Post: #51

(03-17-2015 06:15 PM)turkishcandy Wrote:  This is unpopular opinion, but both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul got boring for me after a while because of the slow, boring side characters and the amount of time we are forced to invest in their boring irrelevant stories.

In Breaking Bad it was Walter's family problems and his cunt wife. If they just cut that drama to minimum and stuck with the exciting drug kingdom story, the show would be perfect.

When I saw Episode 6 of Better Call Saul being entirely dedicated to Mike's truly irrelevant conflicts, I wasn't surprised, since it's the same production with Breaking Bad. The guy is old, talks slow, acts small, moves slow and is totally boring to watch. Why did they have to ruin this otherwise great lawyer show with this Mike character? Who cares about his son's death? I just wanna see James become Saul and do some tricks and shit.

I loved the show at first and had my hopes up, but now I realize I'm gonna have to put up with Mike a lot to see the rest of James' story, which I will not do. So there you go.

It's a very "popular" opinion actually.
It pretty much plagues everything creative.

The mass wants
- plot
- the story to move
- action
- sex
- violence
- explosions.

If Tony Soprano didn't wack anybody, the episode was boring.

If Fox Mulder didn't bang anyone on Californication - boring

Game of Thrones -who needs the Queen of Thorns? What's the point of the bald guy and the skeevy one?

The Wire - why so many black people? Needs to be even more drug dealing and killing! What's up with a season of just white people?

You have the majority opinion.

The majority wants to see 24.
A handful of people wanted to see Homeland.

This so-called "Golden Age of Television", with good scripts, lots of money in the production, great acting, interesting ideas, characterization - it's not actually for the mass.

Every once in a while something clicks like True Detective, but usually the cultural machine puts out the same stuff that people always want.

WIA

Post: #52

I don't know about you bros but if I had that 1.6 million dollars that would be a wrap for me. I would be traveling the world, banging chicks, and living the good life.

Post: #53

(03-18-2015 12:09 AM)Cr33pin Wrote:  I don't know about you bros but if I had that 1.6 million dollars that would be a wrap for me. I would be traveling the world, banging chicks, and living the good life.

I honestly don't know what you could do if you came up on that much dirty money and people think you have it.

Nacho was going to rob them.
They got robbed by Mike.

You can't put it in one bank and live off a debit card.
Multiple banks to avoid the bank from filing one of those over 10k reports?
Bury it?
Put in a storage unit?
Buy a bunch of best buy discount cards?

Sham stock/real estate/business sale?
What legal business profits 20K a week?
Buy and resell goods on Amazon/E-bay?

Imagine you get pulled over and you got that in the ride? Asset forfeiture!

WIA

Post: #54

(03-17-2015 08:15 PM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  

(03-17-2015 06:15 PM)turkishcandy Wrote:  This is unpopular opinion, but both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul got boring for me after a while because of the slow, boring side characters and the amount of time we are forced to invest in their boring irrelevant stories.

In Breaking Bad it was Walter's family problems and his cunt wife. If they just cut that drama to minimum and stuck with the exciting drug kingdom story, the show would be perfect.

When I saw Episode 6 of Better Call Saul being entirely dedicated to Mike's truly irrelevant conflicts, I wasn't surprised, since it's the same production with Breaking Bad. The guy is old, talks slow, acts small, moves slow and is totally boring to watch. Why did they have to ruin this otherwise great lawyer show with this Mike character? Who cares about his son's death? I just wanna see James become Saul and do some tricks and shit.

I loved the show at first and had my hopes up, but now I realize I'm gonna have to put up with Mike a lot to see the rest of James' story, which I will not do. So there you go.

It's a very "popular" opinion actually.
It pretty much plagues everything creative.

The mass wants
- plot
- the story to move
- action
- sex
- violence
- explosions.

If Tony Soprano didn't wack anybody, the episode was boring.

If Fox Mulder didn't bang anyone on Californication - boring

Game of Thrones -who needs the Queen of Thorns? What's the point of the bald guy and the skeevy one?

