Better Call Saul Series
The Better Call Saul hashtag tracked the Breaking Bad prequel/sequel series that aired 2015-2022 on AMC. Created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, it chronicles the transformation of Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) into criminal lawyer Saul Goodman, while following Mike Ehrmantraut’s descent into Gus Fring’s organization.
The Show
Run: February 2015 - August 2022 (6 seasons, 63 episodes) Cast: Bob Odenkirk (Jimmy/Saul), Rhea Seehorn (Kim Wexler), Jonathan Banks (Mike), Michael McKean (Chuck McGill), Patrick Fabian (Howard Hamlin), Giancarlo Esposito (Gus), Tony Dalton (Lalo Salamanca)
The series begins six years before Breaking Bad, showing Jimmy as a struggling public defender caring for his mentally ill brother Chuck while running small-time scams. It gradually transforms into a crime drama as Jimmy’s moral compromises accumulate, Mike becomes Gus’s enforcer, and both men’s fates intertwine with the cartel.
Critical Acclaim
BCS matched and arguably surpassed Breaking Bad in critical reception:
- Metacritic: 89-97 across seasons (highest-rated show 2020)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 97-100% across seasons
- Peabody Award: 2019, 2020
- 53 Emmy nominations (never won major categories)
Critics praised the show’s patience, visual storytelling, complex character work, and Kim Wexler as one of television’s greatest characters. The color cinematography (vs Breaking Bad’s yellow-green palette) became iconic.
Key Storylines
Brother Relationship: Jimmy vs Chuck’s rivalry exploring talent vs integrity
Kim Wexler: Law partner turned accomplice, tragic arc, shocking exit
Mike’s Transformation: Grandfather to hitman journey
Nacho Varga: Mole in cartel, heartbreaking sacrifice (S6E3 “Rock and Hard Place”)
Lalo Salamanca: Charismatic psychopath, cat-and-mouse with Gus
Gene Timeline: Black-and-white flash-forwards in Omaha Cinnabon (resolved in series finale)
Cultural Impact
BCS developed passionate cult following, though smaller viewership than Breaking Bad (5-6M vs 10M finale). The show became shorthand for “slow burn done right” and proof that prequels could stand independently. Rhea Seehorn’s Emmy snubs became annual controversy. Bob Odenkirk’s 2021 heart attack on set sparked emotional fan support.
Finale Reception
The August 2022 finale “Saul Gone” closed the Breaking Bad universe after 14 years, resolving Jimmy’s Gene timeline with prison confession. Polarizing ending (some wanted Kim reunion, others appreciated realism), but widely praised for honoring character integrity over fan service.
Legacy
Better Call Saul cemented Vince Gilligan’s reputation as television’s greatest showrunner. It proved prequels could avoid fan service while expanding a universe. Kim Wexler joined TV’s greatest characters. The show’s visual language (single-take cold opens, symbolic color palettes, minimal dialogue) influenced prestige drama aesthetics.
https://www.amc.com/shows/better-call-saul https://www.metacritic.com/tv/better-call-saul https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/better_call_saul