Better Call Saul – Season 1, Episode 1 – 2002 ← FREE KRAUT!

Better Call Saul – Season 1, Episode 1 – 2002 6

I have greeted the premiere of Better Call Saul with a mixture of anticipation and doubt. The reason for the anticipation is obvious, given my love for Breaking Bad, but part of me has wondered whether series creator Vince Gilligan’s trip into the past was the best use of his talents.

There was evidence on both sides in tonight’s debut episode (Episode 2 airs on Monday.)

On the bright side, there’s plenty of writing and acting talent on the screen. Gilligan’s short black-and-white film that opens the episode is an intriguing, brief sequel to Breaking Bad‘s penultimate episode.  Bob Odenkirk is a fine actor, and there is a smaller but interesting – and funny – story to be told on this show of Jimmy McGill’s journey to Saul Goodman.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling, as I tried to get interested in his brother’s travails and even the big shocker ending with Tuco, that Gilligan is replowing old ground. I always enjoyed Tuco, so it was amusing to see him as McGill’s attempt to be a criminal lawyer looks to backfire in a serious way.  The writers can keep bringing back now-dead characters – Mike is already a regular, although he’s just a parking attendant at the moment – but that feels like a shaky edifice on which to build a show. The whole series is set more than a decade ago, and we know how it ends, so what’s the point? Breaking Bad was a great show, one I have finally got my wife to watch with me (just finished Season 2 on Saturday night). But there’s something about this that feels like eating Thanksgiving leftovers. There was a sense of excitement, curiosity and dread about what would happen next on Breaking Bad that doesn’t and cannot exist on this show.

But if the destination is set, the show still might be fun. Albuquerque still looks great, Odenkirk can hold the viewer’s attention, and McGill’s character will be enjoyable as he evolves into Saul.

 

 

6 thoughts on “Better Call Saul – Season 1, Episode 1 – 2002

  1. dmoas Feb 8,2015 10:14 pm

    Literally minutes left in the Walking Dead, the fucking power goes out. FUCK YOU PG&E.

  2. FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 9,2015 12:04 pm

    Loved this premier. The story dynamic is such that I am not concerned about it “replowing old ground.” Because except for knowing that Jimmy Mike and Tuco all live through it, I have no idea what will happen. For me the series has plenty to offer as a stand-alone.

    Odenkirk was excellent, and the episode was hilarious. Looking forward to part 2 tonight.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • 5Aces Feb 9,2015 12:15 pm || Up

      So would you say that a person who has never seen BB would enjoy it? Id rather not miss out anymore, but also dont want to waste my time if I will need to catch up on an entire series before I start. (And yes I know I should watch BB just for BB sake…)

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Feb 9,2015 12:50 pm || Up

        Based only on the premiere, I’d say go for it. All you would have missed out on last night without the BB background would have been the little knowing smile to yourself when Mike and Tuco showed up. Also the wistful sympathy for Saul (currently known as Jimmy) at the very beginning as he watched his old lawyer commercials on repeat. But since it is a prequel, if you just go in knowing that Jimmy becomes Saul, a completely unethical criminal defense attorney, you should be fine. My sense is that the series is meant to stand on its own, except for the occasional knowing wink to BB fans.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
      • colin Feb 9,2015 6:53 pm || Up

        I just watched the first episode. My wife is a die-hard Breaking Bad fan, but I managed to get through the entire run and only watch a handful of episodes. I like Bob Odenkirk.

      • bear88 Feb 9,2015 8:37 pm || Up

        Go ahead and watch it. This is a prequel, and main characters of Breaking Bad won’t be in this one. Yeah, there were little side jokes in the pilot, but nothing of any significance if you didn’t catch the reference.

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