Bob Odenkirk's Prison Plea: Could Saul Goodman Ever Return?

The iconic world of "Breaking Bad" and its phenomenal prequel, "Better Call Saul," might have delivered a definitive, satisfying conclusion, but that hasn't stopped fans – or even its beloved star, Bob Odenkirk – from pondering what could be next. In a recent captivating interview, Odenkirk, the man who brought Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman/Gene Takavic to life with unparalleled depth, opened up about the audacious, hypothetical idea of a "Better Call Saul" revival, placing his character squarely behind prison bars.

For six seasons, viewers witnessed Jimmy's gradual, tragic transformation from a hopeful, if flawed, lawyer to the morally compromised "criminal" lawyer Saul Goodman, culminating in his self-sacrificing confession and an 86-year prison sentence.

It was a perfect, bittersweet ending, leaving little room for a conventional continuation. Yet, Odenkirk's imagination, much like ours, occasionally drifts to "Saul in prison" – a concept he finds both fascinating and incredibly challenging.

"I love the character and the world," Odenkirk admitted, echoing the sentiments of millions.

He expressed a genuine desire to revisit the nuanced, complex persona, but with a clear understanding of the creative tightrope such a premise would entail. The original series thrived on Jimmy's legal machinations, his constant bending of the rules, and his intricate relationships. A prison setting, by its very nature, would strip away much of that dynamic.

Odenkirk candidly pondered the narrative difficulties: "What would the story be? It would be a show about a guy in prison.

It wouldn't be 'Breaking Bad' or 'Better Call Saul' anymore." He pointed out that the beauty of "Better Call Saul" was in its deliberate, "slow decline" – a meticulously crafted descent into moral ambiguity. A prison show, he humorously (and perhaps a little somberly) suggested, might be a "slow, slow decline," focusing more on the mundane, repetitive nature of incarceration rather than the high-stakes drama we've come to expect.

Despite the inherent obstacles, Odenkirk’s playful exploration of the concept underscores his deep connection to the character and the universe created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould.

While he remains realistic about the unlikelihood of a formal revival – especially given the masterful conclusion – his willingness to engage with such a fantastical notion speaks volumes about the enduring legacy of Saul Goodman. For now, fans can look forward to Odenkirk's upcoming projects, including the highly anticipated "Nobody 2" and the critically acclaimed "Lucky Hank," proving that even without a prison-set spin-off, Bob Odenkirk continues to deliver captivating performances.