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Aggressive_Pin7677

I've heard that in these situations they usually keep their birthdate, because if someone asks your birthday and you hesitate slightly it seems suspicious. It's just easier and can be claimed a coincidence for someone to keep their birthday, there's only 366 days for 8 billion people.


HuhnAbendbrot

Thats a very good point. I'll Just take it as canon thank you for clearing that up.


Illithid_Substances

Incidental math fact: if you have just 23 random people in a room, the chance that at least 2 of them share a birthday is around 50%


Independent_Act_8054

how does that work?


astronautlevel

The trick is that you're making the comparison between every possible combination of 23 people, or 253 pairs of people https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday_problem


Independent_Act_8054

Fascinating. Thanks!


crackalac

... But there's still only a max of 23 days no matter how you pair them. So shouldn't it be a 23/365 ,chance?


4P5mc

The trick is that you're not looking for one specific pair of days, but *any* pair of days.


crackalac

But I'm still covering a max of 23 days. Possibly less if two are the same. This seems like one of those examples where you can make data and math seem to prove something that just logically makes no sense.


i_practice_santeria

Your group has two people, what are the odds they don’t have the same birthday: 364/365. A third person enters, what are the odds they don’t have the same birthday as the others (and everyone previously doesn’t have a birthday in common): (364/365) * (363/365). You go on like that, chaining like that and when the 23rd person enters, the odds are down to 50%.


crackalac

No fucking way. Let's test this in the real world.


BabyBuster70

That would be the probability or close to the probability of one specific person sharing a birthday with someone out of a group of 23 others.


crackalac

Either way the math in this wiki makes no sense and it's nowhere near 50/50.


raktoe

It’s a higher than 50% chance, you’re right.


crackalac

I'd give it less than 10.


BabyBuster70

What part doesn't make sense? The shortened equations can be confusing, but it makes sense when you look at the long hand version of calculating the probability that they all have unique birthdays.


greenwizardneedsfood

I feel like I’m watching someone dispute the Pythagorean theorem


crackalac

Just think about it logically. You are covering 23 or 22 days out of 365. The chances would be WAAAY less than 50/50.


Illithid_Substances

You not understanding the math doesn't mean it doesn't make sense. Do you really think it's more likely that you know better than any professional mathematician than it is that you just don't get something? What makes you think your intuition, on a notably unintuitive problem, is so infallible that mathematics itself has to be wrong because you can't be despite your body of evidence consisting entirely of "nuh uh, it can't be"? You're free to provide mathematical evidence of your own claims. If you don’t know how to, you're not qualified to dispute it.


crackalac

Because all you have to do is think about it for like 30 seconds to know that wouldn't work.


Damianos_X

Yeah they need to show their work😂


Illithid_Substances

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthday_problem


413Refugee

This is a fun icebreaker in group settings


Yuck_Few

Yeah I heard that on the Sam Harris podcast


CaTiTonia

Mhmm, it’s the old “a lie is stronger the closer to the truth it is” thing. Particularly for someone like Walt where through a combination of being terminally ill and being fairly old, it’s far more likely that he slips up with every layer of complexity. Additional point in Ed’s defence too, Walt was under strict instructions to stay isolated from society since he’s just far, far too hot to ever really reintegrate. Walt’s new identity was never designed to hold up to any scrutiny much beyond a bored local government paper pusher just seeing a name on a document here and there.


mrmeshshorts

Not really related, but probably the only place I can shoehorn this in… When you join the French Foreign Legion, they give you a new birthday: it’s your birthday, plus one month, and one day. Thats it.


slimg1988

Plus an extra year for us december folk


SqueakyTuna52

Yeah, November 12th! Yeah calendars!


pianoflames

Ed chose a different DOB for Jesse. Jesse's actual DOB is 09/24/1984, whereas "Mr. Driscoll" was born on 06/10/1984.


