For a man who can never die, "life" truly means forever . Faced with an eternity behind bars in a cold stone cell, Walter is forced to use his escape clause almost immediately. As he realizes his mistake, Cadwallader returns to collect, leaving Walter to die of a "heart attack"—the very thing he spent his life fearing. Why It Still Matters
What would you do with an "Escape Clause"? Would you take the deal, or is the risk of life what makes it worth living? Let me know in the comments! [S1E6] Escape Clause
References to Cadwallader even appear in modern attractions like Disney’s Tower of Terror, as noted by the Tower of Terror Wikia . For a man who can never die, "life" truly means forever
It explores the dangers of misanthropy and the paradox of hedonism. Why It Still Matters What would you do
The catch? There isn't a traditional "soul-for-hire" immediate payment. Instead, Cadwallader gives Walter an "escape clause." Since Walter will never die of natural causes or accidents, he is given a small trigger to end his life if he ever grows bored of existence. The Irony of Immortality
Walter, being the charming fellow he is, immediately puts his new gift to the most "boring but practical" use possible. According to a retrospective by Nerdcrash! , Walter spends his time throwing himself in front of buses and subways just to collect insurance money.
The episode introduces us to (played with marvelous irritability by David Wayne), a relentless hypochondriac who is terrified of death but finds no joy in life. When a mysterious, heavy-set man named Mr. Cadwallader (Thomas Gomez) appears in his room, he offers Walter the ultimate cure: eternal life and physical invulnerability.