With the return of "Better Call Saul" right around the corner, fans of the show are getting justifiably hyped. Others may be wondering if they should catch up or start the show since it has graced Netflix with its presence. Here are three reasons why I think fans should stay excited, and hesitant viewers should give "Better Call Saul" a try.
1. Adding to the "Breaking Bad" Universe
A lot of what draws people to "Better Call Saul" is how much it adds to the" Breaking Bad" universe. Vince Gilligan created a masterpiece with hugely interesting story lines in "Breaking Bad." In this respect, "Better Call Saul" isn't just any old spin-off. It adds to the richness of "Breaking Bad" by giving depth to the character Saul.
Saul was a fan favorite on "Breaking Bad," but I thought it was very interesting that Gilligan chose to expound on this character out of all the others he created. As the series progressed it became clearer that was the right decision. Seeing other "Breaking Bad" characters in the show also excites fans. Most notably, Tuco and Mike appeared in the most recent season. Because it is a spin-off, I was reluctant to start "Better Call Saul," but it blew my expectations right out of the water and I haven't looked back since.
2. The Acting
As it was with "Breaking Bad," the acting in this series is absolutely phenomenal. Bob Odenkirk gives an amazing performance as James "Jimmy" McGill, a.k.a Saul Goodman. This comes as no surprise, though, because Odenkirk always gives his all to his performances, regardless of whether it's a Vince Gilligan production or not. Odenkirk does such a great job of giving you a look at what made Saul who he would become in Breaking Bad, and you sympathize a lot with Jimmy. Also, Jonathan Banks is flawless, as expected, and Rhea Seehorn does a beautiful job as Kim Wexler.
3. Cinematography:
This may just be me, but the camera work for both "Better Call Saul" and "Breaking Bad" are what make these shows. Gilligan's production work combined with Arthur Albert's cinematography skills make for some stunning, movie-quality imagery. The effective use of time lapse in "Better Call Saul" always blows my mind. I also adore the juxtaposition of vast landscape shots and tight close-ups that were also used in "Breaking Bad." The strategically placed cameras in some segments also pretty much give me life. Great cinematography and production design add so much to a show and "Better Call Saul" has both.
