10 TV Shows That Were Nothing Like You Expected

2. Better Call Saul

Better Call Saul Jimmy McGill
AMC

Breaking Bad was a high octane thriller of a show, with a propulsive plot that left you gripped episode after episode. Following up one of the greatest TV shows ever made is no small task, and no one expected Better Call Saul to be as good as Breaking Bad, but they did at least anticipate something similar, although more comedy was promised too.

While Saul does increasingly have some Breaking Bad elements, especially thanks to Mike and now Gus, in terms of the main plot they're worlds apart. Where Breaking Bad was driven by plot and about a million things happened every episode, Saul takes the opposite approach: the drama is largely focused around the gradual descent of Jimmy McGill, and is slow-paced and deliberate, with it often seeming like little is happening in each individual episode (and yet, everything is really happening).

It does have its funny moments, but ultimately it's a more tragic show than Breaking Bad: that told the story of a man corrupted by power and greed; this is simply the sad story of a person who tried to be good, only to repeatedly fail and be told he isn't good enough. Breaking Bad was exciting, but Better Call Saul will break your heart.

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Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far. A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.