Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul: 10 Characters Killed At The Perfect Time
5. Breaking Bad - Mike Ehrmentraut
Mike Ehrmentraut is one of the most universally beloved characters across both shows. Jonathan Banks' stone-faced former detective exudes a cold, calculating demeanor but has a carefully concealed heart of gold. His only purpose in this world is to provide for his granddaughter Kaylee and her mother Stacey, following the death of his son Matt as a result of Mike's criminal activities.
Banks' final appearance comes in Say My Name, unanimously regarded as one of Breaking Bad's greatest outings. The shocking nature of the manner in which such a central and beloved character met his demise threw into sharp focus just how utterly out of control events within the show's canon had become for the central characters - fans hadn't even reached the mid-season finale!
The timing of the hitman's death also highlighted how deluded and out of touch with reality Walter had become by this point in proceedings. Mike gives him an epic dressing down, refusing to give Walter the names of his accomplices in prison for exchange for his share of the money, leading Heisenberg to shoot his most valuable ally in a fit of pique.
The futility of this self-destructive act is driven home as Walter realizes he could have gotten the list from Lydia. As he feebly tries to apologize to the dying man, Mike growls out his final emblematic line.
"Just shut the f*ck up and let me die in peace."