Better Call Saul Five-O (2015– ) Online

2015– Bob Odenkirk Jonathan Banks Rhea Seehorn Adam Bernstein

Original Title :: Five-O
Genre :: TV Episode / Crime / Drama
Year :: 2015–
Directror :: Adam Bernstein
Cast :: Bob Odenkirk,Jonathan Banks,Rhea Seehorn
Writer :: Vince Gilligan,Peter Gould
Type :: TV Episode
Time :: 42min
Rating :: 9.5/10

Better Call Saul Five-O (2015– ) Online

Mike Ehrmantraut came to Albuquerque to see his daughter-in-law Stacey and his granddaughter Kaylee. He also had good reason to leave Philadelphia. He was a policeman there as was his son Matt who died in the line of duty. Matt, his partner and his sergeant raided a drug den and Matt didn't come out alive. Now, some of Mike's former colleagues are in town to ask him questions. Mike insists on having a lawyer, even though is only supposed to be a friendly chat. Jimmy shows up, though Mike has a special request of him. In addition to Matt's death, his partner and sergeant were killed in a parking lot 3 months later, the night before Mike left Philadelphia. It's obvious they think Mike had something to do with that. Flashbacks show what happened that night.

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
	Bob Odenkirk	-	Jimmy McGill
	Jonathan Banks	-	Mike Ehrmantraut
	Rhea Seehorn	-	Kim Wexler (credit only)
	Patrick Fabian	-	Howard Hamlin (credit only)
	Michael Mando	-	Nacho Varga (credit only)
	Michael McKean	-	Chuck McGill (credit only)
	Kerry Condon	-	Stacey Ehrmantraut
	Barry Shabaka Henley	-	Detective Sanders
	Omid Abtahi	-	Detective Abbasi
	Joe DeRosa	-	Dr. Caldera
	Billy Malone	-	Sergeant Jack Fenske
	Lane Garrison	-	Officer Troy Hoffman
	Steve Mokate	-	Bartender
	Eric Martinez	-	Francisco
	Faith Healey	-	Kaylee

Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk) is only in this episode for approximately eight minutes.

The bartender in the cop bar mentions tarantulas being native to Albuquerque, which directly relates to the Breaking Bad (2008) episode, Breaking Bad: Dead Freight (2012).

In this episode Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk) styles himself after Matlock (1986). Jonathan Banks. who plays Mike Ermantrout, was in a 1994 episode (season 8, episode 18) of Matlock titled Matlock: The P.I. (1994), playing a character named Jack Starling.

Saul (Bob Odenkirk) and Mike (Jonathan Banks) are the only main characters that appear in this episode.

Despite playing the main character, Bob Odenkirk's total screen time is 8 minutes and 4 seconds, or approximately only 19% of the episode.

This episode covers the period June 22, 2002 (one day).

Mike (Jonathan Banks) mentions that he was a cop in Philadelphia. He also says that he is a cop in Breaking Bad (2008). ( Breaking Bad: Hazard Pay (2012), that was directed by Adam Bernstein, who also directed this episode).

Featured Music:

"Steel Sky" by The Steepwater Band
"It Came Out of the Sky" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
"Hold On Loosely" by 38 Special

This episode marks the earliest chronological appearance of Kaylee (Faith Healey), who first appeared in Breaking Bad (2008).

During a flashback to Philadelphia, as Mike (Jonathan Banks) is breaking into Hoffman (Lane Garrison) and Fenski (Billy Malone)'s police car in the lot outside the bar, Creedence Clearwater Revival's "It Came Out of the Sky" is drifting out from the premises. When Mike goes inside moments later and addresses the two younger officers, 38 Special's "Hold On Loosely" is playing on the jukebox.

In The Godfather (1972) movies, a shot of oranges is usually an omen for someone dying. This episode includes a shot of oranges and is the first one to feature deaths.

When Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) is questioned by police during the 5th season of Breaking Bad (2008), they strongly imply he left the Philadelphia Police Department after committing at least one homicide but don't arrest him and the matter is not followed up on. Mike eventually reveals that the reason he left the force in Philly was that he murdered two cops who had murdered his son, a young cop who did not want to engage in corruption but was advised by Mike to do so in order to not be targeted, (only to have the other two cops set him up and kill him because they felt his reluctance meant he would eventually turn them in). The time-line for the show indicates that Mike is never arrested or charged with the two murders back in Philadelphia.

Mike (Jonathan Banks) pretends to be a janitor in order to enter the women's bathroom and get a maxipad. A janitor is also the term used to refer to a criminal who removes evidence from a crime scene.

