# Better Call Saul (Season 3) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 8, 2017, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040 "2017-04-08T04:28:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/81 "2017-04-19T20:49:24Z")
> [@DrForrester](#): > > Mike had a dog early on, so he would have an excuse to visit the vet during office hours. He gave it to his granddaughter. > > If you check out the sneak peek of next week’s episode on the AMC web site, it follows the “gas cap” plot line up the food chain a little. It’s a bit of a head scratcher… really looking forward to seeing it play out. Mike proved he was able to track the trackers, which is a very useful skill, and whoever was tracking him might want to offer him a few freelance jobs. Or kill him. Looks like Mike is going to help Gus move up the food chain in druggie world. I’m assuming Gus spotted Jimmy at Los Pollos Hermanos. Jimmy wasn’t exactly subtle. That may have led to Mike being spotted. Now it just a matter of what kind of a deal will they offer Mike to work for them. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/82 "2017-04-19T21:57:58Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > It’s interesting that Chuck correctly predicted Jimmy coming for the tape, but for all the wrong reasons. He doesn’t really get his brother at all. (post shortened) Chuck has his problems but advanced planning and strategy isn’t one of them. Chuck knew he could get Jimmy to confess if he played on his sympathy. Chuck also knew that this type of recorded confession wouldn’t be considered strong evidence, and might not even be admissible as evidence, unless some other act occurred which made it admissible. Breaking and entering, burglary, theft, or assault committed to obtain the recording meant Jimmy’s confession would become public. The court would want to know what was on the recording that would cause someone to break into a private residence. Even a private residence covered in foil. 😃 Chuck also conned Ernesto in order to teach Jimmy a lesson. Letting Ernesto “accidentally” hear a snippet and then ramble on about how absolutely no one can know he had heard the recording is what sent Ernesto to Jimmy (via Kim). Once Jimmy became aware that there was a recording, Chuck knew Jimmy would make an effort to get it. Chuck just didn’t know what time of day Jimmy would be coming. That would be why Chuck had arranged, thru Howard and not Ernesto, for a 24hr, live-in security guard. Chuck played everybody. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2017, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/83 "2017-04-19T23:15:42Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I’ve mentioned this in the past. As just about the only guy on the planet who didn’t love BB, I really appreciated how it stood as a stand alone. Thought they did a good job of appealing to both audiences. Sure, it might mean something different/more to fans of BB, but you didn’t need to be a fan of BB to enjoy BCS. > > My problem w/ BB wasn’t the pacing. Instead, I just didn’t give a damn about a single character sufficient to sit thru the depressing carnage. JMHO. My wife felt the same - in fact bailed on BB before I did. We were clearly in the tiny minority. > > We’ve both greatly appreciated BCS. We are both lawyers, and it is on a very shortlist of our favorite shows. Nothing has been confusing to date, and I haven’t minded the pace. Wasn’t aware of anything where the creators said it was intended as nothing more than BB fanwank. > > I acknowledge that creating for different audiences can be a tricky exercise. This was one of the first significant things I noticed that strongly suggested that it was being written for BB fans in a way that reduced the enjoyment for the non BB fan. I was trying to be generic in my post, but may have also confused your post with someone else who complained about the pace. 🙂 I don’t know about fanwank, but it seems clear that they are pandering to fans of BB somewhat. I’ve heard before that the lawyer aspect of the show rings true for real-life attorneys, which means that they are actually researching things and may even have lawyers on staff. I don’t think you were supposed to care about the characters in BB, any more than you would care about those in BCS, most of whom are reprehensible or will end up that way. Gilligan seems to be enamored of the downward spiral and the character study. I’m sure you know that BB was all about a good man gone bad and then gone evil. The fascination for me was the dark humor, and the inexorable descent into a horrifying world that had no fairy tale resolution. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/84 "2017-04-20T00:02:45Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Part of the impact of BCS is that it supposes that you are familiar with the characters from BB. Did you see the guy looking out the window of the Escalade? He’s a BB character, as well. Yep, Victor. Most will remember him from the infamous “Box Cutter” episode. ---
**Author:** ![goldmund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a4c791/32.png) [@goldmund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goldmund)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/85 "2017-04-20T04:30:38Z")
Check out Ernesto in the parking lot around 33 minutes into last night’s episode. Watch his left hand closely. It’s a faster motion, and it’s on the opposite hand, but this reminds me a lot of Gus Fring in the elevator about 12 minutes into Breaking Bad season 4 episode 8 “Hermanos”. Gus has a much slower nervous tic in his right hand. Surely this has got to be an intentional connection? ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/86 "2017-04-20T05:35:48Z")
Right now Ernesto is squeeky clean and there are various interesting places they could take the character or backstories they could give him. But making him a close relative of Gus is one of the least interesting options IMO, and would serve only to make the world seem smaller and more soap opera like. I think it’s likely they’re heading that way, but I hope not. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/87 "2017-04-20T07:14:57Z")
