Is Better Call Saul a better show than Breaking Bad?
When I watched Breaking Bad again, I inevitably wanted to review it along with its spin-off, Better Call Saul, and I am writing it here to avoid opening a new topic; I don’t want to compare them because they are both productions that I watch with great interest. Even though they have stories in the intersection set, the stories actually include different times in terms of time period. Breaking Bad takes place in 2008-2010, while Better Call Saul takes place in 2002-2005. Of course, we navigate through time with flash backs and flash forwards. Another distinguishing point is that although they are both crime dramas, Better Call Saul is a crime-drama series with an emphasis on the intellectual plane, while Breaking Bad is a pure crime drama. spoilers from now on…
Warning: Spoilers from here on out.
Let’s start with the leading characters
If you sympathize with the leading character in the production, that production will be more attractive to you. In conclusion, let’s accept that Walter White and Saul Goodman, whose real name is Jimmy McGill, are people with dirty pages. While watching Jimmy, who was good-natured but overshadowed by his older brother, turn into Saul Goodman, or how Walter, a simple-minded chemistry teacher, turned into Heisenberg when he got cancer, we actually approved of it. Both characters were shaped in people’s eyes in a way they did not deserve and could not reach their potential. Their transformation is scary, but we approved of it, especially for Walter. They both rose through the ranks of lawlessness and are arguably considered the best antihero characters ever.
There may be a time when everyone goes crazy like Walter. However, not everyone has such an opportunity. It is difficult to find even a fake herb for normal living people like us, but the ground for such things seems to be more ready in America. Maybe Americans are like this because they are the grandchildren of European adventure lovers who migrated there in the past. The assumption in this last paragraph has fully emerged while I am writing it. Don’t take it too seriously 🙂
And both of these antiheroes have strong female characters in their lives. Although Skyler White, who could not gain the sympathy of almost anyone, and Kim Wexler, who gained the sympathy of almost everyone, her higher ethical values and her love for Jimmy probably increased our sympathy. We have never seen Skyler’s deep love. Even though she embraced the concept of family, she always avoided empathizing with Walter. I just can’t help but say this; The hostility towards Skyler White in the dictionary is at an extreme level, I mean, there are so many people waiting for an opportunity just to call a woman a “bitch”! If you’re going to do it, you make an analysis. Anyway, both women had to exist and they did.
By the way, let’s admit that we were not very fond of the supporting characters of Breaking Bad; Walter Junior, Hank (Turks loved this character the most) and Marie. Even though Walter turned into a notorious criminal, we always found his attitude towards Jesse (Jesse Pinkman) emotional. Even though our sympathy for Jesse ended with him ratting out Walter, we still wanted the best for Jesse because he never wanted things to come to that point. In fact, we were happy with their union and always wanted to see them as father and son. Still, Walter became his father in the last episode.
We already know some of the side characters of Better Call Saul from Breaking Bad. these characters; Mike Ehrmantraut, Gus Fring, Chuck McGill, Howard Hamlin, Lalo Salamanca and Nacho Varga. They are all interesting and strong characters that need to be dealt with separately. Therefore, I think Better Call Saul is much better written in terms of character chart.
Main differences
The same universe, the same successful character designs, the same vaguely felt but heartbreaking humor, the same masterful script language. Mike Ehrmantraut, who honored them both as the fatherliest side character of all time…
differences:
The main character of bb is definitely deeper, asocial and intelligent. The main character of BCS is more fun, he is the type who fails despite his sociability, but he is the type who does not sink thanks to his talent even if he wanders to the bottom.
BB is the story of an antihero who lives two extremely contradictory lives at the same time: the ghost criminal who works directly with the most criminal, most infamous guys, and the boring life of an ordinary American town. BCS, on the other hand, is the story of a man who wanders between the slippery legal and coyote world he tries to hold on to and illegality, and even manages to reconcile these two worlds without hiding himself.
While watching BB, one sometimes laughs with disgust and admiration at the tense contrasts. One often grins with delight while watching BCS.
bb is the burning of ports, not ships, with maniacal courage and an extraordinary brain. BCS is the vacillation of a determined and sensitive drifter born for marketing, showing off his talent while tearing up the pieces.
BB is a crime opera. BCS is a musical about (lack of) law.
bb is a separate thing. It is almost perfect. BCS is a wonderful television series.
Is Better Call Saul better?
Whether Better Call Saul is better than Breaking Bad is a difficult question, it may be justified. Better Call Saul is an underrated series.
This is like saying something like: Dude, I found a very good series, Breaking Bad, you should definitely watch it or Got etc… Since this kind of thing did not return in Better Call Saul, it could not achieve the perception of Breaking Bad. but think of it this way; If Breaking Bad is a journeyman’s work, Better Call Saul is a masterwork. The same men did these things. It is not unexpected that their last work will be better than the previous one.
I love Better Call Saul as much as Breaking Bad.
But it doesn’t appeal to everyone, it doesn’t play out as much as Breaking Bad. Better Call Saul appeals to a slightly higher audience, so to speak. While I was watching, I don’t understand how 45 minutes pass, the guy said on social media that it was “extremely boring”. So what can I say? It’s not a series, dear author, unfortunately you are boring. There is one of the most magnificent character developments in the history of TV series. The guys have meticulously woven it since the first season, and while doing this, they did not compromise on the immersion, impressiveness, and ethical discussions that will make one stop and think.
But this doesn’t work for everyone. I stop and put myself in Chuck’s shoes, I put myself in Kim’s shoes, I put myself in Saul’s shoes, I spin ethical discussions in my head, the man wants guns to go off etc. No way, it won’t go to you.
The value of this series will be understood much later.
I definitely agree that Better Call Saul is better than Breaking Bad, especially its 5th season is incredibly good. Of course, there will be people who will disagree, but I would say better call saul without thinking. Just as Breaking Bad was an experience for the screenwriters, you can see that they have improved themselves a lot while watching Better Call Saul. Moreover, the fact that it has such a spin off has proven for the second time what a quality series Breaking Bad is.