Better Call Saul
Overview
Better Call Saul is a 2015 crime drama television series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, serving as a prequel and sequel to Breaking Bad. The series follows Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk), a small-time, struggling lawyer in Albuquerque, New Mexico, six years before he becomes the "criminal lawyer" Saul Goodman. Jimmy is a former con artist who is trying to go straight. He works out of a back room in a nail salon, takes court-appointed cases for low fees, and desperately wants the respect of his older brother Chuck (Michael McKean), a brilliant but mentally ill partner at a prestigious law firm. Chuck does not believe Jimmy is capable of being a real lawyer, and he secretly sabotages Jimmy's career. The series follows Jimmy's gradual transformation into Saul Goodman, a process that takes several seasons. He becomes a "friend to the cartel," representing drug dealers and criminals. He is helped and hindered by his love interest Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), a smart, ambitious lawyer who is drawn to Jimmy's charisma and his willingness to break the rules. Kim is one of the greatest characters in television history, and her tragic arc is the heart of the series. The series also follows the rise of Gustavo "Gus" Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) as a drug lord, and the tragic story of Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks), a former corrupt cop who becomes Gus's fixer. The series introduces new characters, including Nacho Varga (Michael Mando), a cartel soldier who wants to escape; Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton), a charming, terrifying villain who is one of the greatest antagonists in television history; and Howard Hamlin (Patrick Fabian), Chuck's law partner who is a decent man caught in the middle. The series ends with a flash-forward to Jimmy after the events of Breaking Bad, living as Gene Takavic, the manager of a Cinnabon in Omaha, Nebraska. He is caught, confesses to his crimes, and is sent to prison, where he finally earns Kim's respect. Better Call Saul was nominated for 53 Primetime Emmy Awards, though it never won. It is widely considered one of the greatest television series of all time, a slow-burn masterpiece about morality, identity, and the choices that define us.
