Critic Reviews

Just as Gilligan routinely did with “Breaking Bad,” the first episode ends with a cliffhanger of sorts, and another pleasant surprise. It’ll make you wish 9 p.m. Monday comes quickly.

How will Better Call Saul play for those unfamiliar with "Breaking Bad"? It still works, provided they're content with Gilligan's trademark loopiness and the show's leisurely (but confident) pace.

The show's writing is as economic and poetically parred. Each moment is compact, leading to the next with unpredictable, behaviorally astute precision.

Better Call Saul’s new season jumps right back in to the Sandpiper case, law firm culture, Chuck and Jimmy’s now-frosty relationship, as well as Jimmy’s budding romance with Kim, and his association with Mike (who is now an entrenched ally). But what really keeps everything sewn together so beautifully is watching Jimmy when he’s alone.

The second season of Saul establishes what should have been obvious all along--this is basically just a continuation of “Breaking Bad.” Same themes. Same setting. Same preoccupations. Even same humor. But best of all, same deep, abiding intelligence.

The writing on Better Call Saul is as tight as any show on television, with every scene feeling like it has thematic or narrative purpose without being overwritten.... Of course, the writing is helped by a cast who seems even more confident this year.

Better Call Saul grows more ironic and tragic with each subsequent episode.

Based on the first two episodes, Saul is making a case that it could be even better than “Breaking Bad” (and do brush up on your Bible stories).

Every element of this show remains among the best on TV, but what struck me most about the first two episodes of season three was the deliberate, confident pacing.

AMC's best current show? Not even close. By a big stretch, it's the "Breaking Bad" spinoff (and prequel series) Better Call Saul, which launches its third season in grand style. ... It feels like some kind of brilliant first cousin.