Better Call Saul season 1

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

Better Call Saul
Season 1
refer to caption
Home media cover art
Starring
No. of episodes10
Release
Original networkAMC
Original releaseFebruary 8 (2015-02-08) –
April 6, 2015 (2015-04-06)
Season chronology
Next →
Season 2
List of episodes

The first season of the American television drama series Better Call Saul premiered on February 8, 2015, and concluded on April 6, 2015. The ten-episode season was broadcast on Monday nights in the United States on AMC, excluding the first episode which aired on a Sunday. A spin-off of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul was created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, both of whom also worked on Breaking Bad.

The season takes place in 2002, six years prior to the events in Breaking Bad, and features Bob Odenkirk reprising his role as James Morgan "Jimmy" McGill, known in Breaking Bad as Saul Goodman. Jimmy is a struggling lawyer looking after his successful brother Chuck, a former attorney. Jonathan Banks also reprises his role as Mike Ehrmantraut, a parking lot attendant who is also a criminal.

The series premiere, "Uno" became the biggest in cable history at the time, drawing in 4.4 million and 4 million in the 18–49 and 25–54 demographics, respectively, and received an overall viewership of 6.88 million.[1] The first season of Better Call Saul received critical acclaim, with many considering it to be a worthy successor to Breaking Bad, and received six nominations for the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series.

Cast and characters[edit]

See also: List of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul characters
Bob Odenkirk (Jimmy McGill), Jonathan Banks (Mike Ehrmantraut), and Rhea Seehorn (Kim Wexler)
Patrick Fabian (Howard Hamlin), Michael Mando (Nacho Varga), and Michael McKean (Chuck McGill)

Main[edit]

Recurring[edit]

Guest stars[edit]

  • Raymond Cruz as Tuco Salamanca, a ruthless, psychotic drug distributor in the South Valley who works with Nacho Varga.
  • Míriam Colón as Abuelita Salamanca, Tuco's grandmother and Hector's mother.
  • Cesar García as No-Doze, Tuco's henchman.
  • Jesús Payán Jr. as Gonzo, Tuco's henchman.
  • Josh Fadem as Joey Dixon, a film student that helps Jimmy film various projects.
  • Julian Bonfiglio as Sound Guy, a film student that helps Jimmy film various projects.
  • Mark Proksch as Daniel "Pryce" Wormald, a small-time drug dealer who hires Mike as security.
  • Steven Ogg as Sobchak, a criminal Pryce hires for security along with Mike.
  • Clea DuVall as Dr. Cruz, a doctor who treats Chuck.

Production[edit]

Development[edit]

Vince Gilligan
Peter Gould
Better Call Saul was co-created by Vince Gilligan (left) and Peter Gould (right). Gilligan was the creator of Breaking Bad and Gould wrote the episode that first introduced Saul Goodman.

Better Call Saul is a spin-off of Breaking Bad, a crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan that aired on AMC from 2008 to 2013, consisting of five seasons.[2][3] Gilligan and Peter Gould began planning a spin-off of Breaking Bad as early as 2009. While filming the Breaking Bad episode "Full Measure", Gilligan asked Bob Odenkirk, the actor of Saul Goodman, what he thought of a spinoff of the show.[4] In July 2012, Gilligan hinted at a possible Goodman spinoff,[5] stating that he liked "the idea of a lawyer show in which the main lawyer will do anything it takes to stay out of a court of law", including settling on the courthouse steps.[2] During his appearance on Talking Bad, Odenkirk noted that Saul was one of the most popular characters on the show, speculating that the audience likes the character because he is "the program's least hypocritical figure", and "is good at his job".[6]

By July 2013, the series had yet to be greenlit.[7] Netflix was one of many interested distributors, but ultimately a deal was made between AMC and Breaking Bad production company Sony Pictures Television.[8] Gilligan and Gould serve as co-showrunners and Gilligan directed the first episode.[9] Former Breaking Bad writers Thomas Schnauz and Gennifer Hutchison joined the writing staff, with Schnauz serving as co-executive producer and Hutchison as supervising producer.[10] Also on the writing staff are Bradley Paul, and Gordon Smith, who worked on Breaking Bad as a writer's assistant.[11]

Casting[edit]

Bob Odenkirk stars as lawyer/con-man Jimmy McGill (originally known as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad). In January 2014, it was announced that Jonathan Banks would reprise his Breaking Bad role as Mike Ehrmantraut and be a series regular.[12]

Dean Norris, who played Hank Schrader in Breaking Bad, announced that he would not make an appearance, partly due to his involvement in the CBS series Under the Dome.[13] Anna Gunn, who played Skyler White, also mentioned a "talk" with Gilligan over possible guest appearances.[14]

