[AMC] Better Call Saul
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- McNutt
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
Goddamn this show is good. I keep trying to decide if it's better than Breaking Bad. It just might be.
- Kraken
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
As a prequel, it has the burden of prior knowledge. We know that particular characters will survive, so putting them in jeopardy lacks tension -- except insofar as it shapes who we know they will become. The writers are handling that masterfully. Prime example being that we know Jimmy and Kim aren't destined to be a happy couple in BB. We don't know why that is (or do we?), but it's going to complete the transformation of Jimmy into Saul.
And as a prequel, it also has the advantage of starting with established characters that it can flesh out, and the writers are taking maximum advantage of that.
I"d have to watch BB again to say which show I think is better. BCS is amazingly good, but then so was BB.
And as a prequel, it also has the advantage of starting with established characters that it can flesh out, and the writers are taking maximum advantage of that.
I"d have to watch BB again to say which show I think is better. BCS is amazingly good, but then so was BB.
- McNutt
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
They managed to do an amazing job at fleshing out existing characters without being ridiculous. I just watched an old clip where Mike went to the restaurant to negotiate with Hector about getting Tuco off the gun charge. When he enters the restaurant Nacho frisks Mike and tells Hector "He isn't wearing a wire, but he has a gun." Hector says, 'I don't care about the gun."
That line just shows how much of a badass Hector was. His character has been played to perfection by Mark Margolis. He's just such a despicable person that exude pure evil. But unlike most portrayals of someone who is that evil, it's not over the top in the slightest.
That's one of the strong suits of this show. They took existing characters and actually made them better. I hate to bring up Star Wars again, but look at Solo. They took existing characters and did absolutely nothing with them. Lando went from being my favorite Star Wars character to someone I couldn't stand in that movie. In BCS the characters are so well thought out that I have groaned at a callback exactly zero times.
That line just shows how much of a badass Hector was. His character has been played to perfection by Mark Margolis. He's just such a despicable person that exude pure evil. But unlike most portrayals of someone who is that evil, it's not over the top in the slightest.
That's one of the strong suits of this show. They took existing characters and actually made them better. I hate to bring up Star Wars again, but look at Solo. They took existing characters and did absolutely nothing with them. Lando went from being my favorite Star Wars character to someone I couldn't stand in that movie. In BCS the characters are so well thought out that I have groaned at a callback exactly zero times.
- Jaymann
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
I actually tuned out of Breaking Bad for a while and picked it back up for the final season. I think it was about the time:
But BCS has me glued to the screen for each episode.
Spoiler:
Jaymann
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- telcta
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
I don’t want Saul to end. I’m savoring every minute of the remaining episodes. I have to watch it the night it’s on to not be spoiled by anything but I do buffer the show so I can skip the commercials and keep that sweet tension throughout the episode.
Also whenever I’m out and I hear the name Hector, I say to myself…
Also whenever I’m out and I hear the name Hector, I say to myself…
Spoiler:
- naednek
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
wow the jump between when (don't think it's a real spoiler as it's pretty known it happens, but just in case)
Spoiler:
hepcat - "I agree with Naednek"
- Jaymann
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- Victoria Raverna
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
Spoiler:
Last edited by Victoria Raverna on Tue Jul 26, 2022 9:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- hepcat
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- Jaymann
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- McNutt
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
Kim and Saul
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- Jaymann
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- McNutt
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
Spoiler:
- Kraken
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- Daveman
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
Lalo and Gus...
Kim...
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
- McNutt
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- McNutt
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
Spoiler:
- naednek
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
hepcat - "I agree with Naednek"
- Jaymann
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- Kraken
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
Well, that was an episode. I had to read up to find out what it was calling back to, and even knowing the connection I'm perplexed why they spent one of their last four hours telling that story. It felt like a throwaway, unless it's laying groundwork for the finale.
- Jaymann
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
I vaguely remember:
Spoiler:
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- Kraken
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
Spoiler:
Also: Has anybody here ever had a cinnebun? Is it really the perfect blend of sugar and fat?
