Breaking Bad’s Legacy: The Intricate Ties with Better Call Saul

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Bob Odenkirk‘s role as Saul Goodman became iconic after his striking introduction in the second season of “Breaking Bad.” As the crafty lawyer, he first appeared in episode eight, titled “Better Call Saul,” where his interactions with Walter White, played by Bryan Cranston, set the stage for a larger story that would span years.

In this episode, Saul meets Jesse Pinkman, portrayed by Aaron Paul, and quickly becomes entangled in their criminal activities. His keen understanding of Walt’s motivations and the risks associated with their shady dealings establishes him as a crucial ally—albeit one with questionable ethics. After a series of events involving a DEA threat, Saul offers his services as Walt’s legal representative in expanding his meth operation.

Years later, Odenkirk reprised his role but as Jimmy McGill, a struggling attorney who constantly battles with his moral compass. “Better Call Saul” traces Jimmy’s evolution before he adopts the Saul Goodman persona, providing a nuanced look into his character’s complex psyche.

The backstory for Jimmy isn’t heavily explored in “Breaking Bad,” making the spinoff’s introduction a welcome addition to the franchise. While Saul appears as a confident manipulator, he hints at a deeper journey, with creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould expertly weaving elements of Jimmy’s backstory into the narrative.

In his first encounter with Walt, Saul disguises himself under the pretense of being Badger’s uncle—painting a portrait of a man who knows how to manipulate situations for his benefit. The moment he claims, “It wasn’t me, it was Ignacio. He’s the one! […] Lalo didn’t send you?” serves as a foreshadowing of crucial relationships that develop further in the spinoff, particularly between Saul and the powerful Salamanca family.

The spinoff reveals intricate layers surrounding both Lalo Salamanca and Ignacio Varga, characters who come into the limelight in “Better Call Saul.” The show also retroactively clarifies Saul’s earlier comments about criminality, redefining them as hints toward his complicated history rather than merely throwaway lines.

While Jim’s tumultuous love life is touched upon in “Breaking Bad,” Kim Wexler, played by Rhea Seehorn, emerges as a significant character in the prequel. This backstory interspersion allows fans to develop a greater understanding of Saul’s actions, adding depth that might have seemed unnecessary in the original series.

The dynamic between morality and redemption resonates throughout both shows. Walt’s transformation culminates in self-awareness and demise, whereas Jimmy’s journey grapples with themes of regret and ethical choices, leading to forms of redemption in the face of overwhelming circumstances.

“When we set out to make ‘Better Call Saul,’ there was a clear vision to not only complement but enhance the storytelling of ‘Breaking Bad,’” said Odenkirk at a panel. “We wanted to explore every corner of these characters, their motivations, and their consequences.”

The complementing narratives create a masterful crime saga that exhibits a symmetry which supports the depth within both series. Each character evolves, revealing their layers and illustrating the complexities of choices within the morally ambiguous landscape of their lives.

As the final season of “Better Call Saul” wrapped up, audiences were left spirit in a narrative continuity that not only illustrated character development but also solidified the connection between two groundbreaking shows. The storytelling experiences complement one another, solidifying their status as television’s remarkable intersection of moral allegations and crime.