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Better Call Saul was more than a prequel to Breaking Bad, which came to a close in 2013. Even years after, the series enjoys an unmatched fanbase and carries the legacy of masterful storytelling, unforgettable characters, and a golden standard for television drama.
Among all of its characters, one of the most popular characters (apart from Jessie and Walter White) was Saul Goodman. He is portrayed as the morally flexible lawyer with a passion for trendy, colorful, unique suits and even more colorful clients. Better Call Saul is a show that tells the story of Saul.
First premiering in 2015, this show did not merely lay out the tracks for Breaking Bad and connect the dots leading to Saul's story in Breaking Bad, but the series carved its own niche.
The series focuses on the journey of Jimmy McGill, the man who would become Saul Goodman. The series offers a layered exploration of themes like personal ambition, grey morality, and identity. Other than Jimmy's journey, the show also gave space to the storylines of Kim Wexler and Mike Ehrmantraut, giving the Saul universe a much-needed expansion. This is why, even though the two shows are related, Better Call Saul claims to be recognized as more than just a backstory—weaving a compelling narrative in its own right.
Here are 10 Better Call Saul episodes that prove it wasn’t just a prequel
1. Chicanery
Season 3, Episode 5 of Better Call Saul was titled "Chicanery." This episode is a golden standard in depicting courtroom drama that focuses on the highly charged rivalry between Jimmy and his brother, Chuck.
In the middle of a disciplinary hearing, Jimmy exposes Chuck's alleged electromagnetic hypersensitivity as psychosomatic. This exposé led Chuck to have a dramatic, public meltdown. Chuck openly discusses his contempt for Jimmy and the way he conducts his business. This heated moment does not merely portray a feud but the depths of both of these characters.
2. Five-O
In Season 1, Episode 6 of Better Call Saul, the story takes a short detour. It strays from the main narrative to depict Mike Ehrmantraut's backstory. He reveals the sad incidents that directed him to Albuquerque. This episode also shows Jimmy stepping in to supposedly serve as the attorney for Mike.
Mike kills two corrupt cops who were responsible for his son's death. In this detour, we see a heartfelt portrait of a man struggling with guilt and yet seeking out a way towards redemption.
3. Fall
Episode 9 of Season 3 of Better Call Saul focuses on the Jimmy-Irene Landry dynamics. When a case of residents being overcharged surfaced, Saul Goodman took the lead to solve the matters. One of the persons whom Saul seemed to find reliable was Irene Landry. But when he gets valuable information, he changes his mind. In order to force the clients into settling their class action lawsuit, Saul tries to tarnish Landry's image among the residents so as to force her to settle.
This scene appears completely conniving and yet speaks more about Saul's character than the legalities in place. Moments like these make the show unique and not just a prequel to Breaking Bad.
4.Plan and Execution
In Season 6, Episode 7 of Better Call Saul, we see the culmination of Jimmy and Kim's slow-cooked schemes against Howard Hamlin. The plan made by the two included drugging; they also made it seem like he was unreliable and a man with bad habits to his business partner.
When Howard finally decides to face the couple and ask why they are harming him, he gets caught in the argument between Jimmy and Lalo Salamanca, and dies. This is where we get a glimpse of Better Call Saul's nuanced storytelling, one that blurs the lines between right and wrong.
5.Point and Shoot
In Season 6, Episode 8, following the shocking events of episode 7, the story reaches a new narrative high. This episode balances out highly charged moments with emotional resonance, as characters face the consequences of their decisions.
Jimmy McGill (Saul) and Kim Wexler (love interest of Saul Goodman) are trying to process Howard's death. Lalo (Howard's killer) forces Jimmy to go to Gus Fring's house so that he can make Gus come out. Kim is also sent off to settle a kill. But Lalo kidnaps them both. This episode is full of intrigue and tension. Much like Breaking Bad, but also different from it in its own additions.
6.Klick
In Season 2, Episode 10, we have the season finale titled 'Klick.' This episode highlights the bitter conflict between Jimmy and Chuck. The conflict reaches a point where a betrayal sets the road for future turmoil. Chuck blames Jimmy for ending up in the hospital.
Jimmy is guilty that he falsified the documents, which led to his brother being in a copy store. At the end, Jimmy admits that he tampered with the legal documents, which were promptly recorded and revealed. The episode is masterfully paced, and characters reach a new depth as well.
7.Witness
In Season 3, Episode 2, titled 'Witness,' the series takes on an interesting dimension. The episode subtly reintroduces us to Gus Fring. This time emphasizing his meticulous and understated nature. This reintroduction reflects the show's commitment to nuanced character portrayals.
Kim also learns about how Jimmy doctored documents to get Kim's clients back. In this episode from season 3, we get a glimpse of Jimmy and Chuck's strained relationship and how things get complicated for all characters.
8.Amarillo
In Season 2, Episode 3, titled 'Amarillo,' we see a deep exploration of Jimmy's ethical dilemmas. As a show that closely digs into the world of crime, it also takes care of Jimmy's mental ups and downs. As he adjusts rules to suit clients for a class-action lawsuit.
The audience gets a glimpse of how Jimmy is willing to bend the rules to get more clients to sign on to the class-action suit against a big firm. Throughout the show, the grey morality is a predominant theme.
9. Rebecca
Season 2, Episode 5 is mainly an exploration of Chuck's past. It offers us an insight into his troubled marriage and deep-seated hatred toward Jimmy. With Chuck and Jimmy being polar opposites, the friction between them also increases. This episode also shows how Jimmy is facing trouble in his new workplace, with his boss assigning him a "babysitter" of sorts to make sure he does the things the right way.
While Breaking Bad has complex characters, downfalls, and a dramatic storyline, Better Call Saul gives us conflict, family feuds, and more.
10. Saul Gone
Just as the name suggests, this final episode ties things together by Jimmy's journey coming full circle as he confronts the results of his deeds. Saul describes how he and Jesse Pinkman abducted Walt and presents himself as a victim of the crime. He says that his actions as their accomplice were motivated by fear for Walt's life. Everyone knows that it is a lie. However to save Kim, he admits his crime and is sentenced to 86 years in prison.
In the end, Jimmy assumes accountability and reclaims his identity, giving us a poignant, memorable conclusion.
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Better Call Saul transcended its origins, surpassing the tag of prequel to become a masterpiece in its own right. Through its complex character arcs, intricate moral compasses, and exceptional storytelling, the series cemented its own popularity in the television landscape. These ten episodes are proof why Better Call Saul is not merely a prequel of Breaking Bad but much more.
Also read: Peaky Blinders: 10 Tommy Shelby moments that shattered us
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