The Debate: Should Viewers Watch ‘Better Call Saul’ Before ‘Breaking Bad’?

The debate surrounding whether viewers should watch «Better Call Saul» before «Breaking Bad» continues among fans of the critically acclaimed series. «Breaking Bad,» created by Vince Gilligan, is widely considered one of the greatest television series of all time. Its spin-off, «Better Call Saul,» developed by Gilligan and Peter Gould, has also garnered significant praise, sparking discussions about the optimal viewing order.

«Better Call Saul» premiered in 2015, bringing a fresh take on the «Breaking Bad» universe by focusing on the backstory of «criminal» lawyer Jimmy McGill, portrayed by Bob Odenkirk. The series introduces viewers to a prequel narrative set before McGill becomes the flashy legal figure known as Saul Goodman. Despite being a follow-up, the show has been lauded for its originality and ability to stand alone, with Rotten Tomatoes rating its six seasons as high as 97 to 99 percent.

Critics and fans praise «Better Call Saul» for its storytelling, character depth, and exploration of moral complexities. The show manages to expand on «Breaking Bad’s» universe with new characters, such as Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) and the Salamanca cartel members, Nacho Varga (Michael Mando) and Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton), who bring additional layers to the story.

However, some viewers argue that watching «Better Call Saul» first may spoil key twists and developments from «Breaking Bad.» The spin-off includes scenes and storylines that foreshadow events in the original series, including black-and-white segments showing the futures of key characters.

«Breaking Bad,» which aired its final season in 2013, achieved high critical acclaim, with its latter seasons receiving near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes scores. The series follows a high school chemistry teacher, Walter White, who turns to cooking methamphetamine with former student Jesse Pinkman to secure his family’s future.

Bob Odenkirk’s portrayal of Saul Goodman, a role he debuted in «Breaking Bad’s» second season, has been a highlight across both series. Odenkirk’s performance, celebrated for its humor and emotional depth, earned him six Primetime Emmy nominations for his work on «Better Call Saul.»

While both series offer compelling narratives and performances, the viewing order remains a personal choice. «Better Call Saul» provides context and depth to characters introduced in «Breaking Bad,» enriching the experience for viewers who opt to watch it first.

The spin-off film, «El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie,» released on Netflix, serves as a capstone to the «Breaking Bad» story, adding another layer to the complex narrative universe.

While «Better Call Saul» is designed to function independently, knowledge of «Breaking Bad» enhances certain plot elements, providing additional context and rewarding attentive viewers with callbacks and references to the original series. Ultimately, whether to start with «Better Call Saul» or «Breaking Bad» is a choice left to viewers eager to explore one of television’s most celebrated franchises.