Better Call Saul

Better Call Saul is an American crime drama television series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. It is both a spin-off and a prequel of Gilligan's previous series, Breaking Bad. Set in the early to mid- 2000s in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the series develops Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk), an earnest lawyer and former con-man, into a greedy criminal defense attorney known as Saul Goodman. Also shown is the moral decline of retired police officer Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks), who becomes closely affiliated with the Juarez drug cartel to support his family. Jimmy and Mike's interactions remain sporadic until their respective storylines fully converge. The show premiered on AMC on February 8, 2015, airing five seasons to date. A sixth and final season, consisting of 13 episodes, is scheduled to air in 2021.[5]

Better Call Saul
Genre
Created by
Starring
Theme music composerLittle Barrie
ComposerDave Porter
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes50 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
Production locationsAlbuquerque, New Mexico
CinematographyArthur Albert
Marshall Adams
EditorsKelley Dixon
Skip Macdonald
Chris McCaleb
Curtis Thurber
Running time41–60 minutes
Production companies
DistributorSony Pictures Television
Release
Original networkAMC
Picture format
Audio format5.1
Original releaseFebruary 8, 2015 (2015-02-08) 
present
Chronology
Preceded byBreaking Bad
Related showsTalking Saul
External links
Website
Production website

At the start of the series, Jimmy works as a public defender. Struggling financially, he lives in the back room of a nail salon which doubles as an office. His romantic interest and former colleague, Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), is an attorney at Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill (HHM), a law firm co-owned by Jimmy's brilliant but unwell brother, Chuck McGill (Michael McKean) and proud associate, Howard Hamlin (Patrick Fabian). After hiring Jimmy as legal representation, Mike provides advice and security for Nacho Varga (Michael Mando), an intelligent drug dealer who later becomes an informant for Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito), a drug lord and legitimate businessman. Their operations are disrupted by members of the violent Salamanca family, including Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton). Odenkirk, Banks, and Esposito reprise their roles from Breaking Bad, as do many others who make guest appearances.

Better Call Saul has received critical acclaim, with particular praise for its acting, characters, writing, direction, and cinematography; many critics have called it a worthy successor to Breaking Bad and one of the best prequels ever made, with some deeming it superior to its predecessor.[6][7][8] It has garnered many nominations, including a Peabody Award, 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, eleven Writers Guild of America Awards, five Critics' Choice Television Awards, four Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. At the time of its airing, the series premiere held the record for the highest-rated scripted series premiere in basic cable history.

Premise

Better Call Saul follows the transformation of James "Jimmy" McGill (Bob Odenkirk), a former con artist who is trying to become a respectable lawyer, into the personality of the flamboyant criminal lawyer Saul Goodman (a play on the phrase "[it]'s all good, man!"), over the six-year period prior to the events of Breaking Bad, spanning from approximately 2002 to 2008.[9][10]

Jimmy is inspired by his older brother Chuck McGill (Michael McKean) to leave his Chicago-area conman past, when he was known as "Slippin' Jimmy". He initially works in the mailroom at his brother's Albuquerque law firm, Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill (HHM), where managing partner Howard Hamlin (Patrick Fabian) becomes his nemesis. While at HHM Jimmy befriends Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), a fellow mailroom employee who completes law school and becomes one of the firm's associates, and their friendship later turns romantic. Jimmy is motivated by Chuck's success to finish college and complete a correspondence school law degree through an overseas university.

After attaining admission to the bar but being denied employment at HHM, Jimmy's pursuits focus on public defender work and earnest attempts to fight for justice. His life and career begin to intersect with the illegal drug trade and feature characters and story arcs that continue into Breaking Bad. These arcs include the uneasy truce between the Salamanca family that serves the Juárez Cartel drug interest, led first by Hector Salamanca (Mark Margolis) and later by his nephew Lalo (Tony Dalton), and Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito), a fried chicken entrepreneur whose restaurant chain is a front for the drug trade. Those caught up in the ensuing turmoil include Ignacio "Nacho" Varga (Michael Mando), a Salamanca associate who wants to protect his father from harm, and Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks), a former Philadelphia police officer who becomes a fixer for Gus. As his interactions with criminals continue, Jimmy takes on the persona of the flamboyant, colorful Saul Goodman, and his work as an attorney goes from questionable to unethical to illegal.

The show includes flash-forwards to the events following Breaking Bad at the start of each season's premiere. These scenes show Jimmy living as a fugitive under the identity Gene Takavic, the manager of a Cinnabon store in Omaha, Nebraska.

Production

Conception

Better Call Saul was developed by Vince Gilligan (left) and Peter Gould.

Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould began planning a television spinoff of Breaking Bad as early as 2009. While filming the Breaking Bad episode "Full Measure", Gilligan asked Bob Odenkirk, his thoughts on a Saul Goodman spinoff.[11] In July 2012, Gilligan publicly hinted at a Goodman spinoff,[12] stating that he liked "the idea of a lawyer show in which the main lawyer will do anything it takes to stay out of court", including settling on the courthouse steps.[13] During his appearance on Talking Bad, Odenkirk noted that Saul was one of the most popular characters on the show, speculating that the audience likes the character because he is "the program's least hypocritical figure", and "is good at his job".[14]

Gilligan noted that over the course of Breaking Bad, there were a lot of "what ifs” their team considered, such as if the show won a Primetime Emmy Award, or if people would buy "Los Pollos Hermanos" T-shirts. The staff did not expect these events to come to fruition, but after they did, they started considering a spin-off featuring Saul as a thought experiment. Furthermore, Saul's character on Breaking Bad became much more developed than the staff had planned, as he was originally slated to appear in only three episodes. With the growth of Saul's character, Gilligan saw ways to explore the character further.[15]

Development

In April 2013, Better Call Saul was confirmed to be in development by Gilligan and Gould; the latter wrote the Breaking Bad episode that introduced the character.[16][17] As of July 2013, the series had yet to be greenlighted.[18] Netflix was one of many interested distributors, but ultimately a deal was made between AMC and Breaking Bad production company Sony Pictures Television.[19] Gilligan and Gould serve as co-showrunners, and Gilligan directed the pilot.[20] Former Breaking Bad writers Thomas Schnauz and Gennifer Hutchison joined the writing staff, with Schnauz serving as co-executive producer and Hutchison as supervising producer.[21] Also on the writing staff are Bradley Paul, as well as former writer's assistant (for Breaking Bad) Gordon Smith.[20]

