Better Call Saul

:

Season 1
  • Network: AMC
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 8, 2015
Season #: 6.5, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 1191 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,096 out of 1191
  2. Mixed: 44 out of 1191
  3. Negative: 51 out of 1191
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  1. skywhy
    Apr 2, 2023
    7
    "Better Call Saul" is distinct from its predecessor, but in a positive manner. It is unquestionably a fitting follow-up to "Breaking Bad"! The cinematography, writing, and editing are all extraordinary. We are incredibly fortunate to have been gifted with such a high-caliber spin-off. While the show may be slower in pace than "Breaking Bad," it adds considerable depth to the universe and"Better Call Saul" is distinct from its predecessor, but in a positive manner. It is unquestionably a fitting follow-up to "Breaking Bad"! The cinematography, writing, and editing are all extraordinary. We are incredibly fortunate to have been gifted with such a high-caliber spin-off. While the show may be slower in pace than "Breaking Bad," it adds considerable depth to the universe and characters.… Expand
  2. branjsmith
    Jan 1, 2023
    10
    Better Call Saul gives Breaking Bad a run for its money in every department.
  3. Onlyclassicvg1
    Dec 6, 2022
    8
    The follow-up to Breaking Bad. Tough shoes to fill. Since everyone is gonna be comparing the two, i will as well. I do not think this was as good as the first episode of Breaking Bad. But in all honesty, that was not gonna happen. Does that make it a bad show? Of course not. This wa
  4. geewah
    Oct 24, 2022
    8
    This prequel was always going to be compared against the iconic Breaking Bad, but this first season maintains the feel of it's predecessor while at the same time establishing it's own identity.
  5. tdh1878199410
    Feb 14, 2022
    10
    Better Call Saul gives Breaking Bad a run for its money and features powerhouse performances from Bob Odenkirk and Jonathan Banks.
  6. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 18, 2021
    8
    A promising start with a heavy crown it pays no mind to. Knowing Sauls fate doesn't dull the intrigue posed by this prequel which gives us a far cry from the previous Breaking bad character. An obvious standout is Mckean as Chuck who's repulsive personality is made all the more jarring in Jimmy's adoring eyes,their scenes are difficult important viewing. Rhea kim Wexler is the foundationA promising start with a heavy crown it pays no mind to. Knowing Sauls fate doesn't dull the intrigue posed by this prequel which gives us a far cry from the previous Breaking bad character. An obvious standout is Mckean as Chuck who's repulsive personality is made all the more jarring in Jimmy's adoring eyes,their scenes are difficult important viewing. Rhea kim Wexler is the foundation of a abnormally dependable antheisis to Jimmys unpredictable charm and shines on her own apart from being an obvious future love intrest for jimmy.setting up to be an iconic masterful slow burn worthy of its forebearers acclaim.… Expand
  7. TudorPopescu
    Nov 1, 2020
    10
    Given that Breaking Bad is a masterpiece, being its prequel is a very difficult and demanding task. There are very high expectations. And yet, I'm glad to say Better Call Saul manages to be a very worthy prequel. Interesting, well-written story and very solid performance from the actors. If you liked Breaking Bad, you'll like Better Call Saul.
  8. Erich
    Feb 4, 2019
    10
    As some may recall from my previous reviews, I don't like to throw around even 9-star ratings casually -- let alone 10-star. Most of the great series I have loved I rated 7 or 8 stars. With utter sobriety and in full possession of my wits, I can say that Better Call Saul without a doubt deserves 10 stars. I mean it with only the slightest, frailest hint of hyperbole when I say thatAs some may recall from my previous reviews, I don't like to throw around even 9-star ratings casually -- let alone 10-star. Most of the great series I have loved I rated 7 or 8 stars. With utter sobriety and in full possession of my wits, I can say that Better Call Saul without a doubt deserves 10 stars. I mean it with only the slightest, frailest hint of hyperbole when I say that Better Call Saul is simply the best filmed drama (including all TV and all cinema) in the history of the Cosmos. I find it incidentally far superior to its thematic point of reference of which it is the "prequel" -- Breaking Bad, which was mostly excellent for its first four seasons, but became imbued with a relentlessly hyperventilating pace & needlessly grim tone for its final season. So far (having seen 3 seasons), Better Call Saul consistently maintains its impeccable balance of drama and comedy -- where the drama often pierces to the sharp, dark & poignant, while the comedy is superbly organic and subtly wry (some of my favorite moments in this regard involve the supporting character Mike Ehrmantraut played to pitch perfection by Jonathan Banks). The heart of the show, of course, is "Jimmy" McGill (who invents himself as "Saul Goodmann") a seemingly sleazy lawyer with yet a heart of gold played with sublimely understated ease by Bob Odenkirk. His relationship with his older brother, Charles "Chuck" McCall, a high-brow genius of a lawyer crippled by a psychosomatic syndrome (“allergic to electricity”) played by Michael McKean, is one of the more riveting dynamics running through the series. McKean inhabits his role with frighteningly expert command, and like Odenkirk, he has been primarily a comic actor -- showing that consummate acting skill is not merely the province of dramatic actors. Another theme throughout is Jimmy's relationship to his on-again/off-again love interest, fellow lawyer Kim Wexler played by Rhea Seehorn, who imbues her character with an exquisite balance of cynically jaded realism and an almost painfully tender sensibility. I could wax all day about this show (and I don’t mean to overlook the other fine actors, including Patrick Fabian, Michael Mando, Giancarlo Esposito, and the wickedly over-the-top Mark Margolis). I will only end here with an aspect of the show (doubtlessly due to the fine direction and writing of Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, also the show's creators) that help to lift it from extraordinary to superlative excellence: the meticulous, almost loving attention to mundane details, often by cinematically probing the nuts and bolts of the routine technology in the lives of various characters, and weaving this deftly into the narrative. The long, montage-like sequence with lawyer Kim Wexler trying almost desperately, yet heroically, to drum up business -- even resorting to highlighter and colored stickies -- was strangely riveting, and priceless; and just one of the dozens like it throughout the 3 seasons I’ve watched so far.… Expand
  9. Tiger_X
    Jan 15, 2019
    7
    Somehow captivating.

