Mike Broke Us.. | Better Call Saul 1x6 Reaction

[@SpartanandPudgey]

Wow what an episode with Mike...absolutely heart breaking Watch our reactions up to 4 weeks EARLY & UNCUT over on Patreon! www.patreon.com/spartanandpudgey

[@samtof75]

The Mike backstory, Jonathan Banks’s acting - this is in my opinion one of the best episodes of any tv shows ever. A true masterpiece.

[@turc1656]

It's right up there with his half measures speech from Breaking Bad and Chuck's "chicanery" monologue.

[@pabloc8808]

They took what was supposed to be a one-off character (Mike) and the "comedic relief" of Breaking Bad (Saul), added an entirely new character we never even heard about in Breaking Bad, and made a show that's arguably better than BB.

[@febaburga]

This is one of those episodes that makes you realise that Better Call Saul isn’t just a “Breaking Bad spin-off” but a damn good series in its own right.

[@themourningstar338]

Yeah, agreed. Better Call Saul isn't a spin-off of Breaking Bad... not really anyway. BB and BCS are much better classified as companion series, with El Camino as a companion movie. Or even as a trilogy that tells a complete story.

[@mregobuster]

"I broke my boy." That fucking line never ceases to make me cry. Mike was always so hard and stoic in Breaking Bad, this was the first time we see him break ever. Gets me everytime.

[@nooneofconsequence1251]

IMO this is the best acting in the whole of both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Jonathan Banks was robbed of that Emmy.

[@brianne3327]

100 percent!! Also, to me, the start of BCS surpassing BB.

[@xDamage69]

even said so by Peter Dinklage himself

[@pabloc8808]

It's very rare that an actor being emotional on screen moves me to tears as well, but Banks' acting in this episode? Every time, no matter how many times I watch it.

[@bennyfever1998]

Fun fact: Mike was actually never intended to be in the show. Originally in the first episode that Mike shows up in breaking bad, it was supposed to be Bob Odenkirk who plays Saul. But due to scheduling conflicts he wasn't able to make it. So they made Mike up on the spot, and man did he become one of my favorite characters too.

[@KyleBaran90]

BB and BCS are full of happy accidents, great cinematography, and good writing

[@salvadormartinez8577]

they were told this multiple times watching breaking bad. This is not news to them.

[@bennyfever1998]

​@@salvadormartinez8577 I was not aware! Thanks for the info!

[@elbruces]

@@salvadormartinez8577 Maybe, but did they know that Mike was actually never intended to be in the show? Originally in the first episode that Mike shows up in breaking bad, it was supposed to be Bob Odenkirk who plays Saul. But due to scheduling conflicts he wasn't able to make it. So they made Mike up on the spot, and man did he become one of my favorite characters too.

[@lapislazuli5035]

This episode showed that behind his stoic exterior, Mike is just as damaged and complicated as Walter and Jimmy.

[@MFBloosh]

Mike is an example of the lengths and changes someone will go through once they lose something or someone they love, or lose everything..

[@Kevin.Costner.]

One of my favourites the whole show, explains / expands soooo much, so thats why he didn’t wanna repeat the mistake again with Jesse

[@ComedicPause]

He opened the police car to stash a gun in between the seats. The gun that he knew Fensky would confiscate was the one that was unloaded.

[@keikosman]

When you watch this with a father's perspective, this may be the most heart-wrenching scene on TV. You spend a lifetime trying to raise your son to be a better man than you. You know he idolizes you and you live with the fear that YOU might dissapoint HIM one day. Not only did Mike have to do this, he then had to persuade Matt to lower his standards and "debase himself". Then to add further injury, he had to confess all of this to his daughter-in-law. He was completely broken.

[@cheekyramen]

Didn't expect to get so emotional this early in the series 😢 love Mike in Breaking Bad but but seeing more of him in BCS and watching the show peel back all the layers of his character made him phenomenal in my eyes

[@EthanKorewha]

Jonathan Banks (Mike) got Emmy nominated for this episode, unfortunately didnt win, this whole show didnt win any Emmys, which is extremely shocking

[@space_1073]

This show, succession, ozark, and Barry all aired their final seasons in the same year. It was super unfortunate timing.

[@atrevino90]

he did lose that one to Peter Dinklage in Game of Thrones, I believe for the episode "The Laws of Gods and Men" which was great, but I still would have given it to Johnathan Banks, there is a slight moment during tyrion's last speech that it's slightly cringe for me, and Johgnathan's deliverance was a lot more natural, real, and perfect. But still, over 50 nominations, 0 wins, biggest robbery of any TV show in history

[@Mic-Mak]

This is why I don't buy it when people say it's ok to not win for early seasons because there's still time. TV is extremely competitive. Succession won Emmys for its first season and crushed Better Call Saul, while it was in it was in its later seasons.