As Sony and AMC began to commit to a spinoff, Gilligan and Gould worked on what it would be about. They initially considered making it a half-hour show where Saul would see various clients – celebrities in guest roles – in his strip mall office, a format similar to Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, but they had no idea how to write for this type of format, and fell back to planning for hour-long episodes.[22][16][13] Since they had used this format with Breaking Bad, which Gilligan said was "25-percent humor, 75-percent drama", the two considered reversing that for Better Call Saul.[22] While the intent was to add more humor, the show remained heavy with dramatic elements, with Odenkirk calling the first season "85 percent drama, 15 percent comedy."[23] Additionally, while several of the characters are lawyers in the show, Gilligan and Gould did not want to write a legal show, but instead a crime show but one that would necessitate some legal elements. To help in these areas, the writers spoke to real lawyers and spent time observing cases at Los Angeles Superior Court, observing that the bulk of the activity in these cases was downtime while waiting for others to complete actions.[24]

Gilligan and Gould found that the character of Saul Goodman was insufficient to carry the show by himself, with Gilligan calling the character of Saul "great flavoring" for a show but not the substance.[22] They came to realize that Saul, in the Breaking Bad timeframe, was a man that had come to accept himself, and recognized the potential of telling the story of how Saul got to be that person.[22] Gilligan and Gould had already committed to the Better Call Saul title, so that in following this route, they believed they had to quickly get from Jimmy McGill to Saul Goodman or they would otherwise disappoint their audience. However, as they wrote the show, they realized "we don't want to get to Saul Goodman … and that's the tragedy".[22] Gilligan and Gould had learned several lessons related to foreshadowing without writing the foresight for it from Breaking Bad,[25] and so with Better Call Saul, gave themselves more flexibly in how the show's plot would develop over its run, and had no firm idea where it will end up outside the connection to Breaking Bad.[22] For example, Rhea Seehorn's performance as Kim Wexler during the first season significantly altered how the writers used her character in later seasons as well as slowing down the pacing of the transition of Jimmy into Saul, as they gave more focus to the Jimmy–Kim relationship. Gilligan compared this to the impact Aaron Paul's acting had on Breaking Bad's ultimate pacing.[26]

In writing for Better Call Saul, Gilligan and Gould recognized they were including overlaps with Breaking Bad, and had ideas of characters they would include, such as Gus Fring, though on no set timetable within the show's development. Gilligan described the writing approach as if developing two separate shows, one that centers on Jimmy/Saul, Kim, Chuck, and Howard, and a second on the more familiar Breaking Bad characters like Mike and Gus with some overlap, as if they were giving the audience two shows for one.[22] Where possible, they had written in minor Breaking Bad characters in smaller parts or as Easter eggs to fans, but Gilligan preferred only to include such major Breaking Bad characters as Walter or Jesse if this seemed unconstrained and satisfactory to both the production team and the audiences.[22] Because of the closeness to the Breaking Bad storyline, one of the writers was tasked at the start of each season to rewatch all 62 episodes of the show and verify that the scripts for the Better Call Saul season introduced no conflicts.[27]

Casting

Bob Odenkirk stars as lawyer Jimmy McGill (known as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad). In January 2014, it was announced that Jonathan Banks would reprise his Breaking Bad role as Mike Ehrmantraut and be a series regular.[28]

New cast members include Michael McKean as McGill's elder brother Chuck. McKean previously guest-starred in an episode of Odenkirk's Mr. Show and Gilligan's X-Files episode "Dreamland".[29][30] The cast also includes Patrick Fabian as Howard Hamlin, Rhea Seehorn as Kimberly "Kim" Wexler, and Michael Mando as Ignacio "Nacho" Varga.[31] In October 2014, Kerry Condon was cast[32] as Stacey Ehrmantraut, Mike's daughter-in-law. In November 2014, it was announced that Julie Ann Emery and Jeremy Shamos had been cast as Betsy and Craig Kettleman, described as "the world's squarest outlaws."[33]

Going into Season 3, it was announced that Giancarlo Esposito would return to play his Breaking Bad character Gus Fring.[34]

Tony Dalton was announced as Lalo Salamanca for Season 4;[35] Lalo had been a character mentioned only by name, alongside Nacho, in the Breaking Bad episode "Better Call Saul".[36]

Dean Norris, another Breaking Bad alumnus, stated he could not be part of the earlier seasons, partly due to his involvement in the CBS series Under the Dome,[37] but was announced as a guest star reprising his role as Hank Schrader by Season 5.[38]

Other Breaking Bad actors have spoken of the potential of being on Better Call Saul. Both Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul said, as of Season 3, they are both open to reappearing on the show as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, respectively, if asked, believing that Gilligan would have a sufficiently good reason to bring them in.[39] Paul had previously mentioned the possibility of a cameo during Season 1 but this fell through.[40][41] Anna Gunn also mentioned a "talk" with Gilligan over possible guest appearances as Skyler White.[42] Gilligan said that by Season 3 that the show had been on long enough that any reuse of Breaking Bad characters would require more than "just a cameo or an Alfred Hitchcock walkthrough", and that their appearances would need to be essential to the story.[39]

Filming and production

Like its predecessor, Better Call Saul is set and filmed primarily in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico.[43] Notable locations include the Twisters restaurant used previously in Breaking Bad for Gus's Los Pollos Hermanos, a parking lot kiosk at the Albuquerque Convention Center for where Mike worked in the first few seasons, the Old Bernalillo County Courthouse as the local courthouse, and two nearby office buildings in the North Valley, including Northrop Grumman's, that collectively are used for the HHM office spaces. Jimmy's back office is located in an actual nail salon, which the producers accommodated by working with the owners, while the Salamanca's restaurant is also a real business in the South Valley that production modified a bit for the show, but which otherwise remained open. The scenes set in Omaha are actually filmed at Cottonwood Mall in Albuquerque; production worked with Cinnabon to bring in the period-specific equipment and service items for the segments, and the extras in the store during these scenes are Cinnabon employees.[44] Additional filming took place at Albuquerque Studios.[45] The New Mexico Film Office reported that the first four seasons of Better Call Saul had brought in over US$120 million into the state, and has hired 1,600 crew for each season and a cumulative 11,300 extras.[46]

Filming for the pilot started on June 2, 2014.[47]

Better Call Saul also employs Breaking Bad's signature time jumps.[48] Notably, each season's opening episode has started with a black and white flash-forward to a period in the years after the finale of Breaking Bad where Saul has been relocated to Omaha, Nebraska, as "Gene", a manager of a Cinnabon store, remaining paranoid about anyone discovering his past identity. This was foreshadowed in the penultimate episode of Breaking Bad, "Granite Slate", in which Saul tells Walter: "If I'm lucky, a month from now, best-case scenario, I'm managing a Cinnabon in Omaha."[49]

