he begins cooking methamphetamine with his former student, Jesse Pinkman. Over five seasons, Walter evolves from a small-time drug dealer to a powerful drug lord with an international sphere of influence.
Walter's secret double life is eventually exposed to everyone, and he is forced to go on the run. One of the most iconic scenes in the show is when his brother-in-law, Hank Schrader, discovers his secret identity in Season 5, Episode 8, titled "Gliding All Over." Hank, a DEA agent, has been investigating the elusive drug kingpin Heisenberg for some time, unaware that the man he is looking for is his own brother-in-law.
In the episode, Hank is at Walt's house and goes to the bathroom. While looking for something to read, he comes across a book of poetry by Walt Whitman. Inside the book, he finds a handwritten message from Gale Boetticher, a former associate of Walt's. The DEA had previously seized a similar book from Gale with a tribute to "W.W.," and seeing the same message in Walt's book, Hank finally makes the connection between Walt and Gale. He realizes that Walt is Heisenberg, the criminal he has been pursuing.
This revelation sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between Hank and Walt in the following episode. Hank's discovery has far-reaching implications, leading to the downfall of Walt's criminal empire and irreversible changes in the lives of those closest to him. It also puts Hank in grave danger, as he is later killed by Jack and his men while trying to bring down Walter.
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Hank is executed by Jack
In the American crime drama series Breaking Bad, Hank Schrader is Walter White's brother-in-law and a central character in the show. Hank is a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is married to Marie Schrader and is the brother-in-law of Skyler and Walter White.
Hank spends most of the series trying to apprehend the drug lord "Heisenberg", who is later revealed to be Walter White. Hank discovers Walter's secret in season 5, episode 8, "Gliding Over All". Despite Walter's attempts to keep his criminal activities hidden from his family, Hank eventually finds out about his double identity, which ranks as one of the most iconic scenes in the show.
In the final season, Hank is executed by Jack, despite Walter pleading for his brother-in-law's life. Jack and his men arrive and open fire on the group, killing Hank's partner Steven Gomez and wounding Hank. Hank's death is a tragic moment in the series, and his body is later recovered and buried alongside Gomez's at the Tohajiilee Indian Reservation, a former cooking location of Walter and Jesse.
Hank's character development throughout the series has been critically acclaimed, with many viewers labelling him as the true hero of Breaking Bad. His transformation from a "knuckleheaded jock" to a "complex, sympathetic, and heroic" figure showcases the depth and evolution of his character.
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Hank's body is recovered
Hank Schrader, Walter White's DEA agent brother-in-law, is executed by Jack in the final season of Breaking Bad. Jack and his men open fire on the group, killing Gomez and wounding Hank. Walter pleads for Hank's life, but Jack executes him.
In the final episode of Better Call Saul, it is revealed that Skyler made a deal with the prosecutor, which led to the successful recovery of Hank's body. Marie accuses Saul of enabling Walter and the events that led to Hank's murder. During his trial, Saul confesses the full extent of his involvement in Walt's drug empire, acknowledging his role in the deaths of those associated with Walt, including Hank.
Hank's death comes as a shock to viewers, as he had been a central character in the series and had survived several near-death experiences prior to his demise. In fact, in a 2015 interview, Vince Gilligan revealed that Hank almost died in season one. The writers had initially considered killing off Hank in season one but ultimately decided to keep him alive due to a writers' strike that shuttered production.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Hank Schrader, Walter White's brother-in-law, is executed by Jack.
Hank, a DEA agent, is killed while trying to arrest Walter.
Hank Schrader is killed in season 5, episode 8, "Gliding Over All".
