If you’re a fan of crime drama TV shows, then you’ve probably heard of “Breaking Bad,” a critically acclaimed show that aired from 2008 to 2013. It’s no surprise that the prequel and spin-off “Better Call Saul” has piqued the interest of fans of “Breaking Bad,” but is it necessary to watch “Breaking Bad” before diving into “Better Call Saul?” In this article, we’ll explore whether or not you can enjoy “Better Call Saul” without having seen “Breaking Bad.”
“Breaking Bad,” created by Vince Gilligan, was a groundbreaking series that aired from 2008 to 2013. Starring Bryan Cranston as Walter White, Anna Gunn as his wife Skyler, Aaron Paul as his partner in crime Jesse Pinkman, and Dean Norris as his DEA agent brother-in-law Hank, the show followed a high school chemistry teacher’s transformation into a methamphetamine manufacturer. Along the way, viewers were introduced to memorable characters like Gus Fring, a ruthless drug lord, and faced suspenseful moments such as “Rabid Dog” and “Granite State.”
Now, with the spin-off “Better Call Saul,” fans are wondering whether they can watch the series without first seeing “Breaking Bad.” Set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the prequel focuses on the life of Jimmy McGill, a struggling lawyer who eventually becomes the infamous Saul Goodman, the shady attorney for Walter and Jesse.
Although the show doesn’t rely heavily on prior knowledge of “Breaking Bad,” there are plenty of Easter eggs for fans of the original series. Additionally, characters like Mike Ehrmantraut and Gus Fring make appearances throughout the series, and their backstories are fleshed out in more detail. While it’s not necessary to have seen “Breaking Bad” to enjoy “Better Call Saul,” it certainly enhances the experience. So if you’re a fan of the original series or just interested in the world of Albuquerque’s criminal underworld, be sure to add “Better Call Saul” to your watchlist! And for those who want to stay updated on all things “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” be sure to sign up for newsletters to your inbox.
Understanding the Relationship Between “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul”
Before diving into whether or not you can watch “Better Call Saul” without having seen “Breaking Bad,” it’s important to understand the relationship between the two shows. “Better Call Saul” is a prequel to “Breaking Bad” that focuses on the life of Saul Goodman before he became the lawyer for Walter White. The show also explores the backstory of other characters from “Breaking Bad,” such as Mike Ehrmantraut and Gus Fring.
Can You Enjoy “Better Call Saul” Without Having Seen “Breaking Bad?”
The short answer is yes, you can definitely enjoy “Better Call Saul” without having seen “Breaking Bad.” The show stands on its own as a great crime drama with interesting characters and a compelling storyline. However, there are some caveats to keep in mind.
Spoilers
If you plan on watching “Breaking Bad” in the future, watching “Better Call Saul” first may ruin some of the surprises and plot twists from “Breaking Bad.” For example, if you haven’t seen “Breaking Bad” and you watch “Better Call Saul” first, you’ll already know the fate of certain characters.
References to “Breaking Bad”
“Better Call Saul” is full of references to “Breaking Bad,” and some of these references may be lost on viewers who haven’t seen “Breaking Bad.” However, these references are mostly Easter eggs and don’t impact the main storyline of “Better Call Saul.”
Different Tone
“Better Call Saul” has a different tone than “Breaking Bad.” While “Breaking Bad” had a dark and gritty feel to it, “Better Call Saul” has a more comedic tone. Some fans of “Breaking Bad” may not enjoy this shift in tone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it’s not necessary to watch “Breaking Bad” before watching “Better Call Saul,” it may enhance your viewing experience to have seen “Breaking Bad” first. However, if you’re not interested in watching “Breaking Bad,” you can still enjoy “Better Call Saul” as a standalone show.
FAQs
1. Do I need to watch “Breaking Bad” before watching “Better Call Saul”?
No, it’s not necessary to watch “Breaking Bad” before watching “Better Call Saul,” but it may enhance your viewing experience.
2. Will watching “Better Call Saul” first ruin “Breaking Bad” for me?
Yes, watching “Better Call Saul” first may ruin some of the surprises and plot twists from “Breaking Bad.”
3. Are there any references to “Breaking Bad” in “Better Call Saul?”
Yes, “Better Call Saul” is full of references to “Breaking Bad,” but they are mostly Easter eggs and don’t impact the main storyline of “Better Call Saul.”
4. Is the tone of “Better Call Saul” different from “Breaking Bad?”
Yes, “Better Call Saul” has a more comedic tone than “Breaking Bad.”
5. Is “Better Call Saul” worth watching if I haven’t seen “Breaking Bad?”
Yes, “Better Call Saul” is a great crime drama that stands on its own, even if you haven’t seen “Breaking Bad.” The show has interesting characters and a compelling storyline, and it’s definitely worth a watch.