[@ValuableTrouble]

Yeah it sucks. BCS got nominated 53 times. It broke the record for most nominated show to never win an Emmy

[@josephsarto689]

Thanks for clarifying who played mike. I never knew which character the actor who got second billing in every opening credit sequence played

[@red2977]

Mike's actor deserved the Emmy for that performance. It was a crime he didn't win that year.

[@justdan9264]

ngl he had Peter Dinklage as competition tho, so at least the loss is objectively valid. (but the other 52 lost nominations in the show is so unaccounted for)

[@space_1073]

You guys are my favorite reactors by far. The only people I stick around for the discussion after, you’re both always so spot-on with the analysis and it so great to hear your theories and be reminded of how I was thinking at this point in the show. You’re in for an incredible ride!❤

[@SpartanandPudgey]

thank you! we are really happy to hear that. hope you enjoy the rest of the journey with us ♥️🥳

[@ΣΜΡΤΥ]

exactly

[@thewolf6296]

Such a great episode! I remember following this show, there was the question floating around whether this show could stand on it's own, rather than just being in the shadow of Breaking Bad, and it was after this episode when it was agreed that, yes, it could.

[@elias306]

Yeah I remember that too! This episode blew away any doubts. It’s the show I’ve followed for the longest time; watched episode 1 the night it premiered and watched the final episode the night it premiered. Such a crazy journey, can’t believe that was seven years

[@njd4291]

20:12 chefs kiss for that subtle editing.

[@cadleo]

One of the best episodes of the show. One of the best performances of Banks' career.

[@williambill5172]

Mike has always been able to captivate an audience with just expressions...check him out as a very young man doing the same thing in Beverly Hills Cop more than 40 years ago.

[@annalisabedini4894]

I' ll never get tired of saying it....BCS is perfect❤

[@Exarathas]

And that’s church yo

[@drewcliff82]

As a father of 4 with a son this one truly gets me every time bc I can't imagine. JB really pulls you in by getting lost in the scene which makes you do the same. One of the most underrated episodes imo. Love you guys. Happy holidays.

[@prp2]

Jonathan is a wildly underrated actor. Really surprisiing to see how much he's been in prior to BB/BCS but yet largely unnoticed.

[@SpartanandPudgey]

it's a very powerful scene, hit us both deep! Happy holidays to you too! ♥️

[@prp2]

@SpartanandPudgey Thanks to you, Spartan and Pudgey (which, you're really not btw) for giving us other perspectives.

[@drewcliff82]

@prp2 For a second I thought u meant something totally different by this 😂🤣😅🤣😂😂🤣😅 Like that was a fake account and not them. 😂🤣😅🤣😂That made my day lol.

[@josephsarto689]

Jimmy: what’s that? What’s hmmmhmmhhm supposed to mean? Mike: you know what hmmmhmmhmmm means. The question is, can you live with it?

[@pedma1]

Matty died for nothing. And for mike its not to much that he died but he died having betrayed himself. Now i just realized that just as his son Mike also dies for nothing, so in his last moments he must have been thinking about his son, thats why he tells walt to shut the fuck up.

[@graybabyoracle]

Jonathan Banks fricking owned this episode. Can't believe what a high level he was playing at as Mike.

[@Mic-Mak]

29:09 I love seeing reactors figuring stuff out on their own like this!

[@yll7570]

This episode is very deep , Mike is quite the tragic character , sure he wasnt really a good person but he wasnt really a bad person either.

[@scubajedi3091]

Mike is a great character. Oh, just y’all wait. How I envy you seeing this for the first time and having all the great stuff ahead of you! Love the accents, by the way.

[@I_Is_Ramped]

my absolute favourite episode of both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. I know every single word of dialog by heart. Johnathan Banks is just incredible, the rest of BCS is so great but nothing could ever touch this episode

[@stevencleere4912]

This is what you do with a throwaway character who wasn't ever supposed to even be in the universe, who was invented whole cloth for one episode (ABQ), due to a scheduling conflict. You take that character and make him the most compelling, interesting character in two shows.

[@alwaysbreezy37]

Still one of my favorite episodes from either series

[@kevinwalsh9704]

Crazy Mike got his “rabid dog” “I am the one who knocks” speech this early in BCS.

