Sunday, March 9, 2025

AI: A long potpourri of Better Call Saul questions, including, "Better Call Lalo" Prequel

 A screen dump of AI dialogs about Better Call Saul, including, "Better Call Lalo" Prequel.


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In which episode does Fring kill lalo?
ChatGPT said:

Gus Fring kills Lalo Salamanca in Better Call Saul Season 6, Episode 8, titled "Point and Shoot."

In this episode, Lalo forces Jimmy (Saul) and Kim into a deadly situation, ultimately leading Gus into an ambush at the laundromat where the secret meth lab is being built. However, Gus, anticipating trouble, had hidden a gun earlier. During a tense confrontation, Gus seizes an opportunity to grab the weapon and shoots Lalo multiple times, ultimately killing him. Lalo dies with a smile on his face, realizing he has been outmaneuvered.

You said:
That’s a long time because Fring is obsessed with the hidden threat of lalo from e2 or e3.
ChatGPT said:

Yes, Gus Fring is fixated on the threat of Lalo from early in Better Call Saul Season 6, particularly from Episode 2 ("Carrot and Stick") or Episode 3 ("Rock and Hard Place"). Lalo fakes his own death in Episode 1 ("Wine and Roses"), fooling everyone—including the cartel and even Gus himself—into believing he is dead.

From that point on, Gus is constantly paranoid about Lalo, reinforcing his defenses, increasing surveillance, and keeping Mike on high alert. This tension builds for several episodes, as Lalo works in the shadows, investigating Gus’s secret meth lab and preparing to strike.

It’s a long game, but it makes sense narratively—Lalo is careful and methodical, and Gus, despite his obsession, doesn't actually know Lalo is alive until Episode 7 ("Plan and Execution"), right before the midseason break. That makes Episode 8, "Point and Shoot," the first time they finally confront each other directly.

So while Gus’s paranoia stretches for six full episodes, it's actually justified because Lalo is one step ahead the entire time.

You said:
I couldn’t understand why fRing believed that Lalo was still alive from about episode two when nobody else thought Lalo was still alive.
ChatGPT said:

That’s a great point. Gus Fring’s obsession with Lalo starts very early in Season 6, even though everyone else—Nacho, Mike, the cartel, even Don Eladio—believes Lalo is dead. It might seem like Gus is just being paranoid, but there are a few key reasons why he never fully buys it:

  1. Gus never underestimates Lalo. Unlike other cartel members who assume Lalo died in the raid, Gus knows firsthand how resourceful and dangerous Lalo is. He respects his cunning and doesn’t trust that he would go down so easily.

  2. The body switch doesn’t feel right. Even though a burned body is “confirmed” to be Lalo, Gus isn't convinced. We don’t see exactly how he figures it out, but he likely notices inconsistencies, such as:

    • The body isn’t in a location that makes sense.
    • Lalo was last seen inside his compound, yet his “body” is found elsewhere.
    • The cartel buys it too easily. Gus might think, "If it were really Lalo, wouldn’t they be making more of a fuss?"

  3. Nacho’s suspicious escape. Nacho survives the hit on Lalo’s compound and flees, which is already unusual. Later, when Nacho is forced to call Juan Bolsa (under Gus’s orders) and take responsibility for the attack, Gus watches that call carefully. It’s possible Gus reads between the lines and suspects that Nacho doesn’t truly believe Lalo is dead.

  4. Mike is more logical, but Gus goes with his gut. Mike is practical and trusts the evidence (Lalo’s body double). He doesn’t think Lalo is alive, and even tries to calm Gus down. But Gus has a gut feeling that something isn’t right, and we know from Breaking Bad that his instincts are rarely wrong.

So while it seems strange that Gus is the only one who sees through Lalo's ruse, it actually tracks with how cautious and calculating he is. His paranoia might seem excessive at first, but in the end, he was right.

You said:
The body supposedly had matching dental records, compared to the skull, but that could just have been faked. They never tell you that, but it’s probably the answer.
ChatGPT said:

Yes, exactly. The show never explicitly confirms how the dental records were faked, but that’s likely the missing piece. The cartel accepts the body as Lalo’s because the dental records match, which means Lalo must have anticipated this and prepared a body double with altered dental records.

Lalo is incredibly meticulous—he probably had a loyal associate (like Mateo Ramos, the farmer who died in his place) switch dental records ahead of time so that if the worst happened, the cartel would believe the body was his. It’s classic Lalo: always thinking ahead, always playing the long game.

Gus, on the other hand, doesn’t trust the cartel’s verification process. He knows how corrupt and lazy they can be, and he doesn’t believe they did a truly rigorous check. It’s another reason he stays on high alert while everyone else lets their guard down.

It’s a great example of how Better Call Saul leaves little details open-ended, letting the audience piece things together without heavy-handed explanations.

You said:
Is lalo‘a death in E8 about the end of the prequel timeline? I know the last few episodes of better call Saul are the postquel (post breaking bad) story in Nebraska.
ChatGPT said:

Yes, Lalo’s death in Better Call Saul Season 6, Episode 8 ("Point and Shoot") is effectively the climax of the prequel timeline—or at least, the last major cartel storyline before the show transitions toward Breaking Bad and beyond.

After Lalo dies, the show shifts focus in a big way:

  1. Episodes 9-11 ("Fun and Games" to "Breaking Bad")

    • These episodes bridge the gap between Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad.
    • Jimmy fully becomes Saul Goodman, Kim leaves him, and Gus ties up loose ends.
    • By Episode 11, we get direct tie-ins to Breaking Bad with Walter White and Jesse Pinkman appearing.

