‘Better Call Saul’ is Better Than Expected

A lot of fans were worried that 'Better Call Saul' would taint Breaking Bad's legacy as one of the best shows ever.  Critics were worried it would be a cheap sell out prequel.  After the premiere Sunday, much of those fears were calmed.  Now after the second episode, the verdict is in:  We've got another hit series.

Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, who were the masterminds behind the original "Breaking Bad," have created this series.  So if anyone could make this work, it's them.  And it works.  How?  [SPOILER ALERT]

It's very Breaking Bad-esque.  The story naturally unfolds.  It's like you are a witness that happens to see the story happen.  Part of what makes it work is that we are constantly guessing who is who, what the back story is, and if we are going to see any of our favorite characters pop up.  And they do, subtly at first.  We see Mike as a parking attendant that Saul has arguments with all the time.  It's a time bomb to see when and how they team up.

We also learn that Jimmy (Saul) used to be a scam artist who would fall on the ice and sue.  He's changed his ways, at least at the moment, and even promises Chuck (his older brother), that he isn't backsliding into that.  Yet working as a Public Defender, Jimmy naturally works better with the lowlifes he represents.  He seems to fit in better with them.  He's at ease.

That is unless he's got Tuco threatening his life in the desert.  And that's where he successfully pleas for his life and his two dopey skateboarding associates.  He's recharged, ready to go, and we can see Jimmy McGillis beginning to transform into Saul Goodman.

Nice start, guys.  Nice start.