Mike breaking bad vs better call saul

Before Better Call Saul even began, Mike Ehrmantraut was considered a fan favorite by Breaking Bad viewers, but the prequel series would eventually change for the better.

Things don't always go according to plan, but sometimes, that's for the best. Case in point: Jonathan Banks would never have played the iconic role of Mike Ehrmantraut in Breaking Bad if things had worked out the way the show's writers originally intended. In fact, the Mike character did not exist at all in the original plans for season 2 of Breaking Bad. That season also introduces Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman, and while Odenkirk was available for most of the season otherwise, there was one particularly episode he couldn't take part in due to a previous commitment She spoke about how the Breaking Bad writers had planned for Saul Goodman to help Jesse Aaron Paul clean up the apartment and prepare his story for the police when his girlfriend Jane Krysten Ritter dies from an overdose. Because Odenkirk was busy when that episode was scheduled to film, however, the writers improvised by writing in the character of a fixer working on behalf of Saul.

Mike breaking bad vs better call saul

While Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul both feature some of TV's most well-written characters, Mike Ehrmantraut has had plenty of scene-stealing moments in both shows that have solidified his spot as one of the best characters of all time. Played by veteran character actor Jonathan Banks, Mike is best known for his morally gray sensibilities, deadpan facial expressions and vocal delivery, and the surrogate father relationship he has with the likes of Jesse Pinkman and Ignacio "Nacho" Varga. Mike's headstrong personality makes him one of Walter White, Saul Goodman, and even Gus Fring's greatest foils, as seen on multiple occasions. Furthermore, Mike's status as a Marine Corps veteran and former career as a Philadelphia police officer makes him an incredibly intelligent and formidable presence throughout the show, as he boasts an impressive sense of bravery and duty. Even in his line of work as a career criminal, Mike displays loyalty and honor to those who earn his respect, and his insistence on not involving civilians in his criminal activity makes Mike one of the franchise's most endearing characters in that universe. While Saul Goodman suggests to Walt that he and Jesse get in league with Gus Fring's methamphetamine empire, Mike ultimately arranges the meeting between Walt, Jesse, and Gus in a move that would both prove to be one of the best things Mike could have done and the worst. As seen throughout Breaking Bad , Walt and Jesse's proclivities for producing high-quality meth makes them a valuable commodity in organized crime despite their incessant bickering. Although Mike's decision to introduce Walt and Jesse to Gus results in both his and Gus's deaths, it adds another layer to the show's character dynamics while heightening the conflicts between warring drug lords. When Werner Ziegler is introduced to audiences in the Better Call Saul Episode , "Quite a Ride," it becomes apparent that he won't last in the cutthroat world of organized crime, as he's far too compassionate and sociable for the perpetually paranoid Gus Fring to trust. As such, MIke supervises Werner and the other German engineers as they work tirelessly on constructing his meth compound. Despite Mike and Werner developing something of a friendly relationship, Mike is ultimately tasked with killing Werner in the episode "Winner," since he accidentally slips up the secretive nature of his partnership with Gus to his wife, Margarethe, over the phone. However, the truly significant moment about Mike's time with Werner is the sincere respect the two men develop for one another over the time spent working on Gus's compound. Mike's defining traits are his loyalty and strict adherence to his code , and the effect that killing a civilian in the name of keeping a ruthless meth dealer wealthy genuinely eats him up. Even when Gus ensures Margarethe will be handsomely compensated for Werner's death, it disgusts Mike, and the argument that he has with Gus carries a lot of weight considering everyone is deathly afraid of him. Even though Mike knows way more than he's letting off and Hank and Gomie know it, Mike can't be arrested by the DEA agents without solid evidence.

Keith Phipps: This is pretty much an impossible choice: Both series are indisputable all-timers. If you would like changes or corrections made to this page by a moderator, please specify your request on the talk page.

This week Better Call Saul came to an end , and with its series finale, closed the door on the Breaking Bad universe after two series and a standalone Netflix movie that spanned 15 years of TV. Until Vince Gilligan thinks up another spin-off, that is. But BCS improbably grew into a rich, multi-layered, visually dazzling and narratively engrossing drama as worthy of a spot in the TV Hall of Fame pantheon as its predecessor. Now that both shows are concluded, we can finally have the debate in earnest. GQ polled a few of our Albuquerque-proficient writers to weigh in.

Mike is a former Philadelphia police officer and United States Marine Corps veteran who works for Gus Fring —and, on occasion, Saul Goodman —as a private investigator, head of security, cleaner , and hitman. While an officer in Philadelphia, he engaged in corrupt activities that indirectly led to the death of his son Matt, leading Mike to move to Albuquerque to watch over and financially support his daughter-in-law Stacey and granddaughter Kaylee through jobs in the criminal underworld. Mike as a character has been praised by critics and Banks' performance has received several acting awards and nominations. Banks himself thought he would come on and do the role for "ABQ", but had been impressed by working alongside Aaron Paul in that scene, and with the overall direction that Vince Gilligan had provided for the episode. Banks considered his character close to that of Max von Sydow 's Joubert from Three Days of the Condor , an assassin that painted figurines on the side. He subsequently became an officer on the Philadelphia Police Department. Mike was married for 22 years, as he mentions in season 4 of Better Call Saul. His former wife's name and fate are never revealed.

Mike breaking bad vs better call saul

When characters are presented with problems, the show makes sure they go about solving them in as realistic and detailed a way as possible. Breaking Bad established a starting date in its very first episode and then the writers take great care to make sure that everything that happens after or before sticks to a realistic timeline. The end result of this attention to detail is a shockingly thorough and complete timeline for both shows and for the Breaking Bad movie, El Camino.

Kayak explorer k2

Showrunner: Vince Gilligan. Nacho offers to give himself up as long as Manuel is protected. And revisiting the Albuquereque of Breaking Bad again? Jimmy uses the information to accuse police of witness tampering, enabling him to win Lalo's release on bail. Mike has demonstrated extreme devotion to his loved ones, notably his beloved granddaughter, Kaylee, whom he planned to leave all of his funds earned from his criminal work and also his daughter-law, Stacey, whom he also sought to aid financially. Apparently touched by Anita's story, Mike calls Daniel and agrees to be his bodyguard. He sets up on a hillside and watches as the Cousins kill the driver and bury him in an unmarked grave. See also: Better Call Saul season 6. However, under constant pressure from his colleagues and Mike's advice, Matt eventually started doing the same thing. Mike breaking down as he proclaims he convinced his son to debase himself before being murdered hits hard, but it also shows audiences how Mike became the way he is, and it reigns as his best moment in the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul universe.

Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul : which is the better series? Breaking Bad followed the story of chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin, Walter White. His initial idea of cooking and selling meth to make some quick money for his family following his inevitable death from terminal cancer opened up some serious wounds for the once timid man who began enjoying his power in the drug trade a little too much.

He survived brushes with dangerous cartels, trained military personnel, and sociopaths, but the thing that gets him in the end is a bullet from a former high school chemistry teacher. But neither listen. Mike becomes concerned when Saul reveals that he told Kim Wexler the truth, worrying about what she might do and warning that Kim is "in the game now" since she knows the truth. Even though Nacho's death is one of the most shocking deaths in Better Call Saul , Mike's commitment to keeping Nacho's father safe for as long as he's alive displays a loyalty rarely seen in the drug game, and it serves as Mike's best trait. Shortly following his retirement from Walt's drug empire, Mike's assets would be seized a second time after the DEA caught his lawyer Dan Wachsberger in the act of depositing Mike's drug money for his incarcerated men and was left with no options but to flee after his lawyer betrayed him to the DEA. Walt dismissively agrees. Mike, Tyrus, and several of their men set up a perimeter around Kim's apartment complex. In the case of Nacho, Mike slowly yet surely develops a closer relationship, thus gaining the younger man's trust. Then Jimmy will sell the figure and split the proceeds with Mike. I would even go so far as to say that Better Call Saul is a much better show. After determining this is a nightly pattern of drops and pickups, Mike enlists the help of Jimmy McGill. Todd agrees to not do this again, and Mike lets him go. In Gus's office trailer, Tyrus informs him that Nacho's stolen truck has been found while Nacho himself remains missing; Lalo is also missing, and the Cartel believes he is dead. Mike's principled nature is highlighted when he stands up to Walter, reinforcing his commitment to doing what is right and putting a spotlight on Walter's greed and ego.