Better Call Saul

[sze5003]

I also think the reason for the BB cameos showing up is for building up Saul's infamous presence in how he went from slipping jimmy to Saul.

He obviously became a good criminal lawyer by interacting with these characters. I don't think we will see more of tuco in the show but nacho and mike must have some type of involvement. Or Saul does something stupid to involve mike and then it all rolls from there.

 

[Perknose]

At this point we don't know whether Saul will have any significant further interaction with Tuco, and I expect he won't. The relationship that seems more likely to be lasting is the one with Nacho (and I'm sure we will learn more about that tonight).

And Tuco was Saul's link to Nacho, hence his appearance. But I wouldn't rule out Tuco appearing again.

I never got the sense Saul knew much about the ins and outs of the cartel - as I recall he didn't even know who Tio Salamanca was when they were discussing him at the very end of Season 4.

Saul may not have known Tio Salamanca, but I bet he gets to know Nacho Mama.

 

[Ichinisan]

I find it incredibly lacking in writing ability to just recycle and retcon characters into a story. I wouldn't mind actual cameos, but the idea that Saul interacted in a meaningful way with a lot of characters that appeared in BB is just silly and lazy. What made BB so good was the interaction with otherwise non connected characters and the surprises when some ended up in the same circle (Gus and the Mexican cartel, or Mike's involvement). Rather than some subtlety in introduction a gang banger who don't know and having him related in some way later on to Tuco, we are having extremely nonsensical plots thrown at us and Tuco being the center. Unless I missed something, Tuco and Saul little to no connections in BB. Why create some now and simply have them "not exist" later on down the line?

HE'S A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER THAT IS HIGHLY CORRUPT.

HE DEALS WITH CRIMINALS IN ABQ.

Mike is involved with the cartel and Mike was involved with Saul. Saul made a comment about Tuco in the Breaking Bad series. Saul had been involved with the Tuco and crew. This is not new stuff.

 

[Ichinisan]

... he said something to the effect that he knew a guy, who knew a guy, who knew a guy, who knew Gus, which would seem to undermine the likelihood that Mike was already working for both of them (the connection then would obviously have been more direct), but it's possible Saul was intentionally misstating the nature of his connection to Gus, and in any case Mike's allegiances were always left fairly vague.

As I recall, there weren't so many degrees of separation stated. He simply said: "I know a guy (Mike), who knows a guy (Gus)."

 

[11thHour]

My impression of the first two episodes was that it's trying brutally hard to carry the same mood of the show that Walter White epitomized - dark, dreary, and despondent.

But I just didn't feel it, even with the wicked crackling legs, and I'll be interested to see if Saul can carry this tone in. His life seems complete with all the fixings for becoming a first rate loser, but by painting failure at every corner, it strays far from the genius simplicity that led to Walter's despondency and indifference.

 

[BeeBoop]

BETTER CALL SAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, must stay away from this thread.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

As I recall, there weren't so many degrees of separation stated. He simply said: "I know a guy (Mike), who knows a guy (Gus)."

The Internet says the line was "“Let’s just say I know a guy who knows a guy who . . . knows another guy."

 

[Carson Dyle]

My impression of the first two episodes was that it's trying brutally hard to carry the same mood of the show that Walter White epitomized - dark, dreary, and despondent.

It may be exactly the opposite - that they aren't able to carry any other kind of mood. That may be good or bad, depending on how much you hold Breaking Bad in reverence.

But it strikes me as being considerably more tongue-in-cheek and humorous. It could still go in any direction, but I suspect it won't be as dark as Breaking Bad.

But I just didn't feel it, even with the wicked crackling legs, and I'll be interested to see if Saul can carry this tone in. His life seems complete with all the fixings for becoming a first rate loser, but by painting failure at every corner, it strays far from the genius simplicity that led to Walter's despondency and indifference.

It's a different character. I'm not expecting Saul to blow anyone up or poison any kids.