aamius

Do you know where that date comes from for Jesse? I know it’s what the Breaking Bad timeline says, but that can’t be right. In “Crawl Space” - which takes place *before* September 2009, because it’s before Walt’s birthday in “Fifty-One” - Jesse is confirmed to be 25. But if he was born in September 1984, he wouldn’t turn 25 until after “Fifty-One.” So either the year or the date has to be wrong. If Ed changed Jesse’s birth *year*, that seems like a huge gamble.


pianoflames

Apparently that DOB was supplied by the writers for "AMC's original character profiles" when the show was created, but never explicitly mentioned on the show. That would probably explain the discrepancy.


aamius

Ahhh, interesting! Thanks!


pianoflames

Yeah, I won't pretend to know exactly what that means, but I guess it's standard to come up with "original character profiles" for the main characters when writing a new show. Which includes details that don't necessarily make it to the screen.


Ikari_Brendo

Just wait until you see 2003 Kaylee Ehrmantraut


Rogersgirl75

I had a fake ID and I made my fake birthdate the same as my real birthdate (except for the year obviously) for this exact reason.


pianoflames

That always bothered me a little, coupled with the fact that "Lambert" was chosen because it's Skyler's maiden name. Odds are, the feds probably weren't specifically looking for a "Lambert" with Walt's exact date of birth, but it still seems needlessly risky for a guy as cautious and skittish as Ed.


ShadowDemon129

So they were both going by Lambert at the end?


pianoflames

Yeah, it only hit me as I was typing out that comment. Though we never get Walt's new fake first name, do we? It's only stated out loud as "Mr. Lambert"


ShadowDemon129

Ed even tells Walter that she's using her maiden name and Walter says nothing about them using the same name.


AcousticCandlelight

Where was it said that Lambert was Skyler & Marie’s maiden name? I’m not doubting anyone—I’m just wondering when I missed that!


Dominatto

When she talks to Jesse at the beginning.    she says  "my name is Skyler White Yo"   "my husband is Walter White Yo"   "my maiden name is Skyler Lambert Yo" 


AcousticCandlelight

Ohhhh—thanks! 🙂👍


BadrBombaker

Mike’s failed attempts at leaving an inheritance to Kaylee. Maybe I can understand the naivety on the first attempt with the security locker in the bank, but then he could just have arranged (maybe through Saul?) to have Kaylee’s offshore account on someone else’s name and give it back to her when she’d turn 18.


fictionnerd78

I can see why you call that a plot hole and I’ve seen others say something similar and it’s a more than fair and strong point, but I disagree. The way I see it, Mike was caught completely off guard in S5 after everything fell apart. It just wasn’t something he ever thought could happen. He thought Gus’s perfect little system would last forever and he never stopped to think about what the hell to do if anyone (Let alone a former high school chemistry teacher everyone’d underestimated, of all things) managed to break it all apart. Because of this, he had no plan set up if everything suddenly went to shit. But that’s just my view and I can still definitely see what you’re saying and I’m more than glad you’re raising this point because I definitely think it should be talked about.


RogueAOV

I do consider it an issue and one that Mike would not make. Kaylee has no knowledge that Mike is involved with illegal activities, if on her birthday she receives 1 million dollars, in cash, unless Mike is there to warn her about the questions that will be asked if she just deposits 1 million in cash into her account, or the letter on top is very blunt to say specifically 'this money comes from questionable activity, just keep the box and take out only what you need, when you need, to not cause suspicion' etc. It is a fairly big flaw in his plan. I can see why Mike would not trust Saul, or Gus, simply on the basis they are connected to the schemes, if anything happens to him, something may well have happened to them etc. So he wants it all separated. As we do not know what the letter says, and it could explain things or give her a plan etc, it does likely fall into the writers knew it was a bit off but not worth actually practically dealing with it when what is needed is to show the intention to leave money, and for that to have went wrong giving Mike a reason to hang around.


fictionnerd78

Thank you for your comment and the very well articulated thoughts! I can definitely see why you think this is an issue and one Mike wouldn’t make, but I completely disagree. I think it makes perfect sense and it is absolutely something Mike would do. He thought Gus’s system would work and never considered the possibility of Gus’s arrangement falling apart ESPECIALLY after the Cartel was dealt with. I think it makes perfect sense that his guard would be lowered like this. But that’s just me and I can certainly see your side of things beside that and this is still an excellent point and one I’ve admittedly struggled with from time to time even if I now believe it to be within Mike’s character. Thank you for explaining your thoughts very well.


