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Watch with Mumsnet: Better Call Saul - Join the discussion and win a 40” Smart TV and 6 month Netflix subscription NOW CLOSED

447 replies

MichelleMumsnet · 09/02/2015 21:11

After the success of Breaking Bad, Watch With Mumsnet is back with Better Call Saul, a brand new Original series from Netflix.

In this dark comedic prequel to the Emmy-winning Breaking Bad, we meet ambitious small-time lawyer Jimmy McGill six years before he becomes Walter White’s morally challenged attorney, Saul Goodman. We follow as Jimmy (played by Bob Odenkirk) transforms from an optimistic underdog struggling to make ends meet into the notorious legal legend who puts the criminal in 'criminal lawyer'.

With one episode being released on Netflix each week we’d like you to visit the thread at different points throughout the season and let us know your thoughts on what’s going on. We’ll be updating the thread with new topics of discussion surrounding each week’s episode. Episodes will be release every Tuesday only on Netflix. Everyone who joins the discussion will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will win a Toshiba 40” Full HD Freeview HD Smart LED TV* and 6 month Netflix subscription, a further 5 Mumsnetters will win a Better Call Saul goodybag.

Note on spoilers: We want to hear your thoughts on everything, from plot twists to season finales and more - but if you’re talking anything that could reveal important plot details then please put Spoiler at the beginning of your post to warn others who may not have seen it.

Happy watching,
MNHQ

*Terms and conditions: Should this product be unavailable at the time of purchase for the winner, the right is reserved to substitute with an alternative of equal or greater value.

Watch with Mumsnet: Better Call Saul - Join the discussion and win a 40” Smart TV and 6 month Netflix subscription NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
TenaciousOne · 12/03/2015 20:17

I tried this on the off chance I enjoyed it, as I couldn't really get into Breaking Bad and strangely I'm really enjoying it.

I like the quirks

MrsFring · 12/03/2015 21:21

Wow. After the huge highs and lows of BB I thought that Saul would be lighter and less intense. Apparently not! Jonathan Banks was utterly extraordinary in this episode. The final scene was some of the best acting that I've seen for a very long time; it was such a revelation to find the depths of anger and loss beneath Mike's tough facade. Amazing.

DaisyDando · 13/03/2015 10:27

I love it. It isn't quite what I was expecting, but this is a good thing. I think I was expecting something a bit lame, like 'Joey.' I am so thrilled to see Mike, and watched two episodes back to back to find out more. Could quite happily watch 8 on the trot.

vintagemumfreak · 13/03/2015 13:23

love, love, love it! hate waiting a week for the next one! so many unanswered questions! AAhh!!!

mumsbe · 14/03/2015 12:19

This episode was very intense great acting but like it most when there is a lot more humour.
Definitely a good episode to watch with a lot more back story on mike and we get to see Jimmy s personality unfold

Edieblizzard · 15/03/2015 00:58

I really like it and it's almost filling the BB void that was left. I love the way it's filmed - the muted colours - as well as all the connections to BB. However a weekly wait is agonising Wink

MargotLovedTom · 15/03/2015 07:30

Loved Breaking Bad and love Better Call Saul. Bob Odenkirk is a fantastic actor and I love seeing his background fleshed out. Mike's story was also heartbreaking.

I've heard rumours that Jesse Pinkman makes an appearance which would make my year, although thinking about it he will probably be in Ali G clothes mode where he wasn't quite as appealing!

Agree with pp that it's agonising having to wait a week for the next episode.

Quiero · 15/03/2015 20:06

SPOILERS

I loved this weeks episode showing Mike's story. Really gripping episode. Very like BB, the way it is filmed is beautiful. I know nothing about this sort of stuff but the bit at the beginning when Mike was in the train station was amazing. The architecture around him just looked beautiful.

Seeing Mike having emotions and seeing him more human was really intense.

I loved the bit when Mike was in the Police interview and they told the story of his son being shot. Jimmy's reaction was lovely, he looked at him with real empathy. Like Margot above; I also think Bob Odenkirk is a great actor.

TenaciousOne · 15/03/2015 20:34

Only just on episode 2 but I'm enjoying this more than BB. There are parts that are confusing but a re-watch will sort that out.

amylauren1 · 16/03/2015 17:39

I must be one of the only people on earth who didn't watch breaking bad. I saw some of it but I found it a bit too gritty and dour for me. What I really enjoyed and didn't expect from Better Call Saul was how much lighter it was. I laughed a few times and was very pleased to recognise people from BB so I'm looking forward to it developing and geeking out with a well written but slightly more palatable series.