- Jaymann
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
I have had one. It's a little over the top. I think Jim Gaffagan did a routine where you know you've hit rock bottom if you stop to get a Cinnibon when your flight arrives at the airport.
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- hepcat
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
That was my take. It just felt superfluous in light of so few remaining episodes.Kraken wrote: ↑Tue Jul 26, 2022 9:52 pm Well, that was an episode. I had to read up to find out what it was calling back to, and even knowing the connection I'm perplexed why they spent one of their last four hours telling that story. It felt like a throwaway, unless it's laying groundwork for the finale.
He won. Period.
- McNutt
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
It goes to show how strong his need to be a part of a con is. He did a shitload of work over the course of weeks just for a small haul.
He's not going to stay out of trouble and I'm sure his identity will be discovered once he is inevitably arrested.
He's not going to stay out of trouble and I'm sure his identity will be discovered once he is inevitably arrested.
- Jaymann
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
Then Kim defends him, gets him acquitted, and they live happily ever after.
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- Kraken
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
You missed the point. It wasn't for the haul, it was to set the other guy up for multiple felony charges if he rats out Saul. Mutually assured destruction, he called it. But I'm sure he enjoyed the game, too. It was pretty ingenious.
- McNutt
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
Oh hell, you're right! I just finished it.
- hepcat
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
There are some theories floating around out there as to who Carrol Burnett’s character really is. But they all sound a little off so far. They all seem to be based around some belief that Gene seemed too tight with her.
He won. Period.
- Kraken
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- hepcat
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- hepcat
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
I think i agree with this assessment of that episode.
He won. Period.
- Jaymann
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
Blocked. Can you give the gist?hepcat wrote: ↑Mon Aug 01, 2022 10:37 amI think i agree with this assessment of that episode.
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- Kraken
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
Jaymann wrote: ↑Mon Aug 01, 2022 10:54 amBlocked. Can you give the gist?hepcat wrote: ↑Mon Aug 01, 2022 10:37 amI think i agree with this assessment of that episode.
The most recent episode of the AMC Breaking Bad prequel was a stinker, no buts about it. While Bob Odenkirk did a fine job as ‘Gene’ in the current black and white timeline, just about everything else about this episode failed to deliver.
There were three big reasons for this.
Recasting Jeff Was A Mistake
...
The Distance Between Episodes Didn’t Help
...
The Entire Scam Was Kind Of Ridiculous
- hepcat
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
Yeah, the writer points out that the scheme was WILDLY elaborate, the recast actor was almost tonally the opposite of the original actor's interpretation, and by the time they aired this episode any sense of urgent menace from Jeff's potential threat was long dissipated.
He won. Period.
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
The fact that they had to recast the actor was unfortunate. But, even a hit show has to abide by a schedule. The fact that Odenkirk also had a heart attack during the making of the final season may have made accommodating the original actor's schedule even more tricky.
I agree the scheme was a bit convoluted, but that also added to the fun of the episode. So, while I don't disagree with the criticisms from the Forbes article, (I had zero issues reading it, btw...) it really didn't mar my enjoyment of the episode.
I think the episode gap between him being recognized and this scam was the biggest flaw. That flaw was exacerbated by the change in actor.
I agree the scheme was a bit convoluted, but that also added to the fun of the episode. So, while I don't disagree with the criticisms from the Forbes article, (I had zero issues reading it, btw...) it really didn't mar my enjoyment of the episode.
I think the episode gap between him being recognized and this scam was the biggest flaw. That flaw was exacerbated by the change in actor.
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"You know, the very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common: they don't alter their views to fit the facts; they alter the facts to fit their views." - The 4th Doctor
- hepcat
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
I enjoyed it as well, but I've come to expect much better from the show.
But hey, one stinker out of how many great episodes? They're still batting a near perfect game.
But hey, one stinker out of how many great episodes? They're still batting a near perfect game.
He won. Period.
- stimpy
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
I'd be surprised if there isnt a payoff related to this episode.
He/Him/His/Porcupine
- McNutt
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Re: [AMC] Better Call Saul
I wouldn't call it a stinker. It seemed disjointed, but I was entertained.