Why is the number 737 important in Breaking Bad? Hidden clues, revealed

Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad (via Amazon Prime Video)

Breaking Bad is the kind of show where nothing is ever truly random. Every word, every number, every camera angle seems to have a deeper meaning - and one of the most quietly haunting examples of that is the number 737.

At first, it just seems like the amount of money Walt needs to make before he can quit the drug game. But if you’re paying close attention, that number shows up again in a much darker context - hinting at an upcoming tragedy involving a mid-air collision that shakes the entire story.

Curious? Well, buckle up, because this number isn’t just about cash — it’s a ticking time bomb hiding in plain sight!

Importance of the number 737 in Breaking Bad

We first hear the number in the opening episode of Season 2, which is literally titled “Seven Thirty-Seven.” After a chaotic encounter with Tuco, Walt sits down and does the math. He calculates how much money he needs to make from cooking meth to leave behind for his family.

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The magic number? You guessed it - $737,000. Seems oddly specific, right? At the time, it feels like just another moment of Walt being meticulous. But there’s more to it than just finances.

If you pay attention to a few episode titles from that season, something eerie starts to take shape. The first four key episodes are titled “Seven Thirty-Seven,” “Down,” “Over,” and “ABQ.” Now, read that together: Seven Thirty-Seven Down Over ABQ.

It’s not just a random string of words — it’s a hidden sentence, one that ends up predicting the mid-air plane crash over Albuquerque in the season finale. And here’s the kicker: one of the planes involved is a Boeing 737.

The crash isn’t just some unrelated event either. It happens because of a chain reaction started by Walt. He lets Jane, Jesse’s girlfriend, die from an overdose. Her father, Donald, is an air traffic controller. Grief-stricken, he returns to work too soon and makes a mistake - leading to the plane collision.

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So in a way, Walt’s choices ripple outward, causing unintended, but massive consequences. The number 737 isn’t just about money anymore - it’s symbolic of the destruction Walt leaves in his wake.

Breaking Bad's signature storytelling

This kind of layered storytelling is Breaking Bad at its finest - blending math, morality, and mayhem. It’s what makes the show so addictive. You don’t just watch Breaking Bad, you study it - and once you spot these clues, you can’t unsee them.

So the next time someone mentions “737” in a casual conversation...you’ll know there’s far more to it than just a dollar amount!

In Breaking Bad, even a simple number like 737 can carry the weight of death, destruction, and destiny. It’s proof that no detail is ever accidental in Vince Gilligan’s universe.

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Edited by Sezal Srivastava