Better Call Saul
- flyonthewall2983
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
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Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
Better Call Saul is a go.
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
Has a lot of potential-- Odenkirk remains one of the few bright spots on this series for a curmudgeon like me (Walt Jr's star-struck reaction to Saul was maybe the only thing I really cared for in the last episode). I could see it being a fun episodic series like the Practice minus the self-importance and personal ethics
- warren oates
- Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:16 pm
Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
Well, I was kind of hoping for a more of a half hour comedy version of this, about the random guys in Saul's waiting room, all the low-level players he deals with in between Walter White types. Still, I'm sure I'm not alone in loving the character and I'll surely be there from the first episode.
Edit: I've been hoping that if this didn't happen, somebody would have the good sense to preserve Saul's office set. I feel like it belongs in the Smithsonian or something. Glad to see it will be getting a little more mileage.
Edit: I've been hoping that if this didn't happen, somebody would have the good sense to preserve Saul's office set. I feel like it belongs in the Smithsonian or something. Glad to see it will be getting a little more mileage.
Last edited by warren oates on Wed Sep 11, 2013 5:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- flyonthewall2983
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
- Location: Indiana
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Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
I heard that, in the long line of rumors about this show, was that it would be set in Las Vegas. I hope that happens.warren oates wrote:Edit: I've been hoping that if this didn't happen, somebody would have the good sense to preserve Saul's office set. I feel like it belongs in the Smithsonian or something. Glad to see it will be getting a little more mileage.
If anything, they should preserve The Crystal Ship.
- Professor Wagstaff
- Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 11:27 pm
Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
Looking forward to the episode where he picks up a woman by pretending to be Kevin Costner.
- flyonthewall2983
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
- Location: Indiana
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Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
I'm looking forward to possibly seeing Mike again.
- warren oates
- Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:16 pm
Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
Better Call Saul open to Cranston and Paul cameos. Which argues in favor of it not being too long ago a prequel, like the rumors that it might take place in Vegas. Of course, naturally, the best part of this news is that it probably means more Huell.
And, flyonthewall, even though I'm pretty sure Hopkins didn't mean it this way, "awesome" only counts if its not so afterthoughtishly tacked on to everyone but the name actors: "You're all awesome -- camera, production design, post, catering, teamsters, writers." I get that it was a private fan letter to Cranston focusing on the acting. But an actor of Hopkins' experience and stature shouldn't seem at all surprised about the mystery of how Cranston created and sustained such an indelible character: He did it hand in hand with the writers. Which is why it's no surprise that Breaking Bad is full of such career-defining performances -- for me Odenkirk and Esposito especially.
And, flyonthewall, even though I'm pretty sure Hopkins didn't mean it this way, "awesome" only counts if its not so afterthoughtishly tacked on to everyone but the name actors: "You're all awesome -- camera, production design, post, catering, teamsters, writers." I get that it was a private fan letter to Cranston focusing on the acting. But an actor of Hopkins' experience and stature shouldn't seem at all surprised about the mystery of how Cranston created and sustained such an indelible character: He did it hand in hand with the writers. Which is why it's no surprise that Breaking Bad is full of such career-defining performances -- for me Odenkirk and Esposito especially.
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
- flyonthewall2983
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
- Location: Indiana
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Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
Good. I would imagine Esposito joining won't be far behind.
- flyonthewall2983
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
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- mfunk9786
- Under Chris' Protection
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 4:43 pm
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
Also, Vince Gilligan has been hired as co-showrunner. Something tells me all's not well in Better Call Saul-land.
- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
Why would something not be well if they've already doubled the pickup?
- mfunk9786
- Under Chris' Protection
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 4:43 pm
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
This is just an assumption on my part, though I'm not alone, but hiring Gilligan and delaying the show seems like an indicator that the initial work being done on the show wasn't quite up to par, and AMC agreed to renew the show if Gilligan directed the pilot and clean things up a bit. I suppose we'll never know the truth unless there are leaks or there's some oral history years from now, but I don't know why Vince Gilligan would suddenly need to share show-running duties unless this were, to use a comparison, a Pixar (Ratatouille being the primary example) situation, where they decide midstream that the first-time director they've chosen to helm a project is going to need some help, if not outright replacement.