Broadcast and marketing

The first teaser trailer debuted on AMC on August 10, 2014, and confirmed its premiere date of February 2015.[50] In November 2014, AMC announced the series would have a two-night premiere; the first episode aired on Sunday, February 8, 2015, at 10:00 pm (ET), and then moved into its regular time slot the following night, airing Mondays at 10:00 pm.[51]

In June 2014, prior to the series' launch, AMC had renewed the series for a second season of 13 episodes to premiere in early 2016;[20] however, it was later reduced to 10 episodes.[52] In May 2015, Gilligan confirmed that more of the prominent characters from Breaking Bad would be making guest appearances in season 2, but remained vague on which characters were likely to be seen.[53] The second season premiered on February 15, 2016.[54]

In March 2016, AMC announced that Better Call Saul was renewed for a 10-episode third season which premiered April 10, 2017.[55][56] Following the season's end in June 2017, AMC renewed the series for a 10-episode fourth season which premiered on August 6, 2018.[57][58]

The series was renewed for a fifth season on July 28, 2018, just prior to the airing of the fourth season.[59] The fifth season was not expected to air until 2020; according to AMC's Sarah Barnett, the delay was "driven by talent needs".[60] Filming for the fifth season started in April 2019, and finished in September 2019.[61][62] AMC later affirmed the ten-episode fifth season will start airing with a special Sunday broadcast on February 23, 2020, with following episodes to air on Mondays.[63]

In January 2020, AMC renewed the series for a sixth season that is scheduled to air in 2021,[64] though this will depend on whether they will be able to film in the last part of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[65] Gould confirmed it will be the show's final season, and will consist of 13 episodes rather than the usual 10. This will bring the show's final episode count to 63, equal to the combined total of Breaking Bad and El Camino. Gould stated: "From the beginning when we started this, I think all our hopes and dreams were to be able to tell the whole story ... and make it to be a complete story from beginning to end. We're going to try like hell to stick the landing of these 63 episodes".[64]

Cast and characters

Main cast

Introduced in season 1

  • Kerry Condon as Stacey Ehrmantraut, Mike's widowed daughter-in-law and the mother of Kaylee Ehrmantraut
  • Faith Healey (season 1), Abigail Zoe Lewis (seasons 2–4) and Juliet Donenfeld (season 5–present) as Kaylee Ehrmantraut, Mike's granddaughter
  • Eileen Fogarty as Mrs. Nguyen, owner of a nail salon which houses Jimmy's law office in its utility room
  • Peter Diseth as Bill Oakley, a deputy district attorney
  • Joe DeRosa as Dr. Caldera, a veterinarian with ties to the criminal underworld
  • Dennis Boutsikaris as Rich Schweikart, a partner at Schweikart & Cokely
  • Mark Proksch as Daniel "Pryce" Wormald, a drug company employee who begins supplying Nacho and hires Mike as security
  • Brandon K. Hampton as Ernesto, Chuck's assistant who works at HHM
  • Josh Fadem as Camera Guy, or Joey Dixon, one of the three University of New Mexico (UNM) film students who help Jimmy film various projects
  • Julian Bonfiglio as Sound Guy, one of the three UNM film students Jimmy hires for various film projects
  • Jeremy Shamos and Julie Ann Emery as Craig and Betsy Kettleman, a county treasurer and his wife, accused of embezzlement
  • Steven Levine and Daniel Spenser Levine as Lars and Cal Lindholm, twin skateboarders and small-time scam artists
  • Míriam Colón as Abuelita Salamanca, Tuco's grandmother and Hector's mother
  • Barry Shabaka Henley as Detective Sanders, a Philadelphia cop who was formerly partnered with Mike on the force
  • Mel Rodriguez as Marco Pasternak, Jimmy's best friend and partner-in-crime in Cicero, Illinois
  • Clea DuVall as Dr. Cruz, a doctor who treats Chuck and suspects his electromagnetic hypersensitivity condition is psychosomatic
  • Jean Effron as Irene Landry, an elderly client of Jimmy McGill overcharged by the Sandpiper Crossing elder care home
  • Steven Ogg as Sobchak, a petty crook for hire

Introduced in season 2

  • Ed Begley Jr. as Clifford Main, managing partner at Davis & Main where Jimmy worked during season two
  • Omar Maskati as Omar, Jimmy's assistant at Davis & Main
  • Jessie Ennis as Erin Brill, a lawyer at Davis & Main who is ordered to shadow Jimmy
  • Juan Carlos Cantu as Manuel Varga, Nacho's father who owns an upholstery shop
  • Vincent Fuentes as Arturo Colon, a criminal associate of Hector Salamanca (seasons 2–4)
  • Rex Linn as Kevin Wachtell, chairman of Mesa Verde Bank and Trust and a client of HHM and Kim
  • Cara Pifko as Paige Novick, senior legal counsel for Mesa Verde Bank and Trust and a friend of Kim
  • Ann Cusack as Rebecca Bois, Chuck's ex-wife
  • Manuel Uriza as Ximenez Lecerda, an associate of Hector Salamanca
  • Hayley Holmes as Drama Girl, one of the three UNM film students Jimmy hires for various projects

Introduced in season 3

Introduced in season 4

  • Rainer Bock as Werner Ziegler, an engineer hired by Gus to plan and oversee construction of his meth "superlab"
  • Ben Bela Böhm as Kai, a rebellious member of the crew Werner Ziegler assembles for the construction of Gus's meth "superlab" (seasons 4–5)
  • Stefan Kapičić as Casper, a member of Werner Ziegler's team (seasons 4–5)
  • Poorna Jagannathan as Maureen Bruckner, a specialist from Johns Hopkins who flew to Albuquerque to treat Hector after Gus arranged for a "generous grant"

Introduced in season 5

  • Sasha Feldman and Morgan Krantz as Sticky and Ron, two petty crooks that are among "Saul Goodman"'s first clients
  • Barry Corbin as Everett Acker, an old man living on leased property belonging to Mesa Verde who becomes a legal matter for Kim to evict to make way for the bank's new call center

