Better Call Saul

[NAHSTE]

Since this is officially happening, might as well branch out and give it a thread of its own. Pretty excited about this, but spinoffs are always unpredictable.

In my opinion, it should be a comedy and it should be set in a time before Heisenberg becomes Saul's most important client. I don't think they should try to replicate the tone and feel of Breaking Bad, just make it a totally different type of show. Just let Brodenkirk do his thing.

Some David Cross would be nice too. Oh, and HUELL. Gotta have HUELL.

[Atom1]

yeah I hope Lavell Crawford & Bill Burr can flex their comedy muscles in this one, their both real funny comedians...

[OnlyOneBeerLeft]

was reading an article where it said it will be focused on the events leading up to Saul becoming the man he is today, how he got his connections etc apparently

[OnlyOneBeerLeft]

found it:

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/sep/12/better-call-saul-spinoff-breaking-bad

 

SPOILER ALERT: Contains mild spoilers of plot points up to and including the current episode of Breaking Bad.

As Breaking Bad fans await the outcome of the desert shootout, there's finally a glimmer of hope on the horizon: not quite the tribal police riding to the rescue, but an announcement from AMC, confirming that they're making the Better Call Saul spinoff that's been rumoured for a while.

"AMC and Sony Pictures Television confirmed today that they have reached a licensing agreement for a spinoff of Vince Gilligan's landmark AMC/SPT series Breaking Bad. As conceived, the new series is based on the show's popular Saul Goodman character with the working title Better Call Saul. Plans call for Saul to be a one-hour prequel that will focus on the evolution of the popular Saul Goodman character before he ever became Walter White's lawyer."

It's a character that Bob Odenirk has fleshed out into a brilliant performance: the timing and confidence he brings to the role make what could be a cartoonish portrayal of a sleazy lawyer totally believable. He's rarely lost for words, has an office covered with wallpaper made out of the US Constitution, and a framed copy of his degree from the "University of American Samoa" where he (apparently) got an MA in political science. But what his combover, loud ties and penchant for colourful euphemisms all hide of course, is that he's very good at his job. He knows people and he knows the law, and that's an irresistable combination for a character.

We first met Saul Goodman back in the second season. After their arrangement with Tuco falls through, Walt and Jesse hit on a rock-solid distribution model for their product: Jesse talks his stoner buddies into working the corners of Albuquerque for him ("This is the ground floor. DBAA mo-fos!"). Their first hitch comes when Star Trek-loving lieutenant Badger gets busted on a park bench after falling for an undercover cop's "if I was a cop I'd have to tell you" ruse. Jesse's reaction? Call the guy from the TV ads: "Saul Goodman & Associates is your one-stop shop for all your legal needs." Initially, Walt is appalled, especially when he spots the goofy blow-up statue of liberty on top of Saul's strip-mall office. But as Jesse points out, when you're in the meth business and you need to make sure your guys aren't going to sell you out to the feds, it's better to have a criminal lawyer who's a criminal lawyer.

If there's a way in to the Better Call Saul spin-off, surely that's it: a lawyer who's dodgier than his clients. Of course, we've had legal shows where the staff are happy to bend the law, but you get the impression that where characters such as Patty Hewes in Damages think they're above the law, Saul seems to thrive below it. Even his name sounds shady: a contraction of "It's all good, man". As he tells Walt, "My real name's McGill. The Jew thing I just do for the homeboys. They all want a pipe-hitting member of the tribe, so to speak." We hear what Saul thinks of himself in his first off-colour meeting with Skyler: "Clearly [Walt's] taste in women is the same as his taste in lawyers: only the very best, with just the right amount of dirty."

Now we know Better Call Saul is going to be a prequel, what can we expect? Putting aside any possible implications for Saul's life expectancy in the current timeline (personally, I can't cope with the thought of losing any more of the BB crew) there's a world of possibility. When people call Saul, he always seems to know who to call. It would be great to see exactly how he built his network of guys who "know a guy who knows a guy". I'd also love to see more stories involving "cleaners" such as Mike Ehrmantraut, who could be back in action; hopefully we'll see Saul's enforcers Huell and Kuby, and his long-suffering secretary Francesca. Saul once told Walt a story about his second wife cheating on him (with his stepdad): will we get any more insights into Saul's home life? (Who wouldn't want to see Saul out in Albuquerque's singles scene?) But perhaps it's the Saul Goodman & Associates waiting room that will be the most fertile source of stories for the prequel: it's always so full – who are these people?

