Better Call Saul: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

97% Tomatometer 291 Reviews 95% Audience Score 5,000+ Ratings He wasn't always Saul Goodman, ace attorney for chemist-turned-meth dealer Walter White. Six years before he begins to represent Albuquerque's most notorious criminal, Goodman is Jimmy McGill, a small-time attorney hustling to make a name for himself. He's a forceful champion for his low-income clients, an underdog whose morals and ambitions often clash. Jimmy works with private eye Mike Ehrmantraut, a former Philadelphia cop and recent transplant to the Southwest. Mike has a specialized skill set -- he's a "fixer" of sticky situations -- that Jimmy soon learns to appreciate. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

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Better Call Saul — Season 1

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Better Call Saul — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

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.

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Critics Reviews

View All (291) Critics Reviews
Better Call Saul: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Karl Quinn The Age (Australia) By the end of the episode, it had all started to feel kind of familiar, in the best possible way. Mar 27, 2018 Full Review Better Call Saul: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Judy Berman Flavorwire Its first few episodes aren't quite as epic as Breaking Bad's, but they're surprising, character-packed, and tense enough to give the series a fighting chance of becoming its predecessor's equal. Sep 22, 2017 Full Review Better Call Saul: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Martin Hoyle Financial Times For Breaking Bad's legion of fans Better Call Saul, released in weekly episodes, contains elements of prequel, recap and sequel, evoking Breaking Bad's residual glamour. Rated: 3/5 May 2, 2017 Full Review Better Call Saul: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Nathan Mattise Ars Technica [Breaking Bad] expanded universes? Look to the (equally great) Better Call Saul. Jul 28, 2021 Full Review Better Call Saul: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Jamie East The Sun (UK) Who knew that watching the foundations of an amazing building being laid would be as pleasurable as the finished article? Rated: 5/5 Apr 12, 2020 Full Review Better Call Saul: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Li Lai Mediaversity Reviews Creators Gilligan and Gould have left entire swathes of people-specifically, those who don't look like them-in the dustbin of tropes and stereotypes. Rated: D Aug 5, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (493) audience reviews

John F Takes a bit to get going but overall is still quite good. Episodes "Five-O" and "Pimento" are the standouts. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/06/24 Full Review Leo M "Better Call Saul" might not begin with the same amount of excitement that "Breaking Bad" did, but rather builds on one of the most complex and well-written characters of that series; Jimmy McGill. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/18/24 Full Review Aender S A great spin-off of the best drama series ever made, although not as strong. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/14/24 Full Review Tristan C One of the best spin-offs ever written. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/02/24 Full Review ARNALDO P Well damn, this was just as good as the first season of breaking bad and i don't want really to say it but it was much better than breaking bad. Looking forward for the other season. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/29/24 Full Review Forged S It's been a while since I've seen Breaking Bad or it's followup movie El Camino. When I first heard they were doing a spin-off, based on the fan-favorite character Saul Goodman, I wasn't interested. Usually, spin-offs suck, especially prequels. Then the first reviews came out, they were predictably mid. So I slept on the series, figuring it'd be canceled after a couple of seasons. Curiously, it wasn't.Creator Vince Gilligan understood, when he first conceived Breaking Bad, the evolution of a normal, law-abiding citizen into a criminal doesn't happen overnight. A wrong decision here, a bad choice there and a few years later of seemingly small insignificant steps, you look back and don't recognize the person you once were.Like Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul is a slow burn. Understandably so. And as the series progressed it garnered more and more praise. So, now that the series has ended, I finally decided to check it out. I gotta say, I missed the awkward, natural dialogue and hyper-realistic, voyeuristic shots. The world Gilligan is able to create feels like something you can visit and interact with. This makes the choices even more guy wrenching, knowing the potential for real consequences when characters make dumb decisions. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

Cast & Crew

Bob Odenkirk Saul Goodman Jonathan Banks Mike Ehrmantraut Michael McKean Chuck McGill Rhea Seehorn Kim Wexler Patrick Fabian Howard Hamlin Michael Mando Nacho Varga
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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Feb 8, 2015 Uno Jimmy works magic in the courtroom; after being inspired unexpectedly, Jimmy tries an unconventional method for pursuing potential clients. Details Episode 2 Aired Feb 9, 2015 Mijo Jimmy's troubles escalate when he is taken hostage, leaving him desperately planning his escape; carelessness puts Chuck at risk. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 16, 2015 Nacho Jimmy is eager to prove that his dangerous client is innocent, even though it causes problems with Kim. Details Episode 4 Aired Feb 23, 2015 Hero Jimmy devises a bold plan to obtain new clients, but must face consequences when his relationships become strained. Details Episode 5 Aired Mar 2, 2015 Alpine Shepherd Boy Alarming news disrupts Jimmy's efforts at drumming up new business, forcing him to make a difficult choice. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 9, 2015 Five-O When a tragic past comes back to haunt Mike, he seeks help from an unlikely source; Jimmy's moral compass is tested. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 16, 2015 Bingo Jimmy meets with potential new clients; after being given the opportunity to do the right thing, Jimmy cashes in a favor. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 23, 2015 RICO Jimmy shows Chuck that he is willing to do anything to win a case, including getting his hands dirty. Details Episode 9 Aired Mar 30, 2015 Pimento Chuck wants Jimmy to accept a harsh truth; Mike's ability to complete a job is questioned, thereby threatening a deal. Details Episode 10 Aired Apr 6, 2015 Marco Jimmy seizes an opportunity to reconnect with an old friend in the aftermath; Chuck adjusts to a new way of life. Details

