In Breaking Bad, bureaucracy isn’t just a background theme—it’s a character in its own right, highlighting the absurdity and inefficiency of modern systems. Walter White’s initial struggles with healthcare, legal matters, and financial systems are emblematic of a society where the rules seem to favor the rich and powerful. The show takes aim at the red tape, slow-moving processes, and lack of compassion that often define bureaucratic systems. For example, Walter’s difficulty in securing insurance for his cancer treatment, despite being a hard-working individual, reflects the frustrations many people face in a complex system that prioritizes profit over people. Throughout the series, characters constantly find themselves trapped by bureaucracy, whether it’s the DEA, the government, or corporate systems. These absurdities push individuals like Walter and Jesse into making desperate choices. Breaking Bad highlights the fragility and absurdity of bureaucracy, showing how the systems that are supposed to help people often fail them, pushing them into crime as a desperate solution.