Michael McKean was cast as McGill's elder brother Chuck.[15][16] McKean had previously worked for Vince Gilligan as the recurring character Morris Fletcher first shown in The X-Files episode "Dreamland", and the two had kept in touch since about potential projects, though during that time, much of McKean's work was in New York City for Broadway theatre while Gilligan was in Los Angeles for television and could not work anything out. When Gilligan had contacted McKean about acting in Better Call Saul, McKean accepted the role just knowing the bare minimum on Chuck's electromagnetic sensitivity, having been both a fan of Breaking Bad and trusting Gilligan.[17] When filming of Better Call Saul started in 2014, McKean had to initially split his time between that and performing in All the Way, a Broadway play that coincidentally also starred Bryan Cranston, who had played Walter White from Breaking Bad.[17] When McKean's casting had been announced in April 2014, he had been deliberately misnamed to play a character called "Dr. Thurber", which McKean says was based on humorist James Thurber.[18] Chuck's real name – Charles Lindbergh McGill – was inspired by the aviator Charles Lindbergh.[19]

In May 2014, Patrick Fabian was cast in Better Call Saul, with E! Online describing his character as a "Kennedy-esque lawyer who's winning at life".[20] Though initially reported as Burt,[21] the character's name was later revealed as Howard Hamlin. Rhea Seehorn auditioned and got the role of Kim Wexler in April 2014, about two months before the first episode was shot.[22] According to casting director Sharon Bialy, they had used two fake scenes to keep the high-profile project a secret, and when Seehorn auditioned and impressed them with both scenes, only then did they go to the next step and explain the audition's true purpose. Seehorn was able to adapt to this change to the role of Kim in a single take.[23] Michael Mando was initially cast as Eddie, described by E! Online as a "smart and calculating criminal".[21] Mando said that he had been approached through his agent from Better Call Saul's casting directors about being in the show. After sending in an audition tape, he was flown to Los Angeles to meet with showrunners Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould and perform a screen test. For Mando, he said it was "love at first sight" in working with the pair in how well they provided direction and feedback and was notified about getting the part a few weeks later.[24] The character was first mentioned in the Breaking Bad episode "Better Call Saul".[25][26]

In October 2014, Kerry Condon was cast[27] as Stacey Ehrmantraut, Mike's widowed daughter-in-law. In November 2014, it was announced that Julie Ann Emery and Jeremy Shamos had been cast as Betsy and Craig Kettleman, described as "the world's squarest outlaws."[28]

Filming[edit]

Like its predecessor, Better Call Saul is set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[29] As filming began on June 2, 2014,[30] Gilligan told The Hollywood Reporter that he was skeptical about the show's success, revealing production was almost two weeks behind schedule for the first season.[31][32] Filming concluded by October 2014.[33]

In the first scene from the first episode, Saul (now hiding his real identity under the Gene Takavic alias), is working at a Nebraska Cinnabon. This scene in the premiere is set in Omaha, but it was filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the Cottonwood Mall.[34]

In December 2020, Odenkirk said that filming the first season had a negative impact on his health as he had to be in almost every scene, with little time to memorize his lines and even less to remember them, which proved overwhelming for him.[35]

Episodes[edit]