 

[purbeast0]

hahahaha the billboard scam was FUCKING AWESOME!

 

[sze5003]

hahahaha the billboard scam was FUCKING AWESOME!

Haha I knew that would happen from the first scene with the huge dude playing a drunkard.

 

[purbeast0]

Haha I knew that would happen from the first scene with the huge dude playing a drunkard.

yeah as soon as i saw him hanging i was like "... wait a minute..." lol.

 

[drquest]

hahahaha the billboard scam was FUCKING AWESOME!

Haha, yeah that was good....

ItSaul Good

 

[purbeast0]

Haha, yeah that was good....

ItSaul Good ... man!

fixed.

 

[Printer Bandit]

Anyone think this show is losing steam?

I don't much care much for any scene that includes tin foil brother.

 

[Ichinisan]

Anyone think this show is losing steam?

I thought this episode was great, but different. Jimmy's on-the-fly power of persuasion was demonstrated with the Nacho situation.

I don't much care much for any scene that includes tin foil brother.

That's an important character since it's Jimmy's connection to Hamlin, Hamlin, McGill and also the only reason Jimmy became a lawyer.

 

[Ichinisan]

Hamlindigofuckyourself

 

[CZroe]

Which is exactly what will make this terrible. Tuco's involvement was nonsensical and out of nowhere. Using familiar characters to set up the story is only weaving some ridiculous untanglable web of idiocy. There is zero reason for Tuco to be involved in the story, especially, considering Mike's other employer's involvement with the Mexican cartel.

LOL! You need to think more and evaluate your criticisms before you make them. Refresh yourself on the character's wikipedia page or something.

There is EVERY reason for Tuco to be involved in the story for exactly the reasons you say that he shouldn't. Breaking Bad established that Mike also worked for Gus and Saul was SOMEHOW involved at least enough to be aware of Gus. This is "somehow." Gus had a long-established history with the Salamanca cartel. Tuco was a Salamanca, just like Hector/Tio and the Mexican Murder Twins.

I find it incredibly lacking in writing ability to just recycle and retcon characters into a story. I wouldn't mind actual cameos, but the idea that Saul interacted in a meaningful way with a lot of characters that appeared in BB is just silly and lazy. What made BB so good was the interaction with otherwise non connected characters and the surprises when some ended up in the same circle (Gus and the Mexican cartel, or Mike's involvement). Rather than some subtlety in introduction a gang banger who don't know and having him related in some way later on to Tuco, we are having extremely nonsensical plots thrown at us and Tuco being the center. Unless I missed something, Tuco and Saul little to no connections in BB. Why create some now and simply have them "not exist" later on down the line?

You incorrectly concluded that it's a retcon, invalidating your ciriticsms. The fact is Breaking Bad set up Point B for Saul's back story. At some earlier point he has to get involved with Gus and Tuco's family to later direct Walt. Point A would be far less interesting if it weren't set before this involvement began. It's stupid to ignore that potential. It's a simple Point A to established Point B story at this point. By definition: not a "retcon."

Sorry, but I'm very glad you aren't directing this show's writers. :awe:

I wouldn't mind BB characters coming up, especially ones with a relationship with Saul (like Mike and Gus), but the Tuco connection just makes no sense. Badger gets into trouble after the Tuco incident, which had Saul had some kind of involvement with, would have noticed Walter was Hiesenberg. It was in the same season Gus gets involved (which is before Jesse's GF is dead and Mike acts as a cleaner, as that is where Jesse got the money from).

There's an obvious elephant in the room you seem to be ignoring: SALAMANCA cartel. Tuco SALAMANCA. Gus and Mike controlled territorial distribution for and even directed THE SALAMANCAS. Gus eventually overthrew THE SALAMANCAS. For Saul to set up them up in BB, he had to be previously involved enough to be aware of Gus. A brush with the Salamanca Cartel is the perfect way to reach the scenario setup by Breaking Bad.

