Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Breaking Bad spin-off is a darkly comic tale of ambition.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Better Call Saul
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 20 parent reviews
Parents say the series offers a more tame experience compared to its predecessor, featuring mild language and sporadic violence, but still provides gripping storytelling and character development. Viewers appreciate its unique charm and character-driven plot, making it appealing to both fans of the original series and newcomers alike.
- tame experience
- great storytelling
- character development
- suitable for teens
- episodic content
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 58 kid reviews
Kids say this spin-off of a beloved series is a masterful blend of drama and dark comedy, showcasing complex characters and deep moral dilemmas, though it is praised for being lighter and less graphic than its predecessor. Reviews emphasize the slow buildup of plot and character development, making it more suitable for mature teens who can appreciate its intricate storytelling and shallower moments of violence and language.
- complex storytelling
- moral ambiguity
- slow pacing
- suitable for teens
- lighter tone
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Long before he met crystal methamphetamine wizard Walter White (Bryan Cranston), Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) led a very different life, with a different name -- James "Jimmy" McGill -- and ambitions to leave small-time lawyering behind. He's also living under the shadow of his vastly more successful but currently ill older brother, Chuck (Michael McKean). But when an inspired scheme to scam a hit-and-run driver goes awry, it changes the course of Jimmy's career and spawns a new slogan: BETTER CALL SAUL.
Is It Any Good?
When word got out that there might be a Breaking Bad spin-off about shifty lawyer Saul Goodman, fans of the AMC series were practically giddy, maybe because it allowed a story they loved to live on. But could show creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould really spin Saul's story into gold, and was Odenkirk up for the challenge of starring in a dramatic series that put him in the spotlight? The answer is yes. Better Call Saul retains the bleak yet darkly hilarious vibe of its predecessor. And just as Breaking Bad did when Walter and his protégé Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) started cooking together, Saul eventually shifts into high gear and delivers real promise as an addictive drama that's full of surprises and, more importantly, thoughtful storytelling.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Better Call Saul's premise and its success as a Breaking Bad spin-off. Does it deliver the same brand of drama or offer up something new? What other popular TV shows spawned spin-offs, and how did they fare?
Will people who haven't seen Breaking Bad enjoy Better Call Saul? Who's the target audience, and how can you tell?
What's Better Call Saul's take on the state of the American legal system? Or the idea of justice? How does the show's point of view compare with that of popular courtroom dramas such as Law & Order?
How does the show perpetuate stereotypes about Latino and Black men? Why is this damaging in real life?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 8, 2015
- Cast : Bob Odenkirk , Rhea Seehorn , Jonathan Banks , Michael McKean , Patrick Fabian
- Network : AMC
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Winner
- Last updated : February 26, 2026
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