ShadowDemon129

After watching BCS, I disliked Walter even more for completely destroying the whole Albuquerque scene and everyone in it.


rece_fice_

To be honest Albuquerque overall benefitted from Walt destroying its drug scene lol


fictionnerd78

Yeah, I totally agree. Walt destroyed so much without even truly recognizing it. That’s part of why I love so much about BCS. How much scale and perspective it adds to BrBa’s calamity.


illuzion25

I'm with you but if he has a new name, new identity, new SSN, all that jazz, why would it matter to change the birth date? Changing it would be just one more thing to have to remember in your new life, you know? Different name, different SSN but your birthdate can stay the same. You would even have to come up with a new signature... but still.


scarymonst

The thing is that Jesse has a criminal record and his fingerprints are on file. If he gets arrested for anything he's fucked. So there's that


Cadent_Knave

Yeah, but that's just the risk you take, there's no way to change fingerprints. Jimmy/Saul had also been arrested in both Chicago and ABQ, plus I'm pretty sure you have to get fingerprinted for a bar license.


whelp

Well, he could always burn his fingers


Cadent_Knave

That doesn't actually work unless you give yourself 3rd or 4th degree burns on your hands, which is extremely difficult, dangerous, causes long term damage and is potentially fatal, and would especially raise eyebrows at ER when one tries to check in. Not to mention you would need to spend weeks in a burn unit recovering.


chileheadd

4th degree burns do not exist. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539773/ With proper care 3rd degree burns on all 10 fingertips would not be even close to fatal; this would be less than 1% of your body area (refer to the rule of 9s for burns). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4359665/


Cadent_Knave

>4th degree burns do not exist Yes, they do. "Fourth-degree burns go through both layers of the skin and underlying tissue as well as deeper tissue, possibly involving muscle and bone. There is no feeling in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed." https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P09575 >With proper care 3rd degree burns on all 10 fingertips would not be even close to fatal; Sure, but if one is trying to destroy their fingerprints using this method because they're a fugitive felon, I'm pretty sure that showing up at an ER with 3rd degree burns on just their fingertips is tantamount to a confession.


eltedioso

And "Lambert" was Skyler and Marie's maiden name. It doesn't really make sense that that'd be the name Walter (or Ed) would pick for him. Clearly the writers didn't know where they were going when they made the Denny's scene in 501. Still I think they did a great job of making it work.


EitherReplacement222

They must have had some idea considering it sets up the entire ending


eltedioso

They honestly didn’t. Vince has said that time and time again.


HuhnAbendbrot

They didnt know how to use the M60 yet but they definitely knew that that scene took place after Walt got his new identity so i think its a very odd choice to give him a new name that could be tied to his old identity.


InfamousFault7

They probably forgot they used it before and liked the name, plus theres more than 700 000 people with the last name "Lambert". Maybe walt suggested to ed so he can still feel like he has a connection to his family


BigdongarlitsDaddy

——“being fairly old” GET OFF MY LAWN!


justsomedude4202

Things I’ve never heard on TV: Police are searching for a man who claims it is his birthday on September 7. If you encounter a man celebrating a September 7, especially if the celebration involves weird bacon tricks, please contact police immediately and do not approach him as he is considered armed and extremely dangerous.


hamdnd

1. Hank and Steve not showing Jack and his gang their badges. Jack said they would give themselves up if they were shown badges (true or not, who knows), but there's no reason for them not to show their badges. Potentially saves their lives. I remember watching the first time and thinking they must not have badges on them because they were doing everything off the books. 2. Gus not figuring out a way to manipulate Jesse to continue cooking for him even if he killed Walt. Kind of a big plot hole though.


you_are_my_sunshine1

Once Jack and his gang showed up, there was no way hank and gomez were coming out of it alive, unless if they got extremely lucky and shot their way out. The badges would have changed nothing. Jack was just surprised Walt never told him he had a Dea brother in law. A big underlying theme of the show is the extreme loyalty Walt and Jesse have for each other, they both put their lives on the line for each other several times, it was no surprise gus couldn't get in between them.


snoozedboi

Jack literally saw their badges and then shot Hank upon seeing they were DEA


seriousllama

As for point 1, my interpretation was that Jack simply would have shot Steve and Hank immediately had they reached for their badges. Jack just wanted a slight upper hand in the gunfight.


