Television Better Call Saul | Includes Breaking Bad Spoilers

Solius

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Staff
Joined
Dec 31, 2007
Messages
86,542
It's better than Breaking Bad, it's entertaining for a start.

Breaking Bad, along with the Sopranos is one of the most over rated pieces of television ever made.

I had to work away from home a lot last last year so ended up watching no end of stuff of Netflix, I churned through two and half seasons of BB before I just couldn't watch it any more.

So so dull.
fecking hell :lol:
 

Solius

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Staff
Joined
Dec 31, 2007
Messages
86,542
It's clearly not shit. Not to your taste maybe (Which is odd considering you like The Wire and TWD which also has its slow moments and nothing episodes), but obviously not shit.
 

UweBein

Creator of the Worst Analogy on the Internet.
Joined
Sep 20, 2014
Messages
3,729
Location
Köln
Supports
Chelsea
It was too slow for my taste. They should stir it up a bit.
 

kps88

Full Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2008
Messages
22,513
Think I'm going to give this a break and watch them all at once later. Not enjoying the pace at which it's moving.
 

Donut

Full Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2004
Messages
4,863
Went a bit downhill with the last 2 for me, after first 2 excellent episodes.
 

VidaRed

Unimaginative FC
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
29,612
didn't realise there was a spinoff.

*starts downloading*
 

Adebesi

Full Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2006
Messages
19,159
Location
Sanctity, like a cat, abhors filth.
For me there is nothing wrong in essence with its lack of direction - or, more accurately, knowing exactly what direction it is going in because we know how things turn out for Saul. This show is more about the journey than the destination: Saul is a funny character and there is plenty of scope for entertainment following his career as it develops. But this is why I always thought this show was going to be lighter and a bit more overtly comic, it seemed the more obvious structure if the show was basically going to be a series of encounters between Saul and the town's criminals as he establishes himself as this corrupt and fast-talking defense lawyer. Having said that it works well the way it is, for me. I still dont think it fundamentally matters that we know where the show is going to end up, there is plenty of scope for drama along the way and Im still enjoying it a lot - though I agree ep 4 was the weakest so far.
 

LawCharltonBest

Enjoys watching fox porn
Joined
May 17, 2012
Messages
15,305
Location
Salford
They are trying to do too much Saul.

Unlike in BB, where an episode could be half Walt trying to curb his bitch, and the other half Jesse trying to sell Meth to a farm cow, In BCS it is 100% Saul.

An idea would be to follow Mike for 50% and Saul for 50% and have them occasionally meet. I personally am more interested in Mikes back-story than Saul's. Especially given that it was hinted at a few times in BB, but never revealed.
 

Adam-Utd

Part of first caf team to complete Destiny raid
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
39,954
I still enjoyed it, right now these episodes are just scene setters and building for the more major plot. We finally learnt how he got his name too which was interesting. He has now gone from an out of luck lawyer with no confidence, to owning a expensive fancy suit, taking several thousands of free cash and having the balls to stand up to the big lawyer firm.

The stunt with the advertising board was genius, and will no doubt win him over some fans.

I also really liked the watch hustle, I had no idea that was going to be a setup.

Overall yes I think it has been "slow" but it's a good build up so far IMO.
 

Adebesi

Full Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2006
Messages
19,159
Location
Sanctity, like a cat, abhors filth.
I still enjoyed it, right now these episodes are just scene setters and building for the more major plot. We finally learnt how he got his name too which was interesting. He has now gone from an out of luck lawyer with no confidence, to owning a expensive fancy suit, taking several thousands of free cash and having the balls to stand up to the big lawyer firm.

The stunt with the advertising board was genius, and will no doubt win him over some fans.

I also really liked the watch hustle, I had no idea that was going to be a setup.

Overall yes I think it has been "slow" but it's a good build up so far IMO.
Agreed, I enjoyed both those hustles.
 

Kag

Full Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2013
Messages
18,875
Location
United Kingdom
I still enjoyed it, right now these episodes are just scene setters and building for the more major plot. We finally learnt how he got his name too which was interesting. He has now gone from an out of luck lawyer with no confidence, to owning a expensive fancy suit, taking several thousands of free cash and having the balls to stand up to the big lawyer firm.

The stunt with the advertising board was genius, and will no doubt win him over some fans.

I also really liked the watch hustle, I had no idea that was going to be a setup.

Overall yes I think it has been "slow" but it's a good build up so far IMO.
Yup. I'm enjoying it a lot in all honesty. There will be a lot more to come. These kind of episodes are like the 'Cancer Man/'Grey Matter' ones that contributed to the consensus that Breaking Bad's first season was slow.

It wasn't slow, not for me at least, but those episodes were important developmental and character building episodes that contributed hugely to the show's critical success come the end.

Better Call Saul may well be doing the same. If they're going to start off with Jimmy McGill then the writers are best doing that progression properly. Vince Gilligan knows how to entertain his audience and I think, and hope, he'll get it right once again.
 

PvsNP

Full Member
Joined
May 13, 2013
Messages
5,499
This episode was just as slow as an episode of BB could be.
 