See also: List of Better Call Saul episodes
Better Call Saul season 1 episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Uno"Vince GilliganVince Gilligan & Peter GouldFebruary 8, 2015 (2015-02-08)6.88[36]
Following the events of Breaking Bad, Saul Goodman lives as "Gene Takavic," manager of a Cinnabon in Omaha, Nebraska. After work, he watches a VHS tape of a 2005 Saul Goodman TV ad. In 2002, Jimmy McGill (Saul's birth name) is a struggling public defender in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He attempts to convince Craig and Betsy Kettleman, who are accused of embezzlement, to retain him. Jimmy cares for his brother Chuck, who is semi-reclusive and believes he has electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Jimmy also confronts Howard Hamlin of Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill (HHM) when Howard attempts to buy Chuck out with a token payment, demanding that HHM pay Chuck for his partnership's full value. The Kettlemans hire HHM, so Jimmy orchestrates a phony vehicle-pedestrian accident for Betsy, in hopes of getting another opportunity to win her over. Jimmy's accomplices, twins Lars and Cal, accidentally target the wrong car, which is driven by an elderly woman. Lars and Cal try to convince her to pay and follow her into her house. Jimmy arrives soon after and is pulled into the house at gunpoint by Tuco Salamanca.
22"Mijo"Michelle MacLarenPeter GouldFebruary 9, 2015 (2015-02-09)3.42[37]
Jimmy learns that the elderly woman was Tuco's abuelita (grandmother) and he kidnapped Cal and Lars for insulting her. Jimmy attempts to explain that the twins made a mistake. When Tuco allows Jimmy to see them, Lars immediately implicates Jimmy. Tuco, Nacho, and No Doze take Jimmy and the twins to a remote desert site. Jimmy persuades Tuco that he is a lawyer and Nacho convinces Tuco that killing a lawyer would bring unwanted attention. When Tuco moves to kill Cal and Lars, Jimmy persuades him to show mercy by breaking one leg each. Jimmy then rushes Cal and Lars to the hospital. A few days later, Nacho tells Jimmy he wants to steal the $1.6 million the Kettlemans embezzled, for which he will pay Jimmy a finder's fee. Jimmy declines, telling Nacho he is not a criminal. Nacho leaves his phone number, advising Jimmy to call when he realizes that he is "in the game".
33"Nacho"Terry McDonoughThomas SchnauzFebruary 16, 2015 (2015-02-16)3.23[38]
In a flashback, Jimmy is jailed in Cicero, Illinois, facing multiple charges and sex offender status for a scatological "Chicago Sunroof" revenge prank. Chuck agrees to defend Jimmy if Jimmy agrees to cease running cons and move to Albuquerque to work a legitimate job. In 2002, Jimmy still hopes to represent the Kettlemans and notices Nacho conducting surveillance of their home from his van. Disguising his voice, Jimmy calls from a pay phone to warn them of the impending theft. The next day, the police inform Jimmy that the Kettlemans have been kidnapped. A neighbor reports seeing Nacho's van, so he is arrested. Nacho accuses Jimmy of setting him up and threatens to kill him unless he proves Nacho's innocence. Jimmy comes to believe that the Kettlemans staged their own kidnapping. Based on Mike's advice, Jimmy searches near their home and finds them hiding in the nearby hills along with the embezzled $1.6 million.
44"Hero"Colin BuckseyGennifer HutchisonFebruary 23, 2015 (2015-02-23)2.87[39]
In a flashback to Cicero, Jimmy and his partner in crime, Marco, use a fake Rolex watch to con a bar patron. In 2002, the Kettlemans agree to return home and pay Jimmy $30,000 to ignore their stolen funds. Jimmy gets an embittered Nacho released from jail. He then uses his ill-gotten gains to compete with HHM by creating a billboard that mimics HHM's logo and Howard's signature look. This results in a cease and desist order and Jimmy is required to remove the advertisement. He tries to generate sympathetic media coverage by faking the rescue of the worker who is removing the billboard. To Howard's disgust, Jimmy's scam generates positive local news coverage and new clients. Jimmy hides the scam from Chuck, but he learns of it after taking his neighbor's newspaper.
55"Alpine Shepherd Boy"Nicole KassellBradley PaulMarch 2, 2015 (2015-03-02)2.71[40]
Chuck's neighbor reports him for taking her newspaper. Chuck's living conditions cause the police to believe he is producing meth, so they kick in his door and tase him. Chuck is hospitalized, and the doctor, believing that his "disease" is psychosomatic, wants to have him committed, but Jimmy declines. Jimmy's newfound fame attracts less than promising clients, including one who wants to secede from the United States. He meets an elderly woman who wants him to prepare a will. Her bequests consist almost entirely of leaving her Hummel figurines to various friends and family members, but she pays in cash. Jimmy's rapport with her leads his colleague Kim Wexler to suggest that he specialize in elder law. Jimmy begins promoting himself at a nursing home, including clothing patterned after the titular character of the TV series Matlock. Mike is visited at home by several Philadelphia police officers.
66"Five-O"Adam BernsteinGordon SmithMarch 9, 2015 (2015-03-09)2.57[41]
