Gus Fring suggests he has children during Breaking Bad, and it seems the mastermind behind Los Pollos Hermanos is telling the truth. Gus, also known as the "Chicken Man," is one of the main villains of Breaking Bad. Played to perfection by Giancarlo Esposito, the character seems polite and cordial on the surface. However, Walter White and Jesse Pinkman quickly learn he's not a man to cross. He repeatedly proves he's a man to be feared, and he even threatens to kill Walter's family, including his infant daughter.

Needless to say, Gus doesn't come across as a family man during his time on Breaking Bad. Nonetheless, he hints that he has children in Breaking Bad season 3. Neither Breaking Bad nor Better Call Saul show Gus with a family, so there's been some debate over whether he's lying to Walter about having kids. However, that doesn't seem to be the case. Although lying wouldn't be out of character for Gus, a few pieces of evidence suggest that he's telling the truth about this.

Why Gus Fring's Claim About Having Kids Is Assumed To Be A Lie

Gus Fring's claim about having kids is mostly forgotten or ignored by Breaking Bad fans, as a family doesn't factor into his storyline at all. The only time he alludes to having one is when Walter visits him for dinner in Breaking Bad season 3. Walt notices toys in his house, and Gus tells him, "You know how that is." It's implied that his family is away. However, they never appear later on. They don't show up in Better Call Saul, either. And there are valid reasons to think he's lying to Walt in this scene.

For one, Gus might be trying to get Walt's guard down. At this point in the series, he needs Walt's cooperation in order to maintain his meth empire. Since Walter has kids of his own, perhaps Gus believes that being a family man will earn him the chemist's respect, sympathy, or both. Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul paint Gus as a master manipulator. Therefore, such a performance wouldn't be out of character for him, especially if he stood to gain something from it. Looking at the worst things Gus has done, lying to Walt would be a small drop in the bucket.

The other reason it's easy to shrug Gus' family off as a lie is that the character tends to stay away from love and friendship. He's often alone, and he never lets anyone get close. Even Mike Ehrmantraut, who's arguably his most loyal ally, knows little of his personal affairs. Such an aversion to close relationships would make it difficult for Gus to find a wife and start a family. Of course, a family could be the reason he distances himself from the people he works with. If no one knows that Gus has a wife and kids, they can't use those bonds against him.

Gus Fring's Kids Were Originally In Breaking Bad

Gus' kids never appear in Breaking Bad, but according to Esposito, they were supposed to. Speaking with Reuters, the actor revealed he was asked to bring in photos that would open the door for Gus to have a family. Of Breaking Bad season 4, episode 8, Esposito said, "With this (episode), the triumph was that they asked me for some family pictures. I brought in pictures of my four daughters and put them all on the wall. (Viewers) never really saw them, but just in case one day they did and wanted to reflect back to that scene, they could see my family, which meant (Gus) could have a wife."

This doesn't necessarily prove that Gus has a family in the finished product of Breaking Bad. However, it appears this was the original plan for his character. Paired with the toys in his house and what he tells Walt, it makes a compelling case for Gus having kids. Plus, there are other reasons to believe Breaking Bad's "Chicken Man" has more of a personal life than he lets on. A family would explain his refusal to form connections in the world of the cartel, as well as his intolerance for mistakes. It would also give further context to the character's strong values.

RELATED: Breaking Bad: Was Gus Fring's Death Realistic?

Gus Fring Having Children Would Explain His Strong Values

If Gus really does have children, it makes sense of the strong values he exhibits throughout Breaking Bad. Gus frequently motivates and threatens Walt using his love for his family. He even tells the chemist, "A man provides for his family." This suggests he understands the ties that Walt has to his wife and kids — and that perhaps he's in the meth business for similar reasons. It's possible Gus' quest for money and power stems from the desire to do right by his family. This is why he can relate to Walt on some level. It may also be the reason he respects and works with Mike.

Gus' values extend beyond the familial, with the character demonstrating a strong proclivity for professionalism and honesty. To some extent, this is par for the course with his jobs. One needs such principles when running a restaurant business and meth empire. However, of all the supporting characters Breaking Bad introduces, Gus holds the most traditional views around work and life. Putting aside his drug kingpin persona, his tendencies resemble those of a family man.

Gus Fring's Story Is Still A Mystery

If there's one thing the debate surrounding Gus' family proves, it's that Esposito's Breaking Bad character is still a mystery. Despite Better Call Saul offering up more of his backstory, viewers never get a true look at who Gus is beneath his cartel persona. He rarely shows vulnerability that isn't related to his work life, and he doesn't speak about his personal affairs. There are still so many questions surrounding Gus and his backstory. In a way, it's fitting for a character who prides himself on his ability to put up walls. Of course, that also leaves viewers wanting to venture beyond them.

The lack of information about his past makes Gus the perfect candidate for another Breaking Bad spinoff. The success of Better Call Saul proves that people are interested in the franchise's supporting characters. Considering his feud with the cartel, rise to the top of the meth business, and apparent wife and family, Gus Fring would make a fascinating lead. Exploring his character more deeply could also make his Breaking Bad death that much more tragic. Perhaps the creators of Breaking Bad will dig into his story at some point, answering long-asked questions about the series' most compelling antagonist.

Source: Reuters