Better Call Saul (TV Series) Uno (2015) User Reviews

Slow Start...But Set Up Perfectly!

[contactssm89 · 8/10 · 10 February 2015]

Most of us, like me, had great expectations as we sat down to watch this much awaited Pilot. And I was not disappointed!

The opening few minutes were a reminder of Vince Gilligan's much loved Breaking Bad style of narration and was enough to draw me into the tale of Saul Goodman. The opening titles and music were not very impressive but not bad either.

A large part of the episode is pretty hilarious and keeps you interested in the character of Saul. But, it's not only the comedy that keeps you hooked but also Saul's fate and its twists and turns. Also, with Vince Gilligan as the writer-director, you never know what will happen next. Bob Odenkirk is as good as he was in Breaking Bad and I am pretty sure he'll be able to do justice to the evolution of Saul Goodman as we move ahead in the series.

What I loved: Vince Gilligan's writing & direction, Saul's destiny and tribulations and most importantly, the return of the ''unpredictability that we associated with the plot of Breaking Bad'' which made it so delicious.

What I didn't like a lot: The opening theme music (after Breaking Bad's epic title music, I expected its spin off to have an equally addictive tune), the plot becomes a bit slow in the middle (but picks up at the end).

Overall, as a 'starter' or 'appetizer' this episode was perfect. I get a feeling the main course is going to be absolutely fabulous.

8/10.

There you have it

[PulpPhiction · 8/10 · 10 February 2015]

What a great pilot! This episode was exactly what I expected it to be - a development episode. It's amazing how they squeeze in so many characters in one short show and we learn so much about them.

Some people may be skeptical before going into this series thinking "Is this just going to be a copy of Breaking Bad? Is it not going to be original at all?", and I can assure those people that while it may have a slight BB vibe and feel to it, it won't bother you and it is very much it's own show so far, and is as original as any other non BB- related series.

This is an excellent re-introduction into the universe of Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul, and into the life of Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.

I Hope It Isn't a Constant Comparison to "Breaking Bad"

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 26 April 2018]

I'm hoping that even if you never saw one episode of "Breaking Bad," you could embrace this series. Our hero, so to speak, is about to get himself in something over his head and that's where the similarities should end. I really enjoyed the setup because we are introduced to the principle characters and the tensions. Saul/McGill could have been made to be a buffoon, but he is an ambitious lawyer who is knowledgeable in his craft. The problem is that he has no foundation and he has quite an edge. We are introduced to his principle client who appears to be a sought after paycheck. But unfortunately, he hooks up with a couple skateboarding con men and things are about to approach a downward spiral.

Wow!

[oliverbjerregaard · 10/10 · 9 February 2015]

This episode definitely exceeded my expectations! I think Breaking Bad was absolute brilliance, so I had high expectations for 'Better Call Saul'. I was VERY satisfied and I felt the first episode brought back the whole 'Breaking Bad fever'.

Outstanding acting, directing and cinematography. They are definitely aiming for a big plot!

Kudos to the writers. I hope you can keep up the tension, humor and drama throughout the show (just like Breaking Bad).

I'm giving it a 9.5/10. I loved it and I thought it was an excellent start!

Great way to carry the story forward and backward!

[belindar-2 · 9/10 · 9 February 2015]

I really like the way the show starts off. The way the show runners shows the present in black and white and the past in color is a terrific way to keep the viewers aware of what is then and now. Without spoiling anything for the viewers who are not aware of what has happened in the future, I will just say, you can believe the statements that the lead up to this show was the best TV drama ever made. I am looking forward to this show being as great. The acting is superb and the direction is the best I have seen. I give the show 9 out of 10 because no matter how good a TV program is, there is always room for growth. Watch it and enjoy every minute of a great show.

Just perfection

[Dyssonant · 10/10 · 13 July 2019]

It will not take too many words to comment this pilot episode. It's TV craftmanship at its highest level, on every single aspect.

Writing, acting, cinematography, direction, timing. Pure marvel. The intro black and white sequenze was astonishing, then we are immediately carried in medias res in front of a court. And fireworks begin.

Don't miss a single instant of this piece of art. And, after the whole season, get back right here and watch it again and again, and you will enjoy more and more. Well fine, Vince Gillian.