In a flashback to before 2002, Mike arrives in Albuquerque and visits Dr. Caldera to have his wounded shoulder treated. In 2002, Mike is at the police station, requests Jimmy as counsel, and asks him to spill coffee as a diversion so Mike can steal a detective's notebook. Mike learns that his daughter-in-law, Stacey, called the police after she found money Mike's son, Matt, hid in a suitcase. Mike tells Stacey that Matt was a clean cop in a precinct of corruption that included Mike. Matt refused to participate and Mike counseled him to do it for his own safety, but Matt's partner and another cop killed him in fear that he might turn them in. In another flashback, Mike breaks into a police car outside a bar, then drinks heavily inside and tells two cops he knows what they did. When he leaves, the cops give him a ride and take his gun. They ask Mike what he meant earlier and he says he knows they killed Matt. One shoots at Mike with Mike's gun, which he had purposefully left unloaded. He pulls out a second gun, which he previously hid in the car. He kills both cops but is wounded in the process.
77"Bingo"Larysa KondrackiGennifer HutchisonMarch 16, 2015 (2015-03-16)2.67[42]
Jimmy and Mike return the detective's notebook, telling the owner they found it in the parking lot. The two Philadelphia detectives are unsatisfied with the explanation, but one privately tells Mike he has nothing to fear from their investigation. Jimmy finds Chuck standing outside his home, claiming to be building up a tolerance to electromagnetic waves. He stores legal documents at Chuck's house in a plan to get Chuck interested in cases so he will regain his interest in practicing law. Jimmy asks Kim to join him in a law partnership, but she cites her loyalty to HHM as her reason for declining. The Kettlemans fire HHM and hire Jimmy after Kim tries to get them to accept a plea bargain that includes jail time for Craig. Jimmy also tries to get them to accept, but Betsy blackmails Jimmy by pointing out that the "retainer" the Kettlemans paid him could be considered a bribe. Jimmy discovers that Kim has been demoted to the document review office because she lost the Kettleman account. Mike and Jimmy steal the embezzled money from the Kettlemans and give it to prosecutors, compelling Craig to take a plea bargain so only he goes to jail.
88"RICO"Colin BuckseyGordon SmithMarch 23, 2015 (2015-03-23)2.87[43]
In a flashback to before 2002, Jimmy is working in the HHM mailroom and asks Kim to open his bar exam results; he passed, and she kisses him passionately. Jimmy shows Chuck his results and explains that he studied law at the University of American Samoa via distance learning. Chuck tells Jimmy he is proud of him and there is a party in the mailroom to celebrate, but Howard tells Jimmy that HHM will not hire him as an attorney. In 2002, Jimmy continues to work in elder law. While assisting a resident of the Sandpiper Crossing home with her will, Jimmy discovers that the company overcharges residents for expenses. After speaking to several other residents, Jimmy suspects elder abuse and presents a hastily written demand letter warning Sandpiper against destroying evidence. He is escorted from the facility but can hear the staff shredding documents, so he searches the dumpster and finds the shreds. Jimmy and Chuck put the pieces together and recover an incriminating document. Realizing the potential of the case as a class action lawsuit, Chuck agrees to aid Jimmy. In the excitement, Chuck goes to Jimmy's car for more documents and is shocked to realize he went outside without suffering any electromagnetic hypersensitivity symptoms.
99"Pimento"Thomas SchnauzThomas SchnauzMarch 30, 2015 (2015-03-30)2.38[44]
Sandpiper Crossing buries Jimmy and Chuck in paperwork, and Chuck convinces Jimmy the case is too big for them, so they bring it to HHM. Howard is eager to take it but makes clear Jimmy will not continue to participate, offering instead a small of counsel fee and a percentage of the settlement or judgment. Jimmy refuses but later discovers Chuck braved his electromagnetic hypersensitivity symptoms to make a pre-meeting phone call to Howard, in which he asked Howard to prevent Jimmy's participation. Chuck admits he has never regarded Jimmy as a peer, owing to his conman's past and unconventional legal training, also admitting it was he who insisted HHM not hire Jimmy back when he passed the bar exam. Jimmy stops taking care of Chuck and allows HHM to take the case. Mike takes a job as a bodyguard for pharmaceutical employee Daniel Wormald, who sells Nacho stolen pills. Despite Wormald's inexperience and nervousness, Mike ensures the deal goes well, explaining to Wormald that he had investigated Nacho and learned he was conducting the transaction without the knowledge of his bosses, and thus had an incentive to ensure things went smoothly.
1010"Marco"Peter GouldPeter GouldApril 6, 2015 (2015-04-06)2.53[45]
In a flashback to before 2002, Jimmy says goodbye to Marco in Cicero, explaining that as part of Chuck's work to get him out of jail, he has agreed to take a legitimate job in Albuquerque. In 2002, Jimmy has a breakdown while calling bingo at the senior center and returns to Cicero, where he reminisces with Marco. Jimmy's agreement to do a con with Marco leads to a week of scams, which ends after Marco dies. Kim calls Jimmy to say the Sandpiper case is so big that HHM intends to work with Davis & Main of Santa Fe. D&M's partners know Jimmy has a good rapport with the elderly clients, so they want to hire him. Jimmy returns to Albuquerque to meet with them but hesitates and then drives out of the courthouse parking lot. He stops to ask Mike why they did not keep the Kettleman money. Mike recalls that Jimmy wanted to do the "right thing", and Mike merely did the job for which Jimmy hired him. Jimmy assures Mike that he will not make that mistake again and drives off.