  2. Episodes 12-13 ("Waterworks" and "Saul Gone")

    • These are fully set in the post-Breaking Bad Nebraska timeline, showing Gene Takavic’s downfall and Jimmy’s redemption.

Lalo’s death is really the last major shift before the show pivots toward Breaking Bad. His entire storyline was unique to Better Call Saul, and once he’s gone, the cartel war (Gus vs. the Salamancas) is essentially settled—leaving room for the show to focus on Saul’s final transformation and eventual fate.

So while there’s still some time left in the prequel era after Lalo’s death, Episode 8 is the last major action-driven moment of the past. After that, it’s all about consequences.

You said:
Do we hear about the HHM law firm in breaking bad?
ChatGPT said:

No, HHM (Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill) is never mentioned in Breaking Bad. The show focuses entirely on Saul Goodman’s solo practice, with no references to his past as Jimmy McGill or his time at HHM.

This makes sense in retrospect—by the time Breaking Bad begins, HHM is irrelevant to Saul’s world. He’s fully embraced his shady, independently run operation, and he never looks back. Plus, Breaking Bad was written before Better Call Saul existed, so HHM wasn’t part of the original story.

However, Better Call Saul quietly explains why HHM disappears:

  • In Season 6, Episode 9 ("Fun and Games"), Howard Hamlin’s death leads to HHM’s downfall—the firm is rebranded as "Brookner Partners" and downsized.
  • By the time Breaking Bad takes place, HHM is likely a minor or defunct firm—certainly not important enough to be in Saul’s orbit.

So while Better Call Saul retroactively builds a major part of Jimmy’s backstory with HHM, it makes perfect sense why we never hear about it in Breaking Bad.

You said:
I think I read once that Bob Odenkirk was brought into breaking bad as a minor character and only built into a larger supporting character overtime. If that’s correct, it makes it even more amazing that the massive prequel story was waiting to be created.
ChatGPT said:

Yes, that’s absolutely correct! Bob Odenkirk was originally brought into Breaking Bad as a minor, one-off character in Season 2, Episode 8 ("Better Call Saul"). He was just supposed to be a sleazy, comic-relief lawyer who helps Walt and Jesse out of a jam.

However, his performance was so strong and the character was so compelling that the writers expanded his role, turning him into a key supporting character across Seasons 3-5. By the end of Breaking Bad, Saul Goodman is not only Walt’s go-to lawyer but also one of the most memorable characters in the show.

What’s amazing is that there was no grand plan for a Saul prequel during Breaking Bad—it was only years later that Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould realized there was a whole backstory waiting to be explored. They saw the potential in peeling back the layers of Saul Goodman to reveal Jimmy McGill, a complex, tragic, and deeply human character.

So in a way, Better Call Saul is a testament to how great writing and acting can create opportunities that weren’t even planned. The fact that such a deep, intricate, and emotionally rich show emerged from what was supposed to be a minor comic character? That’s TV storytelling at its best.

You said:
In the original, breaking bad timeline, did we see Saul and Mr. White disappearing into a secret life via the vacuum machine dealer?
ChatGPT said:

Yes, in the original Breaking Bad timeline, both Saul Goodman and Walter White use Ed Galbraith (a.k.a. "The Disappearer") to escape into new identities, but we see their fates unfold differently.

Saul's Disappearance (Breaking Bad, Season 5, Episode 15 – "Granite State")

  • After things start falling apart for Walt’s empire, Saul realizes he’s in danger and arranges for Ed to relocate him.
  • We see Saul waiting in the vacuum repair shop’s basement while Walt is also there, trying to escape.
  • Saul’s new identity is set for Omaha, Nebraska, which we later see play out in Better Call Saul as his alter ego Gene Takavic working at a Cinnabon.
  • Before he leaves, he tells Walt, "If I’m lucky, a month from now, best-case scenario, I’m managing a Cinnabon in Omaha." That line turned out to be literal foreshadowing.

Walt's Disappearance (Breaking Bad, Season 5, Episode 15 – "Granite State")

  • Walt also uses Ed’s services but ends up in a secluded cabin in New Hampshire.
  • Unlike Saul, he fails to fully adapt to his new identity and isolation.
  • Eventually, he returns to Albuquerque to confront his enemies, leading to his final showdown in the series finale, "Felina."

How It Ties into Better Call Saul

  • Better Call Saul picks up Saul’s post-Breaking Bad life under his assumed identity as Gene Takavic in Omaha.
  • This continuation in Better Call Saul gives us the full story of what happens to Saul after his disappearance, which Breaking Bad left open-ended.

So yes, we saw both Saul and Walt disappear using Ed the Disappearer, but Breaking Bad only showed the beginning of their new lives—Better Call Saul eventually filled in the blanks for Saul’s fate.

You said:
What do we know about Ed Galbraith?
ChatGPT said:

Ed Galbraith, also known as "The Disappearer," is a mysterious and highly skilled fixer in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul who specializes in creating new identities and relocating people who need to disappear permanently. He is played by Robert Forster.

Key Facts About Ed Galbraith:

  1. Cover Identity – He operates out of a vacuum repair shop called Best Quality Vacuum as a front for his illegal services.
  2. Highly Professional & Expensive – He charges six figures for his services and has an airtight, meticulous process to ensure clients disappear without a trace.
  3. Extensive Network – He provides new identities, fake documents, and transportation to remote locations where clients can start over.
  4. No-Nonsense Operator – He is calm, businesslike, and strictly adheres to his rules—if a client doesn’t follow his process, he refuses to help.