[@larryleyba6496]

This was always my favorite episode of the entire BB BCS universe.

[@Mantis_Toboggan_MD.]

My favourite S1 episode and one of my favourite BCS episodes overall. We already know from 'BB' what happens to Mike and what happens to Jimmy/Saul but this is the first episode that fleshes out more of Mike's backstory. Up until now 'BCS' has had a good few lighthearted moments and has been quite comedic in parts.... This episode begins to show us some of the terrible consequences of the decisions made by characters such as Mike.

[@nathan43082]

Starting out "We don't know if we'll like Better Call Saul" Now: "Better Call Saul is already amazing"

[@Mashbean317]

Mike had one of my favourite monologues in breaking bad the episode half measures. “No more half measures walter”

[@CilantroGamer]

When I first saw you guys were picking up this series, like many I was worried you wouldn't really get in to it initially. I was just thinking "Please, let them make it to episode 6." Thankfully, you guys have seemingly enjoyed the hell out of the show already, and I just knew you would instantly vibe with this episode. You guys had some great pickups on what was going on too with the sequencing and stuff. I can't wait to watch the rest of the series with y'all; you're really in for a treat. Edit: Also, during the discussion, I will say that it was hard to catch on film and make it super clear with it being a dark night and a flashback, but Mike broke into the cop car to plant a second gun, knowing they'd take the one on his person. When Hoffman and Fenske picked him up, they took his gun, and were planning to stage it like a suicide. Mike had emptied that gun, knowing they'd take it, and then right before getting out of the car, he fishes out the loaded gun he'd stashed. They agree on how they're going to stage it, Mike calls them out, and then they try to shoot him with his gun - but it's empty. He then shoots back with the gun he'd stashed, and the rest of the scene plays out. So yes, you guys were right after deliberating about it. :)

[@KyleBaran90]

When do people usually drop out of BCS? It's great seeing the familiar characters and backstories. The writing is just as good (if not better) and it's more of the same that BB had (in a good way). Sure it's a bit slower, but it's a prequel (mostly) and it needs to re-establish the setting and timeline. People have no patience these days

[@angie-tq4ew]

Imagine not only being the one to have slammed the door on your son's morals, but to have raised that very kid to be good, who then became a good cop, and THAT goodness was what got him killed, too. Double whammy.😔 Those guys knew Mike well enough that they also knew they only had a chance against him if he was drunk. 🤣🥰

[@wwk68tig]

One of the best episodes in the Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul universe. Just heart-breaking. Thanks for sharing.

[@prp2]

Yes, he took an extra gun. He knew they would search him for weapons.

[@Richiep1234]

No he planted an extra gun in the police car

[@NPA1001]

Jonathan Banks is a phenomenal actor.

[@Wombat44ooo]

+1

[@mr.noride7226]

2:16 Yeah! Mike is originally from Philadelphia, PA (Pennsylvania) which is near the East coast of the United States. It’s pretty far away from New Mexico which is in the Southwest United States.

[@ladyhotep5189]

Good for you Spartan for picking up that the woman is NOT Mike's daughter.

[@paulettewirtz785]

This feels passive agressive lmao

[@ghxstleader485]

That's 1 correct Spartan theory and number 50 for Pudgey😂

[@InfoRanker]

Incredible acting by Jonathan Banks here. They could have called this show 'Better Call Mike'

[@jspres86]

On top of this episode being such an incredible job by Jonathon Banks, it also goes a long way in explaining why over the entire BB-verse, Mike is so devoted to Kailee. Because in his mind and heart, he utterly failed his son. And he views providing for Matt's daughter as his act of contrition. And you're right, the brilliance of BCS is how we get to learn more about all these established characters. And considering where you (really) are in the series, you have so many more great stories to come.

[@cheekyramen]

Watching BCS first before BB wouldn't work as well as when you do it the other way around cause part of what makes BCS great is that it relies on the audience's knowledge of certain things to create tension and intrigue within the narrative. And you would miss out on that experience if you hadn't seen Breaking Bad beforehand

[@Mantis_Toboggan_MD.]

100% You even notice it with some reactors who maybe only watched ‘BB’ once and have forgotten certain things. They miss lots of little details in BCS

[@ZenShroud1]

The show works fine for people who've never seen Breaking Bad, but it's an enriched experience for those who have.

[@ichl46]

I never understood the "order discussion" people have with movies, shows or videogames. It's always really easy: Release order. Period.

