Better Call Saul! - Breaking Bad Spinoff A Go At AMC

[Harry_Lime02]

I agree with everyone else on the finale, they had probably decided on the ending before they knew whether there'd be a season 2 or not.

My main complaint with the season was Nacho basically faded into irrelevance for most of the second half. I loved Michael Mando in this and seeing him in the main credits made me think he was gonna have a major role. Actually, you could argue the supporting cast in general was underutilized - Mike only dipped in and out of the story.

 

[GamerSlyRatchet]

Well, the incident with Nacho that was implied in Breaking Bad still hasn't happened yet, so that's coming up.

 

[Leenie]

I have to say ... Even though I am an enthusiastic Breaking Bad fan, I kept my expectations realistic for Better Call Saul (meaning that I didn't want to get my hopes up and be very disappointed).

This season exceeded any and all expectations I had by a mile. I'll be missing this show until season 2 starts!

My favorite episodes of the season are "Five-O" and "Pimento." I know that it's common knowledge at this point, but Mike is everything. I am gleeful that he has been incorporated into this show in a big way. He's a fantastic character, and the show has totally taken advantage of that.

 

[I'm Venom]

Loved the season, but this was one of the weaker episodes, the bar scenes were overbaked for me. Loved the Kevin Costner bit, and now I know what not to rent if I ever need a car in Chicago. Can hardly wait until the next season kicks off.

I'd prefer it now if they just skip ahead and start fresh with season 2 taking place after Breaking Bad. They opened the season with that as a framing device, but they didn't end it.

What was the point? There was no pay off. How many movies and shows do you see where the anti-hero builds an empire and goes down in a blaze of glory? A lot. But what's rarely told is such a guy who instead gets a second chance to reclaim it all. That's the story I really want to see.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Well, the incident with Nacho that was implied in Breaking Bad still hasn't happened yet, so that's coming up.

What was the Nacho incident in BB? I don't remember that.

Also, I LOLed so hard and the Kevin Costner thing. He really does look a lot like him.

 

[DyeLorean]

They opened the season with that as a framing device, but they didn't end it. What was the point? There was no pay off.

Just wait for it. They can't tell everything in just 10 episodes.

 

[James]

What was the Nacho incident in BB? I don't remember that.

Saul mentions it when Walter and Jesse kidnap him. Saul thinks Jesse and Walt, who are wearing masks, are Nacho's people come to get him, but I don't believe the reasons or the incident(s) are ever explained.

 

[Sawyer]

I agree with everyone else on the finale, they had probably decided on the ending before they knew whether there'd be a season 2 or not.

By the time they would've gotten around to filming that ending, the show was already picked up for another season.

 

[kedrell]

Nice finale. Not as much punch as last weeks but hey, they're going the Game of Thrones route and having the penultimate episode be the kicker and the finale' sets up the next season. Nothing wrong with that approach.

8.5/10

All in all, a great 1st season for this show and proof that spin offs can work well. I give the entire season a 9/10.

 

[BestGirl]

I don't get why he refused the Santa Fe partnership, since it seems to be he always wanted. Kim should've been shown saying something like, "It'll be a grind and you won't make as much money as you would like but still, you'll be a partner." Something to demonstrate to us why Jimmy wouldn't want the job.

I also can't figure out how he feels about Chuck. Like, he goes nuts about his betrayal in the bingo scene - which was excellent, BTW - but then he goes above and beyond to make sure HHM is correctly caring for Chuck. I've been assuming since last week that transforming into Saul was Jimmy's way of giving Chuck the middle finger but now I'm getting the impression that's not the case.

Marco's death was dumb, too. I mean, he's suffering a heart attack but doesn't sound like he's in much distress. When he opened his eyes, I thought it was going to be revealed that he'd just scammed Jimmy, which would've been interesting.

Weakest episode since the pilot.

 

[James]

I don't get why he refused the Santa Fe partnership, since it seems to be he always wanted. Kim should've been shown saying something like, "It'll be a grind and you won't make as much money as you would like but still, you'll be a partner." Something to demonstrate to us why Jimmy wouldn't want the job.

I also can't figure out how he feels about Chuck. Like, he goes nuts about his betrayal in the bingo scene - which was excellent, BTW - but then he goes above and beyond to make sure HHM is correctly caring for Chuck. I've been assuming since last week that transforming into Saul was Jimmy's way of giving Chuck the middle finger but now I'm getting the impression that's not the case.

Marco's death was dumb, too. I mean, he's suffering a heart attack but doesn't sound like he's in much distress. When he opened his eyes, I thought it was going to be revealed that he'd just scammed Jimmy, which would've been interesting.