Introduced in Breaking Bad

  • Raymond Cruz as Tuco Salamanca, a ruthless, psychopathic drug distributor in the South Valley (seasons 1–2)
  • Cesar García as No-Doze, Tuco's henchman (season 1)
  • Jesús Payán Jr. as Gonzo, Tuco's henchman (season 1)
  • T.C. Warner as Nurse (season 1)
  • Kyle Bornheimer as Ken, an arrogant, self-absorbed stockbroker (season 2)
  • Stoney Westmoreland as Officer Saxton, an Albuquerque Police Department officer (season 2)
  • Jim Beaver as Lawson, a black market weapons dealer in Albuquerque (season 2)
  • Maximino Arciniega as Domingo "Krazy-8" Molina, one of Tuco's distributors (seasons 2–present)
  • Mark Margolis as Hector Salamanca, Tuco's uncle and high-ranking member of the cartel (seasons 2–present)
  • Debrianna Mansini as Fran, a waitress at Loyola's Diner (seasons 2 and 4)
  • Daniel and Luis Moncada as Leonel and Marco Salamanca, Tuco's cousins and Hector's nephews who are hitmen for the cartel (seasons 2, 4–present)
  • Jennifer Hasty as Stephanie Doswell, a real estate agent (season 2)
  • Tina Parker as Francesca Liddy, Jimmy's receptionist (seasons 3–4)
  • Jeremiah Bitsui as Victor, Gus's henchman (seasons 3–present)
  • Ray Campbell as Tyrus Kitt, a henchman on Gus Fring's payroll (seasons 3–present)
  • JB Blanc as Dr. Barry Goodman, a doctor on Gus Fring's payroll (seasons 3–present)
  • Steven Bauer as Don Eladio Vuente, the head of the Juarez drug cartel (seasons 3 and 5)
  • Javier Grajeda as Juan Bolsa, a high-level member of the Juárez drug cartel (seasons 3–present)
  • Lavell Crawford as Huell Babineaux, a professional pickpocket hired by Jimmy (seasons 3–present)
  • Laura Fraser as Lydia Rodarte-Quayle, a Madrigal Electromotive executive and associate of Gus Fring (seasons 3–present)
  • Eric Steining as Nick, a member of Gus's security team, later managed by Mike. (seasons 4–present)
  • Franc Ross as Ira, a burglar Jimmy hires; in Breaking Bad, he is the owner of Vamonos Pest who appears in "Hazard Pay" (season 4)
  • David Costabile as Gale Boetticher, a chemist who is consulted by Gus (season 4)
  • Robert Forster as Ed Galbraith, a vacuum cleaner store owner who relocates people running from the law and gives them new identities (season 5)[68]
  • Dean Norris as Hank Schrader, a DEA agent and Walter White's brother-in-law (season 5)[64]
  • Steven Michael Quezada as Steven "Gomey" Gomez, Hank's DEA partner and best friend (season 5)[64]
  • Nigel Gibbs as Tim Roberts, a detective with the Albuquerque Police Department (season 5)
  • Norbert Weisser as Peter Schuler, a Madrigal Electromotive executive and associate of Gus Fring (season 5)

Episodes

Series overview for Better Call Saul
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
110February 8, 2015 (2015-02-08)April 6, 2015 (2015-04-06)
210February 15, 2016 (2016-02-15)April 18, 2016 (2016-04-18)
310April 10, 2017 (2017-04-10)June 19, 2017 (2017-06-19)
410August 6, 2018 (2018-08-06)October 8, 2018 (2018-10-08)
510February 23, 2020 (2020-02-23)April 20, 2020 (2020-04-20)

Season 1 (2015)

Tired of public defender work, Jimmy works to represent Craig Kettleman, who is accused of embezzlement. Jimmy cares for his brother Chuck, who is housebound with a psychosomatic aversion to electricity. While pursuing elder law and estate planning cases, Jimmy discovers several seniors being defrauded by the Sandpiper retirement community. As the class action law suit grows, Chuck suggests giving it to his law firm, Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill. Hoping to become a partner at HHM, Jimmy is devastated when he is well compensated, yet shunned, via his brother's lack of trust. The case is transferred to a second firm, Davis & Main, one experienced with the complexities of such class-action suits. After the death of a close friend, Jimmy seems to find the legitimate success he craves when D&M offers him a position.

Season 2 (2016)

Hired by D&M, Jimmy quits after his creative, ostentatious legal style doesn't quite mesh with their calm corporate demeanor. Kim is demoted because of Jimmy's actions. She secures Mesa Verde Bank as an HHM client, but Howard marginalizes her accomplishment. Kim quits HHM and opens a private practice in an office-space shared with Jimmy. Jimmy surreptitiously creates a clerical error to discredit Chuck and delay a new MVB branch construction; MVB drops HHM and hires Kim's fledgling firm. Nacho, a Mexican drug cartel lieutenant, hires Mike Ehrmantraut to remove their volatile captain, Tuco Salamanca. Tuco is entrapped and imprisoned, rather than executed by Mike. Cartel elder Hector Salamanca grows suspicious and confronts Mike, who later attempts to assassinate Hector, but is mysteriously interrupted.

Season 3 (2017)

Chuck discovers Jimmy's fraud and tricks him into confessing, leading to suspension of Jimmy's law license. Gus stops Mike from killing Hector. Mike attacks Hector's trucks and steals $250,000 from one. Mike asks for help laundering the money. Gus arranges for Mike's hire as a contracted security expert at Madrigal and payment of monthly consulting fees. Hector plans to take over Manuel's business so Nacho attempts to kill Hector by changing his angina medication for a placebo. Hector suffers a stroke and Gus' first aid saves him, though he remains comatose. Chuck's ouster at HHM leads to his suicide.

Season 4 (2018)

Jimmy regains his outgoing demeanor after Howard shoulders blame for Chuck's death. Jimmy manages a cell phone store but makes more reselling prepaid phones to low-level criminals. His law license reinstatement request is denied over lack of remorse for Chuck. After faking mourning, he successfully appeals, but reveals he is going to practice as Saul Goodman. Gus learns Nacho attempted to kill Hector and blackmails him into undermining the Salamancas. Mike escorts engineers who evaluate the laundry's potential as a meth lab and Gus hires Werner to oversee construction. Hector recovers mentally and can move his right index finger. Lalo Salamanca arrives to run Hector's business.

Season 5 (2020)

Jimmy's new business as Saul Goodman draws him into the drug trade within the city of Albuquerque, and is conflicted when Howard, to make up for his past treatment of Jimmy, offers him a position at HHM. Kim herself balances her Mesa Verde and pro bono work with her own feelings for Jimmy, and finds herself toying with the same conman-style tactics Jimmy employs within her casework. Lalo's presence forces Gus to halt the superlab construction, and both Nacho and Mike become pawns in the ongoing feud between the Salamancas and Gus. After Lalo is arrested for murder, he requests that Jimmy represent him and arrange bail, which nearly leads to Jimmy's demise.