Ed’s Role in Breaking Bad

  • First mentioned in Season 4, Episode 11 ("Crawl Space") – Saul Goodman tells Walter White that if he ever needs to disappear, he knows a guy who "makes people go away and never come back."
  • Fully introduced in Season 5, Episode 15 ("Granite State") –
    • Saul Goodman uses his services to escape to Omaha, Nebraska.
    • Walter White hires him to relocate to New Hampshire but later returns to Albuquerque.

Ed’s Role in Better Call Saul

  • Season 5, Episode 10 ("Something Unforgivable") – Saul (now Gene Takavic) calls Ed to request another extraction when he thinks his cover is blown, but he later changes his mind.
  • Foreshadowing in Breaking Bad – In Granite State, Saul jokes that he’ll end up "managing a Cinnabon in Omaha"—which is exactly what happens in Better Call Saul.

Ed’s Final Appearance in El Camino

  • In El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, Ed helps Jesse Pinkman disappear, giving him a new identity in Alaska.
  • This was Robert Forster’s final role before his passing in 2019, and the film served as a fitting sendoff for both the actor and the character.

Mystique & Legacy

  • Ed is one of the most enigmatic characters in the Breaking Bad universe—his backstory is never revealed, and his operation remains a mystery.
  • He’s a realist, not a criminal mastermind—he doesn’t take sides, he just provides a service for a high price.
  • His reputation is ironclad—no one who uses his services is ever found again unless they break the rules (like Saul in Better Call Saul).

Despite having limited screen time, Ed leaves a huge impact on multiple characters' fates and reinforces the idea that in the Breaking Bad universe, there’s always a way out—for a price.

You said:
El camino?
ChatGPT said:

Yes, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie is a 2019 sequel film to Breaking Bad that follows Jesse Pinkman’s story after escaping captivity in the series finale. It was written and directed by Vince Gilligan and released on Netflix.

Plot Overview:

  • The movie picks up immediately after the Breaking Bad finale ("Felina"), with Jesse escaping in Todd’s El Camino after Walter White wipes out Jack Welker’s neo-Nazi gang.
  • Jesse goes on the run, trying to evade police and secure enough money for a new identity.
  • He eventually tracks down Ed Galbraith, the Disappearer, to get a new life.
  • Ed agrees to help but only if Jesse pays the full price—so Jesse retraces his steps to recover hidden cash from Todd Alquist’s apartment.
  • After a tense standoff with Neil Kandy (one of Todd’s criminal associates), Jesse wins a duel, gets the money, and escapes to Alaska with a new identity.
  • The film ends with Jesse driving into the Alaskan wilderness to start a new life, mirroring the original escape plan he once mentioned to Jane Margolis.

Connection to Ed Galbraith:

  • Jesse seeks out Ed just like Walter and Saul did—but unlike them, he actually gets a fresh start and sticks to it.
  • This marks Ed’s final appearance in the Breaking Bad universe, as actor Robert Forster passed away on the day of the film’s release.

How It Fits in the Breaking Bad Universe:

  • El Camino serves as a direct epilogue to Breaking Bad, giving Jesse a proper sendoff.
  • It has cameos from several Breaking Bad characters, including Walter White (in a flashback), Mike Ehrmantraut, Jane, Todd, and even the Disappearer.
  • The film provides closure for Jesse’s character, showing how he finally breaks free from his past instead of being dragged deeper into crime like Walt or Saul.

While El Camino isn’t required viewing for Better Call Saul, it does tie up one of the last loose ends of the Breaking Bad timeline.

You said:
What happens to Mike?
ChatGPT said:

Mike Ehrmantraut meets his end in Breaking Bad Season 5, Episode 7 ("Say My Name"), at the hands of Walter White.

How Mike Dies:

  • At this point in the series, Mike has grown frustrated with Walt, seeing him as reckless and power-hungry.
  • The DEA is closing in on Mike’s operation, and he decides to disappear for good.
  • However, Walt needs the names of Mike’s men in prison to eliminate loose ends.
  • When Mike refuses to give Walt the names, Walt impulsively shoots him in the gut.
  • Mike stumbles to a nearby riverbank, sits down, and silently watches the water.
  • Walt, realizing he could have just gotten the names from Lydia, says, "I'm sorry, Mike."
  • In one of the most stoic deaths in the series, Mike says nothing and simply dies staring at the water.

Why Walt Kills Him:

  • Walt resents Mike for not respecting him as a boss.
  • Mike always saw Walt as an amateur, calling him out for destroying a perfectly functional drug empire.
  • The killing is impulsive, not planned—Walt lets his ego and frustration get the better of him.

Mike’s Role in Better Call Saul

  • Better Call Saul gives us Mike’s full backstory, showing how he became Gus Fring’s right-hand man.
  • It explores his guilt over his son’s death, his code of ethics, and his growing conflict with the cartel.
  • Mike is much more humanized in Better Call Saul, making his eventual fate in Breaking Bad even more tragic.

Legacy

  • Mike is one of the most respected and competent characters in the Breaking Bad universe.
  • His death symbolizes the moment Walt fully loses control, eliminating one of the last voices of reason in his life.
  • Better Call Saul deepens his character, showing that he was never just a thug—he was a man burdened by past mistakes, trying to protect his family.

His story is one of the most tragic arcs in the series, as we know from the start that no matter how careful he is, his loyalty to Gus and his involvement in the criminal world will ultimately seal his fate.

