Post by: JakeStyle on February 07, 2015, 02:47:46 PM
To talk about Breaking Bad's greatness, you have to talk about Walter White. You have to talk about showrunner Vince Gilligan’s now-famous vow to turn “Mr. Chips into Scarfaceâ€; you have to talk about tightie-whities giving way to rubber lab coats, about high-school chemistry lessons leading to a machine gun laying waste to a Nazi meth gang. Bryan Cranston's character's five-season transformation from zero to antihero had no precedent on TV, and made for tense, morally challenging viewing.
Take out Walter and his journey, though, and do you still have a masterpiece? Better Call Saul, the new spinoff whose premiere and second episode air Sunday and Monday respectively, suggests that the answer might have been “yes.†Gilligan and co-creator Peter Gould have improbably constructed something that feels like a continuation of its predecessor but not a retread, telling a new tale with their old show's trademark meticulousness, gravity, humor, and, beauty.
“Beauty†isn't an attribute anyone would necessarily expect from Saul, based on its subject matter. Breaking Bad fans know the title character, Saul Goodman, as the seedy, fast-talking lawyer who enabled Walter White’s misdeeds and then, finally, fled Albuquerque. Better Call Saul tells his origin story, though not just that; the pilot opens with a dialogue-free, black-and-white vision of Saul’s life after the events of Breaking Bad, when his prophecy that he’d be running a Cinnabon in Omaha has come true.
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/02/the-beauty-of-better-call-saul/385265/
I'm really looking forward to this show, the reviews that I have read have all been positive.
Post by: Chris_ on February 07, 2015, 02:49:03 PM
Post by: obumazombie on February 07, 2015, 04:49:36 PM
I saw a couple of commercials this week. It looks good.
It better live up to it's parent series.
I am hoping it does.
I really like the quirky mouthpiece character of Saul.
He tightropes a fine line of ethics...sometimes.
Post by: Chris_ on February 08, 2015, 11:54:46 PM
Post by: Chris_ on February 09, 2015, 01:43:58 AM
Post by: obumazombie on February 09, 2015, 08:21:33 AM
I'm looking forward to tomorrow night. The second half ought to be good.
I have it recorded. Probably going to watch it tonight.
Post by: Conservative Libertarian on February 09, 2015, 08:23:59 AM
Post by: obumazombie on February 09, 2015, 08:27:05 AM
Watched it last light. It was a decent set up episode. It ended with an interesting twist.
That's one of the big reasons I like it's predecessor.
There was a twist in just about every episode.
The twists gave insight into and highlighted the motivations of one or more characters.
Post by: Donpeyote on February 09, 2015, 03:27:53 PM
Post by: Chris_ on February 09, 2015, 03:50:07 PM
Will they replay the first part prior to the Second part ? (Is this tonight & what channel ?) :popcorn:They usually do. You'll probably see part 1 at 9am Eastern (8am Central) followed by the new episode.
It's on AMC.
Post by: Donpeyote on February 09, 2015, 04:12:34 PM
Post by: Conservative Libertarian on February 09, 2015, 04:51:32 PM
They usually do. You'll probably see part 1 at 9am Eastern (8am Central) followed by the new episode.
It's on AMC.
Are you sure that you got the times right? :tongue:
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on February 09, 2015, 04:59:22 PM
Tuco
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on February 09, 2015, 05:08:41 PM
Might have been a little slow, but it does require some setting up.
As you & I mentioned on FB last night, Chris, loved the "flash-forward" to Saul/Jimmy working at Cinnabon, then goes back to where the series is actually starting from.
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on February 09, 2015, 05:15:53 PM
That's one of the big reasons I like it's predecessor.
There was a twist in just about every episode.
The twists gave insight into and highlighted the motivations of one or more characters.
This is not a knock on "one-hour procedurals" as I guess they call a lot of drama shows like Law & Order, CSI, etc. Ones where you can watch one episode and be satisfied and enjoy.
But I really enjoy even more stuff like Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Mad Men, Dexter, and hopefully Better Call Saul where it pretty much requires watching from beginning to end. And thank goodness to DVR technology. Not that VCR's were bad, but there used to be nothing worse than when it wouldn't record or one might enter the wrong time or it just wouldn't record when you wanted.
Post by: obumazombie on February 09, 2015, 05:26:22 PM
This is not a knock on "one-hour procedurals" as I guess they call a lot of drama shows like Law & Order, CSI, etc. Ones where you can watch one episode and be satisfied and enjoy.
But I really enjoy even more stuff like Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Mad Men, Dexter, and hopefully Better Call Saul where it pretty much requires watching from beginning to end. And thank goodness to DVR technology. Not that VCR's were bad, but there used to be nothing worse than when it wouldn't record or one might enter the wrong time or it just wouldn't record when you wanted.
It brings to mind memories of the cliff hanger serials.
Flash Gordan et al.
Post by: Chris_ on February 09, 2015, 06:03:35 PM
One word....You think? Tuco would have been a teenager at the time.
Tuco
I loved the Suzuki Esteem. What a shitbox.
