“Breaking Bad,” one of the most critically acclaimed TV shows of all time, has captivated audiences with its complex characters, intricate plotlines, and tense atmosphere. The show, which aired from 2008 to 2013, is centered around Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston), a high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine kingpin. Throughout the series, fans are introduced to a range of characters, some of whom have pivotal roles in the story. One such character, Ignacio “Nacho” Varga, is a central figure in the spin-off prequel series Better Call Saul, but what about his involvement in Breaking Bad?
This article delves into the character of Nacho Varga, exploring his role in Better Call Saul, his indirect connections to the events of Breaking Bad, and whether or not he is physically present in the original series. While Nacho is not a character who makes a direct appearance in Breaking Bad, his presence and influence are felt, making him a significant part of the larger Breaking Bad universe.
Who is Nacho Varga?
Ignacio “Nacho” Varga, portrayed by actor Michael Mando, is one of the most intriguing characters in Better Call Saul, the prequel to Breaking Bad. He first appears as a member of the Salamanca drug cartel, working under Hector Salamanca, one of the primary antagonists in Breaking Bad. Nacho is a smart, calculating, and often morally conflicted character, caught between his loyalty to the cartel and his desire to protect his father, who owns a small upholstery shop. His story in Better Call Saul adds a layer of depth to the Breaking Bad universe, offering viewers a glimpse into the lives of those who inhabit the criminal underworld without directly involving the central figures like Walter White or Jesse Pinkman.
Despite his significant role in Better Call Saul, Nacho does not make a direct appearance in Breaking Bad. However, his actions and decisions lead to events that have far-reaching consequences in the world of Breaking Bad. His character is a representation of how small, seemingly insignificant choices in the world of crime can ripple outward and influence the broader narrative.
Nacho’s Role in Better Call Saul
In Better Call Saul, Nacho is one of the few characters who has a major influence on the plot. His relationship with the Salamanca cartel and his interactions with characters like Jimmy McGill (Saul Goodman), Mike Ehrmantraut, and Gus Fring show a man caught between forces much larger than himself.
Nacho’s Conflict with the Salamanca Family
At the heart of Nacho’s storyline is his deep internal conflict. He is part of the Salamanca cartel, but he isn’t as bloodthirsty or loyal to Hector Salamanca as his colleagues, including the infamous Tuco Salamanca, who is introduced in Breaking Bad. Nacho’s desire to protect his family, particularly his father, from the cartel’s violence sets him on a dangerous path. This conflict leads him to plot against Hector, attempting to poison him in order to take control of the cartel’s operations. Nacho’s intelligence and ability to manipulate people make him a dangerous adversary to Hector, who dismisses him as a mere pawn in the larger game.
Nacho’s story in Better Call Saul is one of survival, wit, and desperate measures. His evolution as a character provides context for his absence in Breaking Bad, as viewers are left wondering what happened to him once Breaking Bad begins.
Relationship with Gus Fring
One of the most important aspects of Nacho’s character is his relationship with Gus Fring, the highly calculated drug kingpin introduced in Breaking Bad and portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito. In Better Call Saul, Gus sees potential in Nacho, recognizing his intelligence and ability to operate within the drug trade. However, Gus is also a man who thrives on control, and he isn’t above using people like Nacho as pawns in his larger scheme.
Throughout the course of Better Call Saul, Nacho becomes entangled with Gus, eventually working for him as a double agent, feeding information on Hector Salamanca’s operations. This relationship significantly impacts the events of Breaking Bad, particularly as Gus Fring becomes a major antagonist in the original series. While Nacho never meets Walter White or Jesse Pinkman, his actions indirectly affect the balance of power within the cartel, and the tension between Gus and Hector is pivotal in the larger conflict that shapes the events of Breaking Bad.
Is Nacho In Breaking Bad?
The short answer is no—Nacho does not make a physical appearance in Breaking Bad. However, his presence is felt in a variety of ways. Several references to him are made by other characters, and his actions in Better Call Saul set the stage for the events that occur in Breaking Bad.
The Silence of Nacho in Breaking Bad
One of the most notable aspects of Breaking Bad is the absence of Nacho, especially considering his important role in Better Call Saul. By the time Breaking Bad begins, Nacho is already entrenched in the cartel’s operations. However, unlike characters such as Gus Fring, Hector Salamanca, or Mike Ehrmantraut, Nacho does not factor into the story’s central conflicts. His story, as explored in Better Call Saul, occurs off-screen, outside of the main events of Breaking Bad.
One of the possible reasons for this absence is that Breaking Bad is primarily focused on Walter White’s descent into the criminal world. Characters like Gus and Hector play significant roles in advancing Walter’s story, while Nacho’s role in the broader narrative is less direct. His absence is not a sign of insignificance but rather an indication of how large the criminal world is and how many different stories are happening simultaneously.
Nacho’s Impact on the Salamanca Cartel
Even though Nacho doesn’t appear in Breaking Bad, his role in the Salamanca cartel is crucial to understanding the shifting power dynamics in the criminal underworld. The actions of characters like Hector Salamanca and Gus Fring in Breaking Bad are influenced by the events set in motion by Nacho.
For example, Nacho’s attempt to kill Hector Salamanca by poisoning his pills has significant ramifications in the world of Breaking Bad. Hector’s eventual death at the hands of Gus Fring is a major turning point in the series. The rivalry between Gus and Hector that plays out in Breaking Bad is fueled by the events that transpired in Better Call Saul, where Nacho plays a pivotal role in manipulating Hector’s actions.
What Happens to Nacho?
While Better Call Saul reveals a great deal about Nacho’s journey, it does not provide a clear answer about what happens to him by the time Breaking Bad begins. Given his tense relationship with Gus Fring, it is possible that he meets a tragic end before the events of Breaking Bad. In fact, many fans speculate that Nacho’s fate is sealed, considering his high-risk role in the cartel and his attempts to go against both Hector and Gus.
Although Nacho is not mentioned explicitly in Breaking Bad, there is an underlying suggestion that he either disappeared or met a tragic end. His absence from the show is an indication that he likely did not survive the violent world in which he operated.
Why Is Nacho’s Absence Significant?
Nacho’s absence in Breaking Bad serves as an example of the complex, interconnected world that Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul exist within. His story in Better Call Saul adds a rich layer of depth to the narrative of Breaking Bad, even though he never appears on-screen in the original series. The absence of Nacho is a reminder of the many untold stories that exist outside of the primary narrative, reinforcing the idea that the events in both shows are part of a much larger and interconnected criminal universe.
In addition, the absence of Nacho also reflects the broader theme of Breaking Bad—how the criminal world operates in shades of grey, with characters often being victims of circumstance. Nacho, despite his role in the cartel, is not a traditional villain. He is a man trying to protect his family while making difficult decisions in an unforgiving world. His story in Better Call Saul gives viewers a glimpse of the moral complexities faced by characters in Breaking Bad.
Conclusion
Although Nacho Varga does not physically appear in Breaking Bad, his influence on the events of the show is undeniable. As a character in Better Call Saul, Nacho plays a key role in the broader storyline of the Salamanca cartel, and his actions set in motion critical events that shape the trajectory of characters like Gus Fring and Hector Salamanca in Breaking Bad. His absence from Breaking Bad is not an oversight, but rather a reflection of the deep, intricate world created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. Nacho’s story, while explored in Better Call Saul, remains one of the many untold narratives within the larger Breaking Bad universe, serving as a reminder that not every character’s journey is told in the original series.
