Better Call Saul
As far as spin-offs go, we’ve gotten way more Joeys than Frasiers. Even with the pedigree behind Better Call Saul, it was hard not to have trepidations going into the show. Thankfully, showrunner Peter Gould removed all doubt by utilizing a ludicrously strong ensemble and top-notch writing. The show existed in the same universe as Breaking Bad, but managed not to be dependent on the connection. Although we know the fate of Bob Odenkirk’s Saul Goodman from the first minutes of the series premiere, Better Call Saul was able to assert its identity and make a strong argument for its necessity. Far removed from being the comic relief of Breaking Bad, Saul is a tragic, blackly humorous character, one straight out of the Coen brothers’ playbook. Odenkirk, a veteran comedic actor, showed range heretofore unseen, as he imbued Saul with a real sense of humanity, allowing the viewer to see exactly when he started to lose his morals and his soul. And Jonathan Banks, in a single episode, did more work with his character Mike Ehrmantraut than most actors do with an entire season. Better Call Saul was deliriously well-written and performed, and had one of the best debut seasons of any show in recent memory.
Best episodes: “Five-O,” “Hero”