Better Call Saul expands a familiar story with emotion and complexity, creating a journey that feels all good, man. 

After the success of Breaking Bad, its prequel, Better Call Saul, takes a different approach. Although it includes fast-paced conflict, it’s centered on personal growth and shows how decisions shape a person’s identity over time. The series builds slowly as it focuses less on action and expands on character depth, which is what makes Better Call Saul effective. 

The story shows the life of Jimmy McGill, a lawyer who struggles with self-image and constantly tries to gain respect from the people around him.  Before becoming a lawyer, he works as a mailman at his brother’s law firm, Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill (HHM). On the side, his nickname is “Slippin’ Jimmy” for being a part-time con artist who relies on scams for additional income. As his morals begin to change, he tries to improve himself and to leave that lifestyle behind. However, his old ways continue to impact his choices. 

A major part of McGill’s transformation is shown through his relationship with Kim Wexler. In an interview with Rhea Seehorn, the actress who plays Wexler, she explained that her character was originally written to be “the one who got away,” but expanded into a major character as the series continued. 

The two first met working in the mailroom at HHM, where they built a strong connection. They grew close as they both studied to earn law degrees and hoped to become lawyers at the firm. From the start, their relationship grew because of their similar experiences of having to work hard to prove they could succeed. As they spend more time together, their relationship becomes more complicated since they begin participating in schemes together. McGill and Wexler use their knowledge of the law to avoid trouble from what they’re doing and eventually fall in love with the thrill.  Over time, their relationship strengthens, but their actions begin to take a mental toll on both of their lives. 

This complexity is what makes their relationship so impactful to the overall story. In season 4, episode 7, “Something Stupid,” a montage shows Wexler and McGill slowly drifting apart while going through daily routines. The scene uses little dialogue and is set to the song “Something Stupid” by Frank Sinatra, highlighting the distance between them. The moment stands out because it shows the reality of how distance can occur in relationships even without conflict, said Theresa Howl, junior.

Ultimately, the shift in his personal life directly causes his transformation. As McGill continues to struggle with his identity and the stress of needing to prove himself, he creates the persona of “Saul Goodman.” The name originates from the saying “It’s all good, man,” which represents how, instead of taking accountability, he tries to justify his actions. His alter-ego allows him to let go of his past and create a fresh start. The transformation happens through small decisions and portrays how people can slowly lose their values. This aspect makes the show relatable for viewers.

Beyond its emotional depth, Better Call Saul is acknowledged for its humor. Comedy is placed in serious situations throughout the series. Instead of obvious jokes, the humor is personality-driven by McGill, which makes it more natural. According to Dangerous Minds,  an episode in season two, “Cobbler,” contains one of the funniest moments of the series.  The humor is shown when McGill has to defend a client who’s accused of making strange videos with pies. To help his client win the case, he makes up a ridiculous explanation and names it the “squat cobbler,” describing it in a serious tone. Fans claim that the awkwardness of the situation and how people surprisingly believe him is what makes it amusing. “Jimmy makes the weirdest situations funny without even trying,” said Adam McClung, senior. The series mixes comedy with storytelling, which makes it stand above other dramas.

Overall, Better Call Saul is a widely favored series. With an almost perfect score, it has a 98% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 9.0 rating on IMDb. Many reviews praise its detail and unique character development. It has also received numerous awards and Emmy nominations. These include nominations for “Outstanding Drama Series” and acting nominations for Bob

Ultimately, the shift in his personal life directly causes his transformation. As McGill continues to struggle with his identity and the stress of needing to prove himself, he creates the persona of “Saul Goodman.” The name originates from the saying “It’s all good, man,” which represents how, instead of taking accountability, he tries to justify his actions. His alter-ego allows him to let go of his past and create a fresh start. The transformation happens through small decisions and portrays how people can slowly lose their values. This aspect makes the show relatable for viewers.

Beyond its emotional depth, Better Call Saul is acknowledged for its humor. Comedy is placed in serious situations throughout the series. Instead of obvious jokes, the humor is personality-driven by McGill, which makes it more natural. According to Dangerous Minds,  an episode in season two, “Cobbler,” contains one of the funniest moments of the series.  The humor is shown when McGill has to defend a client who’s accused of making strange videos with pies. To help his client win the case, he makes up a ridiculous explanation and names it the “squat cobbler,” describing it in a serious tone. Fans claim that the awkwardness of the situation and how people surprisingly believe him is what makes it amusing. “Jimmy makes the weirdest situations funny without even trying,” said Adam McClung, senior. The series mixes comedy with storytelling, which makes it stand above other dramas.

Overall, Better Call Saul is a widely favored series. With an almost perfect score, it has a 98% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 9.0 rating on IMDb. Many reviews praise its detail and unique character development. It has also received numerous awards and Emmy nominations. These include nominations for “Outstanding Drama Series” and acting nominations for Bob Odenkirk and Rhea Seehorn. Due to its humor, the way it expands the franchise’s story, and its deep character complexity, some fans argue the series is better than Breaking Bad.

Better Call Saul is considered to be a successful prequel because it adds depth and meaning to a familiar story. The way it combines detail and complex characters makes the series feel more engaging. Many fans see it as its own show with a unique story and not just a prequel to Breaking Bad.