The Wire - why so many black people? Needs to be even more drug dealing and killing! What's up with a season of just white people?

You have the majority opinion.

The majority wants to see 24.
A handful of people wanted to see Homeland.

This so-called "Golden Age of Television", with good scripts, lots of money in the production, great acting, interesting ideas, characterization - it's not actually for the mass.

Every once in a while something clicks like True Detective, but usually the cultural machine puts out the same stuff that people always want.

WIA

Uh huh. Just one question:
Are you sure these side characters and their storylines are due to purely artistic concerns, and not due to an attempt to stretch the main storyline to as many seasons as possible in order to milk the cashcow for as long as they possibly can?

Post: #55

^ Whilst any production is dependent upon its ability to garner viewership, and therefore profits, if we took that argument and applied it to Breaking Bad (or any successful tv show - where the success was maintained, and not flailing), we wouldn't have seen it wrap up when we did.

Post: #56

That's not what I mean. WIA seems to think, and correct me if I'm wrong, that the reason there are characters like Mike who slows down the plot in shows like Better Call Saul is because apparently the producers want to add some depth and quality TV in the show. I say it's just because they have a creatively limited script but they still want to make the most money out of it, so they fill the script with these ''hip'' characters and stretch the show to as many seasons as possible.

Let's say it takes 10 hours of TV time for James to start from the buttom, rise to the top and reach self destruction in the end, as the first minutes of the Episode 1 suggests. The producers can either make 2 seasons of James' story that involves business, personal life, character conflicts and everything about James (which is what everybody is interested in) and end the show with that profit; or they can add Mike's story and many other side characters and have 5 or 6 seasons in total. They choose the latter, because, well, money. I don't find anything artistic or interesting about it.

This show can't be compared to Game of Thrones either. Everything in Game of Thrones is relevant, even when they are not, they are. Nobody watches Game of Thrones just to see dragons or white walkers, they watch it for the whole. But the name of this show is Better Call Saul, a character who was already introduced in Breaking Bad, and that is who people are expecting to see, not some old dude who miraculously kill many bad guys. That's just nerd porn.

Post: #57

(03-18-2015 06:09 AM)turkishcandy Wrote:  The producers can either make 2 seasons of James' story that involves business, personal life, character conflicts and everything about James (which is what everybody is interested in) and end the show with that profit; or they can add Mike's story and many other side characters and have 5 or 6 seasons in total. They choose the latter, because, well, money. I don't find anything artistic or interesting about it.

Writers/producers wouldn’t have a job if they didn’t put out shows that people didn’t watch. It obviously needs to be successful, and there’s a certain amount of proven formulae that needs to be adhered to in the storytelling, which inevitably includes side characters, rather than a blinkered approach to laying out the protagonists plight.

Conceivably, they could’ve constructed the plot like you mention, but there needs to be some let up. Have you heard the term, “absence makes the heart grow fonder”? If you gave the main character screen time, without any other story arcs, you’d switch off in no time. No matter how well written or acted, you’re seeing the same mug in the frame (or every other frame).

It would get old, real quick.

Inevitably, side characters are introduced to prod and provoke the main character, to flesh out the story – to create scenes/characters we’re invested in as viewers. We then want to know more about these side characters, and therefore tune in equally to see what’s going on in their world.

It’s human nature.

Those side characters are then increasingly given their own stand-alone scenes.

You opine they're not "interesting" - ratings would suggest otherwise.

Let’s not forget, Saul was a side character in Breaking Bad, and an afterthought at that, not appearing until season 2.

Post: #58

It depends on what you value more. Characters, story, or just getting to the point.

Turkish, you sound impatient. The show does not seem like it would be for you.

As for me, I like discovering more about my favorite characters from Breaking Bad even though I know how their journey ultimately ends.

Post: #59

Yeah, I actually really enjoy the episodes about Mike. I think if the show were just about Saul it would get cheesy and old fast. That episode about Mikes backstory was a classic in my opinion.

Post: #60

You know they could use Saul in a post Breaking Bad show as well.....

Or if Better call Saul continues to do well they may even have a post Breaking Bad Jessie Pinkman spin off.....