The Pilot....

[njnya · 8 February 2015]

Well, here it is, the Breaking Bad spin off pilot of Better Call Saul!

I won't spoil anything, but I will say it sets up things very well.

We get to see Saul and all his glory at his job, trying to manage his life.

We get to see another familiar face from Breaking Bad as well!

To say anymore would be spoiling the plot, but I will say we get to see Saul being cunning and clever as expected!

There are also quite a few other surprises and unexpected turns throughout!

Give it a watch, you won't regret it!

Strong start

[Leofwine_draca · 9/10 · 31 May 2021]

Watching BETTER CALL SAUL was a no-brainer after I recently saw and adored BREAKING BAD for the first time (so much so that I went out and bought the box set for the future). This first episode takes a little while to get into the "zone", but come the end it works a treat with the usual quality writing, direction and performances. Plenty of twists and links to the prior show while the characters find their feet and intriguing new developments are explored.

It takes two viewings to fully appreciate

[mckinnonea · 9/10 · 5 April 2022]

My first time watching Better Call Saul, I probably came in assuming various things about the series based on word of mouth (it's brilliant, but it isn't Breaking Bad!). I enjoyed the pilot episode on first watch, but I didn't find it to be special, especially considering that I had finished a rewatch of Breaking Bad the day prior.

I can say after second and now third viewing, "Uno" is one of the finest pilot episodes for a drama series. If you are coming in expecting the show to feel like Breaking Bad, you need to drop that approach and instead act like you are watching something that is nothing like its predecessor.

BCS is a slow burn series that isn't carried heavily by suspense, special effects, or violence. Instead, BCS acts like 70% of a legal drama (Jimmy's story) and 30% of a crime drama (Mike's story), and the pilot episode leans further into the former. Beyond the premise being a departure from its predecessor series, BCS also deviates stylistically, starting as early as in the pilot episode. Scenes and takes are more drawn out, and Gilligan and Gould are not afraid to let the camera roll for minutes at a time without dialogue. While this practice occurred occasionally in BRBA, it's 10x as common here, where the pace is slowed in order to conduct a different kind of character study.

Once you are familiar with the tone, style, characters and premise of BCS, "Uno" is far more rewarding of a watch the second time around. Some BRBA fans won't like BCS as much because it's such a departure, especially in early seasons, but the show should be able to recruit viewers who might be turned off by the constant suspense and dreariness of Walter White's descent. Watching Jimmy McGill's very slow transformation into con artist with a law license Saul Goodman is a welcome change of pace, and is perhaps even more intriguing than Walt's transformation into the now incredibly common criminal antihero.

Solid start

[schroederagustavo · 8/10 · 18 June 2022]

I waited a long time to watch this show, mainly because I was afraid it was going to be another re-hash of Breaking Bad, something like a bad spinoff. However, a lot of people have recommended this to me, and out of great respect to Vince Gilligan, I decided to watch it.

I really enjoyed this first episode, looks like it's going to be slower paced than Breaking Bad, but I found the story to be very compelling and it's still all very "Vince Gilligan-esque". From watching Breaking Bad alone, I always thought Jimmy (or Saul) was a very good character, maybe even a great one, but I was never too sure that he was interesting enough to have his own TV show. Let's hope I'm wrong about that, but I will say that from this first episode, it starts off very promising.

Set the stage for this new series

[matthewjudd87 · 7/10 · 8 February 2015]

This episode didn't blow me out of the water, but what did do was completely re-immerse me into the world of Saul Goodman. I was entertained and intrigued for 55 minutes. Ultimately the pilot episode left me wanting more, which is exactly what a pilot episode should do. Bob Odenkirk was really interesting and relatable to watch. They also set up a good number of secondary characters. I found the intro scene to be very captivating. However, I had difficulty understanding when in Goodman's life it was taking place.

The stage is set for the rest of the season, now lets see if this show can carve out its own place in television, or if it falls off into a silly spin-off.

One of my favourite opening episodes to a show

[maxglen · 9/10 · 23 September 2019]

This episode perfectly sets up the show. It shows us Jimmy post Breaking Bad as man living relatively well but as a shell of the man he once was and then we get brought wayyy back to the early 2000s, before Saul Goodman was even an idea and that starts a much slower, yet much more realistically and satisfyingly handled character arc. The one and only complaint I have about Breaking Bad is that it's depiction of change in its main character is done a bit too dramatically, everything is done in big life changing moments, whereas here in Better Call Saul it's road with many more small stops than there are big and we get to see how each one of those little moments effect Jimmy and complement each other in the long run. It's a much more subtle show that requires a little more brain power and I love that. At its worst this show is still an entertaining spin off of one of the greatest shows of all time, but at its best it is one of the best shows of all time in its own right and can be enjoyed in its own merit. Please give this show a chance! The only reason I've given this opener an 8 is because the show gets SO much better! If you love well written character studies and filmmaking as a collective you will love this show. That's all I've got to say. Have a nice day.

The Pilot Is Rad. ♦ 74%

[nairtejas · 7/10 · 9 February 2015]

I was neutral as I started to watch. A black and white prologue greets you, and then, although I am not very impressed with the title stamp, it rolls to the beginning of the story of the lawyer we (I'm guessing you have watched Breaking Bad) know as Saul Goodman.

The pleasure drops instantly started to quench my year-long thirst. The setup, the cinematography, the direction, and everything is reminiscent of its parent show. However, Bob Odenkirk tries very hard to handle the series single-handedly. His nervousness as a former rookie is brilliant. I am a fan of Odenkirk's marvelous ability to pull of the different required airs, which on another note, introduces an intrigue into our minds.

Uno has everything a pilot would need to ignite a spark. Ans since it has everything, it does have its share of ennui-inducing sequences, one or two, depending upon how you take it. Lots of implications also opens a window of speculations about the supporting characters.

BOTTOM LINE: Nothing can be predicted at this point, and it will take at least three more episodes to understand this series. Watch out for the surprise at the end. Honestly, episode one doesn't disappoint. Brilliant!

Not what I expected, but I enjoyed it

[r-kerr0992 · 8/10 · 16 February 2015]

OVERVIEW It's been a long time since the last time we saw Saul Goodman or anything to do with the Breaking Bad Universe, and it feel so good to relive a slight sensation of nostalgia. I hold the original series in such a high regard and it completely changed my views on how to judge a TV series or movie. You can imagine like everyone else I'm excited.

We start off with Saul with the aftermath of the events in Breaking Bad. A broken down, frightened manager of a Cinnabon in a random city. The first ten minute future scenes really emphasize the shell of a human being he now is, with his charismatic, confident, and funny personality completely taken away from him as he is constantly looking over his shoulder paranoid, and sitting at home watching an old advertisement video of himself. It really sets the dark and sinister tone for Saul dwelling into his past before it all went wrong and the audiences mirrored experience. Very well written.

In the early 2000s, Saul (in other words - Jimmy McGill) is a small fish lawyer trying to make ends meet but very unsuccessfully. The first court scene of McGill really sets a dark comedic tone as he is trying to justify to the jury that his clients are three young and stupid kids - who just so happened to have sex with the head of a woman's corpse. We also run into a familiar face when he tries to leave the car park and Mike, the car park attendant before drug enforcer, won't let him as he doesn't have enough stickers for a full day's stay. On the side of this story, his more successful brother, Chuck, is a partner of a big law firm that he is having some personal issues with. The are attempting to buy Chuck out of the company but he and Jimmy are not going to let that happen. You feel sorry for the characters as they are really struggling to fund their lives, and achieve stability.

With his career not going according to plan he decides to pursue a more forceful method of gaining clients. With the help of two young skateboarders, he tries to set up one of them to be hit by a car, catch it on tape and prosecute the driver for compensation. However, the driver has other plans and quickly drives away, making this a now hit and run. Jimmy and the two skateboarders now tail the driver to a house where they plan to confront her. With the skateboarders getting there first and going inside, McGill comes in behind and knocks on the front door, only to be greeted by a gun point at him from a Breaking Bad face, Tuco. It really sets the excitement for the next episode.

PERFORMANCES At this early stage its hard to give a justification to any of the actors for performances. But from what I seen they all carry the story along very well. With Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill you have a lot more to go on as he had the most dialogue as the lead man, and he did a great job. The great comedic side of Saul from Breaking Bad has definitely come over to this series, and with one moment highlighting him having to change his professional name to courtesy to the law firm, were going to see more of McGill developing into Saul Goodman.

NOTEWORTHY MOMENTS I fell the beginning really set the tone for the series, where Saul silently reminisces on where it all went wrong. The confrontation between McGill in Mike in the car park was a nice funny scene, and when McGill bashfully walks into the law firm's board room to confront them about the under valued compensation owed to his brother in such a cringe worthy way, really made me laugh.

FINAL VERDICT This was a very slow building and character establishing episode. Because this series is a sister to Breaking Bad, it didn't need to have as much of an impact in its first episode. Fo Breaking Bad trying to find a network, the first episode had to come out all guns blazing in order to grab the audiences' attention, and it did. They then worried about character development afterwards throughout the first series. Since the creator Vince Gilligan and the writing staff are now established in AMC and have a strong core fan base, they can do they later first. They have devoted the first episode to completely establishing Jimmy McGill's motivations and struggles, and building up to the finale of this episode in the start of his venture as a criminal lawyer.

It left me very interested and wanting more, and they have succeeded in getting the audiences attention in a more subtle and slowed down fashion. Can't wait for the next one.

It's all good, man.

[Meven_Stoffat · 9/10 · 9 February 2015]

Well, It sure feels good to have the Breaking Bad universe back.

I actually was under the impression pro or to starting writing this review that I wouldn't be saying that at all and instead judging the show on its own merits from the start, but after tonight's extended series premiere, I experienced an overwhelming sense of nostalgia back to late September to Mid-October 2013, when I finally swallowed my dumb pride and checked out (and subsequently got addicted to) Breaking Bad. It did take a while to experience that feeling though- in the opening scene, we are treated to a black and white montage of a post-Breaking Bad Saul Goodman (known here as Jimmy McGill), stuck in a dead-end job at a Nebraska Cinnabon, rolling dough, spreading cinnamon powder and slathering said mixture with frosting before slicing it into several different buns for the masses to eat. However, after that, things quickly pick up: we skip to some years later in Albuquerque, where Saul, now a lawyer, practicing his speech to a tired and overheated courtroom where three nineteen-year-olds are being prosecuted for defiling a dead body and also performing sex acts on its severed head That may seem like an odd way for a network television series to start, but do remember what show it's attached to and all the graphic violence it got away with, and there you'll realize just why we've been needing another opportunity to escape to the Breaking Bad-verse again. In fact, it doesn't take long for our beloved Saul Goodman to return to form. He's his usually sassy and clever self, from calling out two twin skateboarding scam artists and attempting to blackmail him and his brother for damaging his car, to angrily bitching out a parking lot attendant, to even going back to said skateboarders and attempting to help them, the Saul-isms we know and love are here. Yet at the same time, Gilligan is able to achieve the drama he is known to master- in fact, Saul's characterization is where a lot of the drama falls into place, and the brief insight we get into his life- including living with his seemingly mentally ill brother

In terms of its technical aspects, Better Call Saul is certainly no slouch either. In fact, the show is visually stunning, as any show shot in New Mexico ought to be. The shots of the Albuquerque desert are as beautiful as ever, and the high-def look is absolutely eye-catching- the colours of the skate park that Jimmy visits near the beginning of the psiode pop out, and the show is as well scored as ever too. But in terms of suspense is where the how really nails it. The final 5 minutes where the Twins mentioned earlier attempt to blackmail an unsuspecting elderly Hispanic lady are intense enough, but your jaw is guaranteed to drop when you find out who she is connected to

To be honest, all my expectations were met, and I look forward to Monday nights if subsequent weeks keep this pattern up. Vince Gilligan doesn't need to make a first impression, as he has already done so, but this is a great first impression for Jimmy McGill and I cannot wait to spend more time in the Breaking Bad verse

A Perfect opening Episode.

[brightestar-34645 · 10/10 · 3 June 2022]

Better Call Saul Just like it's Predecessor Breaking Bad, Has a great opening episode. A Solid Way to start a Tv Series.

The Cold Opening of Gene is Just So Depressing, Sad and It reminds you of how lonely he is. Also The Idea of giving Gene sequence at the beginning is great. Besides It straight away brings attention to the audience.

