Better Call Saul – Season 1 [DVD]

Set mainly six years before "Breaking Bad", this spin-off focuses on that show's flamboyant dodgy lawyer Saul. How came Saul to be? We follow here his earlier life as Jimmy McGill - main asset the gift of the gab, this exploited to the full when hustling. Then comes determination to make good - he secretly studying for a law degree whilst working in the mail room of a prestigious law company. Mixed fortunes follow, not to mention a shock (both for him and viewers) that changes everything.Result? A mixture of dark quirky humour, highs, lows and moments that prove genuinely moving.Bob Oldenkirk delivers a tour de force as Jimmy. How great to see Jonathan Banks again as Mike! Here is an actor who believes less is more - so much conveyed with barely a word or gesture - his Mike an ideal unsmiling counterpoint to Jimmy's exuberance. Much that surprises is to be learned about him, an episode in which he mainly features one of the season's best.Not everything works, but a lot does - enough to raise hopes for a fine second season.Ten episodes, all with commentaries. Modest other bonuses but they are worth a look.

Absolutely magnificent, but I suspect that the later seasons are going to be the real pleasure.Bob Odenkirk, the eponymous star of the series, said that the show was 85% drama and 15% comedy ----- I'm not sure that he has got the proportions right but certainly there are some dark and spellbinding moments that probably confused watchers as to how to treat this dish ---- sweet or savoury?Episode 6 particularly played out like a police thriller with corrupt cops, drugs, murders and revenge.On balance this is one of the best, most tightly written series I have ever seen with not a single word of dialogue wasted throughout its 10 episodes.I've yet to enjoy the complete 'Breaking Bad' collection which was spread over 5 years and will return to it joyfully after watching its offspring emulate the parent. A cross between a British series ( average 6 episodes) and the usual American formula (20+ episodes) ----- a healthy length in my honest opinion.When actors fit their written characters 'like a glove' you know something special is happening on screen and here Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks and Michael McKean have conjured up three oddball personas that are a pleasure to watch as they unravel in each episode. I know there's more to come from them plus others that reappear from 'the mother ship'.I just wish that I'd bought the 2 season box set instead of season 1 alone.Note on subtitles : Yes this dvd HAS English subtitles but the menu has confused some people as the word subtitles doesn't appear on the opening page of the menu.After selecting language a small icon appears > which you click and all the subtitles are displayed. Fooled me initially.

Wow, remember Breaking Bad (***** tv), and do you remember how empty you felt when it ended. Well, Walter and Jesse's journey was pretty much completed from beginning to end, but what of the other 1/3 of the partnership - slippery lawyer Saul Goodman? It's time to find out in this fantastic spin off which serves as both a sequel and prequel. It starts off pretty slow moving, and just like Breaking Bad, it takes a fair few episodes to get going. The routes of Jimmy McGill (Saul) are both intriguing and surprising. Michael McKean (of Short Circuit 2 & TVs Smallville) is excellent as his older sibling Chuck and is integrill to the story, whilst a few characters from BB reappear, with many more lined up over coming seasons.

I enjoyed this very much after something of a slow start.. This is not 'Breaking Bad' it's set at a different pace altogether, not exactly 'leisurely' but not frantic' either. Some of the stars in BB do make an occasional appearance (Mike is great!), could only wish there were more.Well worth the purchase.

Slower pace initially to Breaking Bad but as there is more character exploration I think this makes it necessary.As the series develops it starts to get better and better and you never know what strange twists and turns Saul's career and life's going to take. Fully absorbed and now enjoying more than BB... just wish the newer series weren't taking so long to be released.

If you thought breaking bad was ‘slow moving’, this series has been described as ‘glacial’ although I also found its twin track ‘backstory’ storyline along with flicking between past and present quite addictive watching .... can’t wait for the latest series to start!

Not as high octane as Breaking Bad perhaps, however if you like the Saul character from this franchise you should very much enjoy this series. Incredibly well acted, at times genuinely touching and more Mike backstory, which I loved.

Fab series on how Saul became Saul . Doesn’t start like you’d think but is still a Binge watchable series