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Better Call Saul’s Canceled Cameo Would Have Spoiled the Best Breaking Bad Surprise

BBG News

The television series “Better Call Saul” unexpectedly reintroduced a significant character from “Breaking Bad” in its final episode, but the prequel almost revealed this surprise earlier on. Alan Sepinwall’s new book, “Saul Goodman v. Jimmy McGill: The Complete Critical Companion to Better Call Saul,” provides a detailed account of each episode within this gripping criminal tale. It also features interviews with the show’s creators discussing some fascinating story concepts that didn’t make it to the screen, such as an intended “Breaking Bad” cameo that never materialized.

Throughout the six seasons of ‘Better Call Saul’, several notable characters from ‘Breaking Bad’ made appearances. Tuco Salamanca posed a threat to Jimmy McGill in the first episode, Hank Schrader developed animosity towards Saul Goodman, and Walter White and Jesse Pinkman appeared towards the end when the series caught up with the timeline of ‘Breaking Bad’. However, as detailed in Sepinwall’s book, ‘Better Call Saul’ had more appearances from ‘Breaking Bad’ characters planned. The writers intended for Kim Wexler to take on the role of Skyler White, but Kim’s storyline took a different turn. Additionally, they aimed to introduce Marie earlier in the series.

A Scrapped Better Call Saul Storyline Would’ve Had Jimmy Representing Marie Schrader

Marie Would’ve Hired Jimmy To Get Her Out Of A Shoplifting Charge

Throughout each storyline, the creators aimed to innovatively introduce established characters from “Breaking Bad” into the prequel (eventually giving significant roles to many of them). Jimmy and Kim swindled Ken, the boisterous stockbroker whose car was destroyed by Walt. Nacho Varga devised a sinister plan that left Hector Salamanca wheelchair-bound. However, not every idea for a “Breaking Bad” appearance ultimately materialized. The creators planned to introduce Marie earlier in the series, but she only appeared in the final episode of “Better Call Saul.

In the series “Breaking Bad,” an underlying storyline uncovered that Marie had a past struggle with kleptomania, which put considerable stress on her marriage. Each time Marie was caught stealing, Hank would have to risk his professional standing and leverage his police connections to help her avoid punishment. If events in “Better Call Saul” had unfolded differently, Marie might have hired Jimmy to defend her against a shoplifting charge before Hank discovered this. Jimmy, with his knack for avoiding courtrooms, would have been an ideal lawyer for such a case.

As a passionate movie critic, I’d rephrase that intriguing narrative as follows: During the entire series, an interesting plot twist kept resurfacing. Initially, if the story had unfolded as planned, she would have engaged Jimmy as her legal representative. However, when the plot returned in later seasons during writers’ discussions, she would have been defended by the controversial lawyer, Saul Goodman. Given his contentious professional history with Hank, this could have created a gripping dramatic tension. Unfortunately, this storyline never materialized and Marie made her first appearance only in the final episode of Better Call Saul when Jimmy stood trial.

Marie’s Eventual Better Call Saul Appearance Was Much More Powerful Than That Would’ve Been

Jimmy Representing Marie Would’ve Been More Fun, But Less Impactful

In a hypothetical scenario, it would’ve been delightful for me, as a movie reviewer, to witness Saul stepping up to defend Marie and concoct an outrageously entertaining plan to clear her of a shoplifting accusation. The banter between them would have undeniably sparkled, with Marie providing the straight-faced counterpoint to Saul’s flamboyant shenanigans. However, the creators wisely decided to keep Marie’s appearance for the climactic moments, enhancing suspense and anticipation for the audience.

Instead of imagining a comical scenario where Marie becomes one of Jimmy’s clients, witnessing Marie, grief-stricken over her husband’s death, fighting for justice is significantly more impactful. Despite the tough exterior she puts on, Marie steps into a room with Jimmy, channeling her anger towards Walt’s criminal enterprise, especially its last founding member. In Better Call Saul, there was potential for humor had Jimmy represented Marie, but the dramatic tension generated by their encounter in the finale was far more powerful.

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2025-05-05 12:40

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