There are many characters who deserve a spin-off. Ari Gold from Entourage, Dr. Walter Bishop from the Fringe, or almost anyone from Arrested Development. One that deserved me time in the box, perhaps more than anyone, was the charismatic, slightly rough lawyer, Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) from Breaking Bad. His slogan Better Call Saul also became the name of the series if he and Vince Gilligan has again gilded us with great TV entertainment.
It starts at the typical Gilligan-style. A short scene in which we see the future, which says so much about what is to come. Since we are taken between the present, therefore, the time before Breaking Bad (DVD box set can be found here), and the past little willy-nilly. Flashbacks to when Dodger Slippin Jimmy McGill, Saul’s original name, lived on to fool and deceive people into small virtues. When we see him in the present, he is unsuccessful and unlucky, groping their way in search of who he should be, and he still has the family name. However, I think we may have seen the last of Slippin Jimmy and all that it stands for, given how the first season ends.
Besides Slippin Jimmy, we also follow Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks), ex-policeman and assassin who also appeared in Breaking Bad (DVD box set can be found here). Jimmy and Mike’s paths crossed a number of times during the season because Mike stamps parking tickets in a booth at the court house in Albuquerque. Even here we are taken back and forth in the chronology and get to know more about a very interesting and very cool, character.
I really like Vince Gilligan storytelling. It goes very slowly sometimes. Personally I have no problem with it, but I understand that it does not suit everyone. But it is very Gilligan-esk to always tie things up at the end of each section also permeates Better Call Saul Season 1, just as it did Breaking Bad (DVD box set can be found here). It is not so much action, it is not nearly as violent, but it’s just as exciting to follow soon-to-be, Saul Goodman in his quest to become something in life.
What I also like is that every single event clearly shapes the person who will then called Saul Goodman. The strained relationship with the older and more successful brother puts to end deep grooves. He was nominated for severe morality trials where he seems to choose the right path but it shits itself nevertheless in the end. When he just wants to help he accidentally hurt when he tries to stand up for what is right will win injustice anyway. All the obstacles, all the potholes in the road, mixed in the pot simmering within him until he is no longer capable of it and it boils over. Better Call Saul Season 1 ties it all together at the end, in the last section, and where I think we see Jimmy McGill for the last time.
Did one of Breaking Bad (DVD box set can be found here) will in all probability like Better Call Saul. Vince Gilligan magical series creates hand has a strong grip on this. The question is whether he can reach up to the bar he set the first time. I do not think it’s impossible.
This season took a week to get through. Every night I came home excited about watching. I look forward to sharing this with my Podfood and Vizoo friends.
9.5 out of 10 bananas. 10 episodes – 1 disc DVD box set. Better Call Saul Season 1 can be watched on Stan.com.au. Better Call Saul Season 1 is available: $54.95 on dvdland.
Also found online – Breaking bad, 6 Seasons – $129.00 at Kmart.
*Prices as of time of post.
Max Shindler
Movie enthusiast, editor and copywriter for Xmarx
