Can Saul Fill Walter White's Shoes?

Better Call Saul proves that spin-offs can work. The series is the latest output from Vincent Gilligan who is famous for creating the epic drama series known as Breaking Bad. Breaking Bad gained so much critical praise that it has been widely referred to as a modern classic. That alone has raised the expectations for the follow up series Better Call Saul to almost unachievable heights. Yet despite all the expectations Better Call Saul has been highly praised. With some even saying that it surpasses the phenomenon that was Breaking Bad. As bold as this claim is, the argument isn’t without reason. Breaking Bad is my all time favourite series so naturally I had skepticism around whether Vincent Gilligan could pull off the same quality of series a second time round but still I remained positive and kept an open mind. The end result pleasantly surprised me. It may not have the same impact or originality that Breaking Bad had but Better Call Saul provides an interesting new level of insight into the world that was originally crafted in Breaking Bad. It follows with similar themes and stylizations but presents them in a way that feels new and fresh. There are shady gangsters and businessmen that double up as cartoon characters with the classic over-the-top underworld plotlines. It doesn’t hide from the fact it is a spin-off, instead it twists the show that we know and love into something else that can be enjoyed as a stand-alone or with Breaking Bad. It’s a layered narrative that contains content for returning fans but it is ultimately accessible for newcomers.

After viewing the first episode it was immediately apparent to me that the intensity of content was at a lower volume when compared to Breaking Bad. There were fewer moments that lead to heart pounding or sitting on the edge of my seat but this didn’t bother me at all. I have no interest in watching what would be essentially the same as Breaking Bad but with the leading character as Saul. Saul is a very different character from Walt. In some ways he’s almost like a real life cartoon character. If a show were to be centered on him, it would have to reflect him and thankfully Better Call Saul does just that. Vince Gilligan’s signature black humour is at an all time high. It remains all the more impressive as the show continues to be so funny and when it asks to be taken seriously nothing feels ridiculous. In Breaking Bad Saul was the charismatic dodgy lawyer that everyone loved. That said, he was still very much a side character and was archetypal and one dimensional in ways as a result. He didn’t have enough screen time to deeply develop his character so must of us will remember him as the corrupt lawyer archetype. Upon viewing Better Call Saul, it astounded me how much depth there is to his character and all the more surprising I actually cared. From my experience seeing him in Breaking Bad, I never would have thought Saul could be such an interesting protagonist.

The opening scene contains the classic Vince Gilligan tongue-in-cheek humour. It is shot in black and white and set in an American diner accompanied with a retro soundtrack. Before I noticed that Saul was working behind the counter I felt a bit confused. The opening felt strangely unfitting, as it was so campy, so happy and so carefree.With the happy music and diner representing the American good life, to the untrained eye this might look like a light-hearted soap opera. But Vince Gilligan loves, placing the dark and intense with the light and carefree. Nobody does it better than him and he loves to break expectations. As the scene progresses it becomes clear that Saul is hiding his identity and is clearly in a lot of danger. This is told purely through visually storytelling and the subtlety behind it is truly intriguing. Through what seems to be a silly, vintage, soap opera piss-take on the surface, a dark and brooding sense of paranoia can be felt underneath. This is an essential aspect of Vince Gilligan’s storytelling that will be seen throughout Better Call Saul.

Vince Gilligan has always adopted a masterfully stylistic approach to his filmmaking and a creative use of sound is particularly prevalent in the opening court case scene. The creaking of the TV stand and the awkward fumbling of the VHS tape sound all the more impactful over an otherwise dead silent background. I could just feel the tension in the air and the desperation of Saul. Aside from the visual storytelling and creative use of sound, perhaps Vince Gilligan’s most admirable quality is his ability to construct such unique, funny and fascinating characters. Characters such as Tuco and Mike from Breaking Bad are so memorable that they have become iconic in their own way. Both Tuco and Mike make appearances in Better Call Saul and it is clear from the way that they are presented with such emphasis that Vince Gilligan wanted to a leave a little surprise for the committed Breaking Bad fans whilst creating a show that was different enough to be regarded on its own. Appealing both to fans new and old alike.