With the Better Call Saul has proved itself to be a strong prequel. As the show follows the beginning of Saul Goodman's legal career, the introduction of a whole new set of characters challenges him on his rise and fall to becoming a mere strip mall lawyer.
The cast does an amazing job embodying the dramatic roles, leaving audiences wanting more. Each lawyer's personality clashes in the struggle to remain successful inside and outside the courtroom. The addition of private investigators and narcotics distributors delivers an entirely new set of trials. The dialogue uttered reinforces the characters' conflicting views on life.
Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman
"I'm A Lawyer, Not A Criminal."
Jimmy always comes in second to his older brother, Chuck. He is a con artist who embezzles thousands of dollars from his family's store and later moves on to petty scams. Though he is originally inspired by Chuck and Kim to pursue his law degree, he has no desire to become the same type of lawyer.
He is the quintessential underdog. He chooses to take on clients with petty or questionable crimes because he wants to stick it to the judicial system and help people who actually need it but are unable to find or afford help elsewhere. Though he occasionally has questionable ethics, he is a good person who falls into business with the wrong crowd.
Kim Wexler
"I Don't Know What Image You Have Of Him, Past Or Present, Or Whatever He Did Or Said, But Jimmy Is A Good Lawyer. And He Works Very Hard."
Kim works hard to achieve her goals. She has been by Jimmy's side since their days in the mailroom at HHM. Having achieved a certain level of success, Kim walks away from it all to become a public defender. She is logical and far more level-headed than her counterpart, often being the voice of reason for Jimmy.
Though she does not always approve of his behavior, she s him with little pushback on his questionable ethics. A dynamo in the courtroom herself, Kim recognizes the effort he puts into his business and the success Jimmy gains from problematic, yet clever cons. As the series continues, Kim's personality shifts to become more like hardworking, desperate Jimmy despite her hesitation.
Chuck McGill
"I Don't Want To Hurt Your Feelings, But The Truth Is, You've Never Mattered All That Much To Me."
The now-deceased older brother to Jimmy is a founding member of HHM. Chuck rarely left the house due to electromagnetic hypersensitivity, leaving Jimmy to regularly check on him and bring him groceries. He questions Jimmy's ethics as a former con artist turned lawyer, leading to the transformation into Saul Goodman.
Chuck's final words to Jimmy before his death sum up his disdain for his younger brother. He thought highly of himself and considered Jimmy to be below him, despite his efforts to turn a new leaf. Jimmy was never going to matter to Chuck, regardless of his actions. Set in his ways, Chuck was a negative, hateful villain who never wanted to see Jimmy be successful.
Howard Hamlin
"Big Job At The Illustrious HHM. A Chance To Play At The Palace."
As a managing partner at HHM, Howard thinks very highly of himself and his law firm. Throughout the series, he is the foil to Jimmy, knocking him down when he thinks he has reached success. He is conniving and, along with Chuck, manages to get Jimmy's license suspended.
Howard has a God complex. He believes himself and his firm to be the end-all, be-all of legal practices. Referring to HHM as "the palace" shows how little he thinks of Jimmy's ability to succeed on his own. He must feel some guilt for the treatment of Chuck and his ultimate death to offer Jimmy a job in the first place, but his offer is empty and would not have amounted to a successful career for Jimmy.
Nacho Varga
"You Think The Chicken Man? What A Joke. Alvarez Has Been Paying Me For Years. But You Know What? I Would've Done It For Free Because I Hate Every Last One Of You Pysco Sacks Of Sh*t."
Nacho is a mole for Gus Fring within the Salamanca organization. Though intelligent and quick acting, he just wants out and for his father to be safe. He tries so hard to kill Hector and Lalo only to dig himself in deeper. He knows what needs to be done to maintain that safety. The culmination of his actions boils down to one thing: fear.
The loyalty he shows to Gus when questioned is false and purely for his own benefit. Nacho hates being involved with the Salamancas and has no desire to be involved with Gus who reassures him that his father will remain safe as long as he is not implicated in Nacho's actions. Nacho's untimely end is led by the fear his father will be hurt.
Mike Ehrmantraut
"If You're Gonna Be A Criminal, Do Your Homework."
As a Marine Corps veteran and former police officer, Mike has done his homework and knows what he is talking about. He is not new to criminal activities as he was a corrupt cop taking bribes. He is very intentional in his actions as he begins working for Gus Fring. Mike's demeanor never wavers, showing his confidence in his unique abilities.
Mike often advises others what they must do. His authoritative nature instills trust in him. He explains the difference between good and bad when it comes to being a criminal. His words reveal his intelligence and how much he has learned from the military, his policework, and private investigating. Mike is an influential, confident, deadly force to be reckoned with.
Gus Fring
"My Friends, I Promise You That Together, We Will Prosper."
Gus is a major narcotics distributor, but also a successful businessman. With a cold outward appearance when it concerns his drug business, he is a man of few words. However, he is pleasant to those he does not want to destroy. Gus is ruthless and powerful, yet eerily calm in all situations and does not act quick on his emotions but makes calculated plans.
Having the personality traits of a politician, Gus does not need others to prosper. He desires to prosper on his own while maintaining a level of peace and distance with other distributors. He keeps his enemies close enough to keep track of their actions and will plan their demise with the flip of a switch. The suggestion that his prosperity is due to teamwork is a facade. His actions are deliberate.
Lalo Salamanca
"I Paid You A Lot Of Money For That Story So I Think I Can Hear As Much As I Want."
Taking over in the Salamanca organization after Hector's stroke, Lalo is a loose cannon who tries very hard to be intimidating. He is suspicious of everyone and acts quickly on his emotions. After Jimmy is ambushed in the desert with his bail money, Lalo demands to hear the story multiple times to find any inconsistencies.
Lalo is rightfully full of paranoia and distrust as those around him prove to be untrustworthy. He is demanding of people, whether it's Jimmy, Nacho, or the couple who takes him into their home after the hit attempt and house fire. He struggles to be as menacing as Gus as he lacks the confidence and uses money and threats to succeed, but nevertheless becomes a convincing criminal powerhouse.