Better Call Saul vs. Breaking Bad: Why the prequel might be the better show

Better Call Saul doesn't just walk in Breaking Bad's shadow; it creates a world of its own—and some would argue, an even better one. While Breaking Bad exploded into pop culture, Better Call Saul took the quieter route, where it was steady, subtle, and emotionally loaded.

And yet, that slow burn might just be what makes it better than Breaking Bad. The storytelling is much sharper, the characters are more layered, and the drama feels real rather than manufactured for pop culture.

So, is the prequel really better than the original? The answer might surprise even the biggest Breaking Bad loyalists.

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Better Call Saul having a better character game

Breaking Bad gave us unforgettable characters, but the prequel dug deeper into who people really are. In this prequel, Jimmy McGill's journey from struggling lawyer to the flashy Saul Goodman is anything but one-note.

His transformation is a full-blown study in emotional evolution. It's not just Jimmy who stands out. Kim Wexler is a key character—a character with complexities that rival even Walter White's. Her decisions don't come from threats or fear, but they come from belief, love, guilt, and the most important of them all—her stubbornness.

Chuck McGill, Jimmy's brother, adds another powerful layer. His internal battles are just as tense as any drug war. And then there's Howard Hamlin, who starts off as a potential villain, only to end up as one of the most tragic characters in the story. What makes Better Call Saul better is that none of these characters feel like sidekicks. Each one has their own arc, and each one has their very own weight.

And the villains? Lalo Salamanca's calm chaos makes even Gus Fring look less chilling in comparison. It's character storytelling turned into fine art.

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Better pacing and payoffs

Where Breaking Bad came out swinging, the prequel sits down and plays the long game. But that's exactly where it finds its strength. Instead of immediate adrenaline, it offers slow-building tension that quietly climbs until it can't be ignored. Every move matters, every conversation holds weight. The drama doesn't erupt—rather, it simmers.

Breaking Bad had its peaks, but it also had patches that dragged. Some storylines existed just to shift the plot forward. The prequel, though, rarely wastes a scene. Every subplot circles back with purpose. Even flash-forward scenes in black and white pull you in with questions about Saul's life after everything crumbles.

That forward-and-back narrative makes the show more than a prequel—it becomes a full-circle experience. And when the emotional payoffs land, they hit harder because you've truly lived with the characters.

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Better craftsmanship and style

When it comes to sheer visual and narrative polish, Better Call Saul has the upper hand. It's not just about fancier cameras—it's the way each frame is crafted. Wide-angle shots, quiet moments, symbolic lighting—and these aren't just pretty touches.

They're part of the storytelling. There's confidence in how the show moves, knowing it doesn't need fast cuts or shaky cam to keep you watching.

Even the courtroom scenes in the prequel carry more weight than shootouts in Breaking Bad. Why? Because they come with emotional consequences. The creators knew they didn't need to repeat Breaking Bad's chaos—that they could slow things down and focus on the fallout.

And that creative freedom shows. The writing is tighter, the story arcs smarter, and the final episodes? Not only do they bring everything full circle, but they do it in a way that's heartbreakingly honest.

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Better Call Saul isn't just a companion piece to Breaking Bad—it's a masterclass in how to evolve a universe. Where Breaking Bad burned fast and bright, the prequel carved out something deeper and more human.

If Breaking Bad built the house, Better Call Saul gave it a soul. And that might just make it the better show.

Also read: Better Call Saul: The glitchy opening credits were trying to warn us all along, we just didn’t see it.

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