Any of you guys watched this?

As a big Breaking Bad fan (I know, I know, what a surprise), sceptical wouldn't even begin to cover my initial thoughts, after this was announced. At best, I feared it may be a show that had a few funny moments, whilst following a one-note character who I did not believe could carry their own show; at worst, I feared that it would ruin the legacy of what had preceded it.

Oh, how wrong was I.

I thought the first two episodes were brilliant. They managed to feel both similar to the greatness of BB (with some neat little callbacks and re-emergence of existing characters), without once feeling as if it was exisiting on in the shadows of it predecessor.

If you're a fan of BB, then I recommend this one wholeheartedly. Even if you are not, or are one of the four people alive who hasn't experienced Walter White's journey, I really believe that there is enough here for y'all to enjoy the show in equal amounts.

I, for one, cannot wait for next week's episode to air.

Watched the first two and thought they were brilliant. It shares a lot of similarities with Breaking Bad but it's definitely it's own show.

I was a huge fan of BB and this already has me hooked. Can't wait for next week's!

Also, the start of the first episode in cinabon and back in his house was absolutely beautiful and emotional as hell. Loving it!

Yeah, the Cinabun callback was tremendous. I knew that they were onto a winner as soon as they showed us just how accurate Saul's prediction from the BB finale was

I enjoyed the first two, but thought some of the scenes just dragged needlessly.

I'm all-in, but haven't seen anything brilliant yet.

I for one can't wait to see how his Omaha/Cinnabon storyline plays out... you know Saul or "Gene" just can't help himself.

Quoted from Bogey I enjoyed the first two, but thought some of the scenes just dragged needlessly. I'm all-in, but haven't seen anything brilliant yet.

I'm kind of right here as well. Interesting enough to keep watching - but there are parts that drag - e.g., close of episode 2 - about 25 minutes of basically identical courthouse scenes

I thought they were pretty average. But it's too early to tell. Let's see how the show develops.

Haven't seen anything brilliant yet? The scene where Jimmy negotiates with Tuco was nothing but brilliant.

Granted, I might be a little biased, but I can't wait for next Monday. I had high expectations going into this and I am more than satisfied.

Oh and if you're a diehard fan, call the number that Nacho left on Jimmy's book of matches.

Quoted from albinopenguin Haven't seen anything brilliant yet? The scene where Jimmy negotiates with Tuco was nothing but brilliant.

I honestly thought that was cringeworthy. That and the whole "Slipping" Jimmy bit.

I did like Breaking Bad, thought it was one of the better shows in recent years. I'm still giving this a shot. I wanna like it, it's just I didn't see anything special in the first two episodes. Hoping things will get better (for me).

I must be the only person that watched the first episode of Breaking Bad and thought... meh. I've never seen the second episode and tbh, my attention was wandering during the first. I mentioned it to a few film friends and they were like... how could you not watch the second episode? I'm like... because the first one was shite.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I must be the only person that watched the first episode of Breaking Bad and thought... meh. I've never seen the second episode and tbh, my attention was wandering during the first. I mentioned it to a few film friends and they were like... how could you not watch the second episode? I'm like... because the first one was shite.

You're not the only one to feel like this. If it were not for the male contingent in my household I probably wouldn't have got past ep 1 either. Ended up getting sucked into it however and became a big fan - even went to see Vince Gilligan speak when he visited Oz.

As for Saul - I'm on the fence with Demento at the moment - nothing's really grabbing me although I did notice my interest peaked more in the second half of the first ep. Yet to watch the second ep, so verdict's not in yet.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I must be the only person that watched the first episode of Breaking Bad and thought... meh. I've never seen the second episode and tbh, my attention was wandering during the first.

I try to give shows around four episodes to get something going. If I don't do that I feel like I haven't given the show a fair shake.

Quoted from DustinBowcot I must be the only person that watched the first episode of Breaking Bad and thought... meh. I've never seen the second episode and tbh, my attention was wandering during the first. I mentioned it to a few film friends and they were like... how could you not watch the second episode? I'm like... because the first one was shite.