You said:
Can you list the characters who have back stories in better call Saul? Meaning characters that were introduced in breaking bad?
ChatGPT said:

Yes! Several key Breaking Bad characters have their backstories expanded in Better Call Saul, providing more depth to their personalities, motivations, and relationships. Here’s a list of those characters:

1. Saul Goodman / Jimmy McGill

  • Breaking Bad: A shady, wisecracking criminal lawyer.
  • Better Call Saul: We see his transformation from Jimmy McGill, an earnest but struggling lawyer, into the sleazy Saul Goodman. His relationship with Chuck, Kim, and HHM is central to his downfall.

2. Mike Ehrmantraut

  • Breaking Bad: Gus’s loyal enforcer and fixer, known for his professionalism and quiet wisdom.
  • Better Call Saul: A much more humanized Mike, struggling with guilt over his son’s death and gradually getting pulled deeper into Gus’s operation. We see how his relationship with his granddaughter, Kaylee, drives many of his decisions.

3. Gus Fring

  • Breaking Bad: The cold, calculating drug kingpin who runs Los Pollos Hermanos.
  • Better Call Saul: His ruthless rise to power is explored, including his chess match with the Salamanca cartel and how he builds the superlab. We see how much patience and strategy he uses to gain full control.

4. Hector Salamanca

  • Breaking Bad: The mute, wheelchair-bound former cartel leader, obsessed with revenge on Gus.
  • Better Call Saul: We see his earlier years as a feared, powerful cartel boss, how he mentors Tuco and Lalo, and how Gus orchestrates his downfall by causing his stroke, leaving him helpless.

5. Tuco Salamanca

  • Breaking Bad: A psychotic, meth-fueled cartel enforcer who terrorizes Walt and Jesse.
  • Better Call Saul: We see him before Breaking Bad, running a small-time operation. His volatile nature is already fully formed, and he is quickly taken off the board when he gets arrested.

6. Lalo Salamanca

  • Breaking Bad: Only mentioned in passing by Saul in Breaking Bad ("It wasn’t me, it was Ignacio! Did Lalo send you?"), but never seen.
  • Better Call Saul: Turns out to be one of the most dangerous, charismatic, and cunning Salamanca family members, making life hell for both Gus and Saul.

7. Ignacio "Nacho" Varga

  • Breaking Bad: Like Lalo, only mentioned by Saul in one scene.
  • Better Call Saul: A tragic figure, torn between loyalty to his criminal life and wanting to protect his father. He’s crucial to weakening the Salamancas, but his fate is sealed when he’s caught between Gus and the cartel.

8. Don Eladio

  • Breaking Bad: The head of the Juárez Cartel who gets poisoned by Gus in Breaking Bad Season 4.
  • Better Call Saul: Seen in multiple scenes as the boss overseeing Hector, Lalo, and the Salamanca business. He’s just as cocky and cruel as he was in Breaking Bad.

9. Victor & Tyrus

  • Breaking Bad: Gus’s trusted enforcers, with Victor famously being killed by Gus with a box cutter.
  • Better Call Saul: We see how they rise within Gus’s organization and how much control they exert over the operation.

10. The Cousins (Leonel & Marco Salamanca)

  • Breaking Bad: The silent, deadly twin hitmen who work for the cartel and try to kill Hank.
  • Better Call Saul: They are already terrifying assassins in this era, enforcing Salamanca power in violent ways.

11. Lydia Rodarte-Quayle

  • Breaking Bad: A high-level Madrigal executive who helps Gus’s meth empire and later partners with Walt.
  • Better Call Saul: We briefly see her in corporate meetings with Gus, showing her early role in supplying precursor chemicals.

12. Huell Babineaux

  • Breaking Bad: Saul’s loyal bodyguard and pickpocket.
  • Better Call Saul: He first appears as a petty criminal, and we see how Saul brings him into his shady world.

13. Krazy-8 (Domingo Molina)

  • Breaking Bad: Walt’s first-ever victim, strangled in Jesse’s basement.
  • Better Call Saul: We see his early days in the cartel, how he starts as a low-level dealer, and how he gets the nickname "Krazy-8."

Honorable Mentions:

  • Ed Galbraith (The Disappearer) – Briefly appears in Better Call Saul when Saul (as Gene) tries to get extracted.
  • Gale Boetticher – The chemist who works for Gus in Breaking Bad appears in Better Call Saul as an early protégé, eager to help build the superlab.

Final Thoughts

The prequel nature of Better Call Saul adds incredible depth to these characters. We see how:

  • Saul was once an idealistic lawyer before fully embracing crime.
  • Mike wasn’t just a fixer but a man weighed down by loss.
  • Gus’s war with the Salamancas was years in the making.
  • Lalo and Nacho’s stories make the Salamanca family even more complex.

This is why Better Call Saul isn’t just a prequel—it recontextualizes Breaking Bad, making many moments feel even more layered and tragic.

You said:
How long was it from the last broadcast of breaking bad, meaning the finale, to the first episode broadcast of better call Saul?
ChatGPT said:

The final episode of Breaking Bad ("Felina") aired on September 29, 2013.
The first episode of Better Call Saul ("Uno") aired on February 8, 2015.

That means there was a gap of 1 year, 4 months, and 10 days between the two shows.

Despite this relatively short break, Better Call Saul managed to feel like a fresh and fully developed story, rather than just a quick spin-off.

You said:
What is the movie where Bob Odenkirk plays a former hitman now living in the suburbs?
ChatGPT said:

The movie you're thinking of is Nobody (2021).

Plot Summary:

Bob Odenkirk plays Hutch Mansell, a seemingly mild-mannered suburban dad with a boring office job. After a home invasion, he initially chooses not to fight back, disappointing his family. However, it's soon revealed that Hutch is actually a former government assassin (known as an "Auditor"), who once worked for intelligence agencies to clean up messy situations.

When he loses control and seeks revenge, he accidentally provokes a Russian crime syndicate, leading to a full-blown action-packed showdown. The movie follows his journey as he embraces his old, violent skills while still trying to protect his family.

Why It’s Notable:

  • Bob Odenkirk trained extensively for the role, making the fight scenes feel gritty and realistic.
  • It's directed by Ilya Naishuller (Hardcore Henry) and written by Derek Kolstad, the creator of John Wick, so it has a similar stylized action feel.
  • The film balances dark humor, brutal action, and suburban satire, making it feel unique compared to standard revenge thrillers.
  • Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown from Back to the Future) plays Hutch’s father, who also has some unexpected action moments.

The success of Nobody led to discussions about a sequel, though it hasn’t been officially announced yet.

You said:
The movie appeared during the seasons of better call Saul?
ChatGPT said:

Yes, Nobody (2021) was released during the airing of Better Call Saul.

  • Better Call Saul Season 5 aired in early 2020 (February–April).
  • Nobody was released in March 2021 (delayed due to COVID-19).
  • Better Call Saul Season 6 aired in 2022 (April–August).

So, Nobody came out between Seasons 5 and 6 of Better Call Saul.

Bob Odenkirk actually trained for Nobody while filming Better Call Saul, and he has said that the intense fight choreography helped improve his confidence and physicality as an actor. The success of Nobody also showed that Odenkirk could pull off serious action roles, not just comedy or drama.

You said:
Was nobody filmed during Covid?
ChatGPT said:

Nobody was filmed before COVID-19, but its release was delayed due to the pandemic.

Filming Timeline:

  • Filming began in September 2019 in Winnipeg, Canada.
  • Production wrapped in late 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic started.

Release Delays Due to COVID-19:

  • The movie was originally scheduled for release in August 2020.
  • Due to theater closures and uncertainty, it was delayed multiple times.
  • Nobody was finally released in March 2021, when theaters started reopening.

So while Nobody wasn’t filmed during the pandemic, its post-production and marketing were affected, and its release was pushed back because of COVID-related theater shutdowns.

You said:
I enjoyed the movie, was it well review?
ChatGPT said:

Yes, Nobody (2021) was well-reviewed by both critics and audiences. It was praised for its brutal action, dark humor, and Bob Odenkirk’s unexpected but excellent performance as an action star.

Critical Reception:

  • Rotten Tomatoes: 84% (Certified Fresh) from critics
  • Audience Score on RT: 94%
  • Metacritic: 64/100 (Generally favorable reviews)
  • IMDb: 7.4/10

What Critics Liked:

✔ Bob Odenkirk’s performance – Critics loved seeing him in a completely different, action-heavy role, and he trained hard to make the fights look realistic.
✔ Well-choreographed action – The brutal, close-quarters fights (especially the bus fight) were praised for feeling gritty and raw, unlike overly stylized Hollywood action.
✔ John Wick-style storytelling – Since it was written by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad, it had a similar mix of revenge action, world-building, and dark humor.
✔ Pacing and fun factor – Many reviews noted that Nobody was a tight, fast-paced action flick that didn’t overstay its welcome.

What Some Critics Didn’t Like:

  • A few critics felt that the plot was predictable and followed the John Wick formula too closely.
  • Some thought that the villains were underdeveloped, especially the Russian crime boss.

Audience Reaction:

Audiences loved it, and it quickly became a cult hit. Many were surprised at how well Bob Odenkirk handled the action scenes, and the movie gained a strong fan following.

Sequel Plans?

Due to the success of the first movie, a sequel is in development, with Odenkirk confirming he’s ready to return. The studio is working on expanding the Nobody universe, possibly even connecting it with John Wick in some way.

So if you enjoyed Nobody, you’re not alone—it’s one of the best-received action movies of the last few years!

You said:
I remember it as being somewhat Violent, but not excessively or gratuitously violent.
ChatGPT said:

Yes, Nobody is definitely violent, but it’s not excessively gruesome or gratuitous compared to some other action movies. The violence is brutal, intense, and realistic, but it’s also stylized and sometimes darkly comedic, which keeps it from feeling overly grim.

Why the Violence Works:

  1. Grounded & Gritty – Unlike many action films with over-the-top CGI or impossible stunts, Nobody features hand-to-hand combat, gunfights, and raw, messy brawls (like the famous bus fight). It feels more like a street fight than a polished action scene.
  2. Dark Humor – The film balances its violence with a sense of humor, especially in how Hutch reacts to situations. Even when things get bloody, the film doesn’t take itself too seriously.
  3. Not Gratuitous – While the action is intense, Nobody avoids torture-porn-style violence or long, drawn-out suffering. The fights have weight and impact but don’t linger excessively.
  4. Well-Choreographed but Not Flashy – The combat is raw and believable—you can feel every hit, but it never turns into excessive slow-motion, exaggerated gore, or stylized hyper-violence like in Kill Bill or John Wick.

How It Compares to Other Action Movies:

  • Less stylized than John Wick – Nobody is violent, but it’s grittier and more grounded rather than sleek and choreographed.
  • More intense than Die Hard – The injuries and damage feel more real, and Hutch gets seriously hurt in fights.
  • More controlled than The Raid – While The Raid features almost non-stop martial arts brutality, Nobody spaces out its action and doesn’t overdo it.

Final Verdict:

You remember it correctly—it’s violent but not excessive. The brutality serves the story, showing Hutch’s past and abilities without feeling indulgent. That balance is probably why Nobody was so well received—it delivers visceral action without crossing into excessive gore or mindless bloodshed.