Talking Saul

Talking Saul is a live aftershow hosted by Chris Hardwick, which features guests discussing episodes of Better Call Saul. The show uses the same format as Talking Dead and Talking Bad, other aftershows hosted by Hardwick. AMC announced that Talking Saul would air after the second season Better Call Saul premiere on February 15, 2016, and again after the second-season finale on April 18, 2016.[69] It returned following the season 3 premiere and finale.[70]

Season 1 (2016)

These episodes discuss season two of Better Call Saul.

No.
overall
No. in
season
Episode discussedGuestsOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
11"Switch"Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Bob Odenkirk and Rhea SeehornFebruary 15, 2016 (2016-02-15)744,000[71]
22"Klick"Jonathan Banks, Vince Gilligan and Peter GouldApril 18, 2016 (2016-04-18)641,000[72]

Season 2 (2017)

These episodes discuss season three of Better Call Saul.

No.
overall
No. in
season
Episode discussedGuestsOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
31"Mabel"Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Jonathan Banks and Rhea SeehornApril 10, 2017 (2017-04-10)545,000[73]
42"Lantern"Peter Gould, Patrick Fabian and Michael Mando; Michael McKean via satelliteJune 19, 2017 (2017-06-19)589,000[74]

Broadcast

Better Call Saul airs on cable network AMC. The series premiere drew in 4.4 million and 4 million in the 18–49 and 25–54 demographics, respectively, and received an overall viewership of 6.9 million.[75] This was the record for the highest-rated scripted series premiere in basic cable history, until it was surpassed later the same year by another AMC series, Fear the Walking Dead.[76]

In December 2013, Netflix announced that the entire first season would be available for streaming in the U.S. after the airing of the first-season finale, and in Latin America and Europe each episode would be available a few days after the episode airs in the U.S.[77] However, the first season was not released on Netflix in the U.S. until February 1, 2016.[78][79] Internationally, episodes of the second season became available the day after they aired in the U.S.[80]

Netflix is the exclusive video-on-demand provider for the series and makes the content available in all its territories, except for Australia and New Zealand.[77] In Australia, Better Call Saul premiered on the streaming service Stan[81] on February 9, 2015, acting as the service's flagship program.[82] In New Zealand, the show is exclusive to the New Zealand-based subscription video-on-demand service, Lightbox.[83] The episodes were available for viewing within three days of broadcast in the U.S.[84]

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the series was acquired by Netflix on December 16, 2013,[85] and the first episode premiered on February 9, 2015, with the second episode released the following day. Every subsequent episode was released each week thereafter.[86] In India, the series is broadcast on Colors Infinity within 24 hours of the U.S. broadcast.[87]

Reception

Critical response for Better Call Saul
Season Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
1 97% (69 reviews)[88] 78 (43 reviews)[89]
2 97% (31 reviews)[90] 85 (18 reviews)[91]
3 97% (39 reviews)[92] 87 (18 reviews)[93]
4 99% (36 reviews)[94] 87 (16 reviews)[95]
5 99% (42 reviews)[96] 92 (16 reviews)[97]

Critical response

Better Call Saul has received critical acclaim and is considered to be an outstanding example of how to successfully produce a prequel and spinoff work that defies expectations.[98] Many critics have called Better Call Saul a worthy successor to Breaking Bad and some have even deemed it superior to its predecessor.

Season 1

The first season received critical acclaim, particularly for its acting, writing, and directing. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has a rating of 97%, based on 68 reviews, with an average rating of 8.03/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Better Call Saul is a quirky, dark character study that manages to stand on its own without being overshadowed by the series that spawned it."[88] On Metacritic, the first season has a score of 78 out of 100, based on 43 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[89]

Season 2

The second season, like the first, also received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season has a score of 97%, based on 31 reviews, with an average rating of 8.7/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Better Call Saul continues to tighten its hold on viewers with a batch of episodes that inject a surge of dramatic energy while showcasing the charms of its talented lead."[90] On Metacritic, the second season has a score of 85 out of 100, based on 18 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[91]

Season 3

The third season received critical acclaim, particularly for the character development of Jimmy McGill. On Rotten Tomatoes, the third season has an approval rating of 97% based on 39 reviews, with an average rating of 8.78/10. The site's critical consensus is, "Better Call Saul shows no signs of slipping in season 3, as the introduction of more familiar faces causes the inevitable transformation of its lead to pick up exciting speed."[92] On Metacritic, the season has a score of 87 out of 100, based on 18 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[93]

Season 4

The fourth season received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a 99% approval rating with an average score of 8.93 out of 10 based on 36 reviews. The site's critical consensus states, "Well-crafted and compelling as ever, Better Call Saul deftly balances the show it was and the one it will inevitably become."[94] On Metacritic, the season has a score of 87 out of 100, based on 16 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[95]

Season 5

The fifth season received universal critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an approval rating of 99% based on 42 reviews, with an average rating of 8.95/10. The website's critical consensus is, "Grounded by Bob Odenkirk's endlessly nuanced, lived-in performance, Better Call Saul's fifth season is a darkly funny, vividly realized master class in tragedy."[96] On Metacritic, the season has a score of 92 out of 100 based on 16 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[97]

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per season of Better Call Saul
SeasonTimeslot (ET) Episodes First aired Last airedAvg. viewers
(millions)
Date Viewers
(millions)
Date Viewers
(millions)
1 Sunday 10:00 pm (premiere)
Monday 10:00 pm
10 February 8, 2015 6.88[99] April 6, 2015 2.53[100]3.21[101]
2 Monday 10:00 pm10 February 15, 2016 2.57[71] April 18, 2016 2.26[102]2.16[103]
3 10 April 10, 2017 1.81[104] June 19, 2017 1.85[105]1.64[106]
4 Monday 9:00 pm10 August 6, 2018 1.77[107] October 8, 2018 1.53[108]1.49[109]
5 Sunday 10:00 pm (premiere)
Monday 9:00 pm
10 February 23, 2020 1.60[110] April 20, 2020 1.59[111]1.37[112]

Awards and accolades

For its first five seasons, Better Call Saul has received 39 Emmy Award nominations. It has been nominated for Outstanding Drama Series for each of its five seasons. Bob Odenkirk has received four nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Jonathan Banks and Giancarlo Esposito have each been nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series; four times for Banks and twice for Esposito. The series has also received five nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series and one nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.[113]