    I didn't watch Breaking Bad closely. When I did watch it, I liked it but not enough to get fully hooked. But, the idea of making a show about the sleazy (hilarious) lawyer who enabled the people in a hit show felt compelling to me. Without really planning on it, I watched every episode of Better Call Saul season one. I found it to be placid but mesmerizing.    Somehow captivating.

    I didn't watch Breaking Bad closely. When I did watch it, I liked it but not enough to get fully hooked. But, the idea of making a show about the sleazy (hilarious) lawyer who enabled the people in a hit show felt compelling to me. Without really planning on it, I watched every episode of Better Call Saul season one.

    I found it to be placid but mesmerizing. Someone else I knew who was A huge fan of Breaking Bad thought it was a total snooze fest - and refused to watch it. I can see where both the good and bad reviewers are coming from.

    Bottom line: Slow with top shelf acting. The setting, characters, and atmosphere are convincing.    … Expand
  10. Roko957
    Jan 11, 2019
    10
    I like this show better than Breaking Bad. Breaking bad is good show but this one is better. Better call Saul has better character development. Breaking bad has too much explosions and shocks and that stuff.
  11. hejtyjaa
    Oct 11, 2018
    9
    This show is much slower and calmer than Breaking Bad, but does that make it worse? Definetely not. A lot of people expect more of the same, but Better Call Saul is different. Yeah, there is a lot of characters that we love, but starting to Saul Goodman which turns out to be called Jimmy Mc'Gill they're just at start of their story. I absolutely love what Jince Gilligan did, and i canThis show is much slower and calmer than Breaking Bad, but does that make it worse? Definetely not. A lot of people expect more of the same, but Better Call Saul is different. Yeah, there is a lot of characters that we love, but starting to Saul Goodman which turns out to be called Jimmy Mc'Gill they're just at start of their story. I absolutely love what Jince Gilligan did, and i can clearly say it's as good as Breaking Bad.… Expand
  12. Justinavery7074
    Oct 2, 2018
    8
    This first season may take a few episodes to really kick in, but once you get there it is all worth it. Slower paced than Breaking Bad but very good
  13. Fonke
    Mar 4, 2018
    9
    A great spin-off season from Netflix. Very entertaining and definitely worth a watch.
  14. luke100
    Jan 11, 2018
    10
    Seasons 1-3: the first season is a bit slower and didn't quite grab me, but from the second one on this show proves that Vince Gilligan is a genius. Insanely engaging and cleverly written, with sympathetic yet ambiguous characters and surprising - occasionally even shocking - twists.
  15. eli_fjr
    Dec 20, 2017
    10
    Unbelievable that its this good. Was kinda hesitant to watch since this is more of a prequel to Breaking Bad. Think this might be better.
  16. inflorescence1
    Dec 4, 2017
    10
    My husband and I were huge fans of Breaking Bad and Saul was one of our favorite characters. We were looking forward to the spin off but had a lot of issues come up when it premiered that left us with no time to watch. We recently started getting the episodes from Netflix and love this show as much as we did Breaking Bad. It has been fascinating to see how the writers reveal Saul'sMy husband and I were huge fans of Breaking Bad and Saul was one of our favorite characters. We were looking forward to the spin off but had a lot of issues come up when it premiered that left us with no time to watch. We recently started getting the episodes from Netflix and love this show as much as we did Breaking Bad. It has been fascinating to see how the writers reveal Saul's background, the events that shaped his life, and the choices he made. The first season has been exceptional and we're ready to start season 2. Pass the popcorn please!… Expand
  17. Janker
    Jul 23, 2017
    9
    Different, but in a good way. An absolutely worthy successor to Breaking Bad! Incredible cinematography, writing and editing. We are so lucky to have received such high quality spin off.
    It is more slower paced then BB but adds so much more depth to the world and characters!
  18. BumbleJuice
    Apr 6, 2017
    9