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Better Call Saul — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Colin Bucksey, Michelle MacLaren, Adam Bernstein, Peter Gould, Thomas Schnauz, Larysa Kondracki, Terry McDonough, Vince Gilligan, Nicole Kassell

Screenwriter
Gordon Smith, Thomas Schnauz, Gennifer Hutchison, Vince Gilligan, Bradley Paul, Peter Gould

Network
AMC

Rating
TV-14 (V|L)

Genre
Drama

Original Language
English

Release Date
Feb 8, 2015
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Better Call Saul: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most interesting season of Better Call Saul? ›

In terms of Better Call Saul seasons ranked, season 6 is largely considered the best. Better Call Saul season 6 is split into two parts, with 13 episodes. This enabled each part of season 6 to focus on different aspects.

Who is the main villain in Better Call Saul Season 1? ›

Don Eduardo "Lalo" Salamanca is one of the two main antagonists (alongside Chuck McGill) of Better Call Saul, the prequel series to Breaking Bad. He is the nephew of Hector Salamanca, the cousin of Tuco, Marco and Leonel Salamanca, and an uncle to Joaquin Salamanca, as well as a member of the Cartel.

How old is Saul in Season 1? ›

Better Call Saul starts a few years away from Breaking Bad, the events of which start in 2008. When Saul Goodman is first introduced in season 2 of Breaking Bad, then, he's not long turned 48 years old, with Better Call Saul season 1 starting in 2002 when he's 41.

Is season 1 of Better Call Saul good? ›

Better Call Saul exceeded critics expectations, earning critical acclaim, with many critics calling it a worthy successor to Breaking Bad. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has a rating of 97%, based on 291 reviews, with an average rating of 8.10/10.

Does Walter White appear in Better Call Saul? ›

The iconic character has also twice made guest appearances in the “Bad” universe — 2019's “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie” and now, alongside Aaron Paul, appearing in the final season of “Better Call Saul,” as that was when the Bob Odenkirk-led prequel finally caught up to the events in “Bad.” Adding to and re- ...

Why does Chuck McGill hate Jimmy? ›

Although in the first season it seemed that he was initially supportive of Jimmy, Chuck harbored resentful feelings toward him because of his conman past and charisma, in addition to Jimmy's approach to his career. From the second season onward, Chuck transforms into Jimmy's nemesis.

What is Chuck McGill's mental illness? ›

Chuck is Jimmy's by-the-books-lawyer older brother, who, by the time we meet him, is living with Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS).

Why does Howard hate Jimmy? ›

Initially a foil for and longtime antagonist of Jimmy McGill, his hostility and actions towards Jimmy are later revealed to have been largely due to pressure from Chuck McGill, his business partner and Jimmy's elder brother. His attempts to correct his past behavior towards Jimmy culminate in devastating consequences.

How old is Kim Wexler in season 1? ›

8 How Old Kim Wexler Is In Better Call Saul

Kim's birthday is February 13th, 1968, meaning when she first meets Jimmy in season 1 while working at Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill, she is 34 years old. The two get married (albeit briefly) in season 5, during which time Kim was 36.

Does Better Call Saul have any inappropriate scenes? ›

Anyway, it hasn't got a lot of s*x but some ass nudity. Saul Goodman is a inspiring person but when it comes to season 5 and up then u will see the dark side of Saul Goodman. It's has quite a lot of drugs, abt 4/5 and has drug trafficking. This breaking bad sequel is both non-Pacing and full of drugs and violence.

Why did Saul take 86 years? ›

Even though Jimmy tries to be optimistic in his talk with Kim, the reality is that he received an 86-year sentence for his crimes in Breaking Bad. This was designed to give Jimmy no way out since he fully confessed to everything in Better Call Saul's finale, which means any future deals are off the table.

What season of Better Call Saul is the best? ›

Just as Breaking Bad saved the best for last, so too did Better Call Saul, with its sixth season ultimately being its strongest and most memorable.

Who is the guy in the beginning of Better Call Saul? ›

The series mainly takes place in 2002, approximately six years prior to the title character Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) meeting Walter White (Bryan Cranston). In "Uno", Jimmy McGill (Saul), is a struggling lawyer working at the back of a nail salon.

Is Better Call Saul Season 2 better than Season 1? ›

In the superb new season, it's still 2002, and Jimmy hasn't transformed into Saul yet. But he's a ticking time bomb. Saying that Better Call Saul season two is not quite as good as season one is praising with faint criticism. It's still funnier and more interesting than just about anything on television.

What season should I start Better Call Saul? ›

Instead, it should be what you watch after the Breaking Bad finale, making this the proper watch order: Breaking Bad (Seasons 1-5) – Aired January 20, 2008 – September 29, 2013. El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie – Premiered October 11, 2019. Better Call Saul (Seasons 1-6) – Aired February 8, 2015 – August 15, 2022.

Does Better Call Saul have any bad episodes? ›

The Best Better Call Saul Episodes to the Worst

Only 12 episodes had a lower score, with the lowest score at a very respectable 89% on 27 reviews.

Which Breaking Bad season is the best? ›

The fourth season of “Breaking Bad” is perhaps the most complete season of the show as it takes viewers on an incredible journey as White attempts to dethrone Fring from his meth empire crown.

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