3 out of 5

Created by: Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould

The definition of ‘slow burn,’ as in, like, let’s take more than one season.  We live in interesting television times; spin-offs are nothing new, of course, but only due to the long-term world-building landscape of current media could a show so revered as Breaking Bad cash in its chips for an entire season of a show – Better Call Saul – which only ever really hints at what it may become.  This is all about the journey, of how our lead became the slick shyster we initially knew him as, and it’s certainly not a journey that would’ve been easily pitched to studios (or audiences) without the simple sell of the source material.  Which might sound like a criticism, but it’s not: BCS is riveting, despite not really going anywhere, and creators Gilligan and Gould are smart enough to know that we don’t need a re-explanation (a present day opening in episode one that leads us into the flashback setting of the rest of the episodes is it) or cute callbacks – beyond sensible ones – that generally only serve to demystify whatever you’re building.  At the core of this is Bob Odenkirk, whose humanity ‘neath the yuks is what made him more than a one joke in Bad, and what this entire series must revolve around.  And when it does – when he’s brought low, and humble – interacting, for example with, Michael McKean, playing his brother and a more respected lawyer – when these moments hit, the effect is nothing short of stunning.  But: the show is absolutely taking its time, and I can’t say I’m sure I know what’s at the finish line, as the nature of Saul’s shtick pushes even heavy story elements to the background somewhat, excepting rare splashes where everything percolates into edge-of-your-seat TV.  Sprinkle onto this some occasionally crass humor, and it’s hard to get a read on what to expect.  Will I keep watching season two?  Absolutely.  There’s no doubt that the entire production is calculated and professional and, yes, entertaining.  But: it’s hard to champion something that you know has fuller merit when you know the lead-in.  It’s hard to rave about Better Call Saul when I’m not sure I would’ve tuned in without Breaking Bad.