[@Trepanation21]

@@ichl46 Seriously, lol. Because the release order benefits from the production experience of that order.

[@golden--hand]

I mean, I disagree? Short of the last season of Better Call Saul; the kind of issues you are thinking of would just be like foreshadowing, you don't need the context when shows foreshadow stuff the viewer hasn't seen yet. Literally this episode is basically full of that concept; presenting the viewer with situations that don't make sense and make you speculate, then you get the answers. Just between BCS and BB if viewed BCS first is now foreshadowing stuff you just have to wait a longer time for to get the context where the viewer can finally say "Ooooh! That makes sense now." I have actually considered that with some very minor edits to BCS, it would be better to watch first before BB, giving a fuller context to all other 'side' characters in Breaking Bad, where you understand the people surround thing the main case better then the main character. I think it would make for an interesting first time experience. I think people are so hard on these two shows in that you HAVE do view X before Y only because that's the order THEY saw it in and can't imagine it any other way now. Not because it actually CAN'T or is worse to view the other way. The only real downside of watching BCS before BB is the quality drop in cinematography, both of which are great, but BCS really did a lot of interesting things which would be noticed missing more.

[@oggyreidmore]

The worst part is, Mike was also killed for nothing. Walt could have gotten the names from Lydia...

[@xXDiGiTaLBaThXx]

One of my favorite episodes in the breaking bad universe! Mike is such an awesome character. I feel bad for people that watch Breaking Bad and don't give BCS a chance. They miss out on so much great storytelling!

[@josephsarto689]

In breaking bad 3x12 half measures and 5x2 madrigal, it’s mentioned thst mike is from Philadelphia

[@MrCzerillo]

And earlier in this season also.

[@josephsarto689]

Yes that’s true! 1x3 nacho

[@cartwright77]

One of the best acting scenes by Jonathan banks

[@KyleBaran90]

Also that coffee shot at 3:55 looks pretty similar to one they used near the end of BB. I wonder if that was one of those intentional callbacks

[@KyleBaran90]

3:00 - Maybe you didn't know this, but tampons were originally invented during one of the world wars, as a convenient cotton pad for frontline soldiers to staunch bleeding

[@cultureyeah3390]

Imagine,there are BB fans out there who refuse to watch BCS. Imagine missing this episode.

[@wendydarling5790]

Mike went full measure.

[@Rozes313]

Rewatching this made me tear up … Jonathan Banks is brilliant

[@actuariallurker9650]

Jonathan Banks the actor whop plays Mike was nominated for an aa bests supporting IV actor award Emmy for this episode but lost to Peter Dinklage of Game Of Thrones....

[@ak14459]

Idk if anyone else has suggested it yet, but after better call saul you two totally need to watch Mr. Robot. It’s on par w/ this show and breaking bad.

[@RosaLichtenstein01]

Mike broke into that car to plant a gun.

[@LudusAurea]

I think it's also implied that the gun that the cop on the left used to try to shoot Mike is the one Mike had on him that was empty on purpose, and then after he gets shot that's when he (Hoffman?) pulls out his own service pistol and actually hits Mike before being killed.

[@RosaLichtenstein01]

@@LudusAurea Yes, thanks for that. I agree, but I didn't mention those facts since they seemed pretty obvious.

[@1matrix9]

Brilliant, thank you both.

[@kimwexler9393]

Jonathan Banks is legendary

[@e.acevedo6452]

Now you know why Mike is always miserable… lol

[@derbydriver]

This episode buried all doubt that BCS could be as good as BB. And then it proceeded to absolutely prove it, many times, throughout its run.

[@benjaminroe311ify]

Indeed.

[@andrewmaplethorpe1125]

When you re watch BB after BCS you pick up on little things that wouldn't have meant anything before. Two examples being that Saul does mention his real name is McGill and Nacho is also mentioned.

[@kevinscottbailey8335]

Because Better Call Saul jumps both backward and somewhat forward in the timeline of Breaking Bad Universe, some parts of Better Call Saul would be a little bit confusing if you watched it in the opposite order.

[@dquanissavage6287]

Spartan & Pudgey Such A Awesome Video Today!!🔥🐐🐐💎

[@snidefultodd]

tuning in for another episode of assumption soup

[@p.d.stanhope7088]

A grifter always needs to sell it by saying everything is up and up beforehand allowing the hook to finish the sell. Instead of "prepping" for the sell, because seasoned cops will pick up on it in a heartbeat.

[@danl.909]

Any "Mike" episode is a 10.

