DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

ALEX STRACHAN

MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

GARY EDGERTON

TOM BRINKMOELLER

GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
 
 
 
Better Watch AMC's 'Better Call Saul'
February 4, 2015  | By David Bianculli  | 6 comments
 

Better Call Saul, AMC’s prequel series to its brilliant Breaking Bad, arrives Sunday and Monday with a two-part premiere. Like its mother ship, it’s a ride you owe it to yourself to take…

Better Call Saul, in lesser hands, might have crumbled from the pressure of high expectations. But Vince Gilligan, creator of Breaking Bad, and Peter Gould, a Bad writer-producer who created Bob Odenkirk’s character of sleazy lawyer Saul Goodman in that show’s second season, have not only met expectations with Better Call Saul – they’ve defied them.

It’s a prequel, which picks up the story of Saul Goodman – then known as Jimmy McGill, before he adopted that brassy, advertising-on-TV “Better call Saul!” persona – back in 2002, years before the events dramatized in Breaking Bad. Yet some scenes flash back to an even earlier time, while the series itself opens in the present – in other words, after the events in Breaking Bad are over.

This makes Better Call Saul, by definition, both a prequel and a sequel. It’s also, like Breaking Bad, both a comedy and a drama – intensely serious at some points, and, at others, almost hilariously funny. That’s why Bob Odenkirk, a comic actor familiar from both HBO’s The Larry Sanders Show and Mr. Show, is as bold and good a choice here as Bryan Cranston, the sitcom dad from Malcolm in the Middle, was for Walter White in Breaking Bad. The angst and character metamorphosis are tricky, but the comedy is trickier – and Odenkirk, like his series co-stars and guest stars, nails both.

I’ve previewed the first three episodes of Better Call Saul, which premieres Sunday night at 10 ET, just after the midseason return of AMC’s biggest hit series, The Walking Dead. The second episode follows Monday night, as the show nestles into its new evening and time period, claiming another night of TV excellence for AMC.

These first episodes are ridiculously enjoyable: beautifully directed, slyly written, and wonderfully performed, with surprises, jokes, twists and shocks all along the way. The music on the soundtrack, the movies alluded to by McGill, the unexpected but immensely welcome familiar faces from Breaking Bad – all of it’s great. And if you’ve never seen Breaking Bad, you can start here and enjoy yourself.

At this point, I don’t even want to indentify Odenkirk’s co-stars, because discovering all that is part of the fun. I do set the stage for the opening scene, and why it’s so effective and delicious, in my review today on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross. You can read and hear that review on the Fresh Air website, without concerns of learning too much.

The thing you have to learn before Better Call Saul starts, though, is that it’s absolutely, positively not to be missed. If this new series show ends as superbly as it begins, Gilligan and company have another TV masterpiece on their hands.
 
 
 
 
 
Leave a Comment: (No HTML, 1000 chars max)
 
 Name (required)
 
 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
WRHIE
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 1  | Go to page: 
6 Comments
 
 
Saephanch
I need an advice. I am currently processing a crypto recovery,with an agency called, Email: alliancedigitalrecovery@outlook.com
Whatsapp: +44 7452 247277 and we did some transaction validation. Out of 200k USD which was lost they where able to recover 90% of my lost, and I have only received only 60k USD and its been four days already since we started. I am a bit worried, i will like to know if they took the remaining of my money or if it is actually impossible to recover entirely everything i lost?
Aug 27, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
As a seasoned television critic, I wholeheartedly recommend AMC's 'Better Call Saul'. Its masterful storytelling, compelling characters, and intricate plotlines make it a standout series in the realm of television drama. Seamlessly weaving prequel elements with its 'Breaking Bad' roots, it's a must-watch for any avid viewer.
Feb 19, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
As a media expert, watching AMC's 'Better Call Saul' is a must for its stellar storytelling, character depth, and nuanced portrayal of the legal world. The series, a prequel to 'Breaking Bad,' stands as a testament to quality television with its compelling narrative and outstanding performances. Highly recommended for TV enthusiasts
Dec 22, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Excellent article. Very interesting to read. I really love to read such a nice article. Thanks! keep rocking.
Apr 4, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
Good step you have written of writing content relating to cooperate sense. Better yet good working skills and hope you write more of this soon.
Mar 13, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
jaeseu
Meeting your article has been a great help to me.
It's late, but I'm so proud to see your post even now.
I always support your writing

?? ???
?? ??? ??
?? ????
? ???
???
https://www.j9korea.com
Feb 14, 2023   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 1  | Go to page: