Find Your Saul
Better Call Saul Is The Gift That Keeps On Giving
Everywhere I look, there is negativity.
Politicians can’t be trusted. Covid cases are rising. Monkeypox is now a health emergency.
And don’t forget climate change.
That’s why I look forward to Tuesdays.
Because for one hour, I get to escape.
I get to go to another world and be entertained.
With a new episode of Better Call Saul.
Are you watching it?
The writing is among the best you’ll find on TV now — on any platform. The writers on Better Call Saul have created characters you care about (just as they did on the show’s predecessor, Breaking Bad).
And the actors are hitting it out the park — from Bob Odenkirk (as Saul) and Rhea Seehorn (as attorney Kim Wexler), to Jonathan Banks (as Mike, the man who can fix any situation) and Giancarlo Esposito as “chicken man” (and drug kingpin) Gus Fring.
And there’s Howard and Nacho and Lalo Salamanca…
This show has created such deep, interesting characters that even people who play smaller roles are memorable (The Kettlemans, anyone?).
Better Call Saul has characters that will annoy, amuse, and frighten you (like Patrick Fabian’s Howard and Tony Dalton’s Lalo)
If acting had drafts like sports, Better Call Saul got all the first-run picks.
The show is also beautifully shot. I am not a cinematographer, but watching this show you can tell that the people involved are artists. You’ll notice the camera angles and lighting stand out, and how the colors and images on screen enhance the storytelling.
The talent on this show runs over.
I’ve been worried for Kim Wexler (and still am!)
Better Call Saul is a masterclass in creativity, too, as we’ve started the show knowing how it ends (kind of) from the way Breaking Bad concluded.
But despite this, Better Call Saul has managed to surprise us — and shock us over six seasons.
For several years, fans have been wondering what will happen to Seehorn’s character Kim Wexler, an attorney and spouse of Odenkirk’s character Saul.
She doesn’t appear in Breaking Bad, so what happens to her?
When will she die? Who kills her?
Is there any way she can survive?
Over the show’s run, we’ve watched the transformation of her character, and seen “good girl” Kim break bad — and like it.
She started off as a hesitant passenger in her husband’s schemes and now she’s the driver.
The twists and turns of this show keep me (and millions of others) guessing.
It’s a drama, but it’s funny. It’s serious, and light. It’s a slow burn that continues to surprise you.
And as we get closer to the end of the series, some of the episodes have ended with a gut punch.
I’m almost glad I have to wait a week until the next episode so I can analyze, recover, and prepare for what’s next.
So why do I share this story?
Well, sadly, I am not on the payroll of Better Call Saul, or connected with anyone with the show. (Though actor Jonathan Banks did go to college in Indiana!).
Wise words from Jonathan Bank’s character Mike Ehrmantraut
But the lesson here is that Better Call Saul is something that brings me joy.
And we all need joy in our life.
That doesn’t mean we don’t need to be informed or take action on world events.
It means we have to acknowledge that we need to have fun — and find something that brings us joy.
Entertainment is there to entertain us.
And fortunately, there’s a whole industry of people whose sole job is to create something that we will entertain us.
So find your Saul — that show, or singer, or sport that connects with you.
And enjoy it… while it lasts.
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Beth Collier loves writing, pop culture, and finding moments of joy.
She also loves helping companies, leaders, and teams improve their communication (and creativity and leadership) through consulting, coaching, and workshops.
Her clients benefit from Beth’s global corporate experience, Midwestern practicality and enthusiasm – and an endless supply of pop culture references.
To find out how Beth can help you become a more confident, creative, and compelling leader – or improve communication in your company – visit www.beth-collier.com or drop her a line at beth@beth-collier.com