The wisdom of Saul Goodman

"Hi, I'm Saul Goodman. Did you know that you have rights? The constitution says you do! And so do I."

"Conscience gets expensive, doesn't it?"

"For a substantial fee, and I do mean substantial, you and your loved ones can vanish. Untraceable."

"I want it in a money order and make it out to Ice Station Zebra Associates. That's my loan out. It's totally legit … it's done just for tax purposes. After that we can discuss Visa or Mastercard, but definitely not American Express, so don't even ask, all right?"

"You're a high-risk client. You're gonna need the deluxe service. It's gonna cost you."

"If you're committed enough, you can make any story work. I once told a woman I was Kevin Costner, and it worked because I believed it."

"I never should have let my dojo membership run out."

"Better safe than sorry. That's my motto."

"As to your dead guy, occupational hazard. Drug dealer getting shot? I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say it's been known to happen."

"Don't drink and drive – but if you do, call me."

More of the article is speculation then fact, but if it's correct the show should be awesome

[DoubleDeuce]

David Cross in this would be legendary. Mr. Show is such a hilarious show; I have no doubts this will be very funny as well.

I just hope people don't try to compare it to Breaking Bad and hate it for that (though I know that is inevitably going to happen)

[Glenbino]

If it's a prequel I don't think Huell would be involved since he only came along mid-way through BB..

Although I'm sure they can find some way to throw him in there every now and then.

[DoubleDeuce]

If it's a prequel I don't think Huell would be involved since he only came along mid-way through BB..

Although I'm sure they can find some way to throw him in there every now and then.

Well Saul hired him as his bodyguard midway through, and I don't think they ever specified that they had just met or anything. I'm sure with a little writing magic they could work him in

[NAHSTE]

If it's a prequel I don't think Huell would be involved since he only came along mid-way through BB..

Although I'm sure they can find some way to throw him in there every now and then.

Good call. Possible they retcon the timeline, or maybe just have him as a heavy for another crew that Saul takes a liking to and earmarks for future employment.

[mgoblue2290]

Hope Bill Burr gets a role in this.

[OnlyOneBeerLeft]

Saul coming to know Mike and Huel should build an excellent line and a good basis for a quality show that can keep some of the dirty, backstabbing excitement that we are accustomed to and add some great comedy, I can see Saul getting into some super tough spots, seeming like it is the end for him and when he pulls through he earns the trust of the characters that we have known and loved.

[OnlyOneBeerLeft]

Also, if the series ends around where season 3 of Breaking Bad was it would be fucking epic... I would love to see Saul meeting Jesse and Walt from his perspective, and you gotta know he prob had doubts or information from other people, maybe even bribes against them etc, so many different ways this can go, I'm excited, not expecting BB level greatness, but will def feed the hunger IMO

[CCBrink]

First I'm hearing of this. Did they announce it on AMC?

[EmpireWF]

First I'm hearing of this. Did they announce it on AMC?

From AMC:

AMC and Sony Pictures Television confirmed today that they have reached a licensing agreement for a spinoff of Vince Gilligan’s landmark AMC/SPT series Breaking Bad. As conceived, the new series is based on the show’s popular Saul Goodman character with the working title Better Call Saul. Plans call for Saul to be a one-hour prequel that will focus on the evolution of the popular Saul Goodman character before he ever became Walter White’s lawyer.

Peter Gould, who's been part of the Breaking Bad staff for most or all of its run, is the main guy behind it.

[Villain]

I'm going to be mentally prepared for this show to suck. That way I won't be upset if it's terrible, and if it's good I'll be stoked.

Can't lose if you lower the bar, right? :creeper:

[EmpireWF]

This starts shooting next month.