Top 10 Ways Better Call Saul Changes Breaking Bad

Although “Breaking Bad” tied up most of its loose ends, a few characters were left with ambiguous fates. In the final season of “Better Call Saul,” Gene Takavic (as he now goes by) contacts Francesca. His old receptionist informs him that Skyler White got off on a deal while only Jesse Pinkman’s car was found, alluding to the events of “El Camino.” The biggest takeaway is the revelation that Huell Babineaux, Saul’s former bodyguard, evaded jail time because the DEA held him under false pretenses, claiming Walt had put a hit on him and had already killed Jesse. Fans often wondered if Huell ever left the safe house where we last saw him. “Better Call Saul” clarifies that he’s since moved back to New Orleans.

While he only appears in the first three “Breaking Bad” episodes, this drug dealer leaves a strong impression. We connect with Krazy-8 as he’s locked in Jesse’s basement, which makes it even harder when Walt has no choice but to directly murder someone for the first time. We’re left to wonder how much of what Krazy-8 told Walt about himself was true. As we see in “Better Call Saul,” his real name is indeed Domingo Molina and Lalo Salamanca supplied his nickname. It’s also revealed that Krazy-8 interacted with several “Breaking Bad” characters before encountering Walt or Jesse. He worked for Don Hector and Saul Goodman negotiated a deal when Hank Schrader and Steven Gomez tried interrogating him. Krazy-8 might’ve been better off in jail.

After Krazy-8 dies, Walter and Jesse get involved with the hot-headed Tuco. It isn’t long until they cross paths with other members of the Salamanca family, including the silent but deadly Cousins. “Better Call Saul” explores their criminal activities before Heisenberg. Thanks to Mike and Nacho, Tuco faces almost a decade in prison. Don Hector and the Cousins ultimately force Mike’s hand, resulting in Tuco getting a much shorter prison sentence. Had Mike’s plan gone off without a hitch, Tuco still likely would’ve been in jail when Walt got involved in the meth business. Mike prolonged his life by telling the police it was his gun, but by getting Tuco out early, he paved the way for Walt to one day doom all parties involved.

In “Better Call Saul,” Gustavo Fring is already the “Chicken Man” behind Los Pollos Hermanos and a prominent meth distribution figure. While much of his past is left ambiguous, the prequel series sets the stage for Gus to take down many of his rivals in “Breaking Bad.” It will be a while until Gus is in a position to exact revenge against Don Eladio. However, he can knock the Salamancas down a peg on his way up the ladder. Using Nacho as a pawn, Gus’ business begins to thrive while his main competitor suffers. We also watch the production of Gus’ state-of-the-art superlab where Walt will one day cook. Going into “Breaking Bad,” all the pieces are in place for Gus’ continued rise and downfall.

When Walter and Jesse first kidnap Saul, he desperately mentions two names: Ignacio and Lalo. While this seemed irrelevant throughout “Breaking Bad’s” run, both characters are given essential arcs in “Better Call Saul.” Jimmy reluctantly helps Lalo Salamanca out of a legal jam shortly before Nacho enables the attack on his compound. After going on the run for a while, Lalo asks for Jimmy’s help again, killing Howard Hamlin in the process. Although Jimmy and Kim survive this ordeal, their marriage doesn’t. In due course, Jimmy McGill essentially dies, leaving only Saul Goodman. As Walter and Jesse made Saul look at an empty grave, it’s safe to say that he had flashbacks to the night when Lalo offed Howard and everything changed.

When they’re introduced in “Breaking Bad,” Mike has a longstanding professional relationship with Gus. The roots of that relationship are unveiled in “Better Call Saul.” Hector Salamanca brought them together, although not intentionally. Mike plotted to kill Hector, who’d been harassing him. Gus prevents the hit, as it’s in his best interest to keep Hector alive… for now. Since they both hate Hector, though, Mike and Gus find common ground that leads to a partnership. At first, the two maintain their distance with Mike not even wanting to accept Gus’ money. However, it isn’t long until Mike is overseeing the construction of Gus’ lab, heading up his security, and making problems go away. Mike continued to do much of this in “Breaking Bad.”

Between being a cop and getting involved in the drug world, Mike worked as an Albuquerque courthouse parking lot attendant. It’s here where he first encounters struggling lawyer Jimmy McGill. Although they get off on the wrong foot, the two form a professional relationship and sort-of friendship. Jimmy represents Mike legally and they both do odd favors for each other. By the time Jimmy goes full Saul Goodman, Mike is working as his private investigator. Getting tangled in Walt’s schemes, Saul arranges for him to meet Gus with Mike presumably acting as the middle man. So, if Jimmy had never met Mike, he wouldn’t have met Gus, and Walt wouldn’t have met either of the latter two. And it all started with a parking dispute.

Flashbacks aside, Hector spends the entirety of “Breaking Bad” in a wheelchair with a bell and a perpetually angry face as his only means of communication. It’s rather jarring when he first pops up in “Better Call Saul,” walking, talking, and seemingly in stable health. We never would’ve imagined the Ignacio that Saul briefly mentioned was the one who put the Cartel don in that chair. Hector has a heart condition, but he’s fine as long as he takes his medicine. To protect his father, Nacho switches Hector’s pills with empty capsules, causing his fateful stroke. In retrospect, this would’ve been the best time for Gus to finish Hector. He’d rather let his enemy suffer, though, allowing Hector to live long enough to get revenge.

“Breaking Bad” has always possessed great rewatch value, but going back is even more fascinating now that Saul’s backstory has been fully fleshed out. Just as we watch Walt go from chemistry teacher to drug kingpin, Jimmy/Saul/Gene goes through several evolutions. Each is different, although each has the same fatal flaw: never knowing when to be content. As seen in “Better Call Saul,” Jimmy was given more than one opportunity to be a legitimate lawyer. Yet, his inner con artist always calls to him. This molds him into a criminal lawyer who will inevitably become a wanted criminal. Saul follows through on his plan to start over as a Cinnabon manager. However, living a boring life doesn’t suit who Gene Takavic is underneath.

Although primarily a prequel, “Better Call Saul” also serves a sequel, especially towards the end as Gene stumbles back into Slippin’ Jimmy’s old tricks. This cleverly mirrors flashbacks to when Saul first got involved with Walt and Jesse. It’s confirmed that Mike was the one who provided a background check on Walt for Saul. Even more significant, Mike warned Saul about getting further involved with Walt, believing it would only amount to trouble. Trouble is what Saul wants deep down, however. Saul isn’t happy with just being a lawyer much like how Gene isn’t satisfied managing a Cinnabon. Both thus go through doors that may feed their hunger for a little more fun. One way or another, though, the fun needs to end eventually.