Hank has a Panic Attack?

In our last class, we discussed the character development of Hank. He begins the series as a macho figure, who seems designed to give Walter an inferiority complex. As the show continued, we saw Hank as a blustering, almost buffoonish character. His wisecracks and sense of superiority dug under the skin of Walter and the audience. Walter certainly seems to take some pleasure in undermining Hank and profiting from the very line of business Hank must stamp out. However, when Walter and Jesse were utterly helpless, kidnapped by Tuco, it’s Hank who saved the day. We finally see him in his element, calm and collected in the midst of a shootout, and he dispatches the villain.

Here’s where the perceptions of Hank get fleshed out even more. For all his talk, he is obviously shaken by the shootout with Tuco, and even has a panic attack at one point. I think the scene of panic attack in the elevator gave more volume to Hank than the entire series had, up to this point. We’re not used to seeing Hank doubt himself, or even need help, so when he’s gasping and pressing the emergency button on the elevator, I assumed he was having a heart attack, or some critical medical problem, but then the elevator doors opened and he realized he was physically fine. The brief instant where the audience realizes that they’ve finally seen Hank rattled and scared, is beautifully followed by Hank squaring his shoulders and swaggering over to his friends with his usual bravado. This time, when we see his silhouette retreating into the distance, we know that his carelessness is an act.

Will this development of Hank continue? I’m curious to see how it might change the dynamic between Walter and Hank, since Walter has some clear resentment for Hank’s brash attitude. Perhaps Hank losing his confidence will result in Walter gaining more?