The prospect of a prequel to Breaking Bad was always a risky venture for AMC, but Better Call Saul has proven itself more than worthy as a successor to Vince Gilligan's iconic series. Earning mounds of praise since its 2015 debut (although still not nearly enough), Saul has become one of the hottest shows on TV, and a fan-favorite continuation of this sun-soaked universe. Much of the acclaim is due to the way it honors its shared DNA with its predecessor, while also breaking away and standing out on its own merit.
Becuase of the sheer amount of connective tissue that we have seen between Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, and what's left to come, it only makes sense that the latter would pay off questions posed by the former. That said, we think there are certain Breaking Bad questions that are better left unanswered. With that in mind, we have compiled just such a list of fictional mysteries Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould would be wise to stay away from in the long run. (Not a threat.) Let us know what questions you want unanswered in the comments section below, and let's kick this off with one of Breaking Bad's most fascinating mysteries: what happened to Jesse?
What Happened To Jesse After "Felina?"
The possibility of Aaron Paul returning to the fray for a Jesse Pinkman cameo on Better Call Saul has been floated by some different sources since the show debuted back in 2015. While we're completely on board with that idea, we want to clarify that we don't want to see anything that happened to Jesse after the events of Breaking Bad's series finale. His triumphant drive into the night was left intentionally ambiguous, and fans were able to end the series by crafting their theories as to where he ultimately went when Walter freed him, and what ultimately happened to him. If Jesse shows up, it needs to take place before or during the Breaking Bad continuity.
What Was Gus' Life Like Before Max's Murder?
Even at his worst, Gustavo Fring has always felt like a sympathetic antagonist in the Breaking Bad universe. That idea was fleshed out considerably when we saw how the murder of Max Arciniega affected him upon gaining a foothold in the criminal underworld. We have a firm understanding that Gus was irreparably changed the moment Max died, but we never really want to see what he was like in those happier years with the other half of the Los Pollos Hermanos brand. Gus' vendetta against the cartel already makes sense, and to over-explain things would waste valuable storytelling real estate that would be better used elsewhere. (Like another spinoff.) When it comes to a strong and silent badass like Gus, less is always more.
How Did Hector End Up In The Wheelchair?
Hector Salamanca is a unique entity in this universe because the changes he goes through between Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad are so fundamentally important. There is a clear demarcation line between past and present, and that line is the moment in which Hector ends up in a wheelchair. (Ding ding.) However, like so many other aspects of the Better Call Saul/Breaking Bad lore, the specifics of how Hector ends up in the wheelchair in the first place are better left unsaid. We have all come up with our own theories since he first appeared in Breaking Bad Season 2, and few things that can happen on Saul will be able to match the mythology we have crafted.
What Was Walt Really Like Before His Cancer Diagnosis?
Like Jesse Pinkman, a Walter White cameo has been consistently teased by Better Call Saul insiders since the show made its debut. (Mostly by not flat-out denying it would happen.) We're completely on board with the idea of Heisenberg showing up, but shedding too much light onto his life before his cancer diagnosis could ultimately cheapen his characterization in Breaking Bad. Just like his protégé, if Walter White shows up on Better Call Saul, the cameo should take place during Heisenberg's heyday. The rationale for this is simple: having Walt unknowingly cross paths with Saul or the always awesome Mike before his time as a meth cook would simply feel a bit too on the nose, tying far too much of this mythology together.
Or Anything Else Involving The White Family
Building on that last point, we need to address one major elephant in the room: we don't want any more insights into the lives of the White family. A cameo from Bryan Cranston as Walter White during the height of Heisenberg's reign is one thing, but for Skyler, Walt Jr., or Holly to show up in any capacity could easily dampen the emotional impact of the show's conclusion. The arc of the White family came to an end when "Felina" aired in 2013, and any questions about their lives before, during, or after the events of Breaking Bad should remain unanswered. Their story received a perfect conclusion, and it would be best to keep it that way. Especially if something terrible happens to that baby.
What Breaking Bad questions do you never want to see answered on Better Call Saul? Let us know in the comments below. Better Call Saul airs every Monday night at 9 p.m. EST on AMC. Beyond that, make sure to check out our summer premiere guide for more information related to the most highly anticipated TV premieres of the next few months.