Post: #61

(03-18-2015 04:34 AM)turkishcandy Wrote:  Uh huh. Just one question:
Are you sure these side characters and their storylines are due to purely artistic concerns, and not due to an attempt to stretch the main storyline to as many seasons as possible in order to milk the cashcow for as long as they possibly can?

Now you're just trolling.

The Fly was created because Vince and Co needed a cheap episode to fill out the series.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly_%28Breaking_Bad%29

It's one of the best episodes of the series even though not much happens.

It's okay to not like BCS. Find it slow, boring, and pretentious, too in love with itself.
Not red pill enough.

The "cool" kids aren't really that cool.

In the same time slot, WWE wins every time.

WIA

Post: #62

(03-18-2015 04:34 AM)turkishcandy Wrote:  Uh huh. Just one question:
Are you sure these side characters and their storylines are due to purely artistic concerns, and not due to an attempt to stretch the main storyline to as many seasons as possible in order to milk the cashcow for as long as they possibly can?

AMC wanted Vince Gilligan to do a 6th season of Breaking Bad but he refused. At the end of the day I am sure all creators/producers want to get paid as much as they can but the shows usually heralded as the "Great" shows in recent years haven't really gone for the extra seasons over the visions of their stories.

As WIA said, yours is not an "unpopular" opinion at all. Despite receiving critical acclaim these shows are not huge ratings monsters. The ratings monsters will always be shows like The Walking Dead which most will agree is not as well-written or acted.

Also, how can Mike not be an integral part of this story? Firstly, I am sure they got Mike in there because they weren't sure that Saul on his own could carry the show, Mike and Saul were somewhat of a team in BB, and Mike's past was always a mystery on BB. Remember in season 5 Hank said Mike was a dirty cop when he was being investigated? Well, now we know what it was. Mike will also help Jimmy become Saul as Saul will need Mike to do all sort of illegal things as his PI. I don't think he's been put into this show to drag out the series and "milk the cashcow". My guess is that it this show will be another 4-5 season show like BB. We are not going to get 7-8 seasons of this.

Post: #63

I'm finally caught up. Last episode was great, but the one that explained Mike's backstory was absolutely brilliant. He deserves an Emmy. I am enjoying this show immensely.

Post: #64

Not gonna lie, this latest episode was the best yet - Breaking Bad-tier.

Post: #65

This show is too close to my life, lol.

WIA

Post: #66

(03-24-2015 03:13 PM)civpro Wrote:  Not gonna lie, this latest episode was the best yet - Breaking Bad-tier.

I think the last 3 have been equally as good.

I also like how they end each episode in a cliff hanger-esque way.

I've got an inkling as to what will happen at the start of episode 9 (re: Chuck), but won't divulge due to the "spoiler" nature of it.

Post: #67

I can already kinda see what's gonna happen. This is a huge case and Jimmy is going to get screwed out of his share of this money by either his brother or Kim or HHM. I thought it was dumb on his part to not establish whose case it is exactly and how are they going to split the winnings. What do you guys think? I think this case will finally be the straw that broke the camel's back and starts his transformation into Saul.

It was also nice to see how Mike became who he is.

Post: #68

The firm gets involved because the use of the copy code. They'll get wind of it, and either fight to be the lead firm, or something with the partnership agreement.

His brother might die. Might also get fucked out of his money as well.

Will Jimmy's brother betray him?

The chick will fuck him over, especially because he helped her when she needed him, and lost his own dream in the process.

WIA

(03-24-2015 10:41 PM)TheSlayer Wrote:  I can alrerady kinda see what's gonna happen. This is a huge case and Jimmy is going to get screwed out of his share of this money by either his brother or Kim or HHM. I thought it was dumb on his part to not establish whose case it is exactly and how are they going to split the winnings. What do you guys think? I think this case will finally be the straw that broke the camel's back and starts his transformation into Saul.

It was also nice to see how Mike became who he is.

Post: #69

(03-25-2015 12:12 PM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  The firm gets involved because the use of the copy code. They'll get wind of it, and either fight to be the lead firm, or something with the partnership agreement.

His brother might die. Might also get fucked out of his money as well.

Will Jimmy's brother betray him?

The chick will fuck him over, especially because he helped her when she needed him, and lost his own dream in the process.

WIA

Exactly my thoughts. I also think it's going to the chick that fucks him over. Right now they are in a sort of weird relationship even though they are not together and there seems to be a romantic past. I think she's going to screw him over to fast-track her partnership and if this case really ends up being a multi-million dollar class action, it will cement her partnership. I also think the chick screwing him over will have more of a negative impact on him than his brother. His brother might not even make it, for one and while you could see his smarts when they were working on the case, he was kinda off during the meeting. Even if he survives I really doubt he's going to be able to fight the main partner to ensure Jimmy gets a fair share of the winnings.

I still don't understand why he was so nonchalant about his brother's partnership agreement but I can see that happening.

Post: #70

Wow this last episode was epic. This show is really solidifying itself.

Post: #71

Downloading the latest episode right now. This is the only show I watch on tv and is the highlight of my Tuesday.

Post: #72

(03-17-2015 08:15 PM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  

(03-17-2015 06:15 PM)turkishcandy Wrote:  This is unpopular opinion, but both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul got boring for me after a while because of the slow, boring side characters and the amount of time we are forced to invest in their boring irrelevant stories.

In Breaking Bad it was Walter's family problems and his cunt wife. If they just cut that drama to minimum and stuck with the exciting drug kingdom story, the show would be perfect.

When I saw Episode 6 of Better Call Saul being entirely dedicated to Mike's truly irrelevant conflicts, I wasn't surprised, since it's the same production with Breaking Bad. The guy is old, talks slow, acts small, moves slow and is totally boring to watch. Why did they have to ruin this otherwise great lawyer show with this Mike character? Who cares about his son's death? I just wanna see James become Saul and do some tricks and shit.

I loved the show at first and had my hopes up, but now I realize I'm gonna have to put up with Mike a lot to see the rest of James' story, which I will not do. So there you go.

It's a very "popular" opinion actually.
It pretty much plagues everything creative.

The mass wants
- plot
- the story to move
- action
- sex
- violence
- explosions.

If Tony Soprano didn't wack anybody, the episode was boring.

If Fox Mulder didn't bang anyone on Californication - boring

Game of Thrones -who needs the Queen of Thorns? What's the point of the bald guy and the skeevy one?

The Wire - why so many black people? Needs to be even more drug dealing and killing! What's up with a season of just white people?

You have the majority opinion.

The majority wants to see 24.
A handful of people wanted to see Homeland.

This so-called "Golden Age of Television", with good scripts, lots of money in the production, great acting, interesting ideas, characterization - it's not actually for the mass.

Every once in a while something clicks like True Detective, but usually the cultural machine puts out the same stuff that people always want.

WIA

I think you are taking the commom dissenters line on this one WIA. While shows that have your cited charateristics maintain relatively high ratings (a metric that becomes less and less of a reliable metric every day), critically acclaimed television series are often the direct opposite of what you have described. Shows like The Wire, the Sopranos, Homeland and especially Mad Men claim their popularity from not having the qualities you described. This is why campy shows like Empire and Scandal are such critical succeses, in addition to commercial. They are fast paced, sexy shows that operate in contrast to the """"critically acclaimed drama"""" brand of television that (in its becoming a model that can be imitated) is oversaturating the market.

Post: #73

Tonight's episode. Oh man. What a message.

Post: #74

(03-31-2015 12:33 AM)Slim Shady Wrote:  Tonight's episode. Oh man. What a message.

That ending scene....

Post: #75

The Jimmy/Chuck thing was whoa. Made me wonder if Chuck stopped Jimmy back in the mail room days. Objectively speaking, a big regional firm like HHM wouldn't hire Jimmy...but if his brother was a partner... what happened to good ol nepotism.

And Mike finally got to be the bad ass that we know him to be.

LOL @ the GTA V shout out as well.

WIA