Post by: obumazombie on February 09, 2015, 10:50:41 PM
You think? Tuco would have been a teenager at the time.
I loved the Suzuki Esteem. What a shitbox.
Just watched the first episode.
It was exactly what I wanted.
I love how the story feeds into character development.
Nothing seems contrived or gratuitous.
Post by: Chris_ on February 10, 2015, 01:04:30 AM
The second episode was okay. Not quite as good as the first.
Post by: Chris_ on February 10, 2015, 01:05:04 AM
Just watched the first episode.Agreed. It was really good.
It was exactly what I wanted.
I love how the story feeds into character development.
Nothing seems contrived or gratuitous.
Post by: JakeStyle on February 10, 2015, 01:15:16 AM
Post by: Conservative Libertarian on February 10, 2015, 08:48:49 AM
Post by: obumazombie on February 10, 2015, 08:54:20 AM
I watched the second episode last night. So far, so good.
The skateboarder's ineptitude reminded me of Jesse...yeah bitches !
Post by: JakeStyle on February 10, 2015, 09:06:08 AM
You think? Tuco would have been a teenager at the time.
I loved the Suzuki Esteem. What a shitbox.
The actor that plays Tuco is 53 years old, I don't think that they have ever said what the characters age is supposed to be.
Post by: Chris_ on February 17, 2015, 10:20:35 PM
Post by: obumazombie on February 18, 2015, 10:46:27 AM
Team Kettleman has screwed the pooch.
When he called Saul, he should have retained Saul.
Post by: JakeStyle on March 03, 2015, 07:03:22 PM
Post by: obumazombie on March 03, 2015, 11:21:40 PM
I like this show a lot. Even without the Breaking Bad tie-in, it is great all on it's own.
I agree with you.
And they really haven't gotten into any character development from the well known characters from BB.
Except maybe for Mike, although not much there so far either. And maybe a little Tuco.
It should get even more interesting when they do start developing more of the already well know characters.
Post by: Conservative Libertarian on March 04, 2015, 12:32:00 PM
Post by: obumazombie on March 04, 2015, 12:35:20 PM
So far so good. It's strange how one can like such a scumbag lawyer. I guess that we will see how he becomes the Saul that we have all learned to love and loathe all at the same time.He's not a fully confirmed scumbag lawyer.
He loves his brother, and wants to do right by him.
He is promising..."No more slipping Jimmy".
Post by: Conservative Libertarian on March 04, 2015, 08:29:28 PM
He's not a fully confirmed scumbag lawyer.
He loves his brother, and wants to do right by him.
He is promising..."No more slipping Jimmy".
We will see how that works out for him.
Post by: RobJohnson on March 05, 2015, 03:42:58 AM
I like this show a lot. Even without the Breaking Bad tie-in, it is great all on it's own.
I agree. It has things that remind me of Breaking Bad's cinematography.
My mother called me the second week the show was on and told me I needed to set my DVR, she found a new show on TV that she really enjoyed. She said "it's kind of dumb, but really funny." She is now a fan of Better Call Saul and watches it weekly.
Post by: obumazombie on March 05, 2015, 11:25:25 AM
I agree. It has things that remind me of Breaking Bad's cinematography.
My mother called me the second week the show was on and told me I needed to set my DVR, she found a new show on TV that she really enjoyed. She said "it's kind of dumb, but really funny." She is now a fan of Better Call Saul and watches it weekly.
The look is the same because the sets and settings are frequently identical (to BB), and so many of the back scene staff are the same.
Post by: RobJohnson on March 11, 2015, 06:14:23 PM
Post by: Wineslob on March 11, 2015, 09:53:48 PM
Post by: obumazombie on March 11, 2015, 10:31:08 PM
Post by: RobJohnson on March 15, 2015, 01:54:50 AM
I like this show a lot. Even without the Breaking Bad tie-in, it is great all on it's own.
The tie-in is on it's way.
Post by: obumazombie on March 15, 2015, 02:34:49 AM
The tie-in is on it's way.I've really been waiting for that.
Tuco was an oblique tie in.
Mike was too.
I am eager to see the developments of those tie ins and others.
Post by: Chris_ on March 16, 2015, 11:50:04 PM
Post by: obumazombie on March 17, 2015, 12:20:41 AM
The Kettleman's keep digging their grave. :popcorn:
They are innocent, plus...they're owebuma voters.
Post by: Chris_ on March 17, 2015, 12:23:32 AM
We knew Jimmy wasn't going to get that fancy office.
Post by: obumazombie on March 17, 2015, 12:25:31 AM
Post by: Chris_ on March 17, 2015, 12:26:16 AM
Post by: Chris_ on March 17, 2015, 12:27:10 AM
I've really been waiting for that.Tuco doesn't interest me except as a side story. Having Mike around makes it far more interesting.
Tuco was an oblique tie in.
Mike was too.
I am eager to see the developments of those tie ins and others.
