When Does Better Call Saul Get Good?
Most fans of Better Call Saul will mention that while the first season is slow, the second season shoots the story up another level to its predecessor Breaking Bad and by that point will have new viewers hooked.
While the first season is important to the story, many fans do mention that the early character development can make new viewers impatient. Still, those that see it through are rewarded by a long-running series that competes with any other top-rated shows.
What Fans Say
Fans praise Better Call Saul for its meticulous storytelling, attention to detail, and profound character arcs. Many commend the series for Jimmy’s layered transformation into Saul Goodman, observing how each decision he makes further distances him from his moral center. Additionally, the show is appreciated for its visual storytelling, with each scene being carefully framed and lit to enhance the emotional experience. The pacing, although slower than that of Breaking Bad, is celebrated for building tension and deepening emotional stakes. Fans love the crossover appearances from Breaking Bad characters, and the inclusion of backstory provides added depth to familiar characters.
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What Haters Say
Some detractors feel the show’s pacing is too slow, particularly in the early seasons, where Jimmy’s journey takes time to unfold. For viewers expecting a high-octane thriller akin to Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul may come across as more methodical, emphasizing legal proceedings and character moments over action and suspense. Certain viewers also feel that the focus on characters like Mike and Chuck detracts from Jimmy’s storyline, slowing the narrative and making it less accessible to viewers who are less interested in legal drama or intricate dialogue-heavy scenes.
Does Better Call Saul Fall Off in Quality?
Overall, Better Call Saul maintains a consistently high quality throughout its six seasons. However, some viewers feel that the story’s transition in later seasons toward directly setting up Breaking Bad impacts its unique identity as a prequel, making it feel more like a connector series than an independent story. That said, the final season has been widely praised for closing out character arcs thoughtfully and seamlessly bridging into the Breaking Bad timeline.
Aggregated Critic Commentary
Critics consistently commend Better Call Saul for its deft blend of drama, dark humor, and moral ambiguity. Many appreciate the creators’ dedication to intricate storytelling and their commitment to showing the gradual, often painful, transformation of Jimmy McGill into Saul Goodman. The cast, particularly Bob Odenkirk (Jimmy/Saul), Michael McKean (Chuck McGill), and Jonathan Banks (Mike Ehrmantraut), receive praise for bringing depth and complexity to their roles. Critics also highlight the show’s cinematography, which uses visual cues and symbolic imagery to tell a story beyond the dialogue. As it progresses, Better Call Saul builds suspense and tension, creating a layered, slow-burn story that many find even more nuanced than Breaking Bad.
| Season | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomatoes Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.7 | 97% |
| 2 | 8.8 | 97% |
| 3 | 9.0 | 98% |
| 4 | 8.9 | 99% |
| 5 | 9.1 | 99% |
| 6 | 9.1 | 99% |
Overview of Better Call Saul
Better Call Saul is a prequel to the highly acclaimed Breaking Bad, focusing on the transformation of Jimmy McGill, a small-time attorney with a big heart, into the unscrupulous, morally ambiguous lawyer Saul Goodman. Set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the show dives into Jimmy’s world, his ambitions, and his relationship with his brother Chuck, a brilliant lawyer with a mental health condition that causes him to distrust Jimmy. This character-driven legal drama slowly unfurls Jimmy’s descent as he navigates complex legal battles and morally questionable situations, leading him deeper into the criminal underworld. Alongside Jimmy’s storyline, we follow Mike Ehrmantraut, a former cop drawn into Albuquerque’s criminal world, connecting directly with characters from Breaking Bad. The series explores themes of identity, morality, loyalty, and transformation, and is celebrated for its nuanced characters, morally gray storylines, and breathtaking cinematography.
Season Highlights
Season 1: The debut season introduces Jimmy McGill, a struggling public defender, as he tries to make a name for himself. His complex relationship with his brother Chuck, and his budding partnership with Kim Wexler, are key focal points. The season ends with Jimmy making choices that hint at his eventual moral decline.
Season 2: Jimmy secures a job at the prestigious firm Davis & Main but ultimately struggles with his position, opting instead to find ways to cut corners. This season further explores the strained relationship between Jimmy and Chuck, and the ethical dilemmas he faces start to mount.
Season 3: Chuck’s condition and resentment towards Jimmy escalate, culminating in a courtroom showdown that deeply affects both characters. This season is pivotal, as Jimmy’s descent into Saul Goodman is set into motion after a bitter betrayal and personal loss.
Season 4: Following the aftermath of Chuck’s death, Jimmy embraces more ethically dubious choices, becoming closer to his Saul Goodman persona. Mike’s involvement with Gus Fring deepens, introducing the complex dynamics of the Albuquerque criminal world.
Season 5: Saul Goodman fully emerges as Jimmy takes on morally questionable clients. The tension with Kim Wexler also intensifies as she chooses to side with Jimmy, with both characters now walking the fine line between ethical and unethical.
Season 6: The final season brings Jimmy and Kim’s choices to a climax as they face the consequences of their actions. It also sets up a direct connection to Breaking Bad, blending timelines and revealing Saul Goodman’s ultimate fate post-Breaking Bad.
Similar Shows to Better Call Saul
- Breaking Bad – As Better Call Saul’s predecessor, Breaking Bad continues to be the most directly relevant recommendation. It delves into similar themes of moral decline, crime, and identity, following Walter White’s transformation.
- Fargo – This anthology series combines dark humor with crime, exploring flawed characters who find themselves caught in morally dubious circumstances, often with darkly humorous results.
- The Sopranos – As another show that focuses on moral complexity, The Sopranos follows Tony Soprano’s struggles with his dual life as a mob boss and family man.
- Ozark – This series similarly follows a man who becomes entangled in crime, exploring the toll it takes on his family and the moral sacrifices he makes along the way.
- Mad Men – Though not a crime show, Mad Men offers a deeply psychological look at ambition, identity, and the impact of professional choices on personal life, much like Better Call Saul.
If You Liked These, You’ll Like Better Call Saul
- Boardwalk Empire – This historical drama centers around the Prohibition era and focuses on the gray morality of its characters, featuring complex character arcs and a slow-burn narrative style.
- Justified – Following a U.S. Marshal enforcing his own brand of justice, Justified combines crime and character-driven storytelling in a similar vein, with rich dialogue and morally ambiguous choices.
- Deadwood – Set in the Wild West, Deadwood is a slow-burn drama that focuses on the lives of morally complex characters as they navigate lawlessness and personal codes of honor.
- Ray Donovan – This series follows Ray, a fixer for the rich and famous, who frequently operates in moral gray zones, similar to Saul Goodman’s journey from public defender to criminal lawyer.