International broadcasting[edit]

In December 2013, Netflix announced that the entire first season would be available for streaming in the United States and Canada after the airing of the first-season finale, and in Latin America and Europe each episode will be available a few days after the episode airs in the U.S.[46] In Australia, Better Call Saul premiered on the streaming service Stan[47] on February 9, 2015, acting as the service's flagship program.[48] In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, the series was acquired by Netflix on December 16, 2013[49] and the first episode premiered on February 9, 2015, with the second episode scheduled for release the following day. Every subsequent episode was uploaded each week thereafter.[50]

Reception[edit]

Critical response[edit]

Better Call Saul (season 1): Critical reception by episode

Season 1 (2015): Percentage of positive critics' reviews tracked by the website Rotten Tomatoes[51]

Better Call Saul exceeded critics expectations,[52][53] earning critical acclaim, with many critics calling it a worthy successor to Breaking Bad.[54][55][56][57][58] On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has a rating of 97%, based on 291 reviews, with an average rating of 8.10/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Better Call Saul is a quirky, dark character study that manages to stand on its own without being overshadowed by the series that spawned it."[51] On the review aggregator website Metacritic, the first season has a score of 78 out of 100, based on 43 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[59]

In his review of the two-episode premiere, Hank Stuever of The Washington Post graded it a "B+" and wrote the series "is right in line with the tone and style of the original, now-classic series", and that it "raises more questions in two hours than it will readily answer".[60] Stephen Marche of Esquire wrote that the first few episodes were better than those of Breaking Bad.[61] Kirsten Acuna of Business Insider declared the initial episodes "everything you could possibly want from a spinoff television series".[62] Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times wrote, "Better Call Saul is better than good: It's delightful – in a brutal, darkly comic way, of course."[63] Vulture writer Eric Konigsberg noted the show was special as it was "the first spinoff of this golden age of premium cable."[64] Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com gave the first season a positive review, saying, "Better Call Saul is not only a great show in the context of the program that birthed it into existence, but would be a great show with or without Walter White."[65]

The episode "Five-O" received near universal acclaim, with unanimous praise for Jonathan Banks' performance, with some critics considering it award-worthy. Roth Cornet of IGN gave it a score of 9.7 out of 10, praising the performance of Banks, the episode's pacing and interwoven storylines, as well as the final scene of the episode. She concluded, "Better Call Saul continues to deliver some of the best of what television has to offer as both those familiar with Breaking Bad and new viewers alike were given a shattering look at Mike's tragic past."[66] Tim Surette of TV.com also highly praised the performance of Banks, and wrote that it was worthy of an Emmy, calling it "one of the best episodes to date of 2015's best new show to date".[67] The episode received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Banks was nominated for the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Gordon Smith was nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, and Kelley Dixon was nominated for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series.[68] When Peter Dinklage won for Outstanding Supporting Actor, he praised the other nominees, and singled out Banks by name.[69]

Critics' top ten list[edit]

Ratings[edit]

The series premiere, "Uno" became the biggest in cable history, drawing in 4.4 million and 4 million in the 18–49 and 25–54 demographics, respectively, and received an overall viewership of 6.88 million.[1]

Viewership and ratings per episode of Better Call Saul season 1
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
(18–49)		 DVR viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)
1 "Uno" February 8, 2015 3.4 6.88[36] — — — —
2 "Mijo" February 9, 2015 1.6 3.42[37] — — — —
3 "Nacho" February 16, 2015 1.6 3.23[38] — — — —
4 "Hero" February 23, 2015 1.4 2.87[39] — — — —
5 "Alpine Shepherd Boy" March 2, 2015 1.2 2.71[40] 1.4 2.80 2.6 5.51[71]a
6 "Five-O" March 9, 2015 1.3 2.57[41] — — — —
7 "Bingo" March 16, 2015 1.3 2.67[42] — — — —
8 "RICO" March 23, 2015 1.3 2.87[43] 1.6 2.97 2.9 5.84[72]
9 "Pimento" March 30, 2015 1.1 2.38[44] — — — —
10 "Marco" April 6, 2015 1.2 2.53[45] 1.6 3.23 2.8 5.76[73]

^a Live +7 ratings were not available, so Live +3 ratings have been used instead.

Accolades[edit]

See also: List of awards and nominations received by Better Call Saul
Accolades received by Better Call Saul, season 1
Ceremony Category Recipients Result
2015 American Film Institute Awards[74] Television Programs of the Year Better Call Saul Won
5th Critics' Choice Television Awards[75] Best Actor in a Drama Series Bob Odenkirk Won
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Jonathan Banks Won
31st TCA Awards[76] Outstanding New Program Better Call Saul Won
Individual Achievement in Drama Bob Odenkirk Nominated
67th Primetime Emmy Awards[77] Outstanding Drama Series Better Call Saul Nominated
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Bob Odenkirk Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Jonathan Banks Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series Gordon Smith ("Five-O") Nominated
67th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards[77] Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series Kelley Dixon ("Five-O") Nominated
Kelley Dixon and Chris McCaleb ("Marco") Nominated
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series Phillip W. Palmer, Larry Benjamin, Kevin Valentine ("Marco") Nominated
20th Satellite Awards[78] Best Drama Series Better Call Saul Won
Best Actor in a Drama Series Bob Odenkirk Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or TV Film Jonathan Banks Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or TV Film Rhea Seehorn Won
68th Writers Guild of America Awards[79] Drama Series Better Call Saul Nominated
New Series Better Call Saul Nominated
Episodic Drama Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould ("Uno") Won
22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards[80] Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series Bob Odenkirk Nominated
73rd Golden Globe Awards[81] Best Actor – Television Series Drama Bob Odenkirk Nominated

