‘Breaking Bad‘ is a show that revolutionized television forever. It brought back the trope of the anti-hero to mainstream with its gripping storyline and interesting characters. The success of the series inspired a prequel spin-off titled ‘Better Call Saul‘; (it was made by the same creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould).
While the main crime drama show proved to be a benchmark, the prequel opened to mixed feelings. This was mainly due to the track records of such projects that are deemed cash grabs. Despite all this, ‘Better Call Saul‘ defied everyone’s expectations. But did it surpass the original?
Related: Breaking Bad: Why Did Walter White Engulf Everyone Because Of His Greed?
‘Better Call Saul’ Is Tonally Different From ‘Breaking Bad’
When ‘Better Call Saul‘ was announced, fans of ‘Breaking Bad‘ were feeling a mixed bag of emotions. Some people on the internet were happy to see their favorite characters making a comeback, while others felt it was being made to sell more merchandise.
On February 8, 2015, the show which centers on a fast-talking lawyer Jimmy McGill / Saul Goodman, premiered on television. Despite seeing some familiar faces and the same creator’s name on the show, it was different from its parent show.
‘Breaking Bad‘ is a show known for its neck-breaking fast pace and constant moments of suspense that pump its viewers with adrenaline. On the other hand, this show was deliberately paced and was more character driven. The same reason also alienated some fans who were expecting something similar.
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Saul Goodman Is Fully Explored In The Show
Saul Goodman (played by Bob Odenkirk) was one of the supporting cast in ‘Breaking Bad.’ In the spin-off, we take a deep dive into who he is, why he is the way he is, and what he ultimately becomes.
We also get to witness several other characters like Gus Fring and Mike Ehrmantraut and what their lives were like before meeting Walter White. ‘Better Call Saul’ comes from a sincere place to tell Goodman’s story.
Throughout the show, he is shown as a greedy, manipulative, and backstabbing person. But towards the end, his character reaches an arc that is really poignant and beautiful. It’s a completely different show in every way, and if you hold on with patience, it rewards you with some interesting characters and fine storytelling. The show wouldn’t receive the love it got if it was simply trying to follow the breadcrumbs of its predecessor.
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