You said:
Has Bob Odenkirk been in any series or movies in 2023, 2024, or 2025?
ChatGPT said:

​Yes, Bob Odenkirk has been involved in several projects during 2023, 2024, and has upcoming releases in 2025:​

2023:

  • "Lucky Hank": Odenkirk starred in this AMC series, portraying William Henry "Hank" Devereaux, Jr., a college English department chairman experiencing a mid-life crisis.​

  • "The Bear": He made a guest appearance in the FX series, playing Uncle Lee in the episode "Fishes." This performance earned him a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.​Wikipedia

2024:

  • "Normal": Odenkirk stars as Ulysses in this crime thriller directed by Ben Wheatley. The film follows Ulysses, who becomes the temporary sheriff in the town of Normal and uncovers a criminal underground after a bank robbery. Production began in October 2024 in Winnipeg.​Wikipedia

2025:

  • "Nobody 2": Odenkirk reprises his role as Hutch Mansell in this sequel to the 2021 action-thriller "Nobody." Directed by Timo Tjahjanto, the film is scheduled for release on August 15, 2025.​fr.wikipedia.org+2Wikipedia+2fr.wikipedia.org+2

  • Broadway Debut in "Glengarry Glen Ross": Odenkirk is set to make his Broadway debut in 2025, starring as Shelley Levene in a revival of David Mamet's play "Glengarry Glen Ross," alongside Kieran Culkin and Bill Burr.​Wikipedia

These projects highlight Odenkirk's versatility, showcasing his talents across television, film, and theater during this period.​

You said:
Yes, I saw Lucky Hank. I think it had only one season? It sounds like normal was filmed last fall but it’s not been released yet.
ChatGPT said:

​Yes, you're correct. Lucky Hank aired its first and only season from March 19 to May 7, 2023, on AMC. The series was canceled in December 2023 after one season. ​Wikipedia

Regarding Normal, filming began on October 21, 2024, in Winnipeg, Canada. As of March 8, 2025, the film has not yet been released, and no official release date has been announced. ​

Additionally, Bob Odenkirk is set to reprise his role as Hutch Mansell in Nobody 2, scheduled for release on August 15, 2025. This sequel to the 2021 action-thriller Nobody is directed by Timo Tjahjanto.​

Furthermore, Odenkirk is slated to make his Broadway debut in 2025, starring as Shelley Levene in a revival of David Mamet's play Glengarry Glen Ross, alongside Kieran Culkin and Bill Burr.​

These projects highlight Odenkirk's versatility across television, film, and theater during this period.​

You said:
Has Vince Gilligan done anything since better call Saul?
ChatGPT said:

​Yes, since completing Better Call Saul, Vince Gilligan has embarked on a new project: an untitled science fiction television series for Apple TV+, featuring Rhea Seehorn. This marks a departure from his previous work in the Breaking Bad universe, as he aims to explore new genres and narratives.​Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2AS.com+2

Project Details:

  • Genre: Science fiction drama​Wikipedia
  • Creator & Showrunner: Vince Gilligan​
  • Starring: Rhea Seehorn, Karolina Wydra​decider.com+4Wikipedia+4AS.com+4
  • Setting: Present-day Albuquerque, New Mexico, with a significant, unexplained change affecting the world.​Wikipedia+1Financial Times+1
  • Premise: The series is set in a present-day Albuquerque that has undergone an abrupt change from the known world, exploring the nature of this transformation.​Wikipedia

Production Timeline:

  • August 2022: Gilligan pitched the series, leading to a two-season order from Apple TV+.​Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1
  • October 2023: Writing resumed after the 2023 WGA strike.​Wikipedia
  • February to September 2024: Filming took place in Albuquerque under the working title "Wycaro 339."​Wikipedia+1Financial Times+1

Release Information:

The series is expected to premiere on Apple TV+ sometime in 2025. Specific release dates and additional details have yet to be announced.​Wikipedia

This upcoming series signifies Gilligan's return to science fiction, a genre he previously explored during his tenure on The X-Files. Collaborating again with Rhea Seehorn, known for her role as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul, Gilligan continues to deliver compelling storytelling in new and intriguing settings.​AS.com+1Wikipedia+1

Vince Gilligan's Upcoming Sci-Fi Series and Other Anticipated 2025 TV Shows
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The best TV series to look forward to in 2025
72 days ago
You said:
Sounds like “Wycaro” is in the can.
ChatGPT said:

Yes, it sounds like Wycaro (the working title for Vince Gilligan’s new Apple TV+ series) has finished filming as of September 2024. Given that it wrapped several months ago, it’s likely in post-production now—meaning editing, visual effects, sound design, and final touches before release.

Since the series was ordered for two seasons upfront, Apple TV+ clearly has high confidence in it. If it's on track for a 2025 release, we should expect a trailer or official announcement sometime in the next few months.

It’ll be interesting to see how Gilligan handles science fiction after spending so long in the crime drama world of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. And with Rhea Seehorn in the lead, it’s sure to draw a lot of attention.

You said:
In s6e6 Kim and Saul are talking to the veterinarian, the one who has a little black book, and Saul gets to flip through the little back book for a second, and he refers to best vacuum cleaner, shrugs, he gives the little black book back. Tiny detail! But assuming you had seen breaking bad, it would ring a bell.
ChatGPT said:

Yes! That’s an amazing little Easter egg for Breaking Bad fans.

In Better Call Saul Season 6, Episode 6 ("Axe and Grind"), Saul (Jimmy) and Kim meet Dr. Caldera, the vet who secretly runs an underworld network of fixers, criminals, and black-market connections. He shows them his "little black book" filled with contacts, and for a brief moment, Saul flips through it and notices a listing for "Best Quality Vacuum"—the front for Ed Galbraith, the Disappearer.