Home media[edit]

The first season was released on Blu-ray and DVD in Region 1 on November 10, 2015. The set contains all 10 episodes, plus audio commentaries for every episode, uncensored episodes, deleted scenes, gag reel, and several behind-the-scenes featurettes. A limited edition Blu-ray set was also released with 3D packaging and a postcard vinyl of the Better Call Saul theme song by Junior Brown.[82]

Related media[edit]

Better Call Saul: Client Development[edit]

AMC released a digital comic book for Better Call Saul titled Better Call Saul: Client Development in February 2015, in advance of the series premiere, which details the history of Saul and Mike, acting as a spin-off of the Breaking Bad episode "Better Call Saul" that introduced Saul.[83] This would later be retconned by the Better Call Saul episode "Breaking Bad".[84]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Kondolojy, Amanda (February 9, 2015). "'The Walking Dead' Returns to 15.6 Million Viewers + 'Better Call Saul' is Biggest Series Premiere in Cable History". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 4, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (September 11, 2013). "'Breaking Bad' Saul Goodman Spinoff A Go At AMC, Will Serve As Prequel To Original". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  3. ^ Dibdin, Emma (January 16, 2018). "'It Had Never Been Done on Television Before': The Oral History of Breaking Bad". Esquire. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  4. ^ Hiatt, Brian (March 16, 2015). "Bob Odenkirk on 'Saul' and 'Mr. Show''s Non-Reunion". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  5. ^ "Comic-Con Q&A: Vince Gilligan on 'Breaking Bad'". Deadline Hollywood. July 15, 2012. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  6. ^ Talking Bad. Episode 3. August 25, 2013. AMC.
  7. ^ Molloy, Tim (July 2, 2013). "Breaking Bad Creator Vince Gilligan: Saul Goodman Spinoff Moving 'Full Speed Ahead'". The Wrap. Archived from the original on December 9, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  8. ^ Guthrie, Melissa; Rose, Lacey (September 18, 2013). "How AMC Almost Lost Breaking Bad Spinoff Better Call Saul to Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  9. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (June 19, 2014). "'Better Call Saul' Renewed for Second Season by AMC; First Season Pushed Back to 2015". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 19, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  10. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (December 20, 2013). "'Breaking Bad' Writers Join 'Better Call Saul' Staff". Variety. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  11. ^ "Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul first look". BBC. June 20, 2014. Archived from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  12. ^ Kenneally, Tim (January 27, 2014). "'Breaking Bad' Prequel 'Better Call Saul' Enlists Jonathan Banks". The Wrap. Archived from the original on May 15, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  13. ^ Dekel, Jonathan (July 3, 2014). "Dean Norris says appearance on Better Call Saul unlikely: CBS, exec Les Moonves 'won't let me do it'". The National Post. Archived from the original on July 7, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  14. ^ Dos Santos, Kristin (May 13, 2014). "Anna Gunn Coming to Breaking Bad Spinoff? Star Reveals There's Been Talk—Plus, Why We're Dying Over Gracepoint!". E! Online. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  15. ^ Friedlander, Whitney (April 30, 2014). "Michael McKean Joins 'Breaking Bad' Prequel 'Better Call Saul'". Variety. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  16. ^ Silman, Anna (April 6, 2015). "Michael McKean: "Better Call Saul" is about "the American escape hatch instead of the American dream"". Salon. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  17. ^ a b Patches, Matt (February 9, 2015). "Michael McKean on His Better Call Saul Character and Old SNL Days". Esquire. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  18. ^ Herzog, Kenny (April 18, 2016). "Better Call Saul's Michael McKean on the Show's Sibling Rivalry and Chuck's First Tweet". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 23, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  19. ^ Herzog, Kenny (August 6, 2018). "Better Call Saul Recap: Waiting to Exhale". Vulture. Archived from the original on May 19, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  20. ^ Venable, Nick (May 8, 2014). "Better Call Saul Adds Patrick Fabian, Rhea Seehorn And Michael Mando". Cinema Blend. Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  21. ^ a b Aguilera, Leanne (May 8, 2014). "Breaking Bad Spinoff Casts Key Roles—See Who!". E! Online. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  22. ^ Chaney, Jen (March 3, 2020). "How Kim Wexler Became Better Call Saul's 'Impending Tragedy'". Vulture. Archived from the original on March 2, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  23. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (March 25, 2020). "How Rhea Seehorn Became the MVP of 'Better Call Saul'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 8, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  24. ^ Gomez, Adrian (February 22, 2015). "'Better Call Saul's bad guy looks forward to season two". Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  25. ^ Gallagher, Caitlin (September 25, 2018). "Who Is Lalo On 'Better Call Saul'? This Character Referenced In 'Breaking Bad' Is Going To Cause Major Trouble For Nacho". Bustle. Archived from the original on March 9, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  26. ^ Friedlander, Whitney (July 11, 2014). "'Better Call Saul': Cast, Timeline Details and New Photos". Variety. Archived from the original on July 12, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  27. ^ Kelly, Aoife (October 1, 2014). "Irish actress Kerry Condon scores role in 'Breaking Bad' spin-off 'Better Call Saul'". The Independent. Archived from the original on November 27, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  28. ^ Birnbaum, Debra (November 12, 2014). "'Better Call Saul' Adds Julie Ann Emery and Jeremy Shamos to Cast". Variety. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  29. ^ Christine (June 2, 2014). "'Breaking Bad' prequel 'Better Call Saul' begins filming in Albuquerque, NM today!". On Location Vacations. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  30. ^ O'Neal, Sean (June 3, 2014). "It's time to begin overanalyzing the first Better Call Saul set photos". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  31. ^ Toomer, Jessica (June 3, 2014). "Vince Gilligan Admits His 'Breaking Bad' Spinoff Might Be A Mistake". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  32. ^ Roberts, Katie (June 3, 2014). "Vince Gilligan Says 'Better Call Saul' Might Be a 'Mistake'". Moviefone. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  33. ^ Hooton, Christopher (October 24, 2014). "Better Call Saul has wrapped on season 1, release date still set for February 2015". The Independent. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  34. ^ "The 11 Most Iconic ABQ Locations From 'Better Call Saul' Season 1". NewsCastic. April 7, 2015. Archived from the original on June 26, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  35. ^ Guttmann, Graeme (December 16, 2020). "Better Call Saul Season 1 Filming Had A Negative Impact On Bob Odenkirk". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  36. ^ a b Kondolojy, Amanda (February 10, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Tops Night + 'Better Call Saul', 'Talking Dead', 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  37. ^ a b Kondolojy, Amanda (February 10, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Better Call Saul' Tops Night + 'Love & Hip-Hop', 'Monday Night RAW', 'Black Ink Crew' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 26, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  38. ^ a b Bibel, Sara (February 18, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Better Call Saul' Wins Night, 'Love & Hip Hop', 'Vanderpump Rules', 'The Fosters'& More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 20, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  39. ^ a b Kondolojy, Amanda (February 24, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night RAW' Tops Night + 'Love & Hip Hop', 'Better Call Saul', 'Black Ink Crew' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 25, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  40. ^ a b Bibel, Sara (March 3, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Love & Hip Hop' Wins Night, 'WWE Raw', 'Better Call Saul', 'Vanderpump Rules', 'The Fosters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 6, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  41. ^ a b Kondolojy, Amanda (March 10, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night RAW' Tops Night + 'Love & Hip-Hop', 'Better Call Saul', 'Black Ink Crew' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  42. ^ a b Bibel, Sara (March 17, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'WWE Raw' Wins Night, 'Better Call Saul', 'Bates Motel', 'Love & Hip Hop', 'The Fosters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  43. ^ a b Kondolojy, Amanda (March 24, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night RAW' Tops Night + 'Love & Hop-Hop', 'Better Call Saul', 'Teen Mom' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  44. ^ a b Bibel, Sara (March 31, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: Comedy Central Roast Wins Night, 'WWE Raw', 'Better Call Saul', 'Teen Mom', 'Bates Motel' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  45. ^ a b Kondolojy, Amanda (April 7, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night Raw' Tops Night + 'Love & Hip Hop', 'Better Call Saul', 'Black Ink Crew' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 10, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  46. ^ Gibson, Megan (December 17, 2013). "Netflix Will Stream Breaking Bad Spinoff Better Call Saul". Time. Archived from the original on May 23, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  47. ^ "Stan launches on Australia Day". TV Tonight. January 23, 2015. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  48. ^ "Video streaming service Stan to launch on Australia Day". mUmBRELLA. January 22, 2015. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  49. ^ Munn, Patrick (December 16, 2013). "Netflix UK & Ireland Inks SPT Deal For Exclusive Rights To 'Breaking Bad' Spin-Off 'Better Call Saul'". TV Wise. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  50. ^ Munn, Patrick (January 27, 2015). "Netflix UK Unveils Trailer For 'Breaking Bad' Spin-Off 'Better Call Saul'". TV Wise. Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  51. ^ a b "Better Call Saul: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  52. ^ Garcia, Patricia (February 6, 2015). "Rest Easy, Breaking Bad Fans: Better Call Saul Is Pretty Good". Vogue. Archived from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  53. ^ Kornhaber, Spencer (February 7, 2015). "The Beauty of Better Call Saul". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  54. ^ Bianculli, David (February 4, 2015). "'Better Call Saul,' The Prequel To 'Breaking Bad,' Stands On Its Own". NPR. Archived from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  55. ^ Thomas, Kaitlin (June 19, 2018). "Now Is the Perfect Time to Watch All Those Shows You've Been Putting Off". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  56. ^ Berman, Judy (February 5, 2015). "'Better Call Saul' Is the Prequel 'Breaking Bad' Deserves". Flavorwire. Archived from the original on July 8, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  57. ^ Moore, Frazier (February 5, 2015). "Bob Odenkirk returns as 'Bad' lawyer in 'Better Call Saul'". Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  58. ^ Adams, Erik (February 6, 2015). "When Better Call Saul escapes Breaking Bad's shadow, it's actually a lot of fun". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on July 7, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  59. ^ "Better Call Saul : Season 1". Metacritic. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  60. ^ Stuever, Hank (January 13, 2015). "Midseason TV 2015: Better Call Saul". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  61. ^ Marche, Stephen (January 21, 2015). "Better Call Saul Review: The Last Hurrah of Difficult Men". Esquire. Hearst Magazines. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  62. ^ Acuna, Kirsten (January 21, 2015). "Breaking Bad Fans Will Love Better Call Saul". Business Insider. Business Insider Inc. Archived from the original on February 8, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  63. ^ Stanley, Alessandra (February 5, 2015). "Meth King's Lawyer: The Early Years". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  64. ^ Konigsberg, Eric (January 27, 2015). "Breaking Bob: With Better Call Saul, Odenkirk Steps Into the Spotlight". Vuture. Archived from the original on April 19, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  65. ^ Tallerico, Brian (February 4, 2015). "Confident, Brilliant "Better Call Saul" Returns Viewers to World of "Breaking Bad"". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  66. ^ Cornet, Roth (March 9, 2015). "Better Call Saul: "5-0" Review". IGN. Archived from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  67. ^ Surette, Tim (March 9, 2015). "Better Call Saul "Five-O" Review: Better Call the Emmys for Jonathan Banks". TV.com. Archived from the original on July 31, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  68. ^ Hipes, Patrick (July 16, 2015). "Emmy Nominations 2015 – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 11, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  69. ^ "Emmys 2015 – Peter Dinklage Wins Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series". Television Academy. September 20, 2015. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  70. ^ Dietz, Jason (December 8, 2015). "Best of 2015: Television Critic Top Ten Lists". Metacritic. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  71. ^ "Live+ 3 Ratings: 'Empire' & 'The Walking Dead Top Gainers Among Adults 18-49 For Week of March 2-8, 2015". TV by the Numbers. March 13, 2015. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  72. ^ Baron, Steve (April 13, 2015). "'The Walking Dead' Leads Adults 18-49 & Viewership Gains, 'Helix' Tops Percentage Increases in Live +7 Cable Ratings for Week 27 Ending March 29". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  73. ^ Baron, Steve (April 27, 2015). "'Better Call Saul' Leads Adults 18-49 & Viewership Gains, 'Salem' Tops Percentage Increases in Live +7 Cable Ratings for Week 29 Ending April 12". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  74. ^ "AFI AWARDS 2015 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS". American Film Institute. December 16, 2015. Archived from the original on July 16, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  75. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (May 31, 2015). "Critics' Choice Television Awards: HBO, Better Call Saul, Taraji P. Henson and Amy Schumer Among Big Winners". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 1, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  76. ^ Ausiello, Michael (August 8, 2015). "TCA Awards 2015: Empire, Jon Hamm, Amy Schumer, Americans, Fosters and John Oliver Among Winners". TVLine. Archived from the original on August 9, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  77. ^ a b Hipes, Patrick (July 16, 2015). "Emmy Nominations 2015 – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  78. ^ "Satellite Awards (2015)". International Press Academy. December 1, 2015. Archived from the original on March 20, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  79. ^ McNary, Dave (February 13, 2016). "WGA Honors 'Big Short,' 'Spotlight,' 'Mad Men' at 68th Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  80. ^ Ausiello, Michael (December 9, 2015). "SAG Awards: Game of Thrones, Homeland, House of Cards Lead Noms; Empire, Inside Amy Schumer Shut Out; Mr. Robot's Rami Malek Sneaks In". TVLine. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  81. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (January 10, 2016). "Golden Globes: Mr. Robot and Mozart Win Big; Taraji P. Henson, Lady Gaga, Jon Hamm, Rachel Bloom Grab Gold". TVLine. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  82. ^ Lambert, David (September 22, 2015). "Better Call Saul – Sony's Official Press Release for 'Season 1' on DVD and Blu-ray". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  83. ^ Gonzalez, Sandra (February 4, 2015). "AMC unveils 'Better Call Saul' digital comic book ahead of series premiere". Mashable. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  84. ^ Davids, Brian (August 1, 2022). "Better Call Saul Writer-EP Thomas Schnauz Breaks Down the Momentous Breaking Bad Episode". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Better_Call_Saul_season_1&oldid=1216406879"