Not many shows have been able to achieve what Better Call Saul has. The unique approach to storytelling it takes, the deep study of in my opinion the greatest character ever made, how consistently flawless it is, how high it manages to reach while maintaining a very slow and methodical pace, and all while staying true to the Breaking Bad universe and its characters. So much added depth to used-to-be depthless characters like Saul Goodman, Mike Ehrmantraut, Gustavo Fring, and Hector Salamanca. So many unique and impressive episodes like Chicanery, Bagman, and Nippy. It uses its premise of a lawyer/cartel drama so beautifully. They make two brothers fighting over petty grievances in court more entertaining than an action show.

Instead of using specific characters to portray themes like The Leftovers or Six Feet Under, Better Call Saul decides to portray them through character dynamics. Obviously this show is about change. But it's less about the protagonist changing throughout the show and more about if he can change for the better. Jimmy proves he can change for Chuck but Chuck despises him too much to let him. Their dynamic's importance is still relevant even after their relationship was broken off for good when Chuck killed himself. Chuck made Jimmy believe that "he can never change" which only pushes him further and further down the path that ultimately Chuck thought he was bound for. Kim on the other hand, is Jimmy's security system. I'll go into the object storytelling of the show in a paragraph or two but this is especially shown in the pilot episode when Jimmy kicks in an already broken trashcan and Kim picks it up, symbolizing their dynamic throughout the first few seasons. Kim begins to allow Saul Goodman into her life more until she too starts committing crimes with him. I think Kim symbolizes the middle ground of Chuck and Jimmy. She's a good person at heart and legally. But her character is also about how even the best of people can be corrupted to a life of crime. This style of theme portrayal is especially important in Saul Gone. Even after Kim and Jimmy have become nearly unforgiveable, they're the only ones that can inact each other's change. Jimmy telling Kim how hypocritic she's being telling him to turn himself in; making her realize he's right and turns herself in and allows the consequences to unfold, which in turn is the reason Jimmy changes by turning himself in and allowing the consequences to unfold after he's told about what she did. Fucking masterclass in character-writing I've never seen a more neatly tied dynamic in TV.

As I've mentioned multiple times in this review, Better Call Saul uses such unique and interesting ways of storytelling that I've never seen done before to this level. The slow, methodical approach, the insanely unique cinematography, and my favorite, object symbolism/storytelling. Like you don't see any other show using a fucking ice cream cone to symbolize a man's fall deeper and deeper into the cartel. There's a common use of exit signs in this show and a friend of mine @madtwister made a really great point on what they mean. Jimmy is often shown looking at or standing around an exit sign in his biggest and most important moments in the show. This is to symbolize the opportunity for him to just leave it all behind and change for the better. Just like in the first scene of season 2. He's trapped in a room alone. But he isn't trapped and he isn't alone. There's a door he can leave through but if he does, he'll have to accept the consequences of his actions. There are names on the wall from others who have been in the same situation as he's in right now. But What choice does he make? He stays in the room and writes his acronym on the wall, refusing to change when all it takes is a few steps in the other direction.

There are a few other important items in this show. The cork from Slippin' Kimmy's first episode in the show that symbolizes the lawyer side of Jimmy and Kim's relationship, the #2 lawyer cup which symbolizes the cartel side of Jimmy and Kim's relationship, the color of clothing everyone wears symbolizing what they're feeling and/or their character arcs throughout the show, and more subtle uses like zooming in on specific objects only to bring them up later to symbolize change over the course of an episode. Like them zooming in on Jimmy and Kim's beer only for nothing to happen and then later in the episode they throw the beer off of the balcony. Such subtle things like that make rewatching so investing and even better than the first watch. It also manages all of this characterwork and symbolism without making the show boring like some others. 

I got spoiled on nearly every detail of this show before I watched yet it was still one of the best show experiences I've had and is the best rewatch I've ever had. Such a brilliant show and I doubt anything will ever be actually better than this, even if I see myself preferring other shows like The Shield at times. I don't think we'll ever see something like this again and that's what makes it truly special to me. Hopefully if you never understood the hype for this show that my review helped.

Specials

Season 1