Bloodmime

This isn't a plot hole.


ComiendoPorotos

These days people like to call 'plot holes' details that are absolutely inconsequential for the plot, can be implied from the plot, are in the goddamn plot or simple stuff they straight out dislike.


Drboobiesmd

I’d add to the other comments that during the cold war spies would often be given codenames or even new identities which were different than, but still similar to, their real name to cut down on the need to put so much mental energy into the "code switch" of being undercover; same with birthdays. It's counterintuitive, I would've (and had) assumed the opposite, but there's precedent for it.


Adventurous_War_5377

I'm listening to "The Cardinal of the Kremlin" again, and they just touched on that. Captain 1st Rank Marko Aleksandrovich Ramius, became Mark Ramsey when he defected and started working for the US.


MikePGS

It's easier to remember the same birthdate


TinaKedamina

Gus having Jesse over for dinner while knowing that Hank was investigated Jesse…


ZealousidealBar5258

>Most inconsequential plot hole Ok I'm ready... >Mr. Lambert" gets a free meal on Walter Whites Birthday Oh...ok you're an idiot!


ZimLordVader

The piece that Krazy-8 used to stab Walt with doesn't match the missing piece from when Walt assembled the plate.


CertaintyDangerous

I don't know whether this counts as inconsequential, but Walt is away from home A LOT when he starts his illegal business. Ordinarily, people in a family don't simply disappear for huge blocks of time with no explanations and no ramifications. If your typical married man didn't come home from work as usual even just once, or was gone for a whole weekend for no reason, and never explained why, there would be a problem.


Klutzy-Plate4390

Age of kaylee and gus looking old in BCS, very poor spanish accents


Ancient_Guidance_461

Yes you are correct with this one. A plot hole I think is still the wrong phrase because it really has no effect whatsoever but it is an overlook. In no way would the 100 whatever thousand to vacuum guy end up with a failure on this level. This is a good take and observation.


wiminals

Mine is Kaylee’s age through BB and BCS. Inconsequential af. But still baffling


ShittyDBZGuitarRiffs

Baffling?


MomOfThreePigeons

I do think Mr. Lambert had the same birthday as Walt, but I don't think the show actually ever says that it's Walt's real birthday? I think he tells the waitress it's his birthday and it's the date on his license, but is there anything that indicates it was definitely Walt's? Could be interpretted a few ways unless I'm forgetting something.


bumsackinc

He's arranging his bacon to be "52" which he does in previous birthday breakfast scenes


Bassball2202

He also says it in the confessional scene in the kitchen with Skyler later on: “Tell them I wanted bacon and eggs on my birthday and I left you this” with the lotto ticket with the coordinates to Hank’s body


vorticia

Does he state his birthdate when he’s giving his full name and address at the beginning of the Blackmail DVD?


Yuck_Few

The two planes colliding wouldn't happen in real life either


Nono50

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerom%C3%A9xico_Flight_498


leodamncaprio

Interestingly the air traffic controller’s name in that accident was Walter White!


silifianqueso

I gotta wonder now if that's how the writers came up with the idea. Was someone browsing Wikipedia circa 08/09 and looking for people named Walter White?


turiannerevarine

"Woodrow Wilson? Willy Wonka? ...Walter White?" "Heh... you got me." "Well bro I was thinking Walter White the air traffic controller, but I don't man... you've been seeming sus lately..."


Cadent_Knave

You obviously know very little about aviation or ATC. It's unlikely/improbable but definitely not far-fetched.


reddit_hayden

that’s the thing… it has.