Starting off as a slightly one-dimensional character and comic relief in BB, the character we've come to love as the sleazy, slick Saul Goodman has already shown more layers in the first half of the first season of 'Better Call Saul' than over his entire run on BB. And then, finally, there's the magnificent Bob Odenkirk. And adding high calibre actors such as Michael McKean ('This Is Spinal Tap') to the cast is probably an indication that Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould will not content themselves - or us - by mainly exploring the characters we already know. The writing, directing and acting (so far) are on par with BB anyone afraid this would be a rushed production trying to surf on BB's success can relax not for a second did I get the feeling this was somehow not well thought through or cheaply constructed by a committee of writers - and although we do of course get some of our favorite characters back, new ones are introduced that promise to be just as original and interesting as the ones that helped turn BB into a cultural phenomenon. And the original music by Dave Porter feels as organic to 'Better Call Saul' as it did in 'Breaking Bad'. From the wonderful introductions (before the opening credits) to the last scene of an episode, music is not just used as background "noise": carefully picked songs are there to give clues and are as much an integral part of the story as they help establish the tone of certain scenes. All the visual trademarks I've grown to love so much in BB are there: the playful camera angles the creative ways to establish even a simple scene with unusual, interesting shots (yet without ever distracting from the storytelling) - it's just beautiful to look at. The first thing you notice (as was the case with Breaking Bad) is the camera. Instead, I'll concentrate on all other aspects of the show.
For those who haven't seen it yet: relax - I won't spoil a thing about the storyline. Just how good remains to be seen, but as far as promises go, those first episodes made a big one. Judging from the first couple of episodes, 'Better Call Saul' will be good.
Naturally, expectations were over the roof - and it was a forgone conclusion that meeting those expectations would be next to impossible. So here it is at last: one of the most highly anticipated new TV-shows of the year, the spin-off from probably THE most highly praised TV-show in the history of Television.