User reviews

romrom

An absolute masterclass of an episode which magnificently explains the tragic story behind one of many exceptional characters of the BB universe Mike, and how delightfully well is it done. Jonathan Banks is such a terrific actor and his performance today was perfect. In this character-driven origins story he left me absolute stunned and changed the way I have always perceived Mike and although it is too early to say but he will win an Emmy this year, yes his acting was that good in this episode.

Although Mike hasn't been in the forefront of the show we all knew that sooner rather than later Mike would team up with Saul and become a larger part of the show. In the five episodes until now Gilligan and Gould have just given us brief glimpses of Mike which left us wanting for more. But i guess it was their way of saying to stay patient as something huge was in works. And after watching this episode I hold the writers in the highest regard for plotting such an intense, dialogue -driven hour which ends with Mike finally showing us that like all humans even he has a vulnerable side. The final moments of the episode are absolute magic especially that look of guilt and despair on Mike's face which will haunt me for at least a few days.

This gives us an insight on how well Gilligan and co. had developed these characters while creating them in BB and as layer after layer of their motivations gets dissected and we get to see the characters naked underneath their skin.

An inspiring delight that had all the hallmarks of a classic BB episode which ends on a poignant note leaving the viewers thoroughly satisfied as the credits roll.

P.S. -Let me repeat Jonathan Banks is such a terrific actor.

Goll

This episode reminds me of the surprising and well deserved letter Sir Anthony Hopkins wrote to Alan Cranston after binge viewing Breaking Bad. As a refresher I will quote how it began and highly suggest Goggling the remainder:

"Dear Mister Cranston.

I wanted to write you this email - so I am contacting you through Jeremy Barber - I take it we are both represented by UTA . Great agency.

I've just finished a marathon of watching "BREAKING BAD" - from episode one of the First Season - to the last eight episodes of the final Season. A total of two weeks (addictive) viewing.

I have never watched anything like it. Brilliant!

Your performance as Walter White was the best acting I have seen - ever.

I know there is so much smoke blowing and sickening bullshit in this business, and I've sort of lost belief in anything really.

But this work of yours is spectacular - absolutely stunning..." .

While later in the letter Anthony Hopkins tributes others including Jonathan Banks, it seems he could now easily be inspired to followup his praise with another about Jonathan's portrayal of Michael.

We have all loved Mikes impenetrable stoic character in BB and certainly delighted to see him back for further study in these earlier adventures of the ever entertaining Saul. But, I highly doubt anyone foresaw this further depth of Gilligan and Goulds character construction talents and impeccable story-line placement of them.

As it all came together in production, I would guess even they were blown away at these understandably rare final results.

When it comes to writing and actor portrayal on a level this transcendent it is no longer about intellectual definition, dissection, or description; but sheer personal delight that registers as indelible ink on ones private soul.

Only in an amazingly stupid alternate universes could one possibly not hear these words next winter; "..and the Emmy goes to.. Jonathan Banks."

Gralsa

This is an exceptionally good episode of Better Call Saul...and Jimmy McGill is barely even in it. Wisely, the writers have inserted a really good character's story inside of Saul Goodman's. Not only do we finally get inside of Mike Ehrmantraut, we see why he's so dour, we see how complex his life became when his son joined the Philadelphia PD. Ehrmantraut had long ago made his own "left turn" into the crooked cop thing. Mike rationalizes being so because only the scumbag criminals get hurt while the inner circle of the brotherhood pocket some extra cash. But Ehrmantraut knew his son's code of ethics would set him up because without a "push" from dad his son was sure to alienate the shady brotherhood putting himself, and his family, in peril. Mike convinced his son it was OK to "twist" the law because the cops benefit and the criminal still goes down...just in a more immediate kind of way. It wasn't what Mike had hoped for, yet he was all about protecting his son. His plan failed horribly and he's left with dire consequences and guilt. Still, Mike is the kind that follows through as we see.

So, overall, this Mike centric episode which was paced, and played out, to perfection. Exposing both Mike's faults and his cunning set against his guilt, which, crucially still doesn't stop him from taking care of business. It is as if you feel the turmoil swirling inside the normally silently suffering Mike. A Mike that has to finish something he always wished would never happen and has the guts to do it.

Like a diamond dropped in to break up the investigation as to who killed the son's murderers, Jimmy McGill becomes a crucial confidant to Mike. Like Mike's son McGill would rather stay on the straight and narrow yet that isn't in the cards. McGill is as smart and wily as Mike and they become, finally, bonded. Within this episode we see McGill is anything but a elder care attorney, plus we get a handle on Mike. I say brilliant storytelling bringing into focus why these two will bond.