Introducing Jimmy was also perfectly done. A Down to earth lawyer who works as a public defender to survive. The courthouse scene was so interesting to see.

The Fact that they decided to show Mike in the first episode was good. The addition of the Kettlemans brings so fun to this show. Also It shows how desperate Jimmy is to find a new client.

The Entirety of HHM sequence was brilliant and it gave us two Awesome new characters such as Kim and Howard.

My Favourite shot of this episode might be that shot when Jimmy was in anguish at the parking lot and Kim was waiting outside while smoking. It's So Crazy to think that this shot tells us nothing about Their relationship yet shows us a lot about them. It's Simply great.

Jimmy's Elder brother Chuck who is a partner of HHM adds another layer to this show. I Love their first Conversation in this episode. It's So Intense even in the first episode.

And the Whole Scam with the twin brother going wrong and lead back to the craziest salamanca, Tuco was just chef's kiss.

The Episode was full of beautiful and innovative shot and awesome writing. Just cannot praise more to the creators.

Uno was a great episode to begin this show and a near perfect pilot episode without a doubt.

An Explosive Beginning!

[gab-14712 · 9/10 · 12 April 2020]

When AMC announced that there would be a prequel series to the fantastic Breaking Bad, I thought they were setting themselves up for failure. There would be no way they could make this series, especially one that is focused on the pathetic Saul Goodman, anywhere near as good as the father series. People, I was wrong. Not only with this episode but in episodes to come, Vince Gilligan/Peter Gould created a series that while similar to Breaking Bad and features some of the same characters but has its own heart and able to stand on its own.

Let's talk about the series premiere, "Uno" which was directed by Vince Gilligan. The episode starts off in a very cold, detailed open. It's all black-and-white which you can assume this takes place after everything happened. Saul is now the manager of a Cinnabon in a mall. You catch all the details including the making of the dough, but there is this one guy who has an eye on Saul and may be coming for him.

Now we head to the early 2000's where we meet Saul by his old name, Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk). This episode has plenty of backstory, which makes sense. He is a public defender who earns very little pay and his office is essentially a cramped room in the back of a salon. We see him poorly defend his teenage clients who are accused of having sex with a corpse's head (ugh!). Then we see him get tangled with our favorite parking attendant, Mike Ehrmantraut(!!) (Jonathan Banks) over the price of a three-dollar ticket. At his office, Jimmy sees a check from a law firm called Hamlin & Hamlin & McGill, where Jimmy's older brother, Chuck (Michael McKean) works. Chuck has taken a leave of absence because of his illness, an electromagnetic hypersensitivity disorder, but Jimmy believes they are screwing over his brother. He heads to the firm and pulls a Network on the senior partner, Howard (Patrick Fabian). Speaking of Chuck, he lives very old-fashioned. No lights, no electronics, etc. Visitors would need to place their electronics in the mailbox outside his home.

With no income headed his way, Jimmy becomes Slippin' Jimmy and works within the fine line of the laws to get cash needed to pay the bills. He enlists the services of a couple skateboarders to go after the county treasurer's wife, Betsy Kettleman (Julie Ann Emery). They plan their strategy to have Betsy hit the skateboarders, but she misses them and instead an older Hispanic lady hits them. An older Hispanic lady....that may have ties to Tuco Salamanca (Raymond Cruz). Jimmy is already getting in trouble, tsk tsk tsk.

The performances were fantastic especially from our veteran Breaking Bad alums. Bob Odenkirk played the sleazy Saul Goodman so well in the main series, so it was guaranteed he would make Jimmy McGill a fantastic character to watch. Jonathan Banks, our favorite fixer, works as a parking attendant but still maintains his tough, "no bs" attitude. It looks like Patrick Fabian is going to be the show's sleazebag, and Michael McKean will definitely add some depth to Jimmy's brother, Chuck.

I got to give it Vince Gilligan and company. They set up this series incredibly well. Excellent lines of dialogue were everywhere, including Jimmy imitating 1977's Network. There were tense moments during the whole scheme to set up Betsy Kettleman. Finally, the ending! When Tuco pokes his head out of the door, I nearly lost it. This is the definite series opener designed to hook you in, and it did so very well. Oh how I missed you, Albuquerque!

