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Better Call Saul is superior to Breaking Bad
- Thread starter Piston
- Start date
Shout out for Howard (and actor Patrick Fabian). For a somewhat minor character, I'm always kind of intrigued by how he's portrayed (and wonder if he was 100% written that way, or if it was a character choice by the actor).
He is unbelievable.
Also Rhea Seehorn is so, so good as Kim. Her chemistry with Bob feels so incredibly natural. They're perfect together, and I'm terrified of the future.
His performance is so good! He balances on this razor's edge of being a consummate professional with an incredibly strict personal code and a low, simmering rage beneath it all. I love how they've developed him.
I don't mean the lows are as low as BB's - but BCS is a steady stream of lows, compared to BB which was a roller coaster of ups and downs.
Better Call Saul may be more finely crafted in some ways, but Breaking Bad was more exciting/entertaining throughout it's runtime. So I much prefer Breaking Bad. Better Call Saul is still amazing, but I just find myself not as invested in the brother conflict as I do anything happening with Mike.
BCS has better characters.....because they spend more time with the same characters, thus fleshing them out.
BB is still a better/ more engaging show because something always seems to be going on, and each episode has a tenseness to it that makes you want to keep watching, but stop at the same time.
BCS is more of a slow burn for much of the series. While it does have it's moments of greatness, they are sprinkled thinly throughout the show (especially in seasons 1 & 2). I also feel like season 3 was twice as interesting as the first two seasons combined due to the characters they added and how the story is starting to connect with BB.
BB is still a better/ more engaging show because something always seems to be going on, and each episode has a tenseness to it that makes you want to keep watching, but stop at the same time.
BCS is more of a slow burn for much of the series. While it does have it's moments of greatness, they are sprinkled thinly throughout the show (especially in seasons 1 & 2). I also feel like season 3 was twice as interesting as the first two seasons combined due to the characters they added and how the story is starting to connect with BB.
I'm firmly in the BB is still a better show for now, I'm totally open to BCS changing my mind but it hasn't yet. Its good but not great. New season looks fantastic though. Also until a show sticks the landing (end) I am loath to declare its greatness or not, a show can easily go from amazing to horrible very quickly and retroactively ruin its greatness.
The BCS vs BB divide might be the next evolution of the debate over Walter's character in BB. BB has fans that cheer Walter on and want those exciting action sequences. BCS is more of a character drama, and its equivalent of an action scene is Jimmy and his film crew sneaking onto an airbase to film a commercial. These are shows that take place in the same universe but they are not the same genre.
I feel like BCS is a much slower burn than BB. It wasn't really until series 3 that it achieved must-see status for me.
If they keep that momentum going forward it could become something truly special though.
If they keep that momentum going forward it could become something truly special though.
I don't disagree with people saying that it's a better made show, but I don't think that it's a better show. Breaking Bad was more entertaining and didn't take as long to get its feet under it, whereas Better Call Saul took a while to really get going. Its third season was its best, and that's where things really started to click.
Saul is a slower show, and it's a good one, but it's not as good or as enjoyable.
Saul is a slower show, and it's a good one, but it's not as good or as enjoyable.
I've only seen the first two seasons but... I don't agree.
While I really like BCS, I don't think it has the "fun" value that Breaking Bad had. What made Breaking Bad special to me was how absolutely masterful it captured artistry...but you didn't need to understand color theory, foreshadowing, its themes, or cinematography to have a BLAST.
BCS, while great, is a lot drier and dull in comparison. Saul is the best, but I prefer Breaking Bad.
While I really like BCS, I don't think it has the "fun" value that Breaking Bad had. What made Breaking Bad special to me was how absolutely masterful it captured artistry...but you didn't need to understand color theory, foreshadowing, its themes, or cinematography to have a BLAST.
BCS, while great, is a lot drier and dull in comparison. Saul is the best, but I prefer Breaking Bad.
There is no such thing as a bad or boring character in BCS. It takes the cake for me. Unfortunately, since I would describe it as a much smarter show, I don't think as many people "get it" as they do the cops and criminals concept of breaking bad.
Edit: Not talking about ERA people or people being dumb when I say it's smarter, just that the show doesn't tap into relatable themes or stories for some members of the general audience.
Edit: Not talking about ERA people or people being dumb when I say it's smarter, just that the show doesn't tap into relatable themes or stories for some members of the general audience.
Nah. More had actually happened by the end of season one of breaking bad than the end of season two when i finally decided to duck out of better call saul for good.
Seemed like there was no plan to end BCS ever and fuck that shit. If you have 20 hours to invest in slow burns then good for it but there's more than enough reasonably paced media to keep me happy without ever even considering I've missed out on something.
Seemed like there was no plan to end BCS ever and fuck that shit. If you have 20 hours to invest in slow burns then good for it but there's more than enough reasonably paced media to keep me happy without ever even considering I've missed out on something.
BCS Gus Fring is pretty boring. Maybe it gets better this season though. Also Nacho and Mike's daughter-in-law are meh characters IMO.
BB, with its heavier emphasis on drugs and cartel criminals and cops and action set pieces, will always have a more 'mainstream' aspect ot it. It's of course much more than that, but I think that aspect will always give it a little more popular appeal.
BCS has some of that but its focus hasn't been there as much, certainly you're aren't going to get as many explosive or action oriented set pieces (at least not yet), but it is probably the better made and more well rounded show. Certainly I find the character dynamics possibly even stronger than BB.
When it's all said and done, once all the drama that plays out that will make the Jimmy-Saul transformation complete and the cartel aspect draws to its conclusion (which will probably bring some more of those BB like moments with it), BCS will likely prove to be the best out of both of them.
BCS has some of that but its focus hasn't been there as much, certainly you're aren't going to get as many explosive or action oriented set pieces (at least not yet), but it is probably the better made and more well rounded show. Certainly I find the character dynamics possibly even stronger than BB.
When it's all said and done, once all the drama that plays out that will make the Jimmy-Saul transformation complete and the cartel aspect draws to its conclusion (which will probably bring some more of those BB like moments with it), BCS will likely prove to be the best out of both of them.
I think BCS is more consistent but like you said, BB has higher highs and those are some damn good highs.
Either way, I'm extremely glad the show is as good as it is. You almost never get spin offs of this quality.
It's on there, at least on the American Netflix.
Either way, I'm extremely glad the show is as good as it is. You almost never get spin offs of this quality.
It's on there, at least on the American Netflix.
Okay*, but how does it stack up to The Wire?
*I don't actually agree, but I think the shows are equally good.
*I don't actually agree, but I think the shows are equally good.
I prefer BB. The pacing was just much better and it's a more interesting show with more interesting supporting characters (Chuck aside).
BCS is possibly the slowest burn I've ever watched. It's still something I do get excited for, but there's just something missing for me.
BCS is possibly the slowest burn I've ever watched. It's still something I do get excited for, but there's just something missing for me.
Mike's daughter-in-law is terrible but fortunately she barely makes any appearances.
It is much more refined than Breaking Bad. Vince Gilligan is at the top of his game with this show.
But I don't agree that Mike and Jimmy are more compelling characters than Walt and Jesse. Bryan Cranston's performance has yet to be topped.
But I don't agree that Mike and Jimmy are more compelling characters than Walt and Jesse. Bryan Cranston's performance has yet to be topped.
I think Better Call Saul is fantastic, I'm not sure if I say it's better, but only because I think the "highs" in Breaking Bad have, thus far, been higher, but it's damn close.
OP
OP
I agree, it's good, not best of all time tier. Like a B+, when there are shows like The Wire, Mad Men, and Deadwood out there that are easily A's.
BCS is definitely getting there. Actually, I'd say it's pretty much dead even for me. I have a feeling BCS's endgame is going to be spectacular. And I have no idea what it'll be... the show could end before, during or after BB. Actually I strongly suspect it surpasses BB timeline wise for the final season. Vince has said he might do that. I think he will.
It's close, but overall I have to give the nod to BB. It was a little more engaging and better paced, and had more "holy shit" moments more frequently that left my jaw on the floor.
BCS has better side characters, though. Both Nacho and Howard are a treat to watch every scene that they are in. And Kim is of course excellent. Mike is in both so that's a wash (though he is even better in BCS, particularly in the episode about what happened to his son).
BCS has better side characters, though. Both Nacho and Howard are a treat to watch every scene that they are in. And Kim is of course excellent. Mike is in both so that's a wash (though he is even better in BCS, particularly in the episode about what happened to his son).
While it is a fantastic show indeed I still place BB above it. The things that happen, the storyline, the tension, just everything really. Bryan and Aaron are also superb in this. BCS is very very good though and along with BB one of my favorite shows for sure.
We have to wait until the show ends because BB had those very tense moments near the final episodes that had you on the edge of your seat. BCS hasn't reached that level yet. I know some complained that it was too much of a slow burn when it started and I did somewhat agree, but I know the best of the show is yet to come, and it will pick up its pace as the show nears its final seasons.
It definitely has the potential to be better, and major props that they were able to pull off such a compelling story line for a prequel because to an extent...they have their hands tied as to how much leeway and predicaments the characters can get into, because we know where some of them end up in BB.
It definitely has the potential to be better, and major props that they were able to pull off such a compelling story line for a prequel because to an extent...they have their hands tied as to how much leeway and predicaments the characters can get into, because we know where some of them end up in BB.
I hope it turns out that some of Kim, Howard and/or Nacho are still around during the time of BB. It's not like we saw every minute of Saul's world during BB. He very well could've still had stuff going on with them during that time. We just didn't see them because they weren't directly involved with Walt's bullshit.
Jimmy and Chuck have maybe my favorite familial relationship on TV. It's immensely complicated, and depicts two extremely flawed individuals that technically love each other.
It's fucking brilliantly written.
It's fucking brilliantly written.
In many ways yes, no family BS to drag down the show, no Marie, etc.
But as great as Better Call Saul is, it's lacking the nerve wracking tension and intense situations of Breaking Bad. I feel like once Jimmy starts to go full on Saul it'll reach those same heights.
But as great as Better Call Saul is, it's lacking the nerve wracking tension and intense situations of Breaking Bad. I feel like once Jimmy starts to go full on Saul it'll reach those same heights.
I enjoy BCS, but sometime I feel like the show is so far up its own ass. Just get on with the plot instead of meandering on a shot or scenes where it's just one person giving a monologue as some big metaphor for the writer to jizz all over the script. If you like the episode "the fly" because it makes you feel smart you'll probably love BCS.
I think I like BCS more too.
Jimmy as the main character is really interesting. And HILARIOUS AF. I love seeing what kind of new nonsense or scam Jimmy gets himself into.
Jimmy as the main character is really interesting. And HILARIOUS AF. I love seeing what kind of new nonsense or scam Jimmy gets himself into.