I had this same opinion through about 4 or 5 episodes - and right around there I got hooked. I had the same reaction with The Sopranos and pretty much every serial I have watched. I do know if that television in general didn't suck so much, I would have abandoned ship for most of these after one viewing. Glad I didn't.

There has been one notable exception for me and that was House of Cards. I thought that started off strong but IMO went off the wheels by the end of the first season.

Just finished the season. Not too shabby, it had its moments. I really didn't know what to expect, but overall I feel it finished strong. What surprised me the most is the amount of depth Saul displayed even though we know who he'll become. Hopefully when I rewatch Breaking Bad after this series has its full run, I'll see Slippin' Jimmy in a new way.

Here's a thought... how much do you think this series will overlap the Breaking Bad timeline? I know the writers probably ain't gonna go there, but it would be a great way to show one thing I've wanted to see: Brock gets poisoned. I'd love to see how that happened!

I really like this show.  Like others, I was wondering how they were going to pull this off being set in the past.  So far, Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould show us how it's done.  I really thought the best episode was the one focused on Mike's background.  When he cried, he showed some pretty good acting chops!

I like how they're taking it slow on the setup to how he became who he was when we saw him in BB.  I was afraid they would rush it, but so far so good.  Now I just have to wait too many months to watch it again.  I really don't like any other shows on TV, but will go out of my way to watch this one.

I was in ABQ when they were filming BB.  Everyone was talking about it and I didn't know what they hell they were talking about.  My wife and I rented the first episode and have been hooked since.

Good writing on display, in my opinion.

Fine work indeed.

It wasa great seeing Mike Ermentraut back. I also liked the way they had him in in a minor role in the early episodes.

Jimmy is brilliant too. I loved every episode. The only lull was in one of the final episodes when a montage went on too long.

I didn't think this series would be a patch on Breaking Bad. But it turned out to be a fine companion.

R

I am a fan - overall grade b+

I just got into this one. It's my new treadmill entertainment. I too, was skeptical at first, but it's turning into a great series. The writers are amazing and I can't believe they keep coming up with all these surprises.

I give this an A. Not A+, but a solid A.

I love it when I can't wait to get on the F€%&/#G torture machine! That's how I grade stuff.  

Just finished the latest episode and, wow, what an ending.

Such a big fan of the show. Great writing, great acting, some beautiful shots and the editing is some of the finest on TV.

Jimmy and Mike are so watchable and entertaining.

Looking forward to the finale next week.

It's a good show, IMO. A bit slow though, even for my taste. Some episodes it feels like there's no real plot going on and the scenes drag. If it were posted on this board, I'm sure people would likely tear it to shreds.

This last episode was good. I'm looking forward to the finale. I'm not pumped for it as I was for the Breaking Bad ones, but I'll give it a look.

For me - it gets better and better. They pulled it off.

My interest in the show has been waning this past season. Not sure why, since just about everything in it has been excellent so far, but I haven't thought much about episodes in the days after they've finished, and I sit down to watch every Monday with more of a sense of convenience than anticipation. Maybe I've been spoiled by other shows, or maybe the pivot to a full-blown legal drama hasn't much appealed to me. Not sure.

Last episode might've put a stop to that. The ending is huge, and the protag/antag conflict has really escalated into something strange that I don't think I've ever seen on TV or film. Looking forward to the finale.

Likely an unpopular opinion here, but that last episode was off the rails not believable, and kind of ruins it for me.

SPOILERS

How on earth would Chuck know what Jimmy pulled re the document address transposition? A sixth sense? Weeks later?

Then, Jimmy barely fought back on Chuck's theory. Not at all like the con man Jimmy character .

Finally, the timing of Jimmy seeing Ernie in the copy shop - it's Albuquerque, with a population over half a million and dozens of copy shops. Ernie hits the right one on his first night searching?

I thought it was all crazy lazy convenient writing.

The "Mike" vs. the cartel story, on the other hand, gold. I could watch that over and over.