The good news in all of this, of course, is that adding Gilligan almost assures that the quality of the show will increase regardless of how high that already was, so I'm more excited for Better Call Saul than I was before.
The good news in all of this, of course, is that adding Gilligan almost assures that the quality of the show will increase regardless of how high that already was, so I'm more excited for Better Call Saul than I was before.
- flyonthewall2983
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
- Location: Indiana
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Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
Maybe it's his CBS thing that's running into trouble and he's just decided to split his duties?
- mfunk9786
- Under Chris' Protection
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 4:43 pm
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
He wasn't initially running either show, just executive producing. There's a big difference, or J.J. Abrams would've already died of exhaustion.
- Roger Ryan
- Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: A Midland town spread and darkened into a city
Re: Breaking Bad (Spoilers within)
Hmm - two weeks ago, Gilligan was quoted as having some doubts about doing the spin-off. The older story notes that the series started shooting June 2nd. Were they, indeed, shooting the pilot first? If so, Gilligan being hired to "direct the pilot episode" two weeks later does seem to indicate the initial footage was deemed unsatisfactory.
- flyonthewall2983
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
- Location: Indiana
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- flyonthewall2983
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
- Location: Indiana
- Contact:
- flyonthewall2983
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
- Location: Indiana
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- flyonthewall2983
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
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- domino harvey
- Dot Com Dom
- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm
Re: Better Call Saul
Is anyone actually watching this?
- flyonthewall2983
- Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:31 pm
- Location: Indiana
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Re: Better Call Saul
I finished the 2nd episode this morning. I'd say it's off to a good start, Odenkirk is proving quite capable holding something together on his own and is mixing well with this cast.
- Feiereisel
- Joined: Fri Aug 16, 2013 9:41 am
Re: Better Call Saul
I am too. I think it's an easy recommendation, and if you're an Odenkirk fan, it's a must. It's more of a simmer than a boil compared to Breaking Bad, which I find very agreeable; it suits the reminiscent, maudlin tone established in the series' first scene.
The second episode really sold me on it, and I'm curious to see how it proceeds. I hope Gilligan and Gould avoid Walt and Jesse altogether, though. Not that they couldn't pull it off, but just let it be its own thing, you know?
The second episode really sold me on it, and I'm curious to see how it proceeds. I hope Gilligan and Gould avoid Walt and Jesse altogether, though. Not that they couldn't pull it off, but just let it be its own thing, you know?
- Red Screamer
- Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:34 pm
- Location: Tativille, IA
Re: Better Call Saul
I just finished the pilot and I'm not very impressed. I had hoped the show would be more comedic in nature, but it seems to be more of a gentler riff on Breaking Bad. It only has one direct callback at the very beginning (which is actually pretty clever), but the rest still seems to rely too heavily on the formula of the original, and it looks like it won't stray too far from the path: The visual style is similar as well, but lacked the flair I expect when Gillian directs. Worst of all, Odenkirk isn't given a whole lot to do, but he still adds some spark to the proceedings. I'll see how the second episode goes (especially since it's directed by Michelle MacLaren) but the pilot seems pretty content on being derivative
SpoilerShow
Upstanding guy gets into illegal activities because he's low on cash, and needs to pay medical bills/take care of family member(s). Also in play is a hugely successful business that mistreats one of its co-founders. I rolled my eyes when the credits came, the effect of the cliffhanger ending is totally gone
- cdnchris
- Site Admin
- Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 2:45 pm
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Re: Better Call Saul
The second episode has me. The pilot was ok, had me iffy at the end because of how they handled the reveal of a returning Breaking Bad character and I had a fear that maybe every episode would end up resorting to things like that, but after the second one I think i'm in it for the haul. The second one starts developing its own rhythm and it made use of that Breaking Bad character in an interesting way. It will obviously still cling to things from that world but I think it can find its own footing.