It will come as no surprise that “Better Call Saul” is well made. The previous entry on the resumes of creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould is “Breaking Bad,” which, during its five-season run, grew into an incredibly potent blend of slippery morals and thrilling aesthetics.
So, of course, “Saul” looks good. The first three episodes are well-paced and they competently introduce the strands of a plausible prequel for Saul Goodman, Walter White’s fast-talking, ethically-challenged attorney.
What “Better Call Saul” doesn’t have yet is its own set of independent reasons to exist.
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I’ll keep watching, of course. But there are times, truth be told, when “Saul” seems a little too much like its lead character: Slick, smart, desperate, driven to please and a little bit afflicted by flop sweat.
“Better Call Saul’s” first two episodes air 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 and 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9.