[@willvr4]

I forgot that comedian Joe Derossa is in this show. (The crooked Vet)

[@earthsorneo]

24:44 YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED

[@TheDanieel]

2:30 c'mon Pudgey, no one calls their parents by their first name

[@farbod21]

I call my Dad by his first name.

[@TheDanieel]

@farbod21 you're in a very small minority. Regardless, they wouldn't have a character in a TV show just randomly call their dad by his first name. Unless they explained the reason for doing so in the show. It would only confuse viewers.

[@vn5774]

​@@farbod21 Weird.

[@BobGnarley.]

And this is why i rate BCS over BB. This and many other scenes. Walt is great but BCS gives everyone their time to shine

[@VVoude]

Better call saul > Breaking bad. The acting and dialog this show has is just peak.

[@IulianYT]

29:10 - I don't think Mike "found" anything in the car, at that point he was already sure who killed his son. I think he did hide another gun in the car, knowing that they will put him there, and that they will take his gun away, thinking that Mike doesn't have any gun on him. And of the camera he just picked up the pistol he put there before.

[@zerodood]

24:56 Leave it to Pudgey to speak over the most powerful line of the episode. Right on time. (Jokes aside, great reaction overall.)

[@cecillegravelle2590]

it's criminal that this series never got any emmies. edit: What A Sick Joke!

[@isaiahpavia-cruz678]

When Peter Dinklage won his Emmy, he acknowledged Jonathan Banks briefly. I know they don’t really mean anything, and our love for this show as fans goes beyond any award, but I wanted some public recognition for this show, because in real time it was harder for people to convince to get into compared to Breaking Bad.

[@ValuableTrouble]

Yeah it sucks. BCS got nominated 53 times. It broke the record for most nominated show to never win an Emmy

[@MichaelM-uw3mk]

29:00 He put another gun under the seat how could you possibly not know that?

[@kmvoss]

Great reaction.

[@travisgray8376]

Yeah on re watch I start with better call Saul

[@LudusAurea]

Only the shows second Emmy worthy performance IMO and it was actually nominated too but lost which is nonsense. Saul is a slower burn but the buildup to the big moments always pays off and it just doesn't get better than this series.

[@floknows]

such a great actor

[@crystalgibson4121]

I can't wait for you to finish squid game season 1 so you can watch season 2. Love the channel!

[@yournamehere6002]

JIMMMMMMMMY

[@Csaba__]

Jesus pudgy when Mike executes 2 people haha its true what they say: dont nudge the pudge

[@carolmartin1298]

You two are in for a WILD ride with BCS. It's better than BB, in my opinion

[@Madmordigan]

If anyone can translate what Spartan is saying it would be greatly appreciated. It’s not his accent. It’s the fact that he doesn’t annunciate and just slurs his words like a drunk person. Pudgy has the same accent and I understand everything she says.

[@prp2]

Completely wrong intro on Mike and his "daughter" and the TRO. Gotta love out of context speculation. Watching now though and no doubt you've changed your tune by the end of this ep.

[@danieledamiani6748]

Hi can you do the reaction of i spit on your grave remake please?

[@MrCzerillo]

You guys assumed it was his daughter. It was never stated as such. You then had to make up some friction because you believed, for some reason, that it was his daughter....Don't assume things.

[@yournamehere6002]

They are so slow on the uptake

[@mikealvarez2322]

I hope your pain is gone Pudgy. You're looking quite chipper and pretty as usual. Take care of yourself. I'm wide awake and am enjoying the channel.

[@metaldude1085]

Can you guys react to Generation Kill?

[@Kreege]

second this. They've done the other two HBO war miniseries so it would be interesting to see them do GK.

[@kiria-c7v]

Please react to your name,it's anime movie

[@misterno-ice-guy8082]

Great episode. Great piece of fiction. I wish it was farther from the truth In The States we have a saying: acab

[@MrCzerillo]

A saying amongst criminal apologists.

[@NeverStartTradingOptions]

I wish you both a happy new year and a wonderful 2025 for your relationship. Just remind yourself the other person is there for you. You two are a cool team and i hope for a healthy year 2025. Christ is King. Until next year 🫡

[@samirkumarsaha7714]

Who wants to see Spartan and pudgey play rdr2 pls raise your hands

[@Palpatine4Senate]

This episode makes me hate Walter White even more.

[@Leiceku]

❤❤❤

[@MySonSD]

you guys should watch the wire next

[@ZackMuffinMan]

🐨

[@Mic-Mak]

6:39 / 10:33 Spartan's smart!