I saw Walter in the beginning as someone who had no control of their life (even in his choice of how to die/reject treatment). He slowly gains this confidence

I saw Walter in the beginning as someone who had no control of their life (even in his choice of how to die/reject treatment). He slowly gains this confidence and control. He goes from being talked down to and ignored to being powerful (though at massive cost), but there's something appealing to that story of taking control. There's also an element of masculinity tied up in this too - when he stomps on the bully's leg in the clothing store early on. I think it's just being the alpha monkey. Skyler was pretty controlling and self-righteous, I found her to be a pretty unlikable character. She cheats on Walt primarily to hurt him and she was also hypocritical, breaking the law for Ted when it suited her and helping with the money laundering without taking accountability for anything. Walt at least (early on) started with the goal of raising money to leave his family - though this obviously mutates pretty quickly.