The Breaking Bad Smile Frown meme features two contrasting images of the protagonist Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston. The top panel typically shows a smiling, triumphant Walt, while the bottom panel captures him in a state of utter despair or shock—often using the famous shot from the episode Ozymandias where he falls to the sand. This template is widely used to illustrate a sudden change in fortune, the realization of a massive mistake, or the difference between expectation and reality. It became a staple of internet culture for its ability to convey dramatic emotional shifts with a cinematic touch.