Better Call Saul: One of TV's Greatest Accomplishments | Film Essay

[@CincinnatusPublish]

It's one thing for a movie to do it, but for two shows, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul, to pull off a slow burn with some only moments of action for 5-6 seasons, is a testimony to the talent of the writers and directors.

[@theburrowmedia]

Excited to see what Gilligan/Seehorn do with their upcoming project on AppleTV+!

[@ethandelaney5756]

Better Call Saul not winning any Emmy’s says a lot more about The Emmy’s than it does Better Call Saul ☕️

[@theburrowmedia]

Completely agree!

[@driftless7134]

The emmys are a complete joke.

[@blakemaxfield4267]

Walt died Jesse got away and Jimmy got life imprisonment.

[@blakemaxfield4267]

The emmy's are a joke like the grammy's and the academy awards. They get it wrong too much.

[@goldvideo]

Not that it matters (because the Emmys are an embarrassment), but BCS could still win for the second half of S6 during next year’s award ceremony. I still hope Rhea Seehorn gets an award - that’s the least they can do!

[@CrocodileWhispers]

GOOD JOB TELEVISION. YOU DID IT. I ALWAYS BELIEVED IN YOU

[@theburrowmedia]

It’s actually insane how good it CAN be‼️

[@theDiReW0lf]

BCS is so good that BB could’ve been the spin-off sequel.

[@theburrowmedia]

I felt the same way, especially given the last two seasons!

[@johnjones4426]

I feel so spoiled that we now have TWO masterpiece shows that coexist side by side with one another so seamlessly

[@theburrowmedia]

Can’t wait to dive back into Breaking Bad!

[@bradheiple1865]

This show is an absolute tour de force. Words cannot express how finely and meticulously crafted it is. Rewatching it you see how every single thing leads to one singular end. Man. Absolute perfection.

[@theburrowmedia]

Who knew it was going to turn out that way when it was announced. Still absolutely floored by the show!

[@MrLlurati]

I didn't watch Breaking Bad until January 2021. I assumed that it was probably overrated. I was wrong. I binge-watched the show in about ten days, and was so blown away by it that I jumped right into Better Call Saul. I feel really happy to have watch BCS Season 6 as it aired, and some of the episodes this last season were the best in the entire series, such as "ROck and Hard Place," "Plan and Execution," "Point and Shoot," "Fun and Games," and "Waterworks." The series finale was one of the best I've seen. It felt emotionally honest. While BCS is more of a slow-burn than BB, it feels more tragic, largely because Jimmy McGill wants to do good and get on the straight-and-narrow path, but he is sabotaged by his brother. I think that Jimmy is more likeable than Walter White, who destroyed his family, all because of his decision to become a meth kingpin, which was born out of a midlife crisis. Maybe if CHuck was more supportive of Jimmy, things would of worked out better. Overall, I will really miss this Universe that Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould have created. I wish I could watch both BB and BCS for the first time again. The best shows I've seen since The Sopranos and The Wire.

[@murathandinc488]

dont skip el camino too

[@MrLlurati]

@@murathandinc488 I watched El Camino as well.

[@theburrowmedia]

To your point, there were several episodes in the last season that can certainly be considered the best in the series. There’s also several in each season that you could argue are the best. Just shows you how strong the writing is!

[@theburrowmedia]

Not enough people talk about El Camino! It was really fantastic work and fit in perfectly.

[@MeetLeAnne]

Totally agree.

[@GamesWithBrainz]

absolutely insane how consistent the show is especially when you hear the writer say they never planned much ahead.

[@theburrowmedia]

One of the most fascinating processes I’ve heard of. Usually, most writers have a very distinct path through a story.

[@chonchjohnch]

My mother and I are on very different wavelengths but she and I both adore this show :) she was gasping during bagman the other night. It’s nice to share with her

[@theburrowmedia]

Bagman is a classic, glad you both are loving it 🙌🏼

[@goldilox369]

My son turned 13 this year. We started with BB. But he loved it so much, we watched El Camino and we finished Bagman 2 weeks ago. I love sharing this show. Watching someone else enjoy it adds more layers to my viewings. ❤️

[@dabosurusrex]

I've been watching bcs since S3 and recommending it constantly to my father (who was the one who recommended BB in the first place). He hates sequels and prequels so he was very reluctant but finally gave in and binged it thoroughout december 2019. For these last two seasons, we would sit down and watch the latest episode together each week. My fondest memories with him these last few years (which haven't been always been easy in our family relationship) are watching Bagman, Plan and Execution, Rock and a hard place, Point and Shoot, Nippy and above all the masterful finale with him

[@OBJYN788]

@@dabosurusrex why did you continue to watch the show halfway through if you enjoyed it? Why not watch the beginning to make it make sense

[@dabosurusrex]

@@OBJYN788 My brother in Christ of course I've watched the whole show. I just mean I started watching it when S3 came out

[@no-oneman.4140]

As a huge devotee of Breaking Bad it took me a long time to watch BCS, almost felt I was being 'unfaithful'. To anyone in the same position you are missing out on the greatest television ever made. Every single person involved in the making of BCS deserves a medal. The more you watch it the better it gets and the more you appreciate how this redefines the meaning of 'smart tv'.

[@theburrowmedia]

The two shows also go very well together in their own unique way.

[@raymondsims7042]

@@theburrowmediaMate what would be your top ten tv shows? Mine would be 1. The wire 2. Game of thrones 3. Mr robot 4. Dark 5. The boys 6. Breaking bad 7. Succession 8. Yellowstone 9. Stranger things 10. Sopranos Honorable mentions Mad men Better call Saul Dexter

[@theburrowmedia]

@@raymondsims7042 Oooo good question! I’m not sure I have a definitive ranking, but here goes nothing: 1. The Sopranos 2. Better Call Saul 3. What We Do in the Shadows 4. Breaking Bad 5. The Wire 6. Game of Thrones 7. Arcane 8. True Detective 9. BoJack Horseman 10. The Haunting of Hill House Honorable mentions to Search Party, Barry, and House. My next watch is Succession!

[@raymondsims7042]

@@theburrowmedia very respectable top ten🤝

[@AlonsoJoaquinComposer]

I just finished it a few hours ago. Man what a masterpiece, what a great moment to be alive!

[@jaybaumgartner9660]

Very well said and you said it in 10 minutes. For those of us who know, you don't need to go further to explain...we GET it. I agree with you! Masterpiece of a show. I have been telling anyone who is thinking of a show to watch to watch THIS show. I too am sad it is over. An amazing accomplishment that IMHO surpassed BB.

[@theburrowmedia]

I also think that it may be my preference over Breaking Bad. So gooooood!

[@driftless7134]

Man, that closing scene of the show is still so brutal. Such a perfect, melancholy ending.

[@theburrowmedia]

One of the best endings we’ve seen in the past couple years!

[@funkaholic1972]

@@theburrowmedia It was just so emotionally satisfying to see Jimmy and Kim smoking one last cigarette together like they always did, I teared up a little during that scene.

[@theburrowmedia]

Same, felt like the good ole days!@@funkaholic1972

[@lefunnyN1]

i love it honestly, i initially thought its going to be a shitty spin off to make some money but i think its even better than original show

[@theburrowmedia]

Everyone we know thought the same (us too for a while) even though there was potential for a great series.

[@brobro9169]

Crazy how they not only did it once...but they did it twice.

[@theburrowmedia]

It’s truly incredible how good both shows are.

[@barnacleboi2595]

Did it*

[@howaboutno4008]

5:50 i thought i missed something! it was so fast i actually missed it.

[@theburrowmedia]

That’s the beauty of it!

[@andyp2111]

Really good vid and that “subtle acting” part is so true and is one of my favorite things about the show

[@theburrowmedia]

Me too! Not enough time is spent on nuance in both movies and shows.

[@droberts1593]

Sadly, modern Hollywood does not consider that BCS ticks enough agenda boxes to deserve to be properly acknowledged (vis a vis awards) as both the best and most masterfully crafted show in recent memory. The fact that it is not being held up as a shining example is, as Chuck might say, a sick joke. The TV landscape is much poorer for the show's absence, and I already miss it.

[@theburrowmedia]

I agree wholeheartedly that it’s masterfully crafted. It’s such a shame that there’s a significant over-saturation of televised content to watch and not as many eyes landed on this.

[@erikhartley2494]

It is sad but people are used to shows maintaining “cheap” thrills that the average consumer is conditioned to expect nonstop action. That and some highly driven people only want to watch cheap entertainment as therapy to give their brain a rest. I almost think this show would have done better decades ago before the online world took over.

[@jakobsmith4046]

2:04 Wait is that the same bottle Gus used to poison Don Eladio??

[@Xxrocknrollgod]

Ya

[@Kamn_exe]

I just realized the mirrored duality between the opening screne shown here and the final scene of the series

[@theburrowmedia]

It just shows how much care went into creation and shot list. Perfection!

[@_Overestimated]

This is a fucking great video. I honestly thought this video had much many more likes, you deserve it.

[@theburrowmedia]

Appreciate it!

[@vojislavduric5040]

I first watched Better Call Saul and than Breaking bad and I liked BCS more than BB. BCS is a beautifully written and filmed drama, one of the best TV series

[@jakobsmith4046]

I genuinely can't explain why I absolutely love deep crime related dramas like BB, BCS, The Wire and many others but don't like "true crime" stuff.

[@theburrowmedia]

That’s really interesting 🤔 but I love both!

[@shiptj01]

Watching this show is like watching a novel play out in front of you. All of the thoughts and motivations can be seen from watching the characters. That's not common for a lot of screenplays.

[@theburrowmedia]

I agree! Every single motivation can be felt and seen.

[@vincentvandervelden3554]

I feel the exact same way I just couldn't articulate it as well as you Great video, maybe via this vid I can recommend the BCS show to my friends now ...new sub ✌🏼

[@theburrowmedia]

YES, get everyone to watch it 👏🏼

[@spanishpeaches2930]

How we all loved Kim....brilliant acting.

[@theburrowmedia]

Kim forever and always

[@pixeljauntvr7774]

Kim is Bae.

[@jefrreyrobertson1573]

congratulations television! I love you television you are the best television!!!

[@Poet482]

I'll have you know that the excellent video essays popping up on KZbin about the series finale of Better Call Saul has gotten me into the Breaking Bad "universe" in general. When I hear guys like the one in this video, the way they construct their sentences gives away that they're knowledgeable about writing, and I have never heard of anything but praise for this show from the right people like this. I only say this because the people who hyped up Breaking Bad were, by and large, normal people who were just in it for the entertainment and not the artistic merit. You know, the, "This show is cool because drugs," type who completely miss the point. That hype was so big that it unfortunately overshadowed conversations from people who *did* enjoy it for its artistic merit, making me miss the actual appeal of the series for well over a decade now. I'm a little over 2 seasons into Breaking Bad now, and it is a treat to know that I'm in for something special once I get to Better Call Saul and throughout. It's so well-written and skillfully executed already! I don't particularly care about knowing "spoilers," either, since those "spoilers" only matter in the context of what leads up to them, making the term, itself, something of a facetious figure of speech. I'm rambling. Great video! You're doing great work by putting out this video to get the word out how this series, and by extention the companion series, is 100% worth a fellas time to have something high-quality to mentally chew on.

[@theburrowmedia]

Thank you for the compliments! Happy you decided to give Breaking Bad another try because it really is a good show. And what I love most is how Better Call Saul makes the world so much richer with connective tissue between the shows. Can’t beat it right now!

[@HyakuJuu01300]

Breaking Bad-Better Call Saul duo for the TV and LOTR Trilogy for the cinema are untouchable for me.

[@theburrowmedia]

Very good picks 👍

[@Dash-td8rl]

This has God levels of mastery God Lord Thank you

[@MeetLeAnne]

SPOT ON 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🌟

[@theburrowmedia]

Thank you!

[@mt2r-music]

The only bad thing about the show is the facts it’s a prequel. It’s easy to predict with many characters that they will be killed or somehow else unwillingly discarded due to them not being in breaking bad while still having a good relation to the characters that are. Something which sadly can’t be avoided. Except that I can’t think of a bad aspect about the show. Although I think breaking bad is still superior.

[@theburrowmedia]

Valid critique! The show still manages to make it so interesting which is what makes it great.

[@mt2r-music]

@@theburrowmedia 100%

[@russellking2716]

very nice review

[@theburrowmedia]

Thank you for the comment and I appreciate the kind words!

[@jaybee557]

really enjoyed both BB and BCS - if I was forced to choose between the two I would go with BB …. (mainly due to the last half of the final ep of BCS - no way Jimmy would wear 86 yrs instead of 7.)

[@theburrowmedia]

Totally understand your point. Definitely conflicted at first, but I’ve come to appreciate it.

[@phlippy]

But the whole point was sacrificing himself to put Kim in a better position and to release all the guilt that he built up over the years. The finale dove deep into the theme of regret for past decisions, and in the end Jimmy let all of it out. I thought it fit with his character and perfectly concluded the development he's had over the years

[@moony3890]

Such a good review.

[@theburrowmedia]

Thank you!

[@caseyhart4999]

Indeed one of the greatest shows ever alongside breaking bad I love it so much.

[@theburrowmedia]

We already miss it pretty bad!

[@raymondsims7042]

Yeah both are absolutely phenomenal breaking bad is easily a top ten show ever, and bcs is arguably top ten as well. It’s nuts

[@zacz1801]

Really good

[@nevergonnagiveupuntilibeco5690]

Bravo Vince

[@marilynmanord1790]

How can you NOT recommend Breaking Bad to friends? Breaking Bad is absolutely untouchable!

[@theburrowmedia]

It’s a fantastic show! One that I would recommend now, but didn’t recommend enough when it was on air.

[@clintonevans2003]

Agreed

[@justinhughees]

Great video!

[@theburrowmedia]

Thank you!

[@JuanchoDaDon]

Nice video keep it up brother 👍🏼

[@theburrowmedia]

Much appreciated! Thank you.

[@MrShadowThief]

This is the moment Rhea Seehorn becomes Rhae Seehorn.

[@theburrowmedia]

I can’t wait to see her in the new Gilligan show!

[@denisesudell2538]

@@theburrowmedia SAME! She totally deserves to headline her own drama.

[@dewaynegregory9393]

Very well done. 👏

[@theburrowmedia]

Thank you!

[@nipa7778]

I was ur 200th subscriber🎉

[@theburrowmedia]

Thank you so much! Appreciate the support 🙏🏼

[@bneal68]

Very Very good show. BB Better.

[@vito7654]

You just got a sub

[@theburrowmedia]

Thank you, we appreciate it!

[@vistalover9607]

5:00 Trying to recreate the shock of this scene by just including the entire section of it in your video is ineffectual and a spoiler, but not just a spoiler but just rehashing a video that is disingenuous

[@paahtopro3950]

this channel will grow

[@theburrowmedia]

Thank you! I sure hope so.

[@Xxrocknrollgod]

There are lots of channels like this tho

[@paahtopro3950]

@@Xxrocknrollgod yea i noticed. Idk why

[@demonalivefornow9680]

BCS is good, much better than most series, but it'll never be Breaking Bad. Doesn't have the coherency.

[@theburrowmedia]

Thanks for the comment!

[@VirtualHolocaust]

dude exactly how high were you when you think this might be a thing. its not better than breaking bad. its not better than even the sopranos.

[@84bombsjetpack23]

Pretty sure it's not even in the Top 300 TV shows of all-time list.

[@denisesudell2538]

Wrong.

[@Sephirothkingdom782]

Popularity =\= quality

[@blakemaxfield4267]

Trolling

[@catalystv7520]

Worst ending of all time 👎🏻

[@theburrowmedia]

What didn’t you like about the ending? I’m curious!

[@prod7906]

@@theburrowmedia I didn't dislike it but I felt what he did in the end completelty went against his character. He would have taken the 7 year deal with a smug smile. Thats what I wanted.

[@neilpemberton5523]

@@prod7906 SPOILERS Well, it needed to contrast with Breaking Bad. Walter White very quickly graduated from humble narcissism to burgeoning psychopathy after he killed Krazy 8 in the first season, and it was all downhill from there. The whole saga of BCS-BB shows Jimmy/Saul as a dangerous narcissist with little or no empathy for his victims but he never actually commits murder. Near the end he is tempted but he can't do it and gets caught instead. Kim's action in confessing all to Howard's widow, and leaving herself open to being sued to permanent poverty, is the trigger to Jimmy's redemption. He realises he is unlikely to ever be a worthwhile member of society, and may even start to murder people to stay free when released, and most of all he loves Kim and can't face the rest of his life without her. So his action in copping the full force of the law makes sense to him. To me, BB and then BCS are morality tales. If you don't like endings which show consequences you should stick to the normal Hollywood fare. Having the anti-hero choose to do the right thing is very rare, and all the better for it.

[@biofilms22]

@@prod7906 Saul would have, but not Jimmy

[@theburrowmedia]

@@prod7906 I felt that way at first, but then the more I thought about it the more it made complete sense to me to take this approach given what we’ve seen from him in very minor moments.

[@reconstructionmanifest7349]

Best show ever made

[@theburrowmedia]

Certainly one of the best! Thanks for the comment

[@reconstructionmanifest7349]

@@theburrowmedia my favorite show ever for sure. As far as another subject: Breaking Bad vs BCS. I just finished a rewatch of Breaking Bad yesterday. I had rewatched BCS just prior. I definitely think BCS is by far the better of the two. I actually found Breaking Bad slow comparatively. Especially, and I know people are going to think I'm nuts, season 4. The first 10 episodes of season 4 I feel like it's just the same thing being told 10 different ways (Gus is going to kill Walt), and it just felt slow. Hank is my new favorite character. Anyway. You're welcome for the comment and thank you for the video

[@raymondsims7042]

@@reconstructionmanifest7349what’s your top ten shows? For me it’s 1. The wire (no show is even in the same class as the wire) 2. Game of thrones 3. Mr Robot 4. Dark 5. The boys 6. Breaking bad 7. Succession 8. Yellowstone 9. Stranger things 10. Sopranos Honorable mentions Mad men Better call Saul Dexter