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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User Reviews

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  1. 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.
  2. 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
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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!
  7. Fonke
    Mar 4, 2018
    9
    A great spin-off season from Netflix. Very entertaining and definitely worth a watch.
  8. 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
  9. 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.
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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.
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. branjsmith
    Jan 1, 2023
    10
    Better Call Saul gives Breaking Bad a run for its money in every department.
  19. 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
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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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