    The first season of Better Call Saul is fantastic. Not only is the writing great, the actors to a fantastic job expressing emotions. It is edited very well, and every frame feels like a painting. I haven't seen a better looking show since Mad Men. Great pilot season.
  19. alejandro970
    Jan 13, 2017
    9
    A fortunate spin- off / prequel with same spirit of Breaking Bad following the early years of cynical, maniac lawyer of Albuquerque performed by notorious Odenkirk. A must to see.
  20. Tss5078
    Oct 5, 2016
    8
    For the die hard fans of Breaking Bad, the series ending was a crushing blow, and as is the case with the more popular series, few were happy with the way it ended. The fans wouldn't be disappointed for long however, as it was soon announced that fan favorite, Bob Odenkirk, who played shady lawyer Saul Goodman, would be getting his own spin-off and once again Vince Gilligan and the belovedFor the die hard fans of Breaking Bad, the series ending was a crushing blow, and as is the case with the more popular series, few were happy with the way it ended. The fans wouldn't be disappointed for long however, as it was soon announced that fan favorite, Bob Odenkirk, who played shady lawyer Saul Goodman, would be getting his own spin-off and once again Vince Gilligan and the beloved genre he created lived on.

    Better Call Saul is not what most of us expected it to be, as we assumed, Saul wouldn't stay where he was after the events of the Breaking Bad finale, and that we'd come to see what's next, but in fact, it's just the opposite. The series begins with a depressed and sentimental Saul, taking a look back at where it all started, back when he was kind of an honest man, who kind of cared about a few people, and went by his real name, James McGill. McGill was a con-artist who was frequently bailed out by his brother (Michael McKean) who was a big time lawyer at a huge firm. It was he who convinced Jimmy to turn his life around and try to follow in his footsteps and that's what he did....kind of.

    Lets start with the show, because it is every bit as clever and well written as Breaking Bad was. You might not have the shocking violence, at least not yet, but as with it's predecessor, the show is always three steps ahead of you, it's clever, humorous in that dry kind of way, and it is extremely entertaining.

    Also similar to Breaking Bad, you have some great side characters, but one man is the show, and that man is Bob Odenkirk. If you thought he was good on Breaking Bad, you haven't seen anything yet. By the time he was Saul, he was a complete con-man, everything was a joke or a scam, but Jimmy, he hasn't really crossed that line completely, he has his moments, but he still has his humanity and compassion. That internal struggle between doing what's right and doing what he deems is necessary is at the heart of the show, and Bob Odenkirk is the heart and soul of the show.

    The bottom line, Better Call Saul is not on the same level as Breaking Bad...YET, but it's headed that way. What did you think of Breaking Bad after twenty episodes? Did you feel the same way as you did after sixty? That's the point, Saul is feeling his oats, building his story and his reputation. As for Vince Gilligan, he learned from his mistakes and I think people are going to catch on and get hooked a lot faster this time around. This show has the same feel to it and things are only going to get bigger and better, so if you're putting off on watching it until you start hearing more hype, that's your choice, but you're missing out on some pretty good stuff.    … Expand
  21. Rtheom
    Aug 11, 2016
    7
    This was a really great show up until the very last episode, when they decided to try to go for the drama finisher. It's a much more refined version of Breaking Bad, touching on all of the same points but with more realistic characters and situations. Unfortunately that last episode just left me with a huge amount of disappointment. I really thought they weren't just going to fall for theThis was a really great show up until the very last episode, when they decided to try to go for the drama finisher. It's a much more refined version of Breaking Bad, touching on all of the same points but with more realistic characters and situations. Unfortunately that last episode just left me with a huge amount of disappointment. I really thought they weren't just going to fall for the drama tropes and then they pulled the biggest one in the book.

