AfterBetter Call Saulsuccessfully expanded theBreaking Baduniverse, talks of future spinoffs have been unavoidable, but a show about the franchise’s biggest villain, Gus Fring, would risk hurting the main series.Breaking Bad’s best charactershave all left a lasting impression on TV history, asWalt and Jesse are one of the most iconic duos to ever grace the small screen, while Bob Odenkirk put in a once-in-a-lifetime performance as Saul Goodman.Better Call Saulonly expanded Saul’s legacy, while giving Mike more time in the spotlight, and it even featured the menacing Gus Fring.
Most characters introduced in the two shows got the perfect opportunity to shine, but if the universe were to continue, a Gus Fring prequel remains the most likely possibility. AlthoughBreaking BadandBetter Call Saulportrayed him perfectly and helped him become one of thebest TV villainsof all time, parts of his history are still unexplored. Gus' exact reasoning for getting into the meth business alongside much of his background in Chile remains a mystery, and while a series exploring these elements could be fun, it may detract from what makes him so special.
Telling Gus Fring’s Original Story Risks Removing His Aura Of Mystery
Fans ofBreaking BadandBetter Call Saulare already very familiar with Gus' story, but going into his origins before building his drug empire would ruin his sense of mystery. AlthoughBetter Call Saulshed more light on exactly why Gus hated Hector so much and showcased the origin of their feud, it didn’t remove the villain’s mysterious aura. Despite being in several seasons ofBreaking Badand its spinoff,there are still plenty of question marks over how Gus became so powerful alongside how he was able to wipe his history in Chile completely off the records.
His brief backstory inBetter Call Saulwas more than enough to establish some motivations without digging too deep, but a spinoff show about the antagonist wouldn’t be able to avoid uncovering some of his well-kept secrets.
It’s clear he has an intelligent mind and powerful connections, but where exactly he developed his ego and cunning skills to make it so far is still somewhat unclear. Many ofGus Fring’s greatestBreaking Badquoteshelped elevate his cold and menacing attitude, but showing exactly how and why he developed this personality could damage the character. His brief backstory inBetter Call Saulwas more than enough to establish some motivations without digging too deep, but a spinoff show about the antagonist wouldn’t be able to avoid uncovering some of his well-kept secrets.
Therefore, as great as it would be to see more of Gus, his story already feels complete and doesn’t need to be touched. TheBreaking Baduniverse has already tied up most of the character’s loose ends, and any lingering mysteries are welcomed ones that should remain unsolved.
Whereas a Gus spinoff could potentially hurt his legacy and by proxy,Breaking Baditself,Better Call Saulflourished since there was no mystery surrounding Saul to begin with.Breaking Badmade it very clear from the off what type of man Jimmy was, the sort of crook who was willing to be dishonest and manipulate people for his own gain. Naturally, there were signs of humanity shown in the original series, but it never left audiences guessing about why he became a lawyer in the first place, as it never felt like a crucial element of his character.
The Correct Order To Watch Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul
There are a few different orders to watch Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and El Camino. Here’s the correct way to follow the Breaking Bad universe.
Better Call Saulproved that his background was more important than people thought, as the series showed more of Jimmy’s good intentions and his softer side, while still highlighting that he was flawed at his core. Theending ofBetter Call Saulseason 6perfectly encapsulated the protagonist’s journey, as despite trying to do good, he was all too willing to sacrifice others, and it took finally facing justice to see the errors of his ways.
The spinoff expertly expanded on who the man behind Saul Goodman really was and what he faced in the past, but it never took away from his role inBreaking Bad, nor did it distract from what made him so interesting in the first place, hence why the project was such a hit.
Given bothBreaking BadandBetter Call Saulmake a solid case for being in the best TV show of all time discussion, the franchise doesn’t need another spinoff.El Caminowas a nice surprise that helped finish off Jesse’s story while giving him the ride into the sunset that many fans believed he deserved. Additionally,Better Call Saulwas a wonderful expansion of the universe, adding to Saul, Mike, Gus, and several other characters' journeys; however,there really isn’t much left to explore with every major character having a completed arc that doesn’t require more attention.
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Viewers could make a case for most of their favorite characters getting a spinoff, as a show led by Gus, Nacho, or even Skinny Pete and Badger all sound compelling on paper. However, making these projects as gripping as the work that came before them without impacting the quality ofBreaking Bad,El Camino, orBetter Call Saulis a real challenge. Instead, leaving the universe as an almost flawless masterpiece seems like the right choice, and with Vince Gilligan teaming up with Rhea Seehorn for a new show,Breaking Badfans already have something to be excited about.
Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, follows a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he attempts to provide for his family following a fatal diagnosis. With nothing left to fear, White ascends to power in the world of drugs and crime, transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg.
Better Call Saul
Better Call Saul follows small-time lawyer Jimmy McGill as he navigates the legal world to make ends meet. The series, set six years before his encounter with Walter White, chronicles Jimmy’s evolution into Saul Goodman, with notable interactions alongside fixer Mike Ehrmantraut.