Home media

The first season was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on November 10, 2015; bonus features include audio commentaries for every episode, uncensored episodes, deleted scenes, gag reel, and several behind-the-scenes featurettes. A limited edition Blu-ray set was also released with 3D packaging and a postcard vinyl of the Better Call Saul theme song by Junior Brown.[114] The second season was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on November 15, 2016; bonus features include audio commentaries for every episode and several behind-the-scenes featurettes.[115]

The third season was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on January 16, 2018; bonus features include audio commentaries for every episode and several behind-the-scenes featurettes.[116] The fourth season was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on May 7, 2019; bonus features include audio commentary for every episode and several behind-the-scenes featurettes.[117] The fifth season was released on Blu-ray and DVD in region 1 on November 24, 2020; bonus features include cast and crew audio commentaries on every episode, deleted scenes, and various behind-the-scenes featurettes.[118][119]

Other media

Web series

Since season three, AMC has released three separate ten-episode short series that feature a mix of live action and animated segments. Season three featured Los Pollos Hermanos Employee Training with Esposito portraying Gus, season four featured Madrigal Electromotive Security Training with Banks as Mike, and season five featured Ethics Training with Seehorn as Kim and side-voiceovers from Odenkirk as Jimmy. These were released over the course of each season on YouTube and through AMC's social media. Los Pollos Hermanos Employee Training received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Short Form Comedy or Drama Series,[120] and while Madrigal Electromotive Security Training had been nominated for the same the following year, the Academy had to pull the nomination after discovering the show was too short (less than two minutes), though stated the pull was "in no way a diminishment of the quality of Better Call Saul Employee Training or Mr. Banks' performance in it".[121]

Podcast

The Better Call Saul Insider Podcast is a pre-recorded series which the creators gather to discuss the episode recently broadcast. Originally started as part of the Breaking Bad series, the podcast discusses the production of the show and features actors discussing their decisions and process of the characters they play. The crew also details their methods in deciding how an episode was shot. The show routinely includes the major cast, director and camera crew of the respective episodes.[122]

Comics

AMC has released two digital comic books for Better Call Saul. The first, titled Better Call Saul: Client Development, released in February 2015, in advance of the series premiere, details the history of Saul and Mike, acting as a spin-off of the Breaking Bad episode that introduced Saul.[123] In February 2016, in advance of the second-season premiere, AMC released Better Call Saul: Saul Goodman and the Justice Consortium in the Clutches of the Judgernaut![124]