BB's scenario is just BURSTING with potential. You want them to ignore it?! While it may be low-hanging fruit (often the best/most-realistic kind), this is the opposite of "forced." This is one place where that complaint is demonstrably WRONG (not even an opinion).

 

[Bob the Coder]

LOL! You need to think more and evaluate your criticisms before you make them. Refresh yourself on the character's wikipedia page or something.

There is EVERY reason for Tuco to be involved in the story for exactly the reasons you (cluelessly?) say that he shouldn't. Breaking Bad established that Mike also worked for Gus/the Salamanca Cartel and Saul was involved enough to be aware of Gus. He had to become involved with them SOMEHOW, and this is how. Did you forget that Tuco was a Salamanca, just like Hector and the Mexican Murder Twins?


I know you want your criticisms to be valid, but you incorrectly concluded that it's a retcon. The fact is that Breaking Bad set up Point B for Saul's back story. That is where he has to get involved with Gus and the Salamanca Cartel in some way enough to know about them when he helps Walt contact them through Mike. Point A would be far less interesting if it weren't set before this involvement began. To ignore that potential would be idiocy. It's a simple Point A to established Point B story at this point. By definition, it is not a "retcon."

Sorry, but I'm very glad someone like you isn't directing this show's writers. :awe:


Uhh, Gus was already Mike's primary boss when we were first introduced to him. There is no evidence that he ever worked for Saul first. So far there have been subtle signs that Mike may already be involved with Gus and/or the Salamanca Cartel in BCS.


There's an obvious elephant in the room you seem to be ignoring: SALAMANCA! Tuco is A SALAMANCA! Gus and Mike controlled territorial distribution for and even directed THE SALAMANCAS! Gus eventually overthrew THE SALAMANCAS. For Saul to set up Walt and Gus through Mike, he had to be previously involved in something at least enough to be aware. A brush with THE SALAMANCAS is the perfect way to reach the scenario setup by Breaking Bad.

BB's scenario is just BURSTING with potential, and you expect them to ignore it?! While it may be low-hanging fruit (often the best/most-realistic kind), this is the exact opposite of "forced." This is one place where that complaint is demonstrably, provably, WRONG. It's not even an opinion.

Breathe, dude... breathe.

 

[Rhezuss]

This show is pretty amazing so far...loved that last episode.
The billboard stuff...pure awesome! Saul is the man and alreayd we can see him evolving.

I also really like how he can persuade people "on-the-fly" like he did with Nacho.

 

[purbeast0]

Anyone think this show is losing steam?

I don't much care much for any scene that includes tin foil brother.

not at all. i was sad when the show ended because i want to see more. this show is awesome imo. i was VERY skeptical before it started too and thought it would be a failure. it's proven me wrong big time.

i like how we're gradually seeing who was initially a scared, by the book lawyer, slowly starting to gain confidence and start using unethical tactics to get his business.

 

[Ichinisan]

not at all. i was sad when the show ended because i want to see more. this show is awesome imo. i was VERY skeptical before it started too and thought it would be a failure. it's proven me wrong big time.

i like how we're gradually seeing who was initially a scared, by the book lawyer, slowly starting to gain confidence and start using unethical tactics to get his business.

Yup. It could still go bad, but I've thoroughly enjoyed every episode so far.

This show has done something impossible: I now anticipate Mondays.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I found the billboard thing predictable, the part where he pulled the guy up. I knew they were in cahoots.

 

[CZroe]

I found the billboard thing predictable, the part where he pulled the guy up. I knew they were in cahoots.

You're supposed to. Thank the foreshadowing with the "fat guy" and the fake Rolex. I figured it out when he was making sure the shot was just right.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

You're supposed to. Thank the foreshadowing with the "fat guy" and the fake Rolex. I figured it out when he was making sure the shot was just right.

I didn't see the whole scene at the beginning, missed about 1 minute of it.

 

[purbeast0]

I didn't see the whole seen at the beginning, missed about 1 minute of it.

:whiste: