FILMMAKER REACTS to BETTER CALL SAUL Season 3 Episode 2: Witness

[@arbitraryanalyst]

To me, this exact episode has always felt like “the beginning of the rest of the show”. I can’t believe that I’d be fully alone in that notion. Gus making his appearance is a major turning point for BCS, and I honestly can’t wait for you to experience the next 3 seasons.

[@bustedhammer8619]

Nah I'm with you. This is where BCS really starts for me. From here on out the show is top of the top tier

[@captgeech]

I'd never really thought of that but you're totally right, everything before this almost seems like a prelude. There's def some great stuff in seasons 1 and 2 but it's like the main event starts right here

[@vincentlecornu201]

100%. I feel like Seasons 1 and 2 set up a very engaging foundation for the insanity to come.

[@goorioles1976]

I feel like there’s three tiers. The second tier begins here, the third begins in episode 4x8

[@jip5889]

Because at this point in time, Gus is the danger. He is the one who knocks! So danger has entered the show.

[@TumzFestivalYT]

First time "Saul" talks to Walt and Jesse, what does he ask? "Put a dollar in my back pocket." Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but he gets that FROM KIM.

[@ronrago2696]

I thought the exact same thing!

[@vincentlecornu201]

"Things are going to get messy." You and I both know that is an understatement! The story starts to get exponentially more complex and intense from here, and it hits hard because they laid such a deep, solid foundation.

[@willisverynice]

The rest of us too

[@CoccyxShock]

That miniature-looking shot around the 6min mark is done using a tilt-shift lens. Look up tilt-shift photography if you're interested in more. It's wild method of shooting scenes to get that look.

[@Mart1n192]

Franchesca gets so slept on most of the time, she's really a tragic character if you look at it right, When all of this started and she was hired she looks so ecstatic and happy with the job, even making jokes, she also seems to be quite fond of Kim in particular And when we get to Breaking Bad she is in a completely different room, with a glass dividing her place and the customers for Saul, she looks disheveled and couldn't give much of a shit when Walt breaks into the place for the 7th time

[@Danny0dbert]

"Fear an old man in a profession where men die young" Mike is the perfect example of that.

[@impossible7163]

Cinematographer really loves Mike. Others get good stuff but Mike gets the extra special stuff from top shelf.

[@AmateurSurgeonThe3rd]

This makes sense because Mike is a doer not a talker. Cinematography has less opportunity to take centre stage amongst Jimmy's loquaciousness

[@indicaink]

Here is a cool easter egg that you haven't caught onto yet. You know each season repeats the intros, and they are different for all 10 episode sin the season? Each season they degrade a bit and have more visual defects in them, similar to how a VHS tape would degrade over time

[@5Amigos32]

I think that shot that looks like miniatures is Tilt shift photography which is so cool and you should look into it. The movie Game night uses it a lot

[@pjkerrigan20]

I looked it up and apparently the shot is a composite, so it’s that awesome tilt-shifted shot on the bottom comped with a background of the city lights. Unbelievably cool effect.

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

Love how Gus' very first introduction to Jimmy is him looking through the trash lol

[@Yora21]

Jimmy is not too proud to dive into the trash to get his way. Which I now realize comes back very late in the show.

[@batmanvsjoker7725]

@@Yora21 I see what you did there

[@vincentlecornu201]

Now I can say it with no spoiler: We get much more of Gus in BCS than we did in BB. It gets deep.

[@nivekian]

You definitely feel that he's truly a Supervillain after BCS. You see Gus peak at being Gus.

[@Lodekac]

I love how this episode has MINUTES of scenes with no dialogue and still manages to bring the message!!

[@JJay2410]

"Put a dollar in my pocket both of you!" Kim rubs off on jimmy in so many ways. In a way, she is in fact in breaking bad! Rhea deserves all the awards.

[@John_Locke_108]

This is when the show truly starts. Without a doubt.

[@blackswan7568]

Fun fact: 13:36 is a reference to "Breaking Bad" when Jimmy/Saul first meets Walt and Jesse. Remember that he asked them both to put a dollar in his jacket to ensure "attorney-client privileges"

[@citpeks2000]

One of the things that I love is how these shows portray the older characters. Mike never expends any more energy than is necessary to accomplish his task, and Gus isn't above sweeping the floor in his restaurant.

[@5Amigos32]

Also now that you know. The first letter of the episode titles of season 2 are an anagram that in the right order spell Fifi Rebecca Inflatable Nailed Gloves off Switch Bali hai Amarillo Cobbler Klick Or FRINGS BACK

[@brettbaumler754]

The craziest part of this is that they did this before they even knew if they could get Giancarlo to come back. Peter Gould talked about it in an interview

[@chaost4544]

5:49 is one of the best shots of the series. This show is directed better than most big Hollywood films.

[@vincentlecornu201]

When you look up "clutch" in the dictionary, there should be a picture of Kim Wexler.

[@jculver1674]

Kim is best girl.

[@benjaminroe311ify]

James you are easily my favorite reactor to this series. You are knowledgable about film and character and plot development and it shows. Also you are verbose yet succinct. So professional yet personable. I would hope if I knew you in real life we'd be frieds. But you're way too cool for me bro. Keep em coming!

[@JamesVSCinema]

Hahaha brother never too cool for that!! I’d be down! You’re too kind, thank you!

[@brettbaumler754]

Literally the only person that can run laps around Jimmy is Chuck With Gus’ introduction in this episode, in my opinion this is when the show goes from just being a spin-off about Saul to being a full on Breaking Bad prequel. The two shows end up feeling like two halves of one huge saga.

[@amacuro]

Yeah, this show is Better Call Saul during seasons 1 and 2. Then on season 3 it's a mix of Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad, and then seasons 4 and 5 are full blown Breaking Bad! arguably more exciting than Breaking Bad, according to some of us.

[@kimwexler9393]

In the case of Kim sticking by Jimmy and her loyalty; totally relate to that. Ive been in relationships where you are aware of how good they are deep down and so keep hoping they'll turn it around and do good.

[@TonyBambino]

Showtime had a weekly docuseries a year after Better Call Saul came out called "Dark Net" one of the segments they did was about people who suffered from "electric sensitivity" [There is a actually a clip from that episode on youtube..]. Michael McKean's depiction of the mental illness is spot on.

[@NecronomThe4th]

5:55 that unreal looking shot I assume was done with a tilt shift lens. Look it up.

[@MarkM430]

I think what you're seeing in they odd clip on the bridge is a technique called "Tilt-Shift". Its a combo of lenses and focus that create that "Miniature" look in video. There are a ton of great examples here on KZbin.

[@Jared_Wignall]

Seeing Jimmy and Gus in the same scene together is amazing. While he knew about Gus on Breaking Bad, the two never had a scene together, which makes sense considering Gus probably wouldn’t go to Saul Goodman if he needed a lawyer, plus he probably has a lawyer anyway. It’s also great to see Francesca’s first chronological appearance in the Breaking Bad universe as well. Great reaction James, I hope you’re doing well, take care!

[@ledheavy26]

The shot at 5:50 was probably done with a long telephoto lens from a distance. The way the background and foreground are compressed "close" together like that makes me think that's what it is.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Yeah! If it was I’m curious as to what the aperture is on that lens.

[@ledheavy26]

@@JamesVSCinema Well, if the website ShotOnWhat is correct, I assume the lens is the Angenieux Optimo 24-290mm T2.8 zoom lens. It's the longest lens listed and that shot looks like it would be from something like that lens.

[@shifty7629]

Awesome reaction as always. Love how you clocked onto the Gus connection as it unfolded on screen. One scene that never gets enough love in this episode is Howard sneaking into Chuck's place. Patrick Fabian absolutely kills it as the prim and proper Howard, who is completely out of his element sneaking through people's back yards.

[@beedubree2550]

can I just say, it was very fun getting to relive my exact reaction to the Los Pollos reveal in real time again. I remember by the end of this episode still not being sure Gus would be a recurring character again, I still thought he might just be an awesome cameo (in my defence, you never know what to expect from Gilligan and Gould, can't wait to see what they do next)

[@MaciejCzub]

This strange shot on the bridge was created by using a tilt-shift lens.

[@ronrago2696]

James you love this so much its makes it that much more exciting. I would never throw in a spoiler except that when it comes to villains, your'e just getting started!

[@deanpoole4458]

The whole breaking bad universe has to be 100% the best in cinema/tv history,i cant explain how complete it felt after i finnished better call saul and everything just felt so tied together,cannot wait for one of my favourite characters to show up i wont say his name as to leave no spoilers but he is a terrifying man,i think james will enjoy this character

[@bmaster5324]

that unnamed character is so cool

[@slackstarfish8133]

As this show continued the stakes gradually build and build. I absolutely love where this show goes, you’re in for more than you realize.

[@cameroncimmerius1203]

I love the detail that the WM logo Jimmy is taking off the painter's tape on also resembles a trend line going downward.

[@DBlairMusic]

I know these aren’t live reactions so you’ve probably already heard about it, but that camera technique where the bridge looks like a miniature is called “tilt shift”, wherein the lens is tilted so it’s no longer parallel to the camera's image sensor, shifting the plane of focus and altering the depth of field.

[@AlanmanAaron]

really cool perspective on chuck's house in the first few minutes, i hadn't thought of the house as a metaphor like that before even though it's so obvious when you point it out

[@anacarolmsc]

From this season on it gets INSANE! And regarding Mike/Gus/Walter abilities, I can't wait for you to meet a certain unforgettable character in S4 😬 I LOVE this show

[@mrclaytful]

That shot is with a tilt shift lens its all in camera!

[@jcs1025]

Did you recognize Jimmy and Kim’s new receptionist, Francesca?

[@daz_n]

Something that always impressed me with BCS is that the cameos all work brilliantly even if you haven't seen BB. Nobody was there 'just because' 👌

[@jesscolor7178]

You should look into Tilt Shift lenses. Pretty sure that's how they did the "miniature" looking shot.

[@KyleBaran90]

When Saul was putting the WM tape on the wall, he used the same technique as when he put the aluminum up at Chuck's

[@Jakerivera04]

Someone pointed out at one point that Jimmy's genius can compete with Gus' at times. When Gus asks if he can take the watch to clean it, Jimmy takes the watch back because Gus would have seen that the wrist clamp on the watch wasn't broken. Genius!

[@MichFedorchak]

Where you said that shot didnt look real, I believe they used a technique called "tilt shift"

[@Blynat]

That crazy looking shot may have been tilt shifted to make something macro look micro. You can do the same thing with city scapes to make them look like miniatures. Pretty cool looking.

[@amacuro]

This show is Better Call Saul during seasons 1 and 2. Then on season 3 it's a mix of Better Cal Saul and Breaking Bad, and then seasons 4 and 5 are full blown Breaking Bad! arguably more exciting than Breaking Bad, according to some of us.

[@depressedtv]

Kim truly is a great character. And the actor is fantastic -one of the best, if not THE best, of the whole show

[@Awhmanitsdanttv]

13:47 did you catch that being how Saul became Walt and Jesse’s dollar? “Put a dollar in my pocket”

[@NylonStrap]

I visited Albuquerque last year and have been to that restaurant where they have the Pollos Hermanos. It was so surreal to be there.

[@ThePyroSquirrel1]

I have a feeling that miniature camera effect was achieved by a tilt shift lens, which always trips me out when I see videos of photos of people using them!

[@josea.4331]

Somebody actually caught on Gus' appearing in season 3 before it even happened. I remember reading somewhere that you can grab all the first letters of each S2 episode and rearrange them to form the word "FRINGSBACK".

[@bensiler40]

Season 3 has an insane upgrade in terms of cinematography. It’s always been good, but Vince Gillian is at his peak now

[@Mokoflama]

There’s 3 Breaking Bad characters re-introduced in this episode: Gus, Victor and Francesca (Saul’s assistant in Breaking Bad)

[@Malryth]

Mike's character reminds me of a modern , older Batman. He uses his brain more than his braun. I also love this show because it shows you how what circumstances and events made and shaped all the characters.

[@Eraldo_Coil]

Funny enough Jonathan Banks did voice Commissioner Gordon in Batman: Arkham Knight

[@chris_player2995]

10:26 James ID'ing Gus is hilarious 😂

[@polterkat]

*Player 2 has entered the game*

[@TylerClear]

13:47 Saul does this with Jesse and Walt when they take him out to the desert in S2.

[@seanellio]

The Admin hired by Jimmy is his admin all through this show, PLUS "Breaking Bad". I don't remember the amount, but she charges Walt an ungodly amount for a broken door.

[@Rufus0122]

If you rearrange the episode titles from last season and take the first letters you can spell out FRINGS BACK

[@RayneDr0ps]

This is where the fun begins. hahaha!

[@januarymilk9347]

For anyone interested in Gus as a villain I would highly recommend the GQ 'Giancarlo Esposito breaks down..' video, it's such a fascinating look into Gus, the show, and how he's played differently across Saul and Breaking Bad

[@jip5889]

I’m a simple man, I see the James BCS reaction, I click.

[@stevemartegani]

Guess you aren't a car guy James! Ernies Evo is amazing and unmodified, would have been brand new at the time. The cars in the BB/BCS universe are low key a big charecter of the show.

[@JJJackson777]

I've got 2 episodes of the entire show left, I've gone into emotion driven edging mode cos I don't want it to end

[@bcolt]

I cant wait for Chicanery.

[@pvanukoff]

I am not crazy! I know he swapped those numbers!

[@gonzo6489]

From here on out its just as much Mike's show as it is Jimmy's

[@joeyboogenz]

Dude . I've been flippin'waiting for you to figure out it was gus tracking Mike all along ! Ge3t ready for a deep dive to Gustavo,

[@soundofnellody262]

16:28 Well, Mike got a very uncool shot by Walter in BB. So he deserves getting all the cool shots now in BCS ;)

[@tovbyte]

It’s fascinating how Jimmy can sometimes be the smartest and dumbest person in the show at the same time. Him and Chuck both actually - both are geniuses at what they do best, but so incredibly behind in crucial aspects of life. They are almost like heroes in Greek tragedies in a way - demigods with incredible superpowers, but utterly blind to important truths

[@kimwexler9393]

Mike is legit one of the greatest fictional characters of modern times. Any time i watch Film Noir, i think "Mike Ehrmantraut could make this scene better".

[@foamingclean596]

I think that Chuck and Jimmy are interesting because if it wasn’t a show everyone would be able to see clearly that Jimmy is a truly awful and insecure manipulative villain, and Chuck is one of his victims trying to fight back.

[@BillyBong]

Chuck is a terrible person but I feel like people tend to miss 1 thing when they watch this show. They say Chuck never gave Jimmy a chance to succeed even though in the first few episodes Jimmy was really trying to be straight. But that isn't true. In the first few episodes, Jimmy pulls the scam with the skateboarders, which chuck finds out about when he finds the hospital receipt in Jimmy's pants pocket. Then he finds out about the billboard scam when he sees it in the newspaper. He knows Jimmy is lying cause everyone else got their newspaper and Jimmy claims some kids must have stolen it. So my point is, Jimmy wasn't being straight with Chuck and was returning to slipping Jimmy. Everyone tends to think Jimmy was flying straight so Chuck wasn't being fair, but he wasn't being straight and Chuck was onto it. And no one ever recognizes Francesca for some reason.

[@transformersrevenge9]

It's so messed up how well Chuck played Jimmy. He knew exactly how to get Jimmy. Use his love for Chuck against him, to get him to admit the truth, and then use his impulsive nature against him, when he finds out that his care and love was played with. Also, the scene between Mike and Francesca is such a good comedic bit. The most serious guy in the series, calling the most non serious character.

[@jacobrobinson7644]

"Beware a old man in a young mans game."

[@manualuser]

Monumental episode.

[@WornArsenic]

Better Call Saul is almost better than Breaking Bad & that’s an amazing accomplishment since the audience already knows how the story ends for 90% of the characters. Better Call Saul has better writing, character development & cinematography but I like Breaking Bad slightly more because it’s what created this universe.

[@homerchap]

It looks like that one early shot may have been done with a tilt shift lens?

[@tobiasrieper6640]

can’t wait for Ernie’s street racing spinoff

[@silikon2]

Chuck is a vile person, far worse than Jimmy. The zoom out reveal of the Pollos sign has to be quite bizarre if you haven't seen BB. "Oh no! Loss Pollos Hermanos!"

[@JustinWillisDevil240Z]

Kim is the GOAT.

[@jellybabiesarecool4657]

Once again proves how wrong Chuck is about Jimmy. He thought Jimmy would sneak in quietly trying to save his own butt, but instead he was mad about Chuck's betrayal. Chuck is really just abusing Jimmy's love for him.

[@maxvaldezsontros23]

Nobody wanted to mention the big piece of Walter's meth. On Jimmy's wall as a foreshadow?

[@dariusz_darson_8968]

It's the same location

[@nivekian]

And now Better Call Saul steps into Gus territory.

[@scotthome3314]

Give me all your thoughts on Chuck. 'Cause I'd really like to meet him.

[@frouvoxes]

It looks like you have horns in the thumbnail lol

[@JamesVSCinema]

I absolutely love these characters man...! Better Call Saul & Mr. ROBOT & Succession on Patreon! Click here: www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Much love!

[@davidcase8635]

@JamesVSCinema Finally! The true drug kingpin of Albuquerque is here!

[@jishin75]

Nice reaction, as usual! What I noticed rewatching this amazing show is the contrast between Gus and Chuck . Chuck is a self entitled guy, he likes the show so he invites witnesses, he wants the fame and to be recognized as the best. Chuck is great plotter and works behind the scenes but he's high key (He asks million of dollars to Schweikart & Cokely in a theatrical way) , while Gus low key (think of the wine poisoning, the subtle mind games). Gus feelings are hidden because of his criminal role, Chuck's are hidden because he's cold hearted. I love the contrast of these two personalities.

[@trol68419]

Asking whether or not a crippling phobia is "real" is kinda pointless tbh. No he can't actually sense electricity, but the pain and distress he endures is all too real for the man. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. The one thing they avoid here is how ridiculously stifling it must be in Chuck's house. No AC, no fans? Sheeeeiiiiit...

[@trol68419]

Kim vs. Heisenberg, who wins?

[@hitachiuchihamagicwand2776]

Chuck is the good guy Jimmy is bad #TEAMCHUCK

[@jimmackey6110]

You should do a reaction to The Caine Mutiny (1954). Bogart character captain Queeg is very similar to chuck. Great movie

[@danielperry6921]

😄

[@pithyfoot2160]

Watch Invincible 🙏

[@Leon-ih8iw]

Chuck is my favourite character hands down. I only love him more as I’ve rewatched the show.