Weakest episode since the pilot.

I think Jimmy's dismissal of the Santa Fe offer is something that will be explored more later on. If nothing else, I'm pretty sure Kim will ask him about it.

Regarding Chuck, the thing is that even though Jimmy doesn't like Chuck right now, they're still brothers. Jimmy still loves Chuck and wants to make sure he's taken care of. He's not about to just abandon his only family (that we know of) and leave him to rot.

Heart attacks are funny things though, it's not always chest-clutching, stumbling around and pained expressions. Sometimes people literally walk themselves into the hospital while suffering a heart attack, or are able to maintain relative composure while waiting on an ambulance. Marco's seemingly calm collapse lacked the thrashing drama we'd normally see on a TV show heart attack, but it wasn't so far from reality.

 

[Soapy]

The finale was okay. I feel like the bingo scene and the montage went on too long. I also feel like the montage would have better served the finale and the show in general if it focused more on Jimmy and Marco's friendship rather than solely focusing on them making money.

I enjoyed it overall though.

 

[DarthDorranceBane]

Finally, Michael Mando is a cast regular but only wound up being in four of the 10 episodes, and really briefly in one of those. Did you initially have bigger plans for Nacho this year, or was it a case of wanting to have the actor under contract because you knew you would need him later?

Peter Gould: Both things are true. This is part and parcel with what I was talking about earlier. We thought Jimmy would become Saul way faster. We pictured that he would be doing business with Nacho much earlier in the season. What we found was Jimmy wasn't ready. It was tough on us, because we love Michael and love what he did with Nacho. He brings such an intelligence and focus to Nacho in season 1. I really don't think you can take your eyes off him. But having said that, we definitely have big plans for Nacho.

http://www.hitfix.com/whats-alan-wa...-but-we-love-jimmy-mcgill#UDcJiZV6eO7XlQq7.99

 

[Sterling Archer]

This show is working on so many levels, but I wonder if they'll ever reach the same level of intensity/stakes as Breaking Bad at it's best. Will Better Call Saul ever have a "Half Measure/Full Measure" or "Face Off"? Or would Jimmy/Saul's status as being relatively small-time before getting involved with Walt not allow for something like that? I guess there is that event with Nacho that we know goes down at some point...

I guess we'll see.

Considering the level of violence has been extremely low when compared to the first season of BB I don't think they are aiming for as dark a tone, nor should they. The tone they went for works perfectly for a pre-Walt Saul.

 

[slimshady247]

The finale was low-key, but still pretty great overall in terms of the pieces it moved into place. I'm excited to see where things go next season. It's going to be a long wait.

 

[Brother Jack]

"The guy wanted some soft serve, I gave him some soft serve."

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

They really know how to make a sneaky and dirty lawyer, seem like a hero.

Bravo.

It's just fun to root for the guy. He's like a mix of Walter White (smart professional) and Jesse Pinkman (criminal underdog).

 

[PWN3R]

"The guy wanted some soft serve, I gave him some soft serve."

That entire scene was incredible. And then the next line about the kids being in the car and your jaw dropsssssss....

I loved the finale and the season as a whole. This show is miles better than I was expecting. Ridiculously nuanced writing that leads to some amazing payoffs, and jesus, the acting is wonderful.

Some amazing BB callbacks too with the Kevin Costner bit and the Belize mention.

I love the character even more so than before. I mean, c'mon they made Saul's pinky ring from Breaking Bad carry more dramatic weight and significance than most shows attempt with their main character.

Finale was /10

 

[Doctor Jones]

Gould says all the right things in that interview. Letting things happen organically instead of forcing thing on audiences that they may be comfortable with ie Breaking Bad elements. I'm really, really excited for what's ahead with season 2.

Personally, this season is better than Breaking Bad's first season.

 

[Jesse]

 

[MadVillainy]

I like BB's first season more, but yeah this was still very good. I liked the first half a little better than the 2nd half, but I still think it was great.

I am very happy to be proven wrong about this series. I was really skeptical at first

 

[Maximus One]

Finale was good. Felt no sympathy for Chuck whatsoever. He really slid into having some other *****e taking care of him really easily. Dude is just despicable. Sitting here watching episode 6 again, just give Banks the awards. All the awards, forever.

 

[Leenie]

Finale was good. Felt no sympathy for Chuck whatsoever. He really slid into having some other *****e taking care of him really easily. Dude is just despicable. Sitting here watching episode 6 again, just give Banks the awards. All the awards, forever.

Co-signed.

 

[Kane52630]

 

[TheNextNolan22]

Solid finale overall. Started off slow, but revved in the 2nd half. I liked Breaking Bad's season one finale more, but this was still very good.