Gretchen Schwartz

Jessica Hecht as Gretchen Schwartz

Gretchen is the wife of Walt's graduate school colleague Elliott and his former lover. The three collaborated on research that led to Elliott's Nobel Prize and thriving business, Gray Matter. Elliott and Gretchen offer to pay for Walt's cancer treatments, but Walt refuses their charity. "Is this about you and me?" Gretchen asks. At the time, Walt brushes off the question, but it resurfaces after Skyler — who thinks the Schwartzes really are funding her husband's treatment — thanks Gretchen for saving their family.

Walt, alone with Gretchen, pleads with her not to reveal the truth but won't explain any of his actions. Waving her checkbook around won't make him forget how she and Elliott "cut me out" and made millions off his research, Walt says. Gretchen reminds Walt that he was the one who left her without explanation, abandoning both her and Elliott. "Little rich girl, just adding to your millions," Walt retorts.

"I feel so sorry for you, Walt," Gretchen finally says. "F___ you," he responds.

When Walt lets slip about his second cell phone, Skyler eventually gets Gretchen to admit that she and Elliott are not funding his treatment.