Several weeks ago, the Wooters man and I watched the first episode of Better Call Saul with trepidation. Could this prequel to our beloved Breaking Bad be any good?
We love it. It's not Breaking Bad. It doesn't try to be Breaking Bad. But Vince Gilligan's careful planning appears every week.
In the first episode, we see Saul (Bob Odenkirk) in his post-Breaking Bad assumed identity. Then we go back in time to Albuquerque, 2002, six years before Breaking Bad begins. Saul's name is Jimmy McGill. He's a young criminal lawyer who will take pretty much any case he can get, even if he has to invent it. He also takes care of his brother, Chuck (Michael McKean), who is not all there and has taken an extended leave of absence from his own successful law firm.
Oh, how excited we were when Tuco Salamanca (Raymond Cruz) appeared to protect his abuelita from Jimmy's scam. And MIKE! Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) is a recurring character. We've gradually learned more of his back story.
But Better Call Saul is not a mere spin-off of Breaking Bad. It can stand on its own, thanks to Vince Gilligan's brilliant lighting, color palette, use of time jumps, and dark comedy. You can watch this show and find something to appreciate even if you never watched Breaking Bad.
Saul Goodman: I'm the guy on your speed dial right after your weed dealer.
The show airs Monday nights on American Movie Classics at ten o'clock, EDT. Three episodes remain in this, the first season. Fortunately, AMC shows all the episodes on Monday evening as we lead up to the new episode at ten.
If you don't have AMC, then you can watch on Amazon Instant Video. Thus far, I haven't found a DVD release date.
Better Call Saul earns The Janie Junebug and The Willy Dunne Wooters Seal of Highest Approval. We LOVE this show.
AMC ordered a second season of Better Call Saul seven months before the first season premiered.
Happy Viewing!
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
gotta give this show a few episodes just like how it was with breaking bad. i love how they're taking time to build these characters solid. i'm hoping that heisenberg and jesse pinkman would make an appearance in later episodes or seasons!
ReplyDeleteAaron Paul says he and Vince Gilligan had serious conversations about making Jesse a recurring character and decided against it. I don't know if either one will have a cameo.
DeleteBoyfriend loves it too! I need to start watching that. And finish watching breaking bad. I need tv time.
ReplyDeleteHaving a job really cuts into TV time.
DeleteI can't wait to see it. Oh how I've missed Breaking Bad! And Saul was one if my favorite characters!
ReplyDeleteBob Odenkirk is an excellent actor. He's also in the movie, Nebraska, which we love.
DeleteJanie, my girls and spouses have all watched the entire Breaking Bad series, but we have not. I guess we need to get on the bandwagon....and maybe start with this one.
ReplyDeleteBoth are excellent shows--so well made, and the acting is excellent.
DeleteI absolutely love this show, possibly as much as Breaking Bad. Vince Gilligan can do no wrong. From the previews, I thought it might try to be more of a comedy, but I'm glad to see it's as dark as ever. And I love the, uh, 'sick' brother. What a unique character.
ReplyDeleteWe're in love with it, too. We probably like the show more than we like each other.
DeleteToo funny!
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteMy hubby has been watching this when he finds it. I had no idea it was related to Breaking Bad
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a prequel, but you don't need to watch Breaking Bad to enjoy Better Call Saul.
DeleteIt's strangely compelling.
ReplyDeleteLike me.
DeleteI watched the first episode and I guess I wanted to compare it to Breaking Bad, since I couldn't I haven't watched another episode.
ReplyDeleteComparing the two is pointless. They are different animals. But if you want to see similarities, then look at the technicalities of the show's making.
DeleteWould it be ok to watch even though I've never seen Breaking Bad?
ReplyDeleteYes, you have my permission, but you must start with the first episode.
DeleteI didn't watch much of Breaking Bad, but I know Saul was funny. Maybe I'll wait until the series is on Netflix, and watch it all at once.
ReplyDeleteI'm bummed I'm only watching one Midwife on Sunday, after a three series marathon.
I know. We have to wait months, sometimes more than a year, for a new season of some of these shows.
DeleteBreaking Bad was the best show ever. Do I understand correctly they're going to continue that series? If so, I'm not very happy about that, because the ending was pure brilliance. I haven't seen "Saul" yet...but I'm definitely looking forward to it!! By the way, tomorrow is Eddie's unofficial 13th birthday! He says hi!!
ReplyDeleteThere was some talk about continuing Breaking Bad, or maybe doing a Breaking Bad movie, but I don't think the talk has come to anything. Breaking Bad was not the best show ever. It's second best. The Sopranos is the best. Happy Birthday, Eddie!
DeleteI need to look and see if we get AMC. Don't know. We didn't watch Breaking Bad, but seems like everyone else did. Maybe we can catch this one. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBreaking Bad is on Netflix streaming, and it's fantabulous.
DeleteI'll have to wait for it to come out on Netflix, but looking forward to it. Saul was such a character! :)
ReplyDeleteI think you'll be pleased with Saul.
DeleteDear Janie, I haven't watched either series as I don't get cable. I wonder if they are on Netflix. I don't know anything about the Amazon Instant Video you mentioned. Is it like Netflix--a monthly fee? You know, I'm slowly entering the first decade of the 21st century. I don't know how much time will pass before I'm in the second decade!!!! Peace.
ReplyDeleteBreaking Bad is on Netflix Streaming, or you can order the DVDs. It will be a while before Better Call Saul is on Netflix. Amazon Instant Video allows you to pay a fee to watch a particular movie or show. You can also get Amazon Prime, and a lot of the movies are free. They tend to be the same movies that are on Netflix Streaming, though.
DeleteDear Janie,
DeleteThanks for explaining this. I do have Netflix on my iPad so I'll look for "Breaking Bad." Peace.
A WARNING, Dee: Breaking Bad is violent and frightening. It's also brilliant.
DeleteWe love it also. It's funny to see him "before".
ReplyDeleteI was so excited when I saw Tuco I just about wet myself.
DeleteNot a show I have heard of so I have nothing to say other then that
ReplyDeleteThat's okay. It's always nice of you to drop by.
DeleteI LOVE Better Call Saul! This week's episode, and the one starring Mike were my favorites thus far! Don't you love him parading around in his Matlock suit? All of the little details like where he lives, the jello cups with his photo on the bottom,etc. make this show like none other. His brother has come a long way from Lenny on Laverne
ReplyDeleteand Shirley! Well, now you've done riled me up, Janie Junebug! You and WDW have picked another winner!
Julie
Vince Gilligan's attention to detail is great. I like the jell-o cups, too. I never watched Laverne and Shirley, but I know McKean from Chris Guest movies.
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