My Grade: A

Amazing Prequel, Better Show

[rikihcs · 10/10 · 8 April 2020]

Fantastic start to a fantastic series, it not only expands the characters we've grown to love, but you start to actually care about them.

Slipping Jimmy's journey begins !

[keraghel_mehdi · 9/10 · 8 March 2021]

Great episode : Suitable introduction for Jimmy , His inner Struggles , stress , desperation and stuggle to attain success -Great Directing by Vince Gilligan 🎬🎥 -Balanced-paced episode 📈 -Great & Promising Pilot 8,5/10🔥👍 -Jimmy messed with the wrong people -I knew that there was someone expecting him behind that door ... 😏 -Great to see the Salamancas back again 😃

And You Will Atone

[ThomasDrufke · 7/10 · 9 February 2015]

And so begins the mini series of one of the most beloved Breaking Bad characters, Saul Goodman. Except, he's not actually Saul just yet. Right now he is Jimmy McGill, a struggling New Mexico Lawyer who is scrambling to pay his bills and earn some money. It was fascinating watching this character before all of the chaos that ensues during Breaking Bad's run. The pilot was good, but it did fall flat a little bit. If it wasn't for the ending twist with Tuco there.

So seeing the few Breaking Bad characters was a nice addition, and hopefully that will continue, but I didn't think this had the incredible writing and tension that that show had. But let's wait and see, it's just the pilot. It also seemed as though the black and white scenes were far in the future as Saul was working at a Cinnabon, while also fearing for his life. It's pretty clear Saul doesn't have too great of a life after Breaking Bad. But it was nice seeing a much different Saul on the table. Believe it or not he's riskier but just not as sleazy. But you can already start to feel that transition brewing.

I enjoyed the first episode, but I'm looking for even more next episode. I think if the show follows a similar path without directly copying Breaking Bad, it will definitely be successful.

+Different Saul

+Breaking Bad cameos

+Ending

-Not much going on

-Fell a little flat

7.5/10

Great Series Premiere

[PinkMan445 · 9/10 · 28 August 2022]

Great premiere episode! Love how it doesn't start out at the extremely fast pace that Breaking Bad Season 6 left off at. Its better to take the time and not rush into things. It introduced all the new characters, had a fantastic cliffhanger ending, and left me wanting to see more. Also loved the black and white teaser at the start of the episode, looking forward to seeing more of that. Particularly the cinematography stood out in this episode as really well done, Arthur Albert did such a tremendous job. Bob Odenkirk is such a great actor, so glad we're getting a whole series of him. All in all, not much more to ask for in the first episode of a series, and can't wait to find out where this all goes!

It was pretty good

[smithzed · 7/10 · 17 April 2022]

This episode does a good job of setting up some characters - but tends to just introduce them rather than developing them as characters. However, Jimmy is developed well, you can see the beginnings of his personality - just that the other characters at the law firm remain out of focus for now.

My rating: 7.6/10.

It's A Perfect Introduction Episode

[CineNerd70 · 9/10 · 27 July 2022]

Talks about "Slippin' Jimmy" and small but great introductions to many ideas and characters that'll reoccur. And the ending, literally standing for the result of Jimmies corner-cutting, was really just an incredible establishment for what is to come.

Better Call Saul. Uno.

[nebohr · 8/10 · 17 February 2022]

What better way to trip down memory lane than to watch old commercials?

Oh yeah, baby! Corpse mutilation! And defilement! Can you say future psychotic killers?

My wife and I tried that skateboard scam once. We were both killed. But now we have it down to an art.

Jimmy and Chuck are total opposites. But between the two Jimmy is the realist.

A Skeptical Viewer

[julienmott · 1 March 2021]

First off, I'd like to establish that I absolutely loved Breaking Bad. Having enjoyed BB as much as I did, I disapproved of Uno's lighter undertone. With everything being exemplified (For example: Saul and Chuck being so poor as to be without electricity and the scam artists unrealistically following Tuco's Abuela via truck hopping), the environment of the show was negatively affected. For future episodes, I hope and expect an anxiety, as it was present throughout the entirety of BB. Undertones can really make or break a show, and this first episode didn't deliver on this regard in my personal opinion.