Adebesi

Full Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2006
Messages
19,159
Location
Sanctity, like a cat, abhors filth.
I thought it was a good episode, there was a lot about it I enjoyed immensely, many of which have been mentioned - the post above mine, the watch and billboard hustles mentioned earlier and more. That I enjoyed the other three more says more about the other three than the fourth one.
 

Hamadovich86

Full Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2013
Messages
2,208
I like this new episode more so than the last one. In breaking bad I just pictured Saul as this guy who was always this way, you know sleezy willing to break the law etc so its really cool to the origins of his character and how hes developed over time.
In Episode 4 he takes a bribe, infringes on trademarks, decieves his way to becoming a local hero and lies to his brother about it. This is more like the Saul we know from breaking bad rather than Jimmy McGill. I wonder where the show goes from here and how much they're actually going to show us and of course i'm curious as to whether or not we'll see what happens with Saul after breaking bad more than what they've shown in episode 1 I mean.
 

Rado_N

Yaaas Broncos!
Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
111,137
Location
Manchester
I thought it was good if a little slow this week.

I'm definitely giving it more patience because of BB.

The hussles were both good, but the whole thing with his uncle(?) and the foil blanket is a bit weird and the woman lawyer is a bit rubbish.
 

ThierryHenry

wishes he could watch Arsenal games with KM
Joined
Feb 8, 2009
Messages
13,717
Location
London Town
So am I the only one that thought it was the best episode yet?! Not too much BB-esque stuff (which is good IMO) and it gave us a pretty big insight into Saul's character.
I really liked it, and the show. It's not gripping, but it's fun enough, and it's shot so well.

We need some better side characters, but consider that err, Saul himself didn't even join Breaking Bad for a couple of years.
 
Last edited:

Phurry

Furry Fecker
Joined
Jan 9, 2011
Messages
15,315
Location
Astride a Giant
There better be a bloody good reason for the brother and the silver blanket, if no and it's just an attempt at humour it's fecking terrible.
 

Wednesday at Stoke

Full Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2014
Messages
21,693
Location
Copenhagen
Supports
Time Travel
There better be a bloody good reason for the brother and the silver blanket, if no and it's just an attempt at humour it's fecking terrible.
I thought it was easy to explain that he suffers from electromagnetic hypersensitivity. You could see him get disoriented when he approaches power lines.
 

Phurry

Furry Fecker
Joined
Jan 9, 2011
Messages
15,315
Location
Astride a Giant
I thought it was easy to explain that he suffers from electromagnetic hypersensitivity. You could see him get disoriented when he approaches power lines.
Yea, but why? What's the purpose of it as a plot?
Exactly Nick, unless it's got an actual purpose in the plot then it's just annoying and doesn't add anything to the programme IMO.
 

Wednesday at Stoke

Full Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2014
Messages
21,693
Location
Copenhagen
Supports
Time Travel
Yea, but why? What's the purpose of it as a plot?
Do you expect them to explain the purpose within 4 episodes? The whole of Breaking Bad thrived under the idea that the narrator only explained his character's eccentricities when he felt like it. I mean the series ended without giving a fulfilling explanation for why Walter took a low rent teaching job after he basically helped build a billion dollar research firm.
 

harms

Shining Star of Paektu Mountain
Staff
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
28,029
Location
Moscow
Yea, but why? What's the purpose of it as a plot?
It's Chekhov's gun. Surely, Gilligan is familiar with the concept. It's strange to criticize him after 4 series and call this a meaningless plot.
 

Rado_N

Yaaas Broncos!
Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
111,137
Location
Manchester
Do you expect them to explain the purpose within 4 episodes? The whole of Breaking Bad thrived under the idea that the narrator only explained his character's eccentricities when he felt like it. I mean the series ended without giving a fulfilling explanation for why Walter took a low rent teaching job after he basically helped build a billion dollar research firm.
It's Chekhov's gun. Surely, Gilligan is familiar with the concept. It's strange to criticize him after 4 series and call this a meaningless plot.
Relax guys, nobody is criticising just yet!

Phurry just said he hopes there's a good reason for it and I was agreeing.
 

Nickosaur

Full Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Messages
11,891
I'm loving it. Saul is a really likeable character.

The episodes fly by for me, just like Breaking Bad. I'm hooked even when nothing really happens. Makes a huge difference to a lot of shows (cough, Walking Dead, cough) where you couldn't give two shits about the characters, whereas here I'm genuinely interested in everyone. It's just good acting and great writing.
 

harms

Shining Star of Paektu Mountain
Staff
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
28,029
Location
Moscow
I've dared to question Gilligan, I must therefore be criticised by tha fanboys ;)
I'm not a fanboy, I'm pretty much indifferent about BB, for example. The thing is, I don't know why is this (silver blanket) even a question so early. It's not like there is an alien neighbor or something like that - it's a real disease.

And my reaction was mostly on "What's the purpose" comment, not on yours - it's obvious that nobody knows right now, except Gilligan & co, but it's strange to assume that it won't have one.