Zulkishicage

The great thing about a prequel is that the creative minds have a chance to put meat on the bones of characters that we already know from a certain point in time - like meeting a person who becomes a close friend of yours and years later, you sit down and finally ask, "so why are you always initially suspicious of everyone at a party" or "why do you cry every time there's a commercial with a horse?" And then they give you this incredible back story that explains it all.

This is what we get to see in BCS - for both Saul and for Mike (and quite likely for many others as we work our way back to WW's birthday party). What's great is that we see how an innocuous line or scene from BB now has a complex back story. We expect that for Saul, but this Five-O episode was definitely Mike's turn to shine and put some meat on the bones of Mike Ehrmantraut.

Mike is Mike in large part because of the events that played out in Philly and how he "broke" his son. An already hardened cop with questionable morals (an apparent requirement to survive in his precinct), Mike tries desperately to save his rookie cop son from the consequences of having a moral compass in an immoral environment. In turn, he breaks his son and breaks himself. We learn how the stoic Mike has a burning and broken heart inside - one that will rarely, if ever, be seen again by anyone.

Mike gets revenge for his son, and his fellow Philly coppers find their way to the ABQ to ask him a few questions about the 2 dead cops who died a few months after his son.

Five-O gives us the chance to see this process, and to see some of the best acting in BCS or BB ever. Jonathan Banks gives an Emmy- worthy performance and delivers one of the most gripping monologues along the way. Saul is a tangential part of this, and up to this point, is not aware of the import of this encounter with the guy who keeps asking him to get more stickers so he can leave the parking lot. But even so, Saul slips ever more into the ethical abyss that he was born to plummet into by helping Mike get the Philly investigator's note pad.

Mike took no half measures, not even then.

Capella

Mike: "I broke my boy".

Better Call Saul so far has been amazing and it's episodes have been great, until I sawed Five-o which I think is one of the best episode of this season so far and possibly in TV history.

Jonathan Banks was just perfect in this episode. He broke my heart with his excellent performance and he also reminds us why we loved Mike in Breaking Bad. I heard from critics and pretty much everyone that Jonathan Banks might win a Emmy or a Golden Globe because of this episode and I will be so over the moon if he dose win, because he actually give a groundbreaking and the best TV performance of the year. Most actors nominated or probably win don't really break any new grounds when it comes to they performance, well to me it didn't wow me, but this performance right here is just a masterpiece of acting.

We got shows like The Walking Dead which is on right now as I'm speaking but every Monday I'm not normally looking forward to Walking Dead that much to be honest, but I'm always looking forward to Better Call Saul. Why you may ask? because the show has such intelligent and brilliant writing that glues me into the screen and get's me interested every week.

I'm not going to say anything else about this episode, just watch it it's amazing.

Auridora

This episode sees Better Call Saul swinging into full gear. So far the series has been good, but not great. Though it's not fair to compare the show to Breaking Bad, the comparison is also inevitable.

Where that show took off right away, BCS has spent the majority of the first four episodes setting up characters and story lines which I hope will interconnect and climax as we come to the end of the first season. Gilligan & co. have already showcased some of their great writing talent, creating intriguing relationships and narrative arcs, but you can notice that they're feeling their way through this new show, trying to get the right tone and style. This has caused for some of the narrative to feel fragmented and uncentered.

But then came episode six, focusing on Mike's past as a cop in Philadelphia. The episode serves as back story for one of the most interesting, mysterious, dangerous and likable characters of Breaking Bad, someone we want to see much more of.

Unfortunately for Saul, this was the best episode of the series so far. And not just because of the great writing. Before the show started I had my doubts about Bob Odenkirk/Saul Goodman as leading man/character. The first five episodes hadn't convinced me and this episode confirmed my belief that he serves better as a supporting character, providing some sad wit and comic relief in a story that centers on the tension between morality and opportunity; the ambition to make something for yourself whilst not neglecting the people you love, even though they might hold you back sometimes.

Jonathan Banks IS a leading man. His intriguing, emotionally balanced performance in this episode alone is Emmy-worthy. The feeling that the series has been a little underwhelming and uncentered was completely absent in this outing and we have Mike Ehrmantraut to thank for that.

I'm very curious to see where the creative minds behind the show will steer his and Saul's characters. It's definitely worth the watch.

Ance

Just when you thought Better Call Saul was hitting a low point in boredom in season one of its' much long awaited and anticipated premiere, off steps Mike Ehrmentraut, a beloved Breaking Bad character, from a train in the opening teaser. This scene was reminiscent of classic filmmaking right off the bat- the bad guy has just arrived in town in the west.