HoneywithLemon · 17/03/2015 12:38

I watched all available episodes at the weekend (new tv + netflix app). I loved it. I love Saul, I love Bob Odenkirk, I love the dialogue, the humour, the opportunity to delve deep into characters we know and love from Breaking Bad. Looking forward to the rest of the series and to reading this thread (which I'd been avoiding because of spoilers!!).

exmrs · 17/03/2015 18:07

A bit disappointed with this episode today, it seemed a bit slow.
SPOILERS
Highlight though for me was Mike's grumpy face staring at the young detective who was shouting about his notebook!
Then when young detective goes away the old detective apologises for young detective and Mike says 'I like him' with a deadpan face!

Snowflake15 · 17/03/2015 21:58

Love Mikes story, and the latest episode!

nikki1978 · 17/03/2015 22:01

Right I have caught up now :) I am enjoying it more and more. Much better than BB in my opinion. So interesting to find out Mikes backstory. Looking forward to the next episode tonight :)

SomeSortOfDeliciousBiscuit · 17/03/2015 22:48

SPOILERS!

I've just caught up with the last episode. I love that Mike stole the money off the couple who embezzled it, and she was indignant enough to threaten to call the police! She was a good character to watch.

It was also interesting to see that Saul is still, at this point, capable of caring for other people, because he sacrificed his brand new offices to help his friend as it was the right thing to do. I'm looking forward to seeing how he loses that ability to care so much.

DowntownFunk · 18/03/2015 13:06

SPOILERS

Saul is still more or less on the straight and narrow. What on earth could lead him down a path that would lead to him associating with the like of Walter White?

exmrs · 18/03/2015 13:20

Spoilers
Why wouldn't mike steal the money for himself?
He already admitted he took things when he was a police officer so he could have just taken the money and Saul couldn't have done anything

my4kids · 18/03/2015 13:35

I thought it would be funnier based on the adverts. I am enjoying seeing all the characters interact.

Thehappyape · 20/03/2015 07:40

It's hard for a spinoff to find its own feet but this show does it admirably. A great mix of comedy and pathos filled drama. It's amazing how they had the confidence to keep their ace card - Mike - relatively unused until a few episodes in!

My only concern? It's not happening yet but Is there a danger that Saul is becoming (or is) a different character to the one we knew from breaking bad????

Thehappyape · 20/03/2015 07:41

Mikes ethical system is complex.... And known only to Mike!

GatoradeMeBitch · 20/03/2015 09:47

I loved this week's episode! It's really getting into its stride now, I love the show.

SPOILERS! Well when we meet Saul in BB he offers to have his client Badger stabbed to death in the prison food line so that he can't implicate WW. Very different character! I think he's going to get mixed up with Nacho and end up dealing with some heavy stuff. And I think either his brother or ex/girlfriend will be killed. Something will break his spirit.

mumsbe · 20/03/2015 17:55

Up to date with episodes and this one was definitely interesting where Jimmy is wresting with doing the right thing and then I think at the end he wishes he hadn't.

Ellisisland · 20/03/2015 20:03

Interesting points about Jimmy / Saul becoming a different character we knew in BB. I think it will be combination of continual setbacks plus something larger - like something happening to his brother that will turn him into BB Saul. Also we have seen parts of the shadier side to him like when he sets up the skateboarders and in his flashbacks to his pre law days. It's just about when that side of him becomes all of him.

I did see an interesting interview with Bob Odenkirk where he said he felt Saul was always trying to do the right thing but just has a talent for being bad ! He also said that the series would take place before, after and during BB so I guess Jesse could show up at some point as I think didnt Jesse already know of Saul in BB? Sao must have had some dealings with him before the timeline of BB? It's been a while since I watched it so memory is hazy.

Overall really enjoying it still and love Mike.

Quiero · 21/03/2015 12:11

SPOILERS

Watched the latest episode last night. I love the relationship Jimmy has with his brother. The way he takes his mental illness so seriously and helps him is so lovely.

I loved The Kettlemans. Mrs K was a brilliant character. When she ran up the stairs to check the money - very funny!

Doing the 'right thing' is obviously not working out that well for Jimmy. You can already see why he might start edging toward a more dishonest career.

I am very frustrated at the one episode a week release schedule as clearly OD TV has turned me into a spoiled brat!

Petallic · 21/03/2015 20:04

I've only just finished watching Breaking Bad (amazingly good!) & I've watched my first Better Call Saul today - I'm especially enjoying it more now I know "how" to watch Vince Gilliagans work and to always be on the watch for future plot clues, plus I am liking the BB references such as when Jimmys car was parked up next to a very nice white Cadillac Grin