To answer this question, I have to go back to The X-Files. I used to love The X-Files. Some times the episodes could stand on their own. Sometimes the episodes tied into a much larger storyline that was really interesting to watch how it was all playing out and fitting together. But, and it is a big but, the show never paid off all of the intrigue. Some of the people behind that show made Breaking Bad. To say that I was skeptical would be an understatement. I didn’t want to fall in love again and then lose it over time. The first season of Breaking Bad was tight. The pilot episode started with a flash forward and by the end of that first episode, they paid it off. Then, the rest of the season worked the same way. The show just kept delivering, never got too big or unexplainable, the writing stayed focused and sharp, the cinematography stayed beautiful and original, and the acting continued to be superb and subtle.

So, why do I love Better Call Saul? Better Call Saul is prequel and sequel to Breaking Bad. The writers and producers had to follow up after a huge hit with Breaking Bad. They actually made a unique show that in many ways is a different show than Breaking Bad. All of the characters are deeply flawed and compelling to watch. The writers surprise and delight. The cinematographers create interesting visuals. The actors take us with them and really sell it. So, just like Breaking Bad, the show pays everything off. The stories, items, dialog all tie together and tell a story that ends. It’s fun being on the journey but it is also fun not wearing out on the journey. Better Call Saul stands on its own and recontextualizes Breaking Bad.

Better Call Saul is now in its sixth and final season. These final 13 episodes might be the last chapter in the Breaking Bad universe and I have been savoring the experience. Season six of Better Call Saul premiered on April 18, 2022, and wraps up on August 15th. The season has been torture waiting for each episode, cliffhangers, and a six-week midseason break. I decided to watch and experience this last season in a new way.

1. I watch the episodes live. Every Monday night, I focus my attention for an hour as the episode plays out all swiss chessed by commercial breaks. I haven’t watch a show this way in awhile and it has some benefits. Breaks give you a change to process, guess on what’s coming next, and build some suspense. I also don’t want to have anything spioled if I venture onto BCS Twitter.
2. Right after the episode, I join the OneTake livestream on YouTube. The OneTake brothers go live right after the episode and give their instant take on the episodes. I sometimes jump in the chat and add thoughts, but I mostly listen and revel in the episode that we all just watched together. This has been a fun way to go a little deeper into the story and join a community of folks sharing an experience together.
3. The day after the episode, I listen to the Better Call Saul Insider Podcast. This podcast puts out a new episode on the following day of the AMC aired show and features hosts Chris McCaleb and Kelley Dixon with the people actually behind the show. It is such a great podcast. They often give you a little insight into what they were think as the “break the episode” and how they technically pulled off complex shots or sequences. Again, this really helps build up the episode.
4. Throught the rest of the week, I watch a few recap vidoes on YouTube. There are some really great YouTubers who breakdown the recent episode, give some thoughts, and clear up some things for the audience. They are fun to watch as they compete to get their recap episode on YouTube before everyone esle. I highly recommend TheVividKiWi, OneTake, Courtney’s Reviews, and Pete Peppers.

With all of this, I am just trying to be in the moment an dextend the moment as long as I can. Are you watching the show? How do you watch your favoite show?

Sony Pictures Television noticed my tweet and reached out. They offered to send me a gift box to thank me for my loyalty over the years. Well, they blew me away today with an HHM banker box filled with surprises.

SPTV really delighted me with all of the touches. The box had redacted files, coffee-stained paper, crumpled up legal pad paper, and Hamlin Hamlin & McGill branding. The gifts were quite unexpected: World’s 2nd Best Lawyer… Again coffee mug complete with bullet hole, a working burner phone with a voicemail from Bob Odenkirk and Rhea Seehorn, a Zafiro Añejo bottle stopper, and the LWYRUP license plate from Saul’s Cadillac. The whole package made me well up with tears and I got a little overwhelmed. What a complete surprise.

I really love the Breaking Bad Universe universe as it has given me a lot of joy appreciating the stories, pouring over the meaning and symbolism, listening to the cast and crew on the insider podcast, and going into deep discussions with friends over the years.

Thank you, Sony Pictures Television!