Okay - saw the series finale last night. My final impressions:

The acting - all around - is top notch,

The cinematography is top notch.

The constant battles between Jimmy and his brother are now growing tedious. There has been enough friction between these two that it either needs to blow up or be mended. I am tired of the same old beats here - and worse - the ongoing turmoil was teased to next season.

Mike - I wanted more of his story. Every time the camera left him to show a Jimmy-Chuck tension filled moment for the millionth time - I thought damn - stay with Mike.

Overall - I still highly recommend the series and will be a viewer of Season 3.

Quoted from eldave1 The constant battles between Jimmy and his brother are now growing tedious. There has been enough friction between these two that it either needs to blow up or be mended. I am tired of the same old beats here - and worse - the ongoing turmoil was teased to next season.

SPOILERS

I agree with this to a point, but I think Jimmy's actions in the last three episodes have offered a new context to their sparring. I also think the nature of their conflict and their attitudes toward each other will be radically different in S3. Jimmy has committed an unforgivable act in Chuck's eyes, and based on the finale, Chuck could very well do the same in the coming episodes with even more dire consequences for Jimmy. I think the lines have been drawn at this point.

END SPOILERS

Quoted from eldave1 Mike - I wanted more of his story. Every time the camera left him to show a Jimmy-Chuck tension filled moment for the millionth time - I thought damn - stay with Mike.

Agreed. I love the fact that Gilligan and co have decided to pivot Mike's initial supporting role to the official B story. Unfortunately, I think the plot has developed a little too incrementally, even for me; I've always enjoyed a slow burn. The second half of the season anyway, as in the first, Mike was fully in the thick of things.

Stoked for S3.

Quoted from James McClung I think the plot has developed a little too incrementally, even for me; I've always enjoyed a slow burn.

I love slow burn as well, but the plot for this series feels like it's standing still. We're not moving anywhere or when we are, it's at snail's pace.

After two seasons it's grown tedious.

Like most, I like Mike, I like Jimmy as well. But this show could pick up a bit.


SPOILERS:





And... you could see the tape recorder thing a mile ahead.





END SPOILERS.

Quoted from Demento I love slow burn as well, but the plot for this series feels like it's standing still. We're not moving anywhere or when we are, it's at snail's pace. After two seasons it's grown tedious.

RE: Slow burn - I suppose I could tell that story about how I managed to not notice my shirt on fire. Oooh hot. But that never happened, so I won't.

Quoted from Demento Like most, I like Mike, I like Jimmy as well. But this show could pick up a bit.

Oh dear. I've only seen the first series and one episode of the new one, which I liked. So this news is lowering my expectations, a little at least.

I will say though, the characters in BCS are about as good as it gets in anything, particualrly since this is essentially a show about lawyers. Which should make it complete arse.

Quoted from Demento SPOILERS: And... you could see the tape recorder thing a mile ahead. END SPOILERS.

I didn't watch it yet. By the time I finally get round to it I will no doubt have forgotten it anyway.

Just a quick point, you could see the thing a mile ahead, D. Cos you're you. Others might not be quite so quick. Like me when I've been up too long and can't remember where by trousers are. Or even which house I left them in.

I should point out I don't own any houses. Not real ones. I live in a basement, which should be called a cellar, with my dog. It's great. Sorry, I've no idea why I shared that. It's the trouser thing distracting, maybe. Oops, time for the dog to drag me around the streets again. Must see a doctor about me sore arms. I was once...

Sorry. My fingers got sore. I'm now o

R

Quoted from CJ Walley I also find it a bit too slow. Plus, if you go on the IMDB message board for the show, there're tons of fans grumbling at the pace. But the way I see it is there's room for a slow show out there in TV land right now.

I'm fine with slow. Just, we're two seasons in and there's no pay off at all. We're almost at the same point in the story where we started.

We get teased here and there with flashbacks and stuff, but just as you feel a wave coming in, the water settles again.

Like this last episode. Mike was the most exciting part of the show. It happened in the middle of the episode, didn't lead to anything, we were just left with a small mystery and now we're back to the Jimmy and Chuck dynamic. Which we have been dealing with for more or less the past 20 episodes.

