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From: Arthur Lipscomb <arthur@alum.calberkeley.org>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv
Subject: Re: What Did You Watch? 2025-02-04 (Tuesday)
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2025 13:16:26 -0800
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On 2/8/2025 11:19 AM, BTR1701 wrote:
> On Feb 8, 2025 at 8:35:38 AM PST, "Nyssa" <Nyssa@logicalinsight.net> wrote:
> 
>> Arthur Lipscomb wrote:
>>
>>>   On 2/7/2025 10:02 AM, Nyssa wrote:
>>>>   Blueshirt wrote:
>>>>   
>>>>>   Nyssa wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>   Arthur Lipscomb wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>   I watched:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>   Babylon 5 (blu-ray) - Still making my way through
>>>>>>>   season 4.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>   [Snip]
>>>>>>
>>>>>>   I'm really enjoying these summaries, Arthur. They're
>>>>>>   pushing me in the direction of breaking out my set of
>>>>>>   B5 DVDs and actually getting around to (finally)
>>>>>>   watching them. :)
>>>>>
>>>>>   Nobody should need an excuse to watch some Babylon 5!
>>>>   
>>>>   I bought a bundle of all five seasons plus the set of
>>>>   movies ages ago and they're still on the shelf awaiting
>>>>   my attention.
>>>>   
>>>>   I had a movie and some of the episodes on VHS that I
>>>>   watched, but it's been so long ago it will be like
>>>>   watching a "new" show when I finally break open the
>>>>   shrink wrap on the DVDs.
>>>>   
>>>   
>>>   I have so many TV shows collecting dust still in the
>>>   shrinkwrap.  I
>>>   finally forced myself to put a few of them on the watch
>>>   schedule.  But I still have lots of shows that I *need* to
>>>   find time to watch.
>>>   
>>>   
>>>>>
>>>>>>   With the NHL going dark for two weeks for this silly
>>>>>>   exhibition tournament (The Four Nations). I'll be
>>>>>>   needing something to fill in the dark nights, so B5
>>>>>>   might just be it.
>>>>>
>>>>>   I find that 'tournament' interesting... much better than
>>>>>   the usual ASG fare anyway. I think it could be fun.
>>>>>
>>>>>   Although scheduling it mid-season probably wasn't the
>>>>>   best idea...
>>>>   
>>>>   I started ignoring the All Star Game when they changed
>>>>   the format to 3-on-3 instead of playing a real game. :P
>>>>   
>>>>   At least the ASG only shut down the regular season for
>>>>   a long weekend instead of two weeks!
>>>>   
>>>>>
>>>>>>   Or maybe I'll finally get around to watching the last
>>>>>>   two seasons of Breaking Bad. :/
>>>>>
>>>>>   Finally? You mean, you haven't seen them? Wow!
>>>>   
>>>>   Yeah, I've watched the first three seasons, but never
>>>>   got around to watching the last one. The DVD sets split
>>>>   the last season into two sets, so I always think of it
>>>>   as being two seasons to go.
>>>>   
>>>>>
>>>>>   At least you've got something good to look forward to
>>>>>   anyway.
>>>>   
>>>>   Yep, unless something else comes up to get my attention
>>>>   during the NHL Dark Nights.
>>>>   
>>>>   Nyssa, who always seems to have something interrupt her
>>>>   plans these days
>>>>   
>>>>   
>>>   
>>>   Add "Better Call Saul" to your plans for when you finish
>>>   "Breaking Bad."
>>
>> AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!
>>
>> At one time, I had this on my wishlist, but with the number
>> of sets that are already languishing on my shelves, I scratched
>> those off.
> 
> I never watched it because the Saul character was the one thing about BREAKING
> BAD that I didn't like. I certainly wasn't going to watch a whole show about
> him.
> 
> 

I wasn't a fan of his Breaking Bad character either.  His character is 
not written as a hero of the show.  He is a *deeply* flawed individual, 
and if anything I'd say he's clearly the villain of the series.  The 
only thing that keeps him from being the most vile character on the 
show, is he's surrounded by drug dealers and murderers.  And even then, 
his character is pretty evil in ways that you never saw in Breaking Bad. 
  Keep in mind when you saw him in Breaking Bad he was *already* in with 
the murderers and drug dealers.  This is how he got there.

If it helps, the series is only about 50%-60% his character.  The rest 
is the backstory on Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) and other Breaking 
Bad characters like Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks).  It's worth 
watching for the Gus backstory even if you don't like Saul.  And even if 
you're thinking you don't want to watch if it's 50-60% Saul, that 50-60% 
is split between his supporting characters which includes Michael McKean 
as his brother.  I won't spoil the relationship, but it's some good 
stuff.  So even if you don't like Saul, McKean's Emmy nominated 
performance is worth watching.

(Spoiler scene showcasing McKean)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL8ypfpOmIQ