Better Call Saul

[Willie Oleson]

I decided to clear out my netflix to-watch list and start watching the one thing that really needs to be watched.

I already know a bit about Saul and how he operates, and I don't expect many surprises from the cross-over characters.
Tuco is a good example of that.
The beginning of the series isn't very original - the unlucky rascal whose attempts to improve his situation only seems to backfire has a familiar black comical ring to it.
So far so...not so encouraging.
However, it's telling that I could easily binge 3 episodes so they must be doing something right.
Saul's unique speech is definitely a selling point, I think. It's funny, bitchy and almost uncharacteristically smart for a loser like Slippin' Jimmy McGill.

The story about the Kettleman family has started to spiral out of control and it feels as if anything is possible. And that's another reason to continue my watch of the Breaking Bad spin-off prequel.

 

[Frank Underwood]

IMO, Better Call Saul is similar to Breaking Bad in that it gets progressively darker, more complex, and generally better as it goes on.

Seasons 4 and 5 of Better Call Saul are considered to be the pinnacle of the series. Again, just like with Breaking Bad.

The yet to be released final season of Better Call Saul has a lot to live up to, but I have faith that this group of writers can pull it off.

 

[Willie Oleson]

IMO, Better Call Saul is similar to Breaking Bad in that it gets progressively darker, more complex, and generally better as it goes on

Personally, I found Breaking Bad more unique and nuanced from the very beginning.
Walter was an underachiever and a bit unlucky with the cancer, but he was not a loser and his family loved him.
I also loved the secrecy and Skyler's growing suspicion and her subtle but menacing manipulations to get him to tell her the truth.

 

[Frank Underwood]

Personally, I found Breaking Bad more unique and nuanced from the very beginning.
Walter was an underachiever and a bit unlucky with the cancer, but he was not a loser and his family loved him.
I also loved the secrecy and Skyler's growing suspicion and her subtle but menacing manipulations to get him to tell her the truth.

I agree with that. I was surprised when I heard some fans had a hard time getting through season 1. I thought the show was solid from the start and kept getting better.

With Better Call Saul, I have a better understanding of why the early seasons aren't as highly regarded as the rest of the series.

 

[Willie Oleson]

Well, it appears that lightning didn't strike twice after all.
It's not that I had expected it to be as eventful as Breaking Bad, certainly not in the early episodes, but there's a fine line between slow-pace and self-indulgence.
All those long and tedious scenes that are supposed to look meaningful or whatever, it's just not fascinating or entertaining at all.

Breaking Bad was an ensemble show and Better Call Saul is a one-man show and in that regard it's a spin-off in the most traditional sense of the word.
But Jimmy McGill really has to do it all by himself because there's absolutely nothing coming from the supporting characters i.e. Kim, Howard and Chuck. They're all shockingly bland and uninspired. Especially Chuck, what a horrible, horrible character.

I liked Saul in BB, but he's not awesome enough for 50 solo episodes. At the risk of missing out on the odd great episode I think it's time for me to check out.

 

[Frank Underwood]

Well, it appears that lightning didn't strike twice after all.
It's not that I had expected it to be as eventful as Breaking Bad, certainly not in the early episodes, but there's a fine line between slow-pace and self-indulgence.
All those long and tedious scenes that are supposed to look meaningful or whatever, it's just not fascinating or entertaining at all.

Breaking Bad was an ensemble show and Better Call Saul is a one-man show and in that regard it's a spin-off in the most traditional sense of the word.
But Jimmy McGill really has to do it all by himself because there's absolutely nothing coming from the supporting characters i.e. Kim, Howard and Chuck. They're all shockingly bland and uninspired. Especially Chuck, what a horrible, horrible character.

I liked Saul in BB, but he's not awesome enough for 50 solo episodes. At the risk of missing out on the odd great episode I think it's time for me to check out.

How far in did you get? The pace and action of the show don't really pick up until season 4, and especially season 5.

I personally like both shows, although I certainly think Breaking Bad is the better show of the two. However, much of the BCS fandom finds it to be the superior show.

IMO, the early seasons were worth watching just for Mike. Chuck's the most universally despised character on the show, and Kim's arguably the most loved by season 5.

 

[Willie Oleson]

How far in did you get?

Episode 7.

The pace and action of the show don't really pick up until season 4, and especially season 5.

I can do slow burners and it's not the pace and action of the story that bothers me.
But there are way too many drawn-out scenes and it's built on a foundation that hasn't even begun to develop - the show hasn't earned this kind of self-indulgence yet.
To compare: I absolutely loved the controversial FLY episode in Breaking Bad.

However, much of the BCS fandom finds it to be the superior show.

Why, of course. Fanboys will be fanboys. But WE know that THEY are wrong

IMO, the early seasons were worth watching just for Mike

He was an unpredictable and unapologetic character in BB, and I think the lack of information was part of the character's strength and charm.
When you move a character like that to the forefront there's the danger of the character being demystified.

Chuck's the most universally despised character on the show

Why is that? I mean, I don't know if they hate him for the same reasons as I do.

and Kim's arguably the most loved by season 5.

She's lovely all right, but more like "lovely-as-in-any-show-lovely" rather than "quintessential-BCS-lovely".
I don't hate the character but I kept wondering, what's she doing there?