References

  1. Jensen, Jeff (January 28, 2015). "Better Call Saul". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  2. Lowry, Brian (January 21, 2015). "TV Review: 'Better Call Saul'". Variety. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  3. Thomas, Kaitlin (August 2, 2018). "Better Call Saul Has Evolved Into One of TV's Greatest Tragedies". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 5, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  4. Meslow, Scott (April 10, 2017). "Better Call Saul Is Finally Becoming Breaking Bad". GQ. Archived from the original on April 19, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2018.
  5. Thorne, Will (January 16, 2020). "'Better Call Saul' Renewed for 6th and Final Season at AMC". Variety. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  6. Heritage, Stuart (October 11, 2018). "'S'all good, man': How Better Call Saul became superior to Breaking Bad". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  7. Kelly, Stephen (June 20, 2017). "The perfect prequel: how Better Call Saul left Breaking Bad in its dust". The Guardian. Archived from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  8. Turner, Julia (April 18, 2016). "Better Call Saul Is Better Than Breaking Bad". Slate. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  9. Hibberd, James (July 11, 2014). "'Better Call Saul': New photos, details from 'Breaking Bad' spin-off". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  10. Snierson, Dan (July 17, 2018). "Better Call Saul to show scenes set during Breaking Bad". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  11. Hiatt, Brian (March 16, 2015). "Bob Odenkirk on 'Saul' and 'Mr. Show''s Non-Reunion". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  12. "Comic-Con Q&A: Vince Gilligan on 'Breaking Bad'". Deadline.com. July 15, 2012. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  13. Andreeva, Nellie (September 11, 2013). "'Breaking Bad' Saul Goodman Spinoff A Go At AMC, Will Serve As Prequel To Original". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  14. Talking Bad. Episode 3. August 25, 2013. AMC.
  15. Potts, Kimberly (November 26, 2013). "'Breaking Bad' Spinoff Scoop From the Man Who Created Saul Goodman". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  16. Andreeva, Nellie (April 9, 2013). "AMC Eyes 'Breaking Bad' Spinoff Toplined By Bob Odenkirk". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  17. Cornet, Roth (September 11, 2013). "Breaking Bad Spinoff Series Better Call Saul Confirmed". IGN. Archived from the original on September 13, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  18. Molloy, Tim (July 2, 2013). "Breaking Bad Creator Vince Gilligan: Saul Goodman Spinoff Moving 'Full Speed Ahead'". The Wrap. Archived from the original on December 9, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  19. Guthrie, Melissa; Rose, Lacey (September 18, 2013). "How AMC Almost Lost Breaking Bad Spinoff Better Call Saul to Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  20. Kondolojy, Amanda (June 19, 2014). "'Better Call Saul' Renewed for Second Season by AMC; First Season Pushed Back to 2015". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 22, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  21. Littleton, Cynthia (December 20, 2013). "'Breaking Bad' Writers Join 'Better Call Saul' Staff". Variety. Archived from the original on April 3, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  22. Sepinwall, Alan (August 3, 2018). "A Candid Conversation With Vince Gilligan on 'Better Call Saul'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 1, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  23. Sandberg, Bryn Elise (October 27, 2014). "Bob Odenkirk on 'Better Call Saul': "It's Total Drama"". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 18, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  24. Todd vanDerWerff, Emily (February 3, 2015). "Better Call Saul's Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould on constructing the Breaking Bad spinoff". Vox. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  25. Sepinwall, Alan (January 17, 2018). "Vince Gilligan On The Toughest Jams The 'Breaking Bad' Writers Put Walter White Into". Uproxx. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  26. Sepinwall, Alan (March 25, 2020). "How Rhea Seehorn Became the MVP of 'Better Call Saul'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  27. Keveney, Bill (March 2, 2020). "Exclusive: Dean Norris on revisiting his 'Breaking Bad' character on 'Better Call Saul'". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  28. Kenneally, Tim (January 27, 2014). "'Breaking Bad' Prequel 'Better Call Saul' Enlists Jonathan Banks". The Wrap. Archived from the original on October 16, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
  29. Friedlander, Whitney (April 30, 2014). "Michael McKean Joins 'Breaking Bad' Prequel 'Better Call Saul'". Variety. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  30. Silman, Anna (April 6, 2015). "Michael McKean: "Better Call Saul" is about "the American escape hatch instead of the American dream"". Salon. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  31. Friedlander, Whitney (July 11, 2014). "'Better Call Saul': Cast, Timeline Details and New Photos". Variety. Archived from the original on July 12, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
  32. Kelly, Aoife (October 1, 2014). "Irish actress Kerry Condon scores role in 'Breaking Bad' spin-off 'Better Call Saul'". The Independent. Archived from the original on November 27, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  33. Birnbaum, Debra (November 12, 2014). "'Better Call Saul' Adds Julie Ann Emery and Jeremy Shamos to Cast". Variety. Archived from the original on March 2, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  34. Nemetz, Dave (January 14, 2017). "Better Call Saul Season 3: Yep, Giancarlo Esposito Will Be Breaking Bad". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  35. Ramos, Dino-Ray (April 8, 2019). "'Better Call Saul' Adds Tony Dalton As Series Regular For Season 5". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  36. Real, Evan (June 20, 2018). "'Better Call Saul' and 'Breaking Bad' Overlap to Get "Bigger and Bigger" With Season 4". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  37. Dekel, Jonathan (July 3, 2014). "Dean Norris says appearance on Better Call Saul unlikely: CBS, exec Les Moonves 'won't let me do it'". The National Post. Archived from the original on July 7, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  38. Snierson, Dan (January 16, 2020). "'Better Call Saul' season 5 to feature the late Robert Forster, Dean Norris". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  39. Snierson, Dan (June 29, 2018). "Breaking Bad creator 'desperately' wants Walt and Jesse in Better Call Saul". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  40. Pearson, Ryan (March 9, 2014). "Aaron Paul wants in, Dean Norris out for 'Better Call Saul,' the 'Breaking Bad' spinoff". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  41. Whitney, Erin (June 13, 2014). "Aaron Paul Offers Two Different 'Better Call Saul' Scenarios For Jesse Pinkman". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on June 14, 2014. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
  42. Dos Santos, Kristin (May 13, 2014). "Anna Gunn Coming to Breaking Bad Spinoff? Star Reveals There's Been Talk—Plus, Why We're Dying Over Gracepoint!". E! Online. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  43. Christine (June 2, 2014). "'Breaking Bad' prequel 'Better Call Saul' begins filming in Albuquerque, NM today!". On Location Vacations. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  44. Snierson, Dan (March 9, 2020). "Go behind the scenes of Better Call Saul's iconic Albuquerque locations". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  45. Gomez, Adrian (April 8, 2019). "'Better Call Saul' begins filming season 5 in ABQ". Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  46. Gomez, Adrian (February 22, 2020). "ABQ still stars in AMC's 'Better Call Saul'". Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  47. O'Neal, Sean (June 3, 2014). "It's time to begin overanalyzing the first Better Call Saul set photos". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  48. Snierson, Dan (December 31, 2013). "'Breaking Bad' creator Vince Gilligan on the finale, 'Better Call Saul' and his acting debut on 'Community'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2014. We think, by and large, this show will be a prequel, but the wonderful thing about the fractured chronology we employed on Breaking Bad for many years is the audience will not be thrown by us jumping around in time. So it's possible that we may indeed do that, and we'll see the past and perhaps the future.
  49. Couch, Aaron (February 15, 2015). "'Better Call Saul': See 'Breaking Bad' Easter Eggs You Missed". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  50. Hooton, Christopher (August 11, 2014). "Better Call Saul: First teaser trailer shows younger Saul, confirms release date". The Independent. Archived from the original on December 8, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  51. Roots, Kimberly (November 20, 2014). "Better Call Saul Gets Two-Night February Premiere on AMC". TVLine. Archived from the original on November 23, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  52. Fitzpatrick, Kevin (November 17, 2015). "'Better Call Saul' Season 2 Order Reduced from 13 Episodes". ScreenCrush. Townsquare Media, Inc. Archived from the original on May 4, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  53. Bernardino, Shiena (May 20, 2015). "'Better Call Saul' season 2 air date, spoilers, plot news: More 'Breaking Bad' appearances, major character to die next season?". Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  54. Porter, Rick (November 16, 2015). "'Better Call Saul' returns to AMC in February". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  55. Snierson, Dan (March 15, 2016). "Better Call Saul renewed for season 3 by AMC". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  56. Schwindt, Oriana (January 14, 2017). "AMC Sets Premiere Dates for 'Better Call Saul,' 'Into the Badlands'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 15, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  57. Snierson, Dan (June 27, 2017). "Better Call Saul renewed for season 4". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
  58. Snierson, Dan (May 31, 2018). "Better Call Saul: Here's your season 4 first look, premiere date". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 2, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
