Better Call Saul 101: Uno

Before getting into a discussion of this episode, a look back at Breaking Bad is in order. Breaking Bad ranks as my third highest drama in total rating at 11.06, trailing only Lost at 12.51 and Friday Night Lights at 11.13. Its episode average rating was 9.53, which trails only Lost (9.70) and Dollhouse (9.54) for dramas.

The first season of Breaking Bad had an episode average rating of 9.71 – pretty dang high. All but two of the seven episodes were rated a 10, and the other two were 9. That first season of Breaking Bad ranks as the seventh best season for a drama so far.

Top rated single seasons by episode average (drama):

  1. 9.88 – Lost: 1
  2. 9.85 – Dollhouse: 2
  3. 9.83 – Dexter: 1
  4. 9.81 – Lost: 5
  5. 9.75 – Dexter: 2
  6. 9.74 – Lost: 2
  7. 9.71 – Breaking Bad: 1

So, now to Better Call Saul. The series premiere Uno had some similarities to Breaking Bad’s pilot episode. It centers on a story of a middle aged man with an unsatisfying career. He has family with unique needs, and he feels that he has few options left.

Saul … err, Jimmy … starts the show as a character that hasn’t quite become the “criminal lawyer” we grew to love on Breaking Bad. I would be very surprised to see that character from Breaking Bad tear apart a check for $26,000 like Jimmy does here.

Many of the elements that made Breaking Bad so strong are here on display in the first episode of Better Call Saul. The twisted sense of humor comes up in the first court case of “criminal trespassing” (hopefully we return to the courtroom for even more interesting cases). The out-of-nowhere action is there with the skater twins coming on to the scene and trying their scam on Jimmy.

The family relationships are also there. We didn’t get to see Saul with a love interest, or family, in Breaking Bad. Here we see him with his brother Chuck, suffering from what I assume must be an actual, real life disorder of not being able to tolerate electromagnetism. That first scene with Jimmy and Chuck is surprisingly touching. Jimmy wants what is best for his brother, but they don’t agree on what that is.

After one episode, I’m sold. I have faith in Vince Gilligan and company, and so far I’m happy to be back in ABQ. This first episode didn’t have the shock value of the Breaking Bad pilot, but it did leave me feeling as excited about a new show as I can remember.

Episode Rating: 10


What I’m Listening To:

  • The Nerdist (1/30/15): 5th Anniversary Show!
  • WTF with Marc Maron (2/20/15): Remembering Harris Wittels