That beautifully executed tie-straighten continues to rank among the most memorable moments in a show that provided them with staggering regularity. Per a 2018 interview on The Rich Eisen Show, it was Giancarlo Esposito himself who came up with Gus' singular final flourish. Esposito claims he conjured the moment while discussing his character's death with Vince Gilligan. It seems after the pair talked over the finer points of the extensive make-up effects the ghastly scene required, Gilligan asked if Esposito had anything specific in mind for his final moment on the series. To hear The Mandalorian star star recount the conversation, the "Eureka" moment of Gus' last act was spawned from his own intense understanding of Gus himself.
"So we had discussed a lot of it, and Vince says, 'What might you be doing if this happened?' And I said, 'Well look, Gus is very proper. I close my jacket when I stand up, I open it when I sit down.' I said, 'I would be straightening my tie.' And Vince just—his eyes lit up, and he said, 'Oh my goodness' — and I said, 'Yeah, he's preparing to go.'"
Let Esposito's insanely "proper" read on his character serve as proof positive that casting the right actor is key in creating a truly memorable character. And even Breaking Bad haters have to admit Gus Fring is among the most memorable to ever grace the small screen. Likewise, Esposito's final contribution to Gus' Breaking Bad arc proves no actor on Earth could've played the part better, or "prepared" a more suitable exit.
In the end, it's that unique eye for deeply nuanced, detailed storytelling which continues to make Breaking Bad so endlessly re-watchable, and well worthy of its status as one of TV's true all-timers.
