The Origin, Transformation, and Ambiguous Fate of Saul Goodman

The Origin Story of Saul Goodman

The character of Saul Goodman, memorably portrayed by Bob Odenkirk, first appeared in season 2 of the hit AMC show Breaking Bad. At the time, Saul was introduced as a shady criminal lawyer hired by Walter White and Jesse Pinkman to get them out of legal troubles related to their burgeoning meth empire. However, Saul turned out to be much more than just a sleazy lawyer, becoming an integral part of the Breaking Bad story up until the very end.

Jimmy McGill's Transformation into Saul Goodman

In the Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul, we get to see the origin story of how small-time lawyer Jimmy McGill eventually transformed into the infamous Saul Goodman. Set 6 years before the events of Breaking Bad, the show depicts Jimmy's struggles to become a successful lawyer and escape the shadow of his more acclaimed older brother Chuck. After Chuck cruelly betrays Jimmy, it sets off a chain of events that push Jimmy down a darker path and lead him to embrace his slippery Saul Goodman alter-ego.

Throughout the first few seasons of Better Call Saul, we see the events and relationships that harden Jimmy's attitude and provide context for his future persona. His complicated rapport with fellow lawyer and love interest Kim Wexler reveals Jimmy's more human side underneath the exaggerated Saul Goodman facade. But as Jimmy takes increasingly unethical measures in both his legal and personal affairs, the Saul Goodman we know from Breaking Bad starts to emerge.

Saul Goodman and Walter White

When Saul Goodman is introduced in Breaking Bad, he immediately makes an impression with his tacky TV commercials and flamboyant persona. However, Walter White and Jesse Pinkman soon realize there is more to Saul than his cartoonish surface. He has real legal smarts and connections to the criminal underworld that make him invaluable in laundering Walt's drug money and solving problems.

Saul acts as Walt and Jesse's advisor, facilitator and fixer over the course of their partnership. His loose morals, dry wit and lack of judgment about Walt's increasingly abhorrent behavior makes him the perfect accomplice for Heisenberg. Saul goes above and beyond for his clients, suggesting ingenious money laundering schemes and even arranging for the disappearance and new identities of Walt and his family in the final season.

The End of Saul Goodman

In the final episode of Breaking Bad, Saul realizes the jig is up and his association with Walt has put a target on his back. He calls on the help of his disappearance expert known only as "The Disappearer" and escapes to Omaha, Nebraska with a new identity. This brings Saul Goodman's story to an open-ended conclusion.

Or so it seemed until Better Call Saul premiered in 2015. By the end of that show's 6 seasons, set after the events of Breaking Bad, Saul's post-Breaking Bad journey comes full circle. Now known as Gene Takovic, he is recognized by a former associate of Walt and Jesse's, forcing him to reckon with his past misdeeds and ties to Albuquerque. The finale leaves Saul's ultimate fate ambiguous, but confirms that his days as the fast-talking lawyer Saul Goodman are likely over for good.

Bob Odenkirk's portrayal of Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill has proven to be one of the most enduring and beloved characters in the Breaking Bad expanded universe. Thanks to the rich characterization in Better Call Saul, Saul transcended being just a scene-stealing sidekick and became the complex protagonist of his own story.

FAQs

How is Better Call Saul connected to Breaking Bad?

Better Call Saul is a prequel series to Breaking Bad, focusing on Jimmy McGill's transformation into Saul Goodman 6 years before the events of Breaking Bad. We see Saul's origin story and his early interactions with characters like Mike Ehrmantraut.

Who are the main characters in Better Call Saul?

The main characters are Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk), his girlfriend and fellow lawyer Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), his older brother Chuck McGill (Michael McKean), and fixer Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks).

What time period is covered in Better Call Saul?

The timeline of Better Call Saul starts 6 years before Breaking Bad and ends after the events of Breaking Bad, with Gene Takovic's story set after Saul Goodman disappears.

What is Jimmy McGill's law firm called?

Jimmy practices law under several names including James M. McGill, Saul Goodman, and Wexler-McGill with Kim Wexler. But he eventually establishes his strip mall law office with the name fans know best - Saul Goodman Attorney at Law.

Does Walter White appear in Better Call Saul?

No, Walter White does not directly appear in the first 6 seasons of Better Call Saul since it is a prequel. But the show does reference and foreshadow key events from Breaking Bad.