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Post by Smilla on Mar 29, 2016 5:08:55 GMT -4
Has anyone else been watching this awesome spin-off? I didn't know what to expect at first, but I think the writers have created a great series. I like that what we're learning about established Breaking Bad characters gives them enough depth and complexity to be interesting in their own right, and that their backstories coalesce in such fun, unexpected ways.
Tonight's episode? I was literally crying watching Jimmy get fired from his cushy law firm for juicing, not flushing, and playing bagpipes. Hysterical.
I highly recommend the Insider Podcasts for BCS, too. While listening to the Season One recaps, I found out they were planning to give Saul his own show from pretty much the moment of his BB debut in '09. Which, duh. Bob Odenkirk made a classic here.
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Post by prisma on Mar 29, 2016 10:15:02 GMT -4
Aw, man...is Season 2 on? I don't have cable, so I just watched Season 1 on Netflix a couple of months ago. I'm glad it sounds like the new season is good. I was really surprised how much I liked it. It lacks the intensity of Breaking Bad but is compelling in its own way and it's beautifully written, filmed, and acted. Bob Odenkirk is good, of course, but there was that scene of Jonathan Banks (toward the end of S1) confessing to his DIL about his son and I was completely riveted by his performance. He really deserved an award. I don't usually stop and say, "OMG THAT'S GOOD ACTING!" but I did with that.
I wonder how many seasons they have planned. It seems like they're at least 7-10 years out from the events of Breaking Bad, so I suppose they could go a while.
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Carolina
Sloane Ranger
Posts: 2,358
Mar 19, 2005 3:03:24 GMT -4
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Post by Carolina on Mar 29, 2016 16:14:30 GMT -4
Definitely a different vibe to Breaking Bad, but it's a really well done show. That arc last year with Jimmy finding out about Chuck? I think I might have been as devastated as Jimmy. I'm both excited and a bit scared to see how this season ends. It's even more enjoyable watching since the show has already been picked up for a third season.
It is funny that Mike's granddaughter is older in Better Call Saul than she was in Breaking Bad.
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Post by Smilla on Mar 30, 2016 7:48:05 GMT -4
The date in the premier episode (seen on Jimmy's check for public defender work) is May 2002. So I think it's more like 5-6 years from the events kicked off by Walter White stumbling into Saul's office as "Mr. Mayhew."
Then again, the writers indicated (in an AMC bit, I think) that they could go either with Jimmy and/or Saul's life in Omaha, or stick mainly with his Albuquerque story.
Seriously, the bagpipes? Still killing me.
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Post by GirlyGhoul on Mar 30, 2016 9:15:28 GMT -4
It is funny that Mike's granddaughter is older in Better Call Saul than she was in Breaking Bad. It's a definite flaw in the narrative... But I love this show so much, I don't even care! It's near perfect in every other way and I hop up and down in my seat each week catching all the Breaking Bad Easter Eggs like Krazy 8 driving the truck of his dad's furniture store. And Mike giving his backwards aging granddaughter the rolling pig toy he'd later use to distract an assassin. I love seeing all the folks who died in Breaking Bad alive and well again. And this show has solidified my love for Mike Ehrmantraut above and beyond all reason. Like, I love him so much, I want to marry him. Not the actor. The character. The fictional character! Yes, I realize that seats me in the same compartment on the Crazy Train as Astral Snape Wives and militant Dean!Girls. I do not care! Mike Ehrmantraut is mah fake TV husband 4 EVAH!!! Erm... but I digress. But yeah, I love this show. It's slower paced than BB of course, but it's still chock full of the same story telling goodness. And I even like the secondary, non-BB characters. Well, I don't *like* Chuck, exactly. But I find him fascinating as a study in douchebaggery. How someone that crippled by his own phobias can still be so snobby and demanding (You'd think not being able to flip on a light switch or use an electric kettle would damage one's sense of self worth... not Chucky though) And how he loves the law and justice and yet is willing to allow his own personal jealousies and pettiness destroy the lives and careers of his fellow lawyers- even his own family! I mean, he's one of the most despicable TV characters ever created... and still one of the most interesting. (Kinda like Walter White, hmm...) I find Kim fascinating too. She's so ethical on the one hand that she actually shoots herself in the foot half the time. But then, she