Like many Breaking Bad episodes, this particular BCS episode had that "too good to be true" feel to it, like you were being spoiled as a viewer- "They're actually going to show it? We're really going to see where Mike came from?" How awesome can it be! Sure enough, we are privileged to get a flashback to life as a Philadelphia cop from Mike's past after his son was ambushed in a drug raid. He's hitting the bottle and heartbroken with his eye on who did it.

While the climax of this episode is sure to satisfy and be worth your while, the really best highlight actually comes after, when Mike delivers his (what will likely be) Emmy Award winning monologue and most emotional performance of his Breaking Bad era to date that will leave you speechless and frozen in your seat for minutes after the credits roll.

Filled with the mixture of comedy, drama, dialogue, suspense, storytelling, and cinematography that Breaking Bad became known for, this is easily one of the top 2 episodes of season 1 of Better Call Saul, and a must see for any fan of Breaking Bad. It's awesome!

Better Call Saul has finally arrived.

Ballagar

I have covered in previous reviews the contribution Joss Whedon is considered to have made to the modern TV drama (the "long arc") but watching this incredible episode I could help but think that Gilligan and Gould need acknowledgement too.

We already know (Breaking Bad) that their key theme is human foibles. This episode, which seems at first glance to break almost every rule of episodic TV (the star is barely doing a cameo?) is a tour de force not only for Banks' acting but also for way the viewer is hooked off the top and just cannot walk away.

Incredible TV.

And notice how all the episodes for the season end in "O" -- showing off maybe, but they earned the right.

Kulabandis

This episode isn't based around the main protagonist Jimmy McGill (or Saul Goodman). The first five were all about him, but he's had his spotlight and it's time for Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) to have his.

This episode focuses on Mike's back story and personal life, rather than sitting on the surface like every previous installment. It reminds me a lot of the pilot, Uno, in which we learned a lot about Jimmy not through action packed things, but through a lot of dialogue. It may sound boring, but it keeps your attention just as much as an action packed episode would.

Can't wait for the next episode, it's really getting into it, and the remaining episodes are sure to be exceptional.

Zepavitta

Mike Ehemantraut returns (actually he goes back in time) to his earliest appearance. In "Breaking Bad," he was already the cool foundation of Gus's drug empire. Here we meet the Philadelphia cop whose son was gunned down by his own kind. Mike is damaged by this and has done something (but we don't know what it is). He visits the widowed daughter-in-law who makes him tell the story. Saul has suddenly been embedded in the criminal world we saw in "Breaking Bad." Mike's character is so sound and so taciturn that he is hard to like, but we can't take our eyes off him. I thought after the last episode this was that actor playing a different character. I apologize for my stupidity.

Gaua

Not a review of this excellent episode, but rather a shout out to an amazing performance by Jonathan Banks particularly in the final scene.

Has to be a well deserved award in that.

Also, loved the scene of the old lady coming down the stairs - must have have 2-3min but loved every second of it. Brilliant!

Not a review of this excellent episode, but rather a shout out to an amazing performance by Jonathan Banks particularly in the final scene.

Has to be a well deserved award in that.

Also, loved the scene of the old lady coming down the stairs - must have have 2-3min but loved every second of it. Brilliant!

Thetath

A step from the usual tone of Better Call Saul, "Five-O" is a little more noir, a little less quirky, but a wonderful dive into the world of Mike. Jonathan Banks impells the viewer to watch the story unfold until the final scene. The character is grounded and subtle, a nice foil to Saul, holding a few gritty secrets up his sleeve. Wait until the near end, a heart wrenching moment. This is one of the reasons I love Better Call Saul. First the show makes you laugh, then takes a sober turn to explore the grey area between good and bad, lawful and criminal. It's a familiar story, but done in a poignant, charming way. Concerning the one star I omit, Kerry Condon, who plays Mike's daughter-in-law Stacey, is underwhelming. In her defense, the writing for her character is an awkward throwback to cliché terms like "thick as thieves." Perhaps it's a stylistic choice as the uncharacteristic language is also apparent in Saul for the episode, however, her dialogue is more distracting than immersive. To end an episode with the word wow repeating in your head, to feel the depth in a character, this is the sign of a solid season.

Delari

Greetings from Lithuania.

So, the 5 and the 6 episodes of "Better Call Saul" moves a story a bit further but not to much.

5 episode was good, but really nothing special. Acting, writing, pacing and directing were solid as usual.

However 6th episode was superb. Simply the best episode of the series so far, it lets the background story of Mike, how he ended up in Albuquerque and the story behind him is sad and tragic. I won't going to go into details, but it's a superbly paced, written and acted by Jonathan Banks. This episode truly captures the spirit of "Breaking Bad" and show life as it is.