One gets the feeling that season three will be Jimmy vs Chuck arguing again, and maybe Mike's going to do something. What? We don't know.

Plus some scenes drag are uninteresting and lead to nothing. They are just there to show some character traits, but do we really need 15-20 mins pre episode for that. Like the episode at the hotel bar at the start of the season, where they pulled a con on that business man. It was like half the episode.

Quoted from Demento Plus some scenes drag are uninteresting and lead to nothing. They are just there to show some character traits, but do we really need 15-20 mins pre episode for that. Like the episode at the hotel bar at the start of the season, where they pulled a con on that business man. It was like half the episode.

SPOILERS

Somewhat agree with the general premise, but disagree with the example. Jimmy single-handedly won over Kim by pulling her into the con. She's as much a part of the stakes now as his legal career (perhaps more), and practically half of his actions throughout the season are motivated by her in some way. That's a lot, especially assuming you're invested in her character too (which I am). Legitimately one of the more significant scenes of the season.

I suppose you could argue that they could've gone about it a different way. I mean, the most tangible payoff of the con itself is a free bottle of really expensive tequila - a fine win, but in the long run, who cares? But I think ultimately it amounts to much more, given who the characters are and how they experience the moment. Jimmy's in his element here, Kim gets to experience it with him, and she falls for him because of it. You could come up with something more superficially interesting in the immediate, but I don't think it would quite get you to the same place.

Quoted from James McClung SPOILERS Somewhat agree with the general premise, but disagree with the example. Jimmy single-handedly won over Kim by pulling her into the con. She's as much a part of the stakes now as his legal career (perhaps more), and practically half of his actions throughout the season are motivated by her in some way. That's a lot, especially assuming you're invested in her character too (which I am). Legitimately one of the more significant scenes of the season. I suppose you could argue that they could've gone about it a different way. I mean, the most tangible payoff of the con itself is a free bottle of really expensive tequila - a fine win, but in the long run, who cares? But I think ultimately it amounts to much more, given who the characters are and how they experience the moment. Jimmy's in his element here, Kim gets to experience it with him, and she falls for him because of it. You could come up with something more superficially interesting in the immediate, but I don't think it would quite get you to the same place.

SPOILERS

I thought it could have been shorter and more to the point. It was like half the episode. I'm all for development of scenes but most scenes with two characters seem to me like they drag. This would be fine if it were a movie, lasts two hours and had a point. But in a TV show, it gets tiresome week after week.

And he won her over, and he did something to disappoint her later. Then he got her on his side, then he did something to disappoint her again. I get that's the character, but it also seems like it's the same dynamic over and over again. Just feels like we're spinning our wheels in place. Same with his scenes with Chuck.

I like a lot of the characters on the show. I'm just saying it wouldn't hurt if something major happens and we get moving in some direction for a while.

Quoted from Demento SPOILERS I thought it could have been shorter and more to the point. It was like half the episode. I'm all for development of scenes but most scenes with two characters seem to me like they drag. This would be fine if it were a movie, lasts two hours and had a point. But in a TV show, it gets tiresome week after week. And he won her over, and he did something to disappoint her later. Then he got her on his side, then he did something to disappoint her again. I get that's the character, but it also seems like it's the same dynamic over and over again. Just feels like we're spinning our wheels in place. Same with his scenes with Chuck. I like a lot of the characters on the show. I'm just saying it wouldn't hurt if something major happens and we get moving in some direction for a while.

100% concur.

Quoted from Demento I thought it could have been shorter and more to the point. It was like half the episode. I'm all for development of scenes but most scenes with two characters seem to me like they drag. This would be fine if it were a movie, lasts two hours and had a point. But in a TV show, it gets tiresome week after week.

I feel you. Perhaps it could've been shorter. I didn't mind it though. It was the first episode. I remember thinking it was interesting they would kick off the season with such a low-key opener, but I didn't feel like the series was dragging until later.