also obviously gets a certain rush from rolling in the dirt with Jimmy, even if she can't bring herself to fully dive in. I wonder where she'll end up. Last night was the first time I actually disliked Jimmy for his antics. They were hilarious, yes. But his co-workers did not deserve that (Esp. the failure to flush! EWW!) If he'd pulled that (literal) crap on Chuck and Howard, I'd cheer him on. But Cliff and Omar and the rest didn't deserve that. Still Cliff's parting exchange with Jimmy made it all worth it. Ooh, and prisma I don't have cable either, but AMC was airing the first two episodes for free on their website for a while at least (not sure if they're still available) And you can buy the episode off Amazon (and possibly itunes) the day after they air. I can't remember what the cost is to buy the whole season, but it's $1.99 per episode (slightly more if you get HD) I don't mind plunking down two bucks to watch mah fake TV hubby do something awesome each week ;-) |
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Post by Smilla on Mar 30, 2016 13:16:55 GMT -4
I'm convinced something very bad is going to happen to Kim. Somehow, a halfway decent, if "colorful," James McGill, Esq., winds up being a strip mall lawyer who, among other things, gets a little boy poisoned and even helps Walter White kill Gus Fring. Somewhere along the way, there will have to be something that drains his moral dipstick to dust. I could see Kim's demise being that something.
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Deleted
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Nov 24, 2024 4:44:04 GMT -4
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2016 13:43:17 GMT -4
I read somewhere that the writers are reluctant to bring the character into full-on Saul Goodman mode because they like Jimmy so much, and I can definitely understand that. Jimmy, despite his faults, is a charming guy and still has something of a conscience. Saul is a total sleaze-bag.
I did enjoy the return of the colorful suits this week though. That montage was awesome.
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Post by GirlyGhoul on Mar 30, 2016 14:37:19 GMT -4
I read somewhere that the writers are reluctant to bring the character into full-on Saul Goodman mode because they like Jimmy so much, and I can definitely understand that. Jimmy, despite his faults, is a charming guy and still has something of a conscience. Saul is a total sleaze-bag. I did enjoy the return of the colorful suits this week though. That montage was awesome. I know! No offense to Han and Chewie, but if I find a gif of Jimmy flipping through his rainbow of suits, that is SOO my new icon!! |
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Deleted
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Nov 24, 2024 4:44:04 GMT -4
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2016 21:04:19 GMT -4
I'm convinced something very bad is going to happen to Kim. Somehow, a halfway decent, if "colorful," James McGill, Esq., winds up being a strip mall lawyer who, among other things, gets a little boy poisoned and even helps Walter White kill Gus Fring. Somewhere along the way, there will half to be something that drains his moral dipstick to dust. I could see Kim's demise being that something. I really like Kim. It makes me sad that either something really bad happens to her or their relationship comes to an ugly end. In theory she could still be around during Breaking Bad and we just never saw or heard about her. But I'm sure the show is going for something more dramatic. Interesting that she is from Kansas/Nebraska. Doesn't Saul end up in Nebraska? Its funny, Saul was my favorite character on Breaking Bad and now on Better Call Saul I find myself more interested in Mike's story and Kim's character. I still like Jimmy/Saul but I think they've done a great job with the supporting cast. Even Chuck I don't totally despise anymore. I think he is a pompous ass but the thing is he's not wrong about Jimmy. Jimmy wasn't cut out for working at a big law firm. And while I think there is more to the story about Jimmy stealing money from their dad, I can see why he would believe that was what happened. Jimmy's charming but I imagine would be a pain in the ass as a brother. Prequels are like vampire shows. You have to suspend belief and ignore the aging of the cast. For the most part I am fine with that although I do wonder how they make Bob Odenkirk look younger on the show than they do in real life? CGI? Lots of makeup? |
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Post by Smilla on Mar 31, 2016 7:37:09 GMT -4
That really is something. He also looks "age appropriate" for the prequel. One of the podcast guys (Vince?) mentioned that Odenkirk is, in real life, super fit. As in, bikes to the set every day and everything. Maybe that helps?
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