20 Best Episodes Of Better Call Saul

The most essential episodes from Breaking Bad's superior spin-off.

By Aidan Whatman /

It started with Walter White over 14 years ago, and it ended with Jimmy McGill (aka Saul Goodman, aka Gene Takovic), a man who once seemed like an odd pick to helm a spin-off series to the transcendently brilliant Breaking Bad, before time made him one of the most compelling protagonists ever put to the small screen.

Advertisement

With over one 100 episodes across both shows, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul comprise one of TV's greatest sagas, a story characterised by troubled men driven by their own ego and heartbreak; of the strong women around them constantly picking up the pieces of the mess they've created; and of redemption.

Breaking Bad set the standard with the rise and fall of Heisenberg, but it was Better Call Saul that took the franchise to new heights, proving time and time again to be a show of even greater vision, scale, and tragedy than the series which gave it life.

In honour of Better Call Saul's recent finale, then, now seems the best time to reflect on just how awe-inspiring the series was at its peak, by counting down the finest and most essential episodes that it had to offer during its six-season run.

With that in mind, let's salute the work of Peter Gould, Vince Gilligan, and Bob Odenkirk, and count down the 20 greatest episodes of Better Call Saul.

This article contains major spoilers for both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

20. Wexler V. Goodman (Season 5, Episode 6)

Wexler v. Goodman is one of Better Call Saul's most informative hours, placing Saul in a position of power where he's allowed to really let rip and embrace the persona that has given him a new lease on life.

Advertisement

Desperate to save the home of a man being royally screwed over by a bank, Saul spends the hour holding nothing back, using every dirty trick in the book -- including creating a series of scandalous ads about Kim's clients Mesa Verde -- to come out on top. At this point, it's his most Saul Goodman hour yet.

With its thriller-like pace and an energetic performance from Bob Odenkirk, Wexler v. Goodman is a great showcase for how far Jimmy has fallen since becoming Saul. Does he really care about poor Mr Acker? Or is this just an excuse to cause havoc?

The episode also shows the cracks being to form in Saul and Kim's relationship, which comes complete with a shock proposal destined to doom them both. From here, there's no turning back.

Advertisement