Why This Detail Matters:

  • If you’ve seen Breaking Bad, you immediately recognize "Best Quality Vacuum" as the cover business for Ed, the guy who helps people disappear (Saul, Walt, and Jesse).
  • Saul shrugs and hands the book back, which means at this point in Better Call Saul, he doesn’t realize how useful that contact will be in the future.
  • It’s a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, but it adds a whole new layer when you rewatch Breaking Bad—when Saul finally needs to disappear, he already knows where to go.

This is classic Vince Gilligan & Peter Gould storytelling—a tiny, subtle moment that rewards longtime viewers and makes the world feel more interconnected.

You said:
Write a treatment for a new one season prequel in the series called, Better Call Lalo.
ChatGPT said:

Better Call Lalo

A One-Season Prequel to Better Call Saul

Genre: Crime Thriller / Dark Comedy

Tone: A mix of high-stakes cartel drama and Lalo Salamanca’s unnerving charm, blending humor, tension, and unpredictable violence.

Length: 1 season (8-10 episodes)

Logline:

Before he was the charismatic, chaos-loving menace of Better Call Saul, Lalo Salamanca was the golden boy of the cartel, effortlessly balancing business, pleasure, and bloodshed. But when a power struggle in Mexico threatens his family's control, Lalo must navigate cartel politics, outwit rival factions, and prove why he's the deadliest Salamanca of them all.

Setting:

The story takes place primarily in Mexico, roughly 10 years before Better Call Saul (around 2004), when Lalo is still a rising force in the Juárez Cartel. It explores his early days as a cunning fixer, assassin, and businessman, blending the brutality of the cartel world with Lalo’s signature wit and charm.

Main Characters:

  • Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton) – The smooth, sadistic, and endlessly charismatic heir to the Salamanca name. He’s just as comfortable smiling at a family barbecue as he is executing a rival with a grin.
  • Don Hector Salamanca (Mark Margolis, de-aged via CGI / flashbacks) – Still a powerful force in the cartel, but beginning to slow down. He trusts Lalo but worries his reckless charm will be his downfall.
  • Elena Salamanca (New Character) – Lalo’s older cousin, a brilliant but ruthless cartel strategist who runs operations from the shadows. Unlike the hotheaded Tuco or the silent Twins, she’s the true brains of the family, but being a woman in the cartel means she constantly has to prove herself.
  • Nacho Varga (Michael Mando, younger) – A younger, ambitious Nacho working his way up, starting to see just how dangerous the Salamanca family truly is.
  • Juan Bolsa (Javier Grajeda) – The cartel's political fixer, wary of Lalo’s unpredictability but unable to deny his results.
  • Maximiliano "Max" Arciniega (James Martinez, from Breaking Bad) – Gustavo Fring’s partner in Breaking Bad, seen here alive, involved in the cartel before his tragic death.
  • Young Gustavo Fring (Giancarlo Esposito, de-aged for key moments) – Just beginning to establish Los Pollos Hermanos as a cover for his meth empire, but still an outsider, watching Lalo closely.
  • The Cousins – Leonel & Marco Salamanca (Daniel & Luis Moncada) – Already deadly but not yet feared as legends. Lalo trains them in silent, brutal efficiency.

Pilot Episode – "The King of Chihuahua"

We open in Chihuahua, Mexico, where Lalo Salamanca, a golden boy among killers, is enjoying life—laughing at his own jokes, throwing lavish parties, and effortlessly handling the cartel’s day-to-day chaos. But beneath the charm, he’s deadly, cunning, and completely unpredictable.

Lalo is tasked with solving a growing problem: a rival cartel faction is making moves on Salamanca territory. Instead of a full-scale war, Lalo wants to play it differently—manipulating enemies, setting traps, and making them destroy each other from within.

Meanwhile, Hector warns him that Juan Bolsa and Don Eladio don’t fully trust him yet. If he wants to be more than just the Salamanca family’s favorite nephew, he needs to prove he’s worthy of running their empire.

The episode ends with Lalo turning an entire rival operation against itself, engineering a situation where they eliminate their own leader—all while Lalo watches, sipping tequila and smiling.

Major Story Arcs:

  1. Lalo’s Rise to Power – At the start, he’s a trusted enforcer, but by the end of the season, he’s maneuvered himself into controlling Salamanca operations in Mexico.
  2. Gus Fring’s Early Moves – A young, ambitious Gustavo Fring is carefully studying the cartel’s structure, preparing for the war he’ll wage years later.
  3. The Cartel War That Wasn’t – Instead of an all-out war, Lalo plays a dangerous chess game, eliminating threats through deception, betrayal, and psychological warfare.
  4. The Tragedy of Max Arciniega – We see Gus and Max’s early business dealings with the cartel, leading to Max’s murder—an event that will shape Gus’s hatred for the Salamancas.
  5. Lalo’s Personal Weakness – Despite his brilliance, Lalo underestimates one thing: family loyalty doesn’t protect you forever. His cousin Elena begins to doubt his long-term survival, realizing that the very traits that make him powerful might eventually get him killed.

Finale – "A Devil in a Sombrero"

By the end of the season, Lalo stands victorious—his rivals eliminated, the Salamanca name stronger than ever, and Juan Bolsa finally forced to respect him. But Hector gives him one last warning:

"You play too much. Sooner or later, someone will come along who’s not playing."

The final scene? A young Gustavo Fring, standing in the distance, watching Lalo at a cartel party, memorizing his every move.