Overall, 8/10 for 5th episode, and 10/10 for 6th.

Goldfury

Throughout this show's Four Seasons, there've been many moving episodes, many moving sequences, many memorable ups and downs. But every time I watch this particular episode, it still sends chills up my spine.

Not only because it's the fullest exhibition of Jonathan Banks' wonderful acting skills in Better Call Saul, but also for the key underlying themes it highlights, most notably the grave responsibilities of parenthood, of fatherhood, of fostering and ensuring your child's dignity. To betray that ultimate responsibility and trust invites the saddest and most brutal of consequences.

Kerry Condon has made the most of her appearances on this show. Of course she's been given great dialogue and scriptwriting through which to tell her character Stacey's story, but of all the side characters we've seen come through the BCS storyline, she is one of the anchors. So dependable. Her commitment to this character, I also feel it in my bones. She is a tremendous talent.

Gordon Smith is credited as writer of this episode. However many other writers were involved, his name is listed. So I salute him for his great work here.

Ziena

A stunning episode and a defining moment in this series. We follow mike into his past and discover the car parking attendant is much more than he seems. Something I've loved throughout this season one has been the lighting and how its used to portray each character. In Mikes episode we descend into almost pure darkness, one scene that stands out is a beautiful shot of Mike inside his symbolic prison that is his parking attendant booth highlighted with a halo of street lights and almost complete darkness. A moving episode and perfectly sets Mike up as a force to be reckoned with as well as his dark origins.

Arilak

I've been watching Better Call Saul for the last week starting with the first season of the show. Of the 7 Episodes that I've watched so far, this one is the best and could easily compete with 'The Fly' and 'Ozymandias' as being one of the best episodes of the entire Breaking Bad franchise and it has an intriguing setup.

The episode starts with a flashback scene- Mike is visiting his daughter- in-law Stacey and her daughter Kaylee. They discuss the recent death of Mike's son, Matty. Stacey recalls that Matty was acting out of character during his last conversation with Mike and was murdered in an ambush shortly afterwards inn which two of his fellow officers survived. Because of this, she suspects that Mike may have played a part in his sons death, which Mike flatly denies.

Flashing forward to the present and following on from the last episodes cliffhanger, Mike is being interrogated by two detectives who were colleagues from his Philadelphia Police Unit- the officers who were with Matty on the night of the ambush were murdered under similar circumstances nearly six months later and Mike is on their list of suspects. Jimmy McGill sits in on the interrogation on Mike's behalf and helps him to gain access to the detectives notes via a cup of coffee.

Let it be known here that I've only described the first twenty minutes of the episode. It is the next 20 minutes, where Mike reveals his version of the events of what happened in both ambushes that is really spectacular. What I saw in this episode is that Mike really means it when he says 'No Half Measures'.

In the previous episodes Better Call Saul, ties itself a little too closely to Breaking Bad in terms of fan service with Tuco Salamanca getting an over glorified cameo appearance. But true to Breaking Bad's spirit, when things escalate in Better Call Saul- they really escalate. With this episode, Better Call Saul drops its 'We're in the same universe as BB' schtick and gives a dark noir western thriller.

Mike has always been one of the most interesting characters in Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad, whether it be when he's working as a private investigator or giving a monologue about his experiences in the police force. This is the first episode where he is the lead character, with Jimmy only in a short appearance for the interrogation scene. Let's hope we see more of him in the future.

"No more half measures",

Indeed.

Perongafa

This episode was very off, so I had to figure out who was behind it, and was shocked that all the reviews are all hunky dory. The dialogue is cheesy, on-the-nose, and out of character. It didn't feel like a Vince Gilligan show. These shows are all about realism, but this episode had lines you'd hear in like a cheesy 80's cop show.

"What's so important in there that we had to pull that third-rate Marx brothers routine?" -yes, please do tell!

"But in case you missed it, your friends from Philly back there... they think you killed two cops." -hey audience, listen up!

It had long monologues that I could see the actor's trying their hardest to make sound like natural dialogue. It told instead of showed. It had some solid plot / character points, which is probably why people liked it, but the dialogue is just amateur.

heart of sky

you know .. it reminds me with that freaking episode of breaking bad that was the finale of season 3 better call Saul starting to be the flash back of breaking bad or its already i don't know! not much similar but when mike said this to Walter i remembered this word when i saw him killing those who killed his son..

otherwise every thing here in this series explains the history of mike and jimmy i expect to Gus fringe to jump through the story line may be in season 2 ! no much to explain but i gave this f**king episode 8 because its was the first time i see mike in emotional scene ..really it was great!

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Better Call Saul Five-O (2015– ) Online

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