Ted Beneke was a minor but memorable character in the hit TV show Breaking Bad. He was the former boss and lover of Skyler White, the wife of the main protagonist Walter White. Ted’s fate was left ambiguous after he suffered a serious injury in the fifth season of the show. In this article, we will explore what happened to Ted Beneke, his strange arc in Breaking Bad, and his impact on the show.
The Strange Arc of Ted Beneke in Breaking Bad
Ted Beneke was introduced in the second season of Breaking Bad as the owner of Beneke Fabricators, a company that employed Skyler White as a bookkeeper. Ted and Skyler had a history of flirting and attraction, which eventually led to an affair after Skyler discovered Walter’s involvement in the meth business. Ted was also involved in some illegal activities, as he cooked his books to avoid paying taxes and was audited by the IRS.
Ted’s character development was not very consistent throughout the show. He was portrayed as a friendly and charismatic man who cared for Skyler and his employees, but also as a selfish and greedy person who cheated on his wife and used Skyler to cover his tracks. He was also shown to be cowardly and naive, as he tried to escape from his problems and failed to understand the danger he was in.
The Uncertain Fate of Ted Beneke
Ted’s fate was left unclear after he suffered a severe head injury in the fifth season of Breaking Bad. He was visited by two men hired by Saul Goodman, Walter’s lawyer, who threatened him to pay back the money that Skyler gave him to settle his tax debt. Ted panicked and tried to run away, but tripped on a rug and slammed his head on a table. The last time we saw him, he was lying on the floor, bleeding and unconscious.
There are different theories about what happened to Ted Beneke after that. Some fans believe that he died from his injury, while others think that he survived but was paralyzed or brain-damaged. Some even speculate that he recovered and went into hiding or witness protection. The show never confirmed or denied any of these possibilities, leaving Ted’s fate a mystery.
The actor who played Ted Beneke, Christopher Cousins, also shared his thoughts on his fate. He said that he did not know for sure what happened to his character, but he hoped that he survived and learned from his mistakes. He also said that he enjoyed playing Ted and that he was grateful for the opportunity to be part of Breaking Bad.
The Impact of Ted Beneke’s Fate on Breaking Bad
Ted Beneke’s fate had a significant impact on Breaking Bad, especially on Skyler and Walter’s relationship. Skyler felt guilty and responsible for Ted’s injury, as she was the one who gave him the money and asked Saul to send the men to his house. She also feared that Ted would expose her involvement in Walter’s crimes, or that the IRS would find out about the money laundering. Skyler’s guilt and fear drove her to distance herself from Walter and to seek a divorce.
Ted’s fate also added to the intensity and suspense of the show, as it was one of the many loose ends that could come back to haunt Walter and his family. Ted’s fate also raised some moral questions, such as whether he deserved what happened to him, or whether Skyler and Walter were justified in their actions. Ted’s fate showed how Breaking Bad explored the consequences and complexities of the characters’ choices and actions.
Where is Ted Beneke Now?
Ted Beneke’s fate was never revealed in the show, but there is a chance that he could appear in the Breaking Bad universe again. The show’s spin-off, Better Call Saul, is a prequel that follows the life of Saul Goodman before he met Walter and Skyler. The show has featured many characters from Breaking Bad, such as Mike Ehrmantraut, Gus Fring, and Hector Salamanca. It is possible that Ted Beneke could make a cameo in Better Call Saul, either as a client or a rival of Saul, or as a connection to Skyler.
The actor who played Ted Beneke, Christopher Cousins, also expressed his interest in appearing in Better Call Saul. He said that he would love to reprise his role and that he was open to any possibility. He also said that he was a fan of the show and that he admired the work of the creators and the cast.
Ted Beneke was a minor but memorable character in Breaking Bad, whose fate was left uncertain and mysterious. His arc and impact on the show were intriguing and complex, and his potential appearance in Better Call Saul could be exciting and surprising. Ted Beneke was a character who left us wondering: what happened to him?
