Breaking Bad: Every Major Death Ranked

The brutal pointlessness of Hank Schrader’s death sees it fall slightly short of heroic. Mike Ehrmantraut, on the other hand, could only die like this - like a true aging antihero, belligerent to the end, fed up of the world and more than ready to leave it.

Mike becomes a major character in Season Five, and Jonathan Banks’ weary performance is immaculate. He does bad things for half-decent reasons, but Mike is a man of principle with no lust for power, and accordingly pits himself against the increasingly messianic Walter.

It all comes down to a stupid argument, and Walter, pride pricked, shoots Mike, who dies among nature and peace. Walt tries to excuse his actions with another of his speeches, but Mike won’t have it, telling his former colleague in no uncertain terms to shut up and let him die.

Mike’s death is no less needless than many of the others, but he goes out on his own terms, the way he probably knew he always would. He was always going to meet a violent end - and when he does, he ensures that he has the final word.