On Sept. 29, 2013, fans of the AMC Original Series “Breaking Bad,” produced by Vince Gilligan, witnessed the very last episode of a show that had captured worldwide attention for five years. For many, it was sad to see such a captivating show come to a close.
But fans of the show can breathe again: Gilligan is back.
His new AMC show “Better Call Saul” is a spin-off/prequel to “Breaking Bad and follows the life of Saul Goodman, one of the main characters in the original series. Saul (Bob Odenkirk), whose real name in the show is James McGill, works as a criminal lawyer dealing with many different situations, reprising the same role as in “Breaking Bad.”
In “Better Call Saul,” Gilligan replicates the style that viewers were introduced to in “Breaking Bad.” His marked use of expanded metaphors and slow-paced storytelling style made him one of the most acclaimed producers of all time, and continue to do so.
“Better Call Saul” has already amassed more than 7 million viewers in only its first season, and for good reason: It tells a thrilling tale about fugitives and political corruption. McGill, focused on the financial portion of law, gets himself into lots of trouble by getting kidnapped, running from the police, and getting into business with several con men.
McGill is not your average lawyer. His backstory includes having a “bogus” law degree from the University of American Samoa and a childhood spent living with his much older brother and attorney, Charles McGill, who suffers from a severe form of agoraphobia. This sort of bizarre background is what really differentiates the show’s characters from those in other TV series.
The show’s appeal is primarily derived from its outlandish plotlines: McGill is frequently embroiled in situations unsuitable for any lawyer. This includes venturing out into the forest in the middle of the night to search for missing people and being dragged out into the desert with South American cartel members to negotiate a deal.
The booming new AMC series is a peek into a world of law that is rarely seen on TV, and Gilligan manages to once again craft a story around political corruption, a controversial and increasingly relevant topic. The show is set to relive the legacy of “Breaking Bad.”
Those who doubted the new series would live up to its precursor will be delighted to find out how wrong they were. My prediction: The show’s fresh take on politics and corruption will render “Better Call Saul” as one of the best series of all time.