  59. Otterson, Joe (July 28, 2018). "'Better Call Saul,' 'Fear the Walking Dead,' 'McMafia' Renewed at AMC". Variety. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  60. Adalian, Josef (April 5, 2019). "Why AMC Networks Is Betting So Heavily on Killing Eve". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  61. Gomez, Adrian (April 8, 2019). "'Better Call Saul' begins filming season 5 in ABQ". The Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  62. Darwish, Meaghan (September 9, 2019). "'Better Call Saul' Wraps Season 5 – Could It Be The Show's Last?". TV Insider. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  63. Blistein, Jon (November 20, 2019). "'Better Call Saul' Cooks Up Clever Cinnabon Spot for Season Five Premiere". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 2, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  64. Porter, Rick (January 16, 2020). "'Better Call Saul' Ending With Season 6 on AMC". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  65. Sepinwall, Alan (April 20, 2020). "5 Burning Questions About the 'Better Call Saul' Season 5 Finale — Answered". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  66. Birnbaum, Debra (February 6, 2015). "'Better Call Saul' Premiere: Meet Jimmy McGill's Love Interest". Variety. Penske Corporation. Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  67. Aguilera, Leanne (March 16, 2015). "'Better Call Saul's Rhea Seehorn on Kim and Jimmy's Complicated Past: 'She Loves Him'". Entertainment Tonight. CBS Corporation. Archived from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  68. Snierson, Dan (January 16, 2020). "'Better Call Saul' season 5 to feature the late Robert Forster, Dean Norris". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  69. Petski, Denise (February 12, 2016). "'Talking Saul' To Follow 'Better Call Saul's Premiere And Season Finale On AMC". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  70. Shapiro, Marissa (March 24, 2017). "Talking Saul Returns With Special Guests Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould and More". AMC. Archived from the original on April 10, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  71. Welch, Alex (February 17, 2016). "Monday cable ratings: 'WWE Raw' stays steady, 'Better Call Saul' premieres low". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  72. Metcalf, Mitch (April 19, 2016). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.18.2016". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 8, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  73. Metcalf, Mitch (April 11, 2017). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4 October 2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  74. Metcalf, Mitch (June 20, 2017). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.19.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  75. Kondolojy, Amanda (February 9, 2015). "'The Walking Dead' Returns to 15.6 Million Viewers + 'Better Call Saul' is Biggest Series Premiere in Cable History". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  76. Patten, Dominic (August 24, 2015). "'Fear The Walking Dead' Debut Ratings Draw 10.1M Viewers, Shatters Cable Records". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  77. Spangler, Todd (December 16, 2013). "Netflix to Stream 'Better Call Saul' After AMC Airs 'Breaking Bad' Spinoff in 2014". Variety. Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  78. Travers, Ben (February 1, 2016). "7 New Netflix Shows to Binge Watch in February 2016 (And the Best Episodes of Each)". IndieWire. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  79. McHenry, Jackson (January 29, 2016). "What's New on Netflix: February 2016". Vulture. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  80. Robinson, Joanna (February 1, 2016). "Netflix to Stream Episodes of Better Call Saul Internationally the Day After They Air [Updated]". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  81. "Stan launches on Australia Day". TV Tonight. January 23, 2015. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  82. "Video streaming service Stan to launch on Australia Day". mUmBRELLA. January 22, 2015. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  83. "Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul coming to Lightbox". The New Zealand Herald. November 27, 2014. Archived from the original on June 21, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  84. "The court is in session: Better Call Saul on Lightbox". Scoop. January 29, 2015. Archived from the original on June 21, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  85. Munn, Patrick (December 16, 2013). "Netflix UK & Ireland Inks SPT Deal For Exclusive Rights To 'Breaking Bad' Spin-Off 'Better Call Saul'". TV Wise. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  86. Munn, Patrick (January 27, 2015). "Netflix UK Unveils Trailer For 'Breaking Bad' Spin-Off 'Better Call Saul'". TV Wise. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  87. Bansal, Shilpa (February 16, 2016). "'Better Call Saul' Season 2 India Premiere: Where to watch Episode 1 'Switch' on TV tonight [Spoilers]". International Business Times. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  88. "Better Call Saul: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  89. "Better Call Saul : Season 1". Metacritic. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  90. "Better Call Saul: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on October 17, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  91. "Better Call Saul : Season 2". Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  92. "Better Call Saul: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on May 15, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  93. "Better Call Saul : Season 3". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 17, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  94. "Better Call Saul: Season 4". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  95. "Better Call Saul : Season 4". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
  96. "Better Call Saul: Season 5". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  97. "Better Call Saul: Season 5". Metacritic. Archived from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  98. Connolly, Kelly (February 6, 2020). "Better Call Saul Review: Jimmy Becomes Saul Goodman in a Fantastically Devastating Season 5". TV Guide. Archived from the original on February 6, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  99. Kondolojy, Amanda (February 10, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Tops Night + 'Better Call Saul', 'Talking Dead', 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  100. Kondolojy, Amanda (April 7, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night Raw' Tops Night + 'Love & Hip Hop', 'Better Call Saul', 'Black Ink Crew' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 10, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  101. "Better Call Saul: Season One Ratings". TV Series Finale. April 7, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  102. Welch, Alex (April 19, 2016). "Monday cable ratings: 'Better Call Saul' finale holds steady, NBA Playoffs soar". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 20, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  103. "Better Call Saul: Season Two Ratings". TV Series Finale. April 19, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  104. Welch, Alex (April 11, 2017). "Monday cable ratings: 'Better Call Saul' premieres low, 'Love & Hip Hop' ticks up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  105. Welch, Alex (June 20, 2017). "Monday cable ratings: 'Better Call Saul' season finale ticks up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
  106. "Better Call Saul: Season Three Ratings". TV Series Finale. June 27, 2017. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  107. Welch, Alex (August 7, 2018). "Monday cable ratings: 'Better Call Saul' returns down, 'WWE Raw' slips". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  108. Welch, Alex (October 9, 2018). "Monday cable ratings: 'Better Call Saul' finale holds steady, 'Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood' dips". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 10, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  109. "Better Call Saul: Season Four Ratings". TV Series Finale. October 9, 2018. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  110. Metcalf, Mitch (February 25, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.23.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  111. Metcalf, Mitch (April 21, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.20.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  112. "Better Call Saul: Season Five Ratings". TV Series Finale. April 21, 2020. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  113. "Better Call Saul". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  114. Lambert, David (September 22, 2015). "Better Call Saul – Sony's Official Press Release for 'Season 1' on DVD and Blu-ray". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  115. Lambert, David (September 20, 2016). "Better Call Saul – Blu-rays, DVDs for 'Season 2': Date, Cost, Packaging, Extras!". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  116. Lambert, David (November 27, 2017). "Better Call Saul – 'Season 3' DVDs, Blu-rays: Street Date Confirmed, Front and Rear Package Art". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  117. "Better Call Saul: Season Four Blu-ray". Blu-ray.com. March 12, 2019. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  118. Foran-McHale, Katie (November 19, 2020). "New on DVD Nov. 24: Look who's breaking bad in 'Better Call Saul: Season Five'". The Providence Journal. Tribune News Service. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  119. "Better Call Saul: Season Five Blu-ray". Blu-ray.com. October 2, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  120. Canfield, David (September 11, 2017). "Carpool Karaoke, Melissa McCarthy, and Ava DuVernay's 13th Among the Big Winners of the 2017 Creative Arts Emmy Awards". Vulture. Archived from the original on March 6, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  121. O'Connell, Michael (July 19, 2019). "Emmys: 'State of the Union,' 'Special' Score Surprise Noms After 'Saul' Shortform Disqualification". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  122. "Better Call Saul Insider Podcast". Apple. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  123. Gonzalez, Sandra (February 4, 2015). "AMC unveils 'Better Call Saul' digital comic book ahead of series premiere". Mashable. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  124. Walsh, Michael (February 12, 2016). "BETTER CALL SAUL Has Its Own Digital Comic Book, With Flying Jimmy". Nerdist. Archived from the original on October 15, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.