Better Call Saul

**Better Call Saul** is an American crime drama television series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. It is both a spin-off and a prequel of Gilligan's previous series, Breaking Bad.

## Why It Rocks

1. The show explains the origin of Saul Goodman, showing us how he went from a bad lawyer but kind-hearted person who cares about justice to a good but corrupt lawyer who helps his client avoid jail even if they deserve it.
2. Despite the name, the show explains the origins of many fan favorite characters such as Gus Fring, Hector Salamanca and Mike Ehrmantraut.
3. Despite being a prequel to Breaking Bad, it sometimes show scenes set after Breaking Bad, exploring what happened to Saul Goodman after "Felina". These flashbacks usually start each season, though there's more in the final season that even becomes the main focal point of the rest of the story.
4. It shows great character development both for Saul (or Jimmy) and many other characters, especially as the series goes on.
5. Very sad scenes such as Marco's death and the deaths of other major characters, especially towards the end, making it just as intense as it's predecessor.
6. The show was made for people who've never seen Breaking Bad but at the same time people who saw Breaking Bad will enjoy it more.
7. The cinematography, camera angles, and framing solidifies the shows’ connection to Breaking Bad, and is just as good therein.
8. The cast is still absolutely phenomenal, especially their leads and everyone returning from the original.
9. Jonathan Banks, Giancarlo Esposito, Michael McKean, Michael Mando, and Patrick Fabian—have all given nuanced, memorable performances as strong as anything on The previous show.
10. Plenty of likeable and interesting new characters, like Nacho Varga, Howard Hamlin, Kim Wexler (later McGill) and Jimmy's brother Charles "Chuck" McGill.
11. Walter White and Jessie Pinkman finally return in the final season, tying the series directly to Breaking Bad and their return is absolutely triumphant.
12. It does a fantastic job tying itself into the events of Breaking Bad, especially as it goes along, and it provides a great origin story for Saul, starting out as an underutilized lawyer more or less forced to become the corrupt one that he is merely for survival and how he slowly turned against those he used to care about.
13. The show gets much more intense in the second half, and it doesn't let up until the very end.
14. The series finale is not only voted one of the best of all time, with many even considering it superior to Breaking Bad's finale, but also fantastic way to end the entire franchise. Just like the series finale of Breaking Bad, the series did not cop out in the end and didn't ruin itself.

## Bad Qualities

1. It can be slow at times especially in the second season.
2. Less action compared to Breaking Bad for the first three seasons.
3. Tuco Salamanca is still somewhat wasted due to actor Raymond Cruz once again having scheduling conflicts and then aging out.
4. The godawful "Slippin' Jimmy" cartoon spinoff which had no involvement from the cast or crew.

## Reception

The series has received critical acclaim throughout it's run, with many considering it a worthy successor to Breaking Bad. Many aspects of the series were often singled out for praise, namely the acting, writing, direction, and many of Breaking Bad's good qualities being reflected in the series. The series has been nominated for many accolades throughout it's run, including 53 Primetime Emmy Awards and 6 Golden Globes. Many episodes have also often been singled out for praise, namely the penultimate episode of Season 6's first half, Plan and Execution, and the series' finale, Saul Gone, with the latter being a subject of significant praise due to it's sense of closure for the entire franchise.

## Episodes with their Own Pages

* Plan and Execution
* Saul Gone