Looks like that rumored Saul-centric Breaking Bad spin-off might be happening . Here's how to make something fresh without upsetting diehard fans.
Leave Breaking Bad out of this.
The worst thing a spin-off can do is taint the original. With a show as critically acclaimed as Breaking Bad, that might be tough. But shit happens, and the easiest way to avoid tampering with Breaking Bad's legacy is to make sure the spin-off is its own series entirely. Make it about Saul Goodman, and resist the temptation to have Breaking Bad characters show up in cameos. (If any of them survive the series finale, that is.)
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But do maintain Breaking Bad's tone.
Despite being one of the most suspenseful, high-stakes shows on television, Breaking Bad is also consistently hilarious. In part, that's thanks to Saul (and the brilliant Bob Odenkirk), but it's also a credit to the writers who have imbued the series with a darkly comedic tone from the beginning. Instead of trying to make the spin-off a straight comedy, why not strive for the same mix of heavy drama and surprising humor?
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Maintain Saul's balance between being a joke and being good at what he does.
One of the most fascinating things about Saul is that he's both ridiculous and ridiculously competent. You may not approve of his methods, but if you desperately needed a lawyer — especially for a crime you did commit — you'd want to call Saul. He is not a great lawyer in terms of his principles, but he's a great lawyer when it comes to getting his clients off. That's essential to his character.
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Have Saul relocate.
We've done New Mexico. Breaking Bad's aesthetic is so distinct that trying to mimic it would feel wrong. Instead, let's transplant Saul elsewhere. How would he fare in a city like Chicago or Miami or Los Angeles? The criminal element would be different, providing new conflict for the show, and the first season could follow Saul reestablishing contacts and gaining trust among the city's seedy underbelly. I'd watch that.
Image by Ursula Coyote/AMC
