Better Call Saul: Is It Worth Watching?
Better Call Saul is a critically acclaimed television series that serves as a prequel to Breaking Bad. It follows the transformation of Jimmy McGill, a small-time lawyer hustling to make a name for himself, into the morally challenged lawyer Saul Goodman, a character from Breaking Bad. This article delves deeply into the key features, worthiness of watching, and how its connection to Breaking Bad enhances its viewing experience.
Key Features
The show excels in deep character exploration, particularly of Jimmy/Saul and his relationships with other characters, including his brother Chuck Kim Wexler and Mike Ehrmantraut. The nuanced portrayals contribute to a rich narrative. The writing is sharp and clever, often blending drama with dark humor. The direction is visually striking, with a strong emphasis on storytelling through cinematography. One of the most compelling aspects of the series is its exploration of themes such as morality, identity, and the consequences of one's choices. The slow burn of Jimmy's transformation is both compelling and thought-provoking.
Pacing and Rewatchability
The pacing of Better Call Saul is deliberate, which can be a double-edged sword. While some viewers may find it a bit slow, it allows for deep character development and intricate plotlines. This deliberate pace ensures that the viewer is kept on the edge of their seat, anticipating the next twist or turn. The show's storytelling is so rich and complex that it offers significant rewards for rewatching. Fans can pick up on nuances and connections that might have been missed the first time around, making it a series that benefits from multiple viewings.
Connection to Breaking Bad
While Better Call Saul stands on its own, it enriches the Breaking Bad universe by providing backstory and context that enhances the original series. The series offers a deeper understanding of the events and characters from Breaking Bad, filling in gaps and offering new perspectives. This interconnectedness makes the series more compelling for fans of Breaking Bad, as they are able to see the roots of the characters and the events that led to the climax of the original series.
Worth Watching?
Better Call Saul is definitely worth watching. It has received numerous awards and critical acclaim, making it one of the standout series of its time. Fans of strong storytelling, moral complexity, and rich character arcs will likely find it rewarding.
Watching on Netflix
Each season of Better Call Saul on Netflix has in the past only been made available after the series run on the commercial network AMC. This is because the most money generated for the network and the producers and everybody else deserving a cut of the profits in the shortest time are made during commercial breaks. There are no commercial breaks on Netflix because it is a subscription service, therefore the revenue is diluted severely, and the money generated is but a trickle compared to the exorbitant revenue from commercial spots.
So popular series originally intended for commercial networks have to go through at least a first run—and sometimes re-run—before it goes to services such as Netflix. I am impatient when it comes to killer series, so I buy the right to watch Better Call Saul—commercial free—on the same day the episodes air by paying $30 USD for the season at Amazon. This is pretty smart marketing because not only does the first run of a series make big bucks from advertisers, but there is also a rather hefty infusion of cash paid out by fanatics such as myself.
My opinion of the series is that it is great, whether on Netflix or any other service. The series offers a rich, character-driven narrative that taps into viewers' emotions and keeps them invested in the story. Whether you are a fan of Breaking Bad or a newcomer to the series, Better Call Saul is a must-watch for anyone interested in compelling storytelling and deep character exploration.