I was careful to say “As far as I know.” I’m not shocked to find out he’s done stand-up; thanks for adding to my knowledge.
If you’ve never seen Breaking Bad it shouldn’t matter, since (as many have noted above) the series is a prequel and is designed to stand on its own.
That said, I believe that the pilot episode begins in the present day and introduces the series in flashback (kind of like HIMYM except that it is not told from the perspective of the future narrator and, beyond tonight’s episode, they don’t continually flash forward to him telling his story – OK, that’s nothing like HIMYM).
Anyway, this means that, for those watching BB currently, or who plan on watching in the future, the opening segment tonight at least partially reveals Saul’s fate after the events of BB.
Mike first appears as a “cleaner” and an investigator working for Saul. It’s only later that we find out his main job is as Gus Fring’s right-hand man.
Mike first appears when he is sent to Jesse’s house to get rid of incriminating evidence after Jane’s death. Later Saul sends him to investigate Skyler.
Interesting article in the Atlantic from last October.
Sundays have become saturated with critically-acclaimed shows from basic and premium cable networks (it probably started with The Sopranos in '99). Networks have come to worry that a show premiering on another night of the week will be regarded by viewers with suspicion.
HBO and Showtime have stuck with Sunday nights pretty strictly, with HBO even putting their best comedies on Sundays. AMC originally aired Mad Men on Thursdays, and moved it in the 2nd season. FX appears to be the only basic cable network that bucks the trend, airing Fargo on Tuesdays its first season, and keeping The Americans on Wednesday nights.
For Better Call Saul, a Sunday night premier means that it has a lead-in (The Walking Dead) that will probably get 12-15 million viewers. Those who don’t click away, presuming episode 1 interests them, will get episode 2 on the next night. It might be a good strategy – Monday nights have the second largest number of viewers, after Sundays.
that’s a joke, right? Please tell me that’s a joke.
I just saw a commercial for Battle Creek. It doesn’t have anything to do with BCS or BB, but when BB was over Vince talked about doing a 'cop show in Battle Creek and that was really all he said about it…guess I have another show to watch now.
Tuco!
That was a bit slower of a start than I was expecting. It seems like they are picking up the pace though. I’ll give it another day.
I yelled YES and started laughing when that happened. They really played us. Revealing that Mike would be in the show. Rumors (apparently confirmed) about Jesse. Wild unfounded rumors about Walt. Speculations about Gus (which I suppose could still happen); but I don’t think anyone anywhere suggested Tuco and the possibility never crossed my mind.
In BB, did Saul ever say anything about a delusional brother? There’s something like that in the back of my mind, but it may be my imagination.
About the beginning, I didn’t have a clue what was going on, even when I saw the buns and saw the Omaho business license in the window. It wasn’t until I saw the “Cinnabon” sign that I realized. At that point I couldn’t stop laughing.
How they met was never shown. When Walt and Jesse were looking for a way to sell larger quantities of meth Saul said “I know a guy who knows a guy”, then eventually introduced them to Gus. The impression (at least that I got) was that Mike was the guy he knew who knew Gus. Mike was employed by Gus and apparently also did some work for Saul occasionally.
Including this Monday 02/09. The second episode is being shown one night after the first.
loved the ink spots opening
reminded me of fallout 3
Question: Was that nail salon the one he tried to get Jesse to buy?
Yes!!
And woot to Tuco!!!
Oh COURSE that’s a joke.
How could bienville have ever understood what the heck was going on in Happy Days without sitting down with all 108 episodes of Love, American Style?
I had to laugh at the impoverished Saul mixing cheap blended Scotch with Drambuie.
I loved everything about this episode up until the Tuco reveal at the end. It felt a little patronizing.
I loved it. The B&W future scenes at the beginning, showing how Saul ended up after Breaking Bad ended, we got to see Mike, and I thought the Tuco ending was great!
I thought it was a good start. I loved the opening, it was beautifully shot, with great music. Also, the trial was hilarious. I loved how after Saul had his long remarks, the prosecutor I don’t think said a single word, the video did it all for him. And it looked like people were leaving the courtroom, but it was actually they were moving to get a better look at the terrible video.
You lost the case!
They had sex with a head!
I totally lost it when he picked up his check.