Post by: Chris_ on March 17, 2015, 12:33:53 AM
Post by: JakeStyle on March 17, 2015, 04:55:13 AM
Post by: obumazombie on March 17, 2015, 10:24:40 PM
Post by: RobJohnson on March 18, 2015, 06:02:29 AM
Mrs. Kettleman is hot. Crazy, but hot. I can see why Mr. Kettleman keeps her around.
We knew Jimmy wasn't going to get that fancy office.
"There is no money!"
She was right, it's gone. :lmao:
Post by: Chris_ on April 02, 2015, 10:11:16 AM
Post by: obumazombie on April 02, 2015, 04:53:06 PM
I finally got caught up after missing the show the other week. Jimmy just can't catch a break.
Jimmy sees the world as it is.
But usually only after he gets blindsided by it.
Post by: RobJohnson on April 05, 2015, 05:40:06 PM
Post by: obumazombie on April 05, 2015, 06:16:14 PM
But I might be expecting too much out of one episode.
Even if it is a longer episode, and I'm not sure of that.
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on April 20, 2015, 07:30:48 PM
What a great spinoff this has turned out to be. From an interesting character in a great series, to create such a compelling series using him is freaking brilliant.
Post by: Chris_ on April 21, 2015, 10:54:36 PM
Post by: ChuckJ on April 21, 2015, 10:58:48 PM
I'm just catching up on my DVR, almost done.
What a great spinoff this has turned out to be. From an interesting character in a great series, to create such a compelling series using him is freaking brilliant.
I agree, but things are moving a little slower than I expected. I have to say that the series is working out to be completely different than I imagined. I had figured on a series that just jumps right in to a shyster attorney, but they're really working his character.
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on April 22, 2015, 12:29:28 AM
Is it over already? I only have ten episodes recorded.Yeah, they only made 10 episodes for the first season.
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on April 22, 2015, 12:30:45 AM
I agree, but things are moving a little slower than I expected. I have to say that the series is working out to be completely different than I imagined. I had figured on a series that just jumps right in to a shyster attorney, but they're really working his character.It is interesting to see the development though.
Post by: Chris_ on April 22, 2015, 12:35:18 AM
Yeah, they only made 10 episodes for the first season.Remember when a regular TV season was 13-15 episodes? TV shows were 24-27 minutes long and started on the hour. They've managed to squeeze less content into the same space. Same for radio.
I don't begrudge AMC since they don't have the same budget as the big three and aren't producing half a dozen separate shows with the same basic plot (NCIS, et al).
Post by: Chris_ on April 22, 2015, 12:44:05 AM
January Jones is hawt.
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on April 22, 2015, 03:23:18 AM
Remember when a regular TV season was 13-15 episodes? TV shows were 24-27 minutes long and started on the hour. They've managed to squeeze less content into the same space. Same for radio.On the traditional networks (ABC, CBS, NBC & FOX), they usually did 22 episodes per season. Half-hour shows without commercials ran 22 minutes, hour long ones were 40-45 minutes.
I don't begrudge AMC since they don't have the same budget as the big three and aren't producing half a dozen separate shows with the same basic plot (NCIS, et al).
Thanks to HBO & cable networks, seasons may be shorter but thankfully far less edited. Good for profanity & occasional and usually tasteful nudity.
Post by: obumazombie on April 22, 2015, 01:33:53 PM
Post by: ChuckJ on April 22, 2015, 08:08:45 PM
It is interesting to see the development though.
Oh, I agree. They are doing a good job. I was just expecting more momentum. My wife asked a couple of episodes ago, "So is he supposed to be a good guy or a bad guy?" I think that's what the show runner is shooting for.
Post by: DLR Pyro on April 22, 2015, 11:07:55 PM
Yes she is
January Jones is hawt.
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on April 23, 2015, 02:39:19 AM
Oh, I agree. They are doing a good job. I was just expecting more momentum. My wife asked a couple of episodes ago, "So is he supposed to be a good guy or a bad guy?" I think that's what the show runner is shooting for.Just like Walter White, they are crafting Saul/Jimmy to be an anti-hero.
Post by: obumazombie on April 23, 2015, 06:54:13 PM
Just like Walter White, they are crafting Saul/Jimmy to be an anti-hero.Not really sure about that.
I get the impression they want the character to be a sympathetic product of their environment.
It's like they didn't choose their way, it was foisted on them and that's their lot in life.
A fair amount of stoicism.
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on April 23, 2015, 07:02:11 PM
Not really sure about that.Yeah, I think it is open to interpretation. Shall be interesting to see how the show continues to unfold.
I get the impression they want the character to be a sympathetic product of their environment.
It's like they didn't choose their way, it was foisted on them and that's their lot in life.
A fair amount of stoicism.
Clearly we know what became of him from Breaking Bad.
Post by: RobJohnson on May 02, 2015, 04:07:41 PM
Good for profanity & occasional and usually tasteful nudity.
:-)
Post by: Ralph Wiggum on July 17, 2015, 11:24:02 AM
Better Call Saul is well represented. Well deserved!
Post by: RobJohnson on July 24, 2015, 03:43:54 AM
http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/emmy-award-nominations-2015-full-list-1201537852/
Better Call Saul is well represented. Well deserved!
:cheersmate: