Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston just had a surprise Breaking Bad reunion, but it actually makes one major change to the beloved series. The characters of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman have become iconic, with their well-defined arcs being fully fleshed out throughout the run of Breaking Bad. Walt has always been the manipulative and powerful drug dealer, whereas Jesse was the impressionable, fairly innocent assistant who was trapped with Walt. However, the dynamic between Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul’s Breaking Bad characters has been completely flipped on its head, with a surprising sitcom using the actors to lampoon the AMC series.
While Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston have reunited in the past for Better Call Saul and a Breaking Bad PopCorners Super Bowl ad, the duo’s most recent team-up has happened in an odd place: It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 16, episode 5 sees Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston attempting to launch a new line of alcohol, and the gang just can’t help but get involved. Charlie, Mac, and Dennis hope to pitch their own line of alcohol to the actors, but as it turns out, the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia version of Paul and Cranston is completely different from their Breaking Bad counterparts.
Bryan Cranston & Aaron Paul’s It’s Always Sunny Season 16 Cameos Flip Walt & Jesse’s Breaking Bad Relationship
Unsurprisingly, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul’s cameos in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 16 is a parody of Breaking Bad. However, the episode completely flips their TV show dynamic. In Breaking Bad, Walt essentially has to force Jesse into working for him. Walt starts out blackmailing Jesse to help him make meth, before intimidating him into committing worse crimes such as murder. This relationship is well-established throughout Breaking Bad, which makes it incredibly funny that It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 16, episode 5 dedicates itself to being a takedown of these characters.
Rather than present Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul as they are in reality, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia features a play on their abusive Breaking Bad relationship. In the episode, Aaron Paul is the head of their alcoholic empire, with him ruling over Cranston with an iron fist. Paul manipulates Cranston, intimidating him into working for him and taking the reins of their business. On the other hand, Bryan Cranston fulfills the Jesse Pinkman role in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, with Cranston being the meek, full-of-wonder creative that has aspirations of leaving their operation. Cranston and Paul’s role reversal may seem awkward, but it is actually a hilarious parody.
Interestingly, one Breaking Bad reference in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 16 makes these cameos even more meta. During an argument between Cranston and Paul at the end of the episode, Cranston calls Paul a “bitch.” As fans of Breaking Bad know, this word is one of Jesse Pinkman’s iconic catchphrases, with him using it countless times throughout the series. Having Walter White actor Bryan Cranston use the slogan cements that he is meant to fulfill the Jesse role in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s satirical take on the series, with it being one of the episode’s best meta moments.
Why Breaking Bad Is Never Mentioned Once In It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season 16, Episode 5
Although there are multiple references and nods to Breaking Bad throughout It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 16, episode 5, the series is actually never mentioned. This is surprising, as it would be expected that the sitcom would be clearly homaging the fantastic show that Cranston and Paul are most known for. Instead, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia completely ignores the AMC show, with Cranston and Paul’s Breaking Bad roles being part of a much larger joke within the world of the sitcom.
Although the acting duo is clearly more well-known for Breaking Bad, the gang only refers to Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul as actors from the show Malcolm in the Middle. While Bryan Cranston actually did play Hal in Malcolm in the Middle before his years as Walter White, Aaron Paul wasn’t in the series at all, with the gang confusing him for a grown-up version of Frankie Muniz. This hilarious joke really ties It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s Breaking Bad parody together, with season 16, episode 5 opting to completely ignore the ever-popular show in favor of an older sitcom featuring Bryan Cranston (but not Aaron Paul).