MovieChat Forums > Better Call Saul (2015) Discussion > Is the show meant to be a standalone sho...

Is the show meant to be a standalone show in its own right?

posted 6 years ago by Manowar2010 (77)
2 replies | jump to latest

If so, I think there is some unfair criticism of some of the scenes/sequences that we are seeing.

Obviously, the 'flash forward' scene of Saul calling the vacuum cleaner guy doesn't make sense without having already seen Breaking Bad, but it's also possible in a few seasons that entire scene could be within an episode and fully explained, separate from Breaking Bad. Breaking Bad had a few flash forward scenes like this, although I think they were all during Season 5a and 5b.

So my main point is about the setup of the lab at the laundromat. That scene may not be there just to show the BB fans "Hey, this is how Gus sets up his lab". It might be part of a fully fleshed out subplot. We know where it all leads to, but that doesn't mean there can't be an interesting story behind it.

I don't know, however, how the writers will make Saul's dash to the vacuum cleaner guy more suspenseful and tense without using scenes or shots from Breaking Bad. Just showing Walt's face on tv and Walt being revealed as Heisenberg may not be enough to really create the suspense.

Manowar2010

[–] winslow (1318) 6 years ago

They want the show to be for both audiences. Someone who doesn't know the history will still be able to see Gus is planning a major drug operation independent from the cartels. And that story will ultimately converge with Jimmys story, which will be interesting because Jimmy, Mike and Gus all have the ability to come up with complex and detailed plans to achieve an objective. Incidentally, that's a big selling point of Breaking Bad, because Walt also has that ability.

The latest EW interview with Odenkirk revealed the coming episodes will have more comedy mixed in. I'm thinking on the level of Squat Cobbler. And the scenes with Saul will probably be moving backward in time instead of continuing to the vacuum guy.

They seem like they have a plan to continue later seasons with the Gene story.

[–] jriley555 (8196) 6 years ago

i see the two shows as interdependent. the lab is a good example.

they are spending a good amount of time on this lab, the operation of which and importance of which they are unlikely to explore too much further beyond construction and possibly initial connection to WW, relying upon the BB narrative to have already told the rest of the tale.

without BB, we wouldn't know WHY gus hates hector. for BB watchers, we know (Hector killed Gus' brother/protege, on orders of the cartel, right in front of him).

you can probably enjoy this show stand-alone, certainly S1, which was hilarious - but there would be a lot of open-ended questions left for those not familiar with BB.