Five-O

I have covered in previous reviews the contribution Joss Whedon is considered to have made to the modern TV drama (the "long arc") but watching this incredible episode I could help but think that Gilligan and Gould need acknowledgement too.

We already know (Breaking Bad) that their key theme is human foibles. This episode, which seems at first glance to break almost every rule of episodic TV (the star is barely doing a cameo?) is a tour de force not only for Banks' acting but also for way the viewer is hooked off the top and just cannot walk away.

Incredible TV.

And notice how all the episodes for the season end in "O" -- showing off maybe, but they earned the right.

((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

"Five-O" is an amazing episode and a very important episode. It helps if you have knowledge of Breaking Bad because you will need to apply it here. In that second season, we are introduced to Mike, Saul's cleaner. Mike instantly became a fan favorite and is essential piece for the father series. This episode, directed beautifully by Adam Bernstein, is the episode we have all been waiting for. The backstory of Mike and how he came to be. It is a haunting story with performances you'll never forget.

Mike is a former Philadelphia cop and he relocated to Albuquerque after his son, Matt was murdered. He wanted to be close to his daughter-in-law Stacee (Kerry Condon) and his granddaughter Kaylee. Mike, who possessed poor morals as a Philly cop, was partners with Matt. He said corruption is necessary to survive in the precinct, which ultimately led to Matt's death. He later seeks revenge on these cops. Months later, detectives from Philly are at his doorstep inquiring about these missing cops. If he wants to make it out of here in good shape, Mike will need to rely upon Jimmy McGill.

I loved this Mike-based episode. It pauses the main story as we focus more on Mike as a character. Jonathan Banks was always a great actor and this episode's performance deserved him an Emmy. I'll never forget his haunting quote as he wails, "I lost my boy." Mike took control of the episode as Odenkirk appears for only about eight minutes. But his character makes an important choice regarding his future. The teaming of Mike and Jimmy. This is an emotional, character-driven episode that is one of the major highlights of Better Call Saul's first season.

My Grade: A+

The themes and writing in this episode are thought provoking. The acting amazing and even if you didn't watch the previous episodes and only watched Breaking Bad, this will be a great prequel for Mike. This episode not only made this show better but also added more to the Mike in Breaking Bad.

Just when you thought Better Call Saul was hitting a low point in boredom in season one of its' much long awaited and anticipated premiere, off steps Mike Ehrmentraut, a beloved Breaking Bad character, from a train in the opening teaser. This scene was reminiscent of classic filmmaking right off the bat- the bad guy has just arrived in town in the west.

Like many Breaking Bad episodes, this particular BCS episode had that "too good to be true" feel to it, like you were being spoiled as a viewer- "They're actually going to show it? We're really going to see where Mike came from?" How awesome can it be! Sure enough, we are privileged to get a flashback to life as a Philadelphia cop from Mike's past after his son was ambushed in a drug raid. He's hitting the bottle and heartbroken with his eye on who did it.

While the climax of this episode is sure to satisfy and be worth your while, the really best highlight actually comes after, when Mike delivers his (what will likely be) Emmy Award winning monologue and most emotional performance of his Breaking Bad era to date that will leave you speechless and frozen in your seat for minutes after the credits roll.

Filled with the mixture of comedy, drama, dialogue, suspense, storytelling, and cinematography that Breaking Bad became known for, this is easily one of the top 2 episodes of season 1 of Better Call Saul, and a must see for any fan of Breaking Bad. It's awesome!

Better Call Saul has finally arrived.

An absolute masterclass of an episode which magnificently explains the tragic story behind one of many exceptional characters of the BB universe Mike, and how delightfully well is it done. Jonathan Banks is such a terrific actor and his performance today was perfect. In this character-driven origins story he left me absolute stunned and changed the way I have always perceived Mike and although it is too early to say but he will win an Emmy this year, yes his acting was that good in this episode.

Although Mike hasn't been in the forefront of the show we all knew that sooner rather than later Mike would team up with Saul and become a larger part of the show. In the five episodes until now Gilligan and Gould have just given us brief glimpses of Mike which left us wanting for more. But i guess it was their way of saying to stay patient as something huge was in works. And after watching this episode I hold the writers in the highest regard for plotting such an intense, dialogue -driven hour which ends with Mike finally showing us that like all humans even he has a vulnerable side. The final moments of the episode are absolute magic especially that look of guilt and despair on Mike's face which will haunt me for at least a few days.

This gives us an insight on how well Gilligan and co. had developed these characters while creating them in BB and as layer after layer of their motivations gets dissected and we get to see the characters naked underneath their skin.

An inspiring delight that had all the hallmarks of a classic BB episode which ends on a poignant note leaving the viewers thoroughly satisfied as the credits roll.

P.S. -Let me repeat Jonathan Banks is such a terrific actor.