Yesterday it was announced that AMC would be producing a spin-off of it’s iconic show Breaking Bad called Better Call Saul. The show would be a prequel series focusing on the character of Saul Goodman (Mr. Show’s Bob Odenkirk) — Walter White’s shady lawyer. Pop-Break’s resident Breaking Bad gurus Luke Kalamar and Logan J. Fowler examine the idea of spinning off the meth-tacular drama.
Logan J. Fowler: It’s been a serious honor to split review time with Luke Kalamar on the final season of Breaking Bad. This is a show like no other, so consistent, so tension ridden, so amazing, that it’s tough to swallow that it’s going to end so soon. However, apparently, AMC wants to create a prequel to this phenomenon focusing on the character Saul, who, don’t get me wrong, I love, sleaziness and all. Better Call Saul (the spin off’s title) would serve as a pre-Breaking Bad tale, honing in on the sketchy lawyer before doing business with meth makers. My problem with this is that I love Breaking Bad so much that it’s like art; I don’t want another splatter of paint on that perfect canvas. With Better Call Saul, obviously the focus would be away from the core content of the show that’s about to end, but still, I completely want the awesomeness that is Breaking Bad to stand on its own for all time.
Bitch.
Luke Kalamar: Logan Fowler, it truly has been an honor splitting this review series with you as well. Breaking Bad is easily one of my favorite shows of all-time and I have long since accepted the fact that it’s ending this year. All television programs will eventually come to an end after all. However, I’m not entirely against a spin-off based on everyone’s favorite corrupt lawyer Saul Goodman. The aptly titled Better Call Saul will follow Saul himself during the early years of his career as a lawyer and dealing with the seediest people imaginable. The opportunity for something amazing is clearly there as Saul has an almost completely untouched history that is just ripe for the picking. We can also see the likes of Gustavo Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) and Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) again as we know Saul worked with them in the past. I can easily see myself watching this show every week despite the fact that we have barely any details on it.
That being said, I know that history hasn’t been kind to spin-offs of popular shows. They almost always tank without fail. Making this spin-off is an incredibly risky move that has the threat of alienating the already passionate fanbase. I’m cautiously optimistic that the staff behind Breaking Bad can create something special, but the last thing I want is for the reputation of this highly praised show to be tarnished. Please, don’t let us down.
cover photo credit: ursula coyote/amc
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