Why This Show Works:

  • Lalo is one of the most charismatic villains in Better Call Saul – His backstory is a goldmine for drama, intrigue, and dark humor.
  • It explores the cartel world through a fresh lens – Instead of just brutality, we see how Lalo outsmarts his enemies, using his charm as both a weapon and a shield.
  • Ties directly into Breaking Bad – We see the origins of Gus’s revenge, the downfall of Hector, and the seeds of the war that will define the future.

Final Thought:

By the time Better Call Lalo ends, viewers know exactly why Gus Fring feared him so much—because Lalo wasn’t just a Salamanca.

He was the most dangerous Salamanca of them all.

You said:
In the fictional world, what are the years of breaking bad, the years of better call Saul, and the year of better call Lalo.
ChatGPT said:

In the fictional timeline of the Breaking Bad universe, the events of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and the proposed Better Call Lalo would span several decades. Here’s how they fit:

1. Breaking Bad (2008–2010)

  • The events of Breaking Bad take place primarily between September 2008 and September 2010.
  • The final episode ("Felina") occurs in September 2010.
  • El Camino (the sequel movie focusing on Jesse Pinkman) picks up immediately after the finale, so it takes place in September-October 2010.

2. Better Call Saul (2002–2008, 2010, 2012–2015)

  • The main timeline of Better Call Saul begins in 2002 and runs until 2008, leading directly into Breaking Bad.
  • The flash-forward scenes (featuring Saul as Gene Takavic) occur in 2010, 2012, and 2015:
    • 2010 – Right after Breaking Bad, Saul uses Ed Galbraith’s Disappearer service and becomes Gene.
    • 2012 – Gene is still managing the Cinnabon in Nebraska.
    • 2015 – The Better Call Saul finale occurs, resolving Gene’s fate.

3. Better Call Lalo (1998–2004)

  • Since Lalo is already a major figure in Better Call Saul when we meet him in 2004, Better Call Lalo would take place before that, likely covering 1998–2004.
  • This would show Lalo rising in the Juárez Cartel, dealing with internal cartel struggles, and setting the stage for the Salamanca-Fring war.

Summary of Timeline:

Show/MovieFictional Years Covered
Better Call Lalo (proposed)1998–2004
Better Call Saul (main events)2002–2008
Breaking Bad2008–2010
El Camino2010
Better Call Saul (Gene timeline)2010, 2012, 2015

This structure makes Better Call Lalo the earliest entry in the universe, showing the peak of the cartel before it starts falling apart in Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad.


##

There's quite a viiolent night in S6. First, Nacho is killed (or technically a suicide) a day or two earlier. Then, Howard comes to Saul's apartment, where Lalo kills Howard. Then Lalo sends Kim to kill Gus Fring at his house, although actually Kim is welcomed by Gus and Mike. Gus then thinks this was a distraction, and hurries to the laundry with some guards. However, Lalo arrives about the same time and quickly kills the guards. Then Gus Fring kills Lalo. What an evening.


##

Yes, that night in Better Call Saul Season 6 is one of the most brutal and intense sequences in the entire Breaking Bad universe—a cascade of violence that changes everything.

The Timeline of Carnage (S6E7 & S6E8)

  1. Nacho's Death (S6E3 – "Rock and Hard Place") (A day or two earlier, but part of the fallout)

    • Nacho, realizing there's no way out, takes control of his fate and kills himself in front of the cartel, avoiding a painful death at their hands.

  2. Howard Hamlin's Death (S6E7 – "Plan and Execution") (Earlier that night)

    • Howard comes to Saul and Kim’s apartment, confronting them about their scheme against him.
    • Before anyone can react, Lalo Salamanca appears and shoots Howard in the head, killing him instantly.
    • Lalo then takes control of Saul and Kim, setting the next phase of his plan in motion.

  3. Lalo’s Hit on Gus Fring (S6E8 – "Point and Shoot") (Later that night)

    • Lalo forces Saul and Kim to participate in his plan.
    • Kim is sent to "kill" Gus Fring at his house, but Gus’s men immediately stop her and bring her inside.
    • Mike and Gus realize Lalo is setting a trap and rush to defend the superlab construction site.

  4. Lalo’s Ambush at the Laundry (Same Night, S6E8)

    • Lalo outsmarts Gus’s guards, sneaking into the superlab construction site and killing multiple men.
    • He captures Gus alive and forces him to deliver a speech on camera for Don Eladio.
    • However, Gus anticipated this moment and had hidden a gun earlier in the lab.
    • In a dramatic showdown, Gus manages to grab the gun and shoot Lalo multiple times, finally killing him.

Why This Night is So Important

  • Howard’s death is the final, irreversible step in Saul and Kim’s descent into darkness.
  • Lalo’s death ends the Salamanca-Fring rivalry, clearing the way for Gus to fully consolidate power by Breaking Bad.
  • Kim is forever changed by the events, leading to her leaving Saul forever.
  • Saul’s transformation is complete—this night is the moment he fully embraces being "Saul Goodman."
  • Gus secures his empire, with no Salamanca left to challenge him (except Hector, who’s powerless in his wheelchair).

Final Thoughts

  • This sequence rivals Breaking Bad’s most intense episodes (Ozymandias, To’hajiilee) in sheer brutality and narrative weight.
  • The tight, high-stakes storytelling is why Better Call Saul is considered one of the best TV prequels ever.
  • Lalo’s death confirms that Gus’s paranoia was justified—for six episodes, Gus knew Lalo wasn’t dead, and this night proves he was right.

It’s one of the bloodiest and most consequential nights in the Breaking Bad universe, setting the stage for Breaking Bad itself.


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