> [@goldmund](#): > > Check out Ernesto in the parking lot around 33 minutes into last night’s episode. Watch his left hand closely. > > It’s a faster motion, and it’s on the opposite hand, but this reminds me a lot of Gus Fring in the elevator about 12 minutes into Breaking Bad season 4 episode 8 “Hermanos”. Gus has a much slower nervous tic in his right hand. > > Surely this has got to be an intentional connection? The Earnesto actor looks like Giancarlo Esposito. So, no I doubt it’s a coincidence. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/88 "2017-04-20T09:08:04Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > BTW, I liked the sequence of Mike conducting that surveillance operation. It demonstrated just how skilled he is and why, perhaps, Gus starts to work with him. That, and I’m sure their mutual grudge against “Tio” Hector doesn’t hurt. ETA: Well, maybe it hurts Hector… right into that wheelchair? ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/89 "2017-04-20T14:39:36Z")
> [@magnusblitz](#): > > Also really liking how Howard (or maybe just our perceptions of him) has evolved over the series. One new thing we learned about Howard this week – he runs like a girl. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/90 "2017-04-20T15:08:21Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I acknowledge that creating for different audiences can be a tricky exercise. This was one of the first significant things I noticed that strongly suggested that it was being written for BB fans in a way that reduced the enjoyment for the non BB fan. I don’t get this complaint. Of course the show is going to have Easter eggs and references that people who didn’t watch Breaking Bad didn’t get, and you won’t get to enjoy them if you aren’t familiar with BB. But I don’t see how “BB fans know this guy is a big bad guy when he turns up this week, people who don’t know BB will find out next week or when they watch an interview” is intended to reduce anyone’s enjoyment. I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect the show to do nothing for BB fans, and I don’t think the show has made any plot points or storylines that require BB knowledge to make sense. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/91 "2017-04-20T15:09:46Z")
I know it wasn’t an “Easter Egg” but when they finally panned up to Gus’ face, all I could think of was the last time we saw him in “Face Off” ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/92 "2017-04-20T15:13:29Z")
I know Mike’s last name (here and in BB of course) is Ehrmantraut, but does anyone know just how common that name is? Prior to these shows I’d never heard of it before. But last night, as I watched the premiere episode for season 3 of **"Fargo"** one of the main characters, a businessman named Emmit Stussy, kept referring to doing business with a man named Ehrmantraut. It kept throwing me, caused I recognized the name (but while watching Fargo forgot that the name was from BB/BCS, I was wondering if that name was from any of the previous seasons of Fargo.) I’m not implying of any connections here, just thought t was odd to use such a unique (well, unique to me) last name, prominently in the script. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/93 "2017-04-20T15:56:17Z")
> [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](#): > > I know Mike’s last name (here and in BB of course) is Ehrmantraut, but does anyone know just how common that name is? A little googling shows it’s a not super uncommon name in Germany, US and Chile. > **[Ehrmantraut Surname Origin, Meaning & Last Name History](https://forebears.io/surnames/ehrmantraut)** > > Learn the fascinating origin of the Ehrmantraut surname; its meaning & distribution. Unlock your family history in the largest database of last names. ---
**Author:** ![Pantastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/94 "2017-04-20T17:49:47Z")
[quote=“Richard\_John\_Marcej, post:92, topic:784040”] I know Mike’s last name (here and in BB of course) is Ehrmantraut, but does anyone know just how common that name is? Prior to these shows I’d never heard of it before./QUOTE] According to [howmanyofme.com](http://howmanyofme.com), there are 402 Ehrmantrauts in the US, so it’s pretty uncommon but not completely made up. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/95 "2017-04-20T21:49:44Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > I don’t get this complaint. … I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect the show to do nothing for BB fans, and I don’t think the show has made any plot points or storylines that require BB knowledge to make sense. Disclaimer, it is just a TV show, so none of this is to suggest I am terribly concerned about what I say. But to attempt to explain: For the most part, I don’t recall “spin-offs” in the past requiring knowledge or even familiarity with the parent show, to fully enjoy the spin-off. I’m sure there are exceptions - thinking about Buffy showing up on Angel. But you could enjoy the Jeffersons or Maude without ever having watched All In the Family. And on the whole, BCS has not required BB love. And nothing I posted suggested that there oughtn’t be Easter eggs for the fans. But the manner in which the Chicken shack and its manager were introduced had me a tad concerned. If I understand correctly, the manager is some big bad guy. and as soon as they showed the restaurant, a whole set of possibilities and relationships opened up for the BB fan. Which I am ignorant of. And when the manager was sweeping up, helping find the watch, and watching Jimmy and Mike talk, that meant something completely different to BB fans to someone approaching BCS fresh. This last ep meant something completely different to the BB fan, than the non BB fan. If that dichotomy continues and increases, it might not be a good thing IMO. Now if I really cared, I could go back and watch BB - a show I didn’t enjoy. Or I could read up on this. But I tend to like simply watching and enjoying my shows, rather than researching them. It will be interesting to see how they handle it - whether they can aim to please both audiences. Because right now it seems as tho something is going on, and the non BB fan is not in on the joke. And no one likes to be treated as a second class customer, or like they are receiving lesser value than someone else Way too many words, for the really minor feelings I have about this. But, just assuming you might be interested in “getting” what I meant. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/96 "2017-04-20T22:55:46Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Disclaimer, it is just a TV show, so none of this is to suggest I am terribly concerned about what I say. But to attempt to explain: > > For the most part, I don’t recall “spin-offs” in the past requiring knowledge or even familiarity with the parent show, to fully enjoy the spin-off. I’m sure there are exceptions - thinking about Buffy showing up on Angel. But you could enjoy the Jeffersons or Maude without ever having watched All In the Family. Sure that’s how spin-offs used to be, but ever since the early 2000’s, the way TV shows are made, especially dramas, have radically changed. Specific episodes, for the most part, are nothing more than a chapter for a larger story. Most shows are continuations. For example, if you’ve never seen a Game of Thrones episode but wanted to check out the latest episode, chances are, you’d be lost. Or, to a point, you wouldn’t appreciate and enjoy it as much as if you’d been watching the show since day 1. That same thought process are being made for spin-offs (or in this case, prequels) because producers know that if their audience wants to watch the show they’re more apt to binge earlier seasons to catch up. And it’s only going to continue like this. The days of stand alone shows, like, most recently Law & Order, are long gone. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2017, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/97 "2017-04-20T23:52:16Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Once Jimmy became aware that there was a recording, Chuck knew Jimmy would make an effort to get it. Yes, but he doesn’t fully understand Jimmy’s motivation as to _why_ he would come and get it. Chuck thinks ( IMHO obviously ) that Jimmy would be panicked and not smart enough to realize that there was only so much damage Chuck could do with the tape, as Hamblin noted. So trying to save himself from legal consequences Jimmy would come like a thief in the night to try and whisk the tape away. But Kim had already pointed out to Jimmy much what Hamblin had to Chuck - its legal value was limited. Jimmy didn’t go to retrieve the tape because he was _frightened_ of retribution, but because he was _enraged_ by yet another betrayal by just about the only person in the world he had recently loved outside of Kim. Chuck still thinks of Jimmy as Slippin’ Jimmy. A monkey with a macine gun. Not entirely without reason, mind you ;). But he just doesn’t get the degree to which Jimmy is motivated by genuine love, loyalty and devotion. It was afterall Chuck’s snaking of Kim’s account that had triggered Jimmy in the first place. > [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](#): > > And it’s only going to continue like this. The days of stand alone shows, like, most recently Law & Order, are long gone. I don’t know about long gone, everything old eventually becomes new again eventually in Hollywood. But I’d agree it is currently on the wane. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/98 "2017-04-21T00:55:00Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Chuck still thinks of Jimmy as Slippin’ Jimmy. A monkey with a macine gun. Not entirely without reason, mind you ;). But he just doesn’t get the degree to which Jimmy is motivated by genuine love, loyalty and devotion. It was afterall Chuck’s snaking of Kim’s account that had triggered Jimmy in the first place. Actually, I think Chuck’s vision of Slippin’ Jimmy has always been Chuck’s _perception_ of what Jimmy was. Sure, Jimmy ran scams, tried to get things the easy way but I believe that in Chuck’s mind, Jimmy’s been more of a criminal, maybe even evil, in a way. Chuck’s had a deep jealous hatred of Jimmy since they were little kids. In Chuck’s mind, he’s done everything “the right way” while Jimmy’s been nothing more than a petty criminal. That jealousy will always cloud Chuck’s mind, he can’t shake it. Not even when their mother died. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/99 "2017-04-21T03:17:58Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > . > > But the manner in which the Chicken shack and its manager were introduced had me a tad concerned. If I understand correctly, the manager is some big bad guy. and as soon as they showed the restaurant, a whole set of possibilities and relationships opened up for the BB fan. Which I am ignorant of. And when the manager was sweeping up, helping find the watch, and watching Jimmy and Mike talk, that meant something completely different to BB fans to someone approaching BCS fresh. > > This last ep meant something completely different to the BB fan, than the non BB fan. If that dichotomy continues and increases, it might not be a good thing IMO. It will likely continue for a bit, doubt it will increase. But really, the only reason you have an issue is because you are reading this thread. A non-BB fan might have found it odd that the incredibly poised fast food manager happened to be sweeping next to Jimmy during the surveillance and jumped in to help with the watch retrieval. Or not. But even without the BB background, it’s a legitimate intro of quiet criminal genius. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040/100 "2017-04-21T05:29:30Z")
In the episode that Gus was introduced Walter White also thought Gus was the manager. As did the audience. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-season-3/784040.md?page=6)