BETTER CALL SAUL S3
show extras N/A 2017 OUT 27 NOVEMBER DVD, BD EXTRAS TBC
When Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan committed to making a spin-off prequel dedicated to Walter White’s shyster lawyer Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), he envisaged a comedy. It instead came out as a tragedy. This superlative third season continues to track, methodically and mercilessly, the transformation of James ‘Jimmy’ McGill into Breaking Bad’s Saul.
Season 2, you might recall, concluded with older brother Chuck (Michael McKean) recording Jimmy admitting that he’d tampered with legal documents. Now Chuck takes the tape to court, a move that threatens the new legal practice established by Jimmy and Kim (Rhea Seehorn). Ex-cop Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks), meanwhile, continues his own path towards becoming everyone’s favourite enforcer/assassin as he launches an investigation that leads him to Breaking Bad’s Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito).
With its meticulous framing, slooow-burn plotting and forensic attention to relationships, Better Call Saul proves the devil is in the details as it mulls biblical themes of vengeance and Good versus Evil. Lingering here, scrutinising there, it unblinkingly observes its characters going about their daily tasks, and fastidiously fashions thrills designed to shake souls rather than pump hearts.
As good as Breaking Bad? Possibly. One of the best shows on TV right now? Absolutely. Jamie Graham