IPTAT: Criminal Lawyer
Spin-Off Superstars - Part Two
I’m putting together a team… multiple teams, in fact.
Let’s roll on with the roll call of the Spin-Off Superstars: characters who outgrew their original shows and flourished in their own series.
2. Saul Goodman
First appearance: Breaking Bad (“Better Call Saul” episode 8, season 2, 2009), in his own series: Better Call Saul (2015)
Popular entertainment of 2015:
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens - film starring Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver
Daredevil - television series starring Charlie Cox
The Girl On the Train - novel written by Paula Hawkins
“Slippin’” Jimmy McGill (played by Bob Odenkirk) first started conning audiences in Breaking Bad under the guise of Saul Goodman, the “criminal lawyer” on retainer for meth-cooking mastermind Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) and his partner Jesse Pinkman (played by Aaron Paul). As an accomplice to their rising drug empire, they mainly operated in Albuquerque, and for a lengthy stint they were essentially under the control of their superior drug lord, Gustavo Fring (played by Giancarlo Esposito). Fast-talking and quick on his feet, Saul was able to talk himself out of deadly situations on numerous occasions.
Years before broadcasting his “Better Call Saul” ads across New Mexican airwaves, Jimmy hailed from the Chicago area along with his older brother Charles “Chuck” McGill (played by Michael McKean). As a child, Jimmy would watch his shop proprietor father be swindled by streetwise customers, influencing the youth’s burgeoning outlook—-and his skills as a con artist himself. Jimmy worked on staging fake accidents where he would slip and fall, then exploit witnesses. While Chuck grew into a successful lawyer, Jimmy perfected his scams.
Jimmy’s love life left much to be desired as he had two failed marriages, and the most recent ex at the time earned Jimmy’s unique ire. His second wife cheated on him, so Jimmy got his payback by defecating through the sunroof of her lover Chet’s car. Unfortunately, Jimmy didn’t realize Chet’s children were inside the vehicle. Chuck was able to defend Jimmy in court, but would require his younger brother to relocate to the “ABQ” with him.
Jimmy worked in the mailroom at Chuck’s firm, even developing a romantic relationship with co-worker Kim Wexler (played by Rhea Seehorn). The two would both become lawyers by attending night school, though Chuck was never fully supportive of his sibling’s interest in practicing law. Chuck would go through a divorce himself, resulting in the deterioration of his mental health.
Jimmy’s old tendencies resurfaced throughout his burgeoning career as a lawyer, which saw him get entangled with the local drug cartel. Over time, Jimmy’s web of lies would cause many of his relationships and endeavors to collapse. After Chuck’s own mental crisis cost him his life, Jimmy gradually became more deeply invested in his con artist persona, Saul Goodman.
Saul’s marriage with Kim imploded and she eventually moved far away, distancing herself from her involvement in Saul’s schemes. Saul developed a close partnership with grisly Mike Ehrmantraut (played by Jonathan Banks), and they ultimately served Gus Fring as extensions of his criminal empire.
With a seedy clientele and connections to the underworld, Saul’s combination of higher education and street smarts, he is a cunning ally.
The eight-team bracket will determine who is the most gifted (and potentially ruthless) squad of them all. The Spin-Off Superstars are entering the arena at their individual peaks, but the scenarios have not been announced yet. Their opponents in this fantasy face-off? The team of Immortals - eternal characters who have a hard time dying.
Stay in the loop for more details by subscribing to Jonfiction Blog on Substack and be sure to check out jonmcbrine.com for more info about this and my books.
New blog every Monday. Jon McBrine Newsletter first Monday of each month via email.
