Better Call Saul Season 3 Premiere: 7 Ups & 1 Down From 'Mabel'

4. Vince Gilligan's Direction

Mabel marks only the third episode of Better Call Saul to be directed by creator Vince Gilligan (after the pilot and the Season 2 finale; he also directed five episodes of Breaking Bad, including the series finale), and his talents on clearly on display here.

In truth it doesn't really matter too much whether it's Gilligan or someone else helming the episode; the series has, like Breaking Bad before it, crafted a wholly recognisable and individual style to its direction, and it's mesmerising to watch.

There are a host of interesting angles found, whether it's looking down an exhaust pipe or framed through a car's spoiler. We get a couple of fast-moving montages, with Gene working at Cinnabon and Mike dismantling the car, both shot from above and perfectly highlight the approach of each - the going through the motions nature of Gene, the meticulousness of Mike.

And then there's the framing of characters like Jimmy and Chuck in darkness, something they may never escape. This is particularly highlighted when Jimmy shares the screen with Kim, as he's in shadow and she in light.