    Worth a watch up until that last episode. You can just kinda pretend it doesn't even exist.    … Expand
  22. Fabriccio
    Jul 27, 2016
    9
    It had its ups and downs but my overall view? I honestly don't have a single significant mistake or inconsistency to present, Vince Gilligan is the man.
  23. nikhs159
    Jun 27, 2016
    8
    It's always difficult to do a good spin-off series and with with Better Call Saul,Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould almost do that.
    Darkly comical and brutal-the impressions one gets after watching the very good first two episodes but from then on it's a bit shaky in between.The ending however was good.
    Don't give up on this spin-off yet.
  24. Suzana98
    Jun 5, 2016
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dark humor at its best. In no way does it go below the standards of its predecessor. A great take on an even greater character and perfect blend of drama and comedy.… Expand
  25. Lozlaw
    May 6, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. How can anyone not LOVE this show, I don't know, but haters gon' hate I guess! Lobe the character, as a reformed salesman type personality I can really relate to the character, including his bad side.

    Really textured and deep, and stands alone from it's Mother show. Odenkirk is a Genius, I'm gonna stick my neck out here and even in these very enlightened times say, he is ahead of his time.

    I think probably Bob Odenkirk would my choice of celebrity to have round for dinner if Taylor Swift did';t exist - And even with Taylor existing and all,, hmm, my beautiful gal might prefer Bob...

    I digress.

    Excellent, excellent show - I think there are SO MANY shows that are just WILDLY entertaining these days, call me a score whore (you saw it here first) but I give it a perfect ten, with GoT, BB, and the greats. Oh and check out The Path while you're there!    … Expand
  26. Jack97
    May 5, 2016
    8
    A solid start to the show. One of the things i appreciate the most about BCS is how it stands on it's own. You can tell by the way it's made that it's from the same guys behind Breaking Bad but it's tone and characters distinguish it from the series that spawned it.
  27. saadeloua
    Apr 12, 2016
    10
    It is more than a TV show... Thanks Vince for this great story, this is the best follow-up to breaking bad, creating a spin-off to a popular show is never easy; creating one for what many consider the best TV show of all time is an even more difficult task.
  28. Slaaar
    Apr 7, 2016
    10
    Loving this prequel. Milk all six years before blending into the breaking bad series. I am loving what these directors are producing and hanging on every next instalment.
  29. night4
    Apr 5, 2016
    9
    This show is incredible. It pushes the boundaries of television as art and delivers an experience that I believe would make even Kubrick proud.

    What's incredible is that every scene is bursting at the seams with non-verbal communication, subtext, or mystery. Not a lot happens on the surface, perhaps, and that's probably why some people are bored by it.
  30. Nicoteen
    Mar 12, 2016
    8
    " Breaking Bad was one of the best tv shows of all time, now couple years later the lawyer Saul Goodman is back in "Better Call Saul". After one season i need to say that better call saul is is surprisingly good, you can't put in a typical genre, that is what makes it so special. Saul is well written and played, the episodes are funny, thrilling and more... So why not? Watch a couple" Breaking Bad was one of the best tv shows of all time, now couple years later the lawyer Saul Goodman is back in "Better Call Saul". After one season i need to say that better call saul is is surprisingly good, you can't put in a typical genre, that is what makes it so special. Saul is well written and played, the episodes are funny, thrilling and more... So why not? Watch a couple episodes and you're a fan of the "old" Saul Godman."

    OVERALL RATING: 8.3    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best TV Season of 2015
9
#9 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015
21
#21 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 43 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 43
  3. Negative: 0 out of 43
  1. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Marlow Stern
    Feb 9, 2015
    80
    The ball of manic, depressed, negative energy that is Jimmy is a perfect match for Odenkirk’s comedic (and newfound dramatic) chops, as he lends plenty of pathos to this mesmeric loser with a heart of fool’s gold. He’s not Saul Goodman just yet, but the journey there should be a bumpy, thrilling ride.
    Read full review
  2. The Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Kristi Turnquist
    Feb 9, 2015
    70
    Odenkirk is a gifted comic actor, and the sadness in his eyes hints that he can fill in more dimensions to Jimmy McGill as time goes on. But the first two episodes of Better Call Saul take their own sweet time setting things up.
    Read full review
  3. Yahoo TV
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Feb 9, 2015
    90
    Better Call Saul has its own tone--it's a different, unique creation.
    Read full review
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