By Shannon Neu, Staff Writer

“Better Call Saul,” the prequel to the highly successful television drama “Breaking Bad,” aired for the first time last week on AMC. The show’s premiere spanned over two evenings. The first episode, “Uno,” aired on Sunday, and the second episode, “Mijo,” aired on Monday.

Created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, “Better Call Saul” traces the backstory of Saul Goodman (portrayed by Bob Odenkirk), the sketchy lawyer from “Breaking Bad.”

In “Breaking Bad,” Saul Goodman’s expertise assisted Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) in achieving success in the criminal world by teaching them valuable life skills, such as money laundering, and by introducing them to the drug kingpin Gustavo Fring. Saul Goodman’s advice and connections were incredibly significant to the show’s story.

How did he become so knowledgeable and acquire all of these connections in the first place?

“Better Call Saul” aims to answer such questions about the mysterious Saul Goodman, who originally went by “Jimmy McGill.” It provides viewers with the opportunity to spend more time learning about the history of Odenkirk’s character and gaining insight to what prompted his transformation from the meek Jimmy McGill, who in episode one claimed to be “a lawyer, not a criminal,” into the dodgy criminal lawyer, Saul Goodman. The show depicts events that inspired Jimmy McGill’s path to immoral practices and change of identity.

Set in the year 2002, “Better Call Saul” portrays Jimmy McGill as a nervous lawyer who works in a cramped office in the back of a nail salon. He is a small-time attorney who primarily represents low-income clients. Completely lacking in the self-confidence “Breaking Bad” fans associate with Saul Goodman, Jimmy McGill always anxiously rehearses lines in front of a mirror prior to appearing in front of a judge.

His character is relatable to many viewers because he has a job that once guaranteed middle class comfort, but now he is forced to do what he can to make a living and survive. He haplessly stumbles into threatening situations throughout the first two episodes of “Better Call Saul”. Meanwhile, we watch what is left of his dignity dissolve.

The series also portrays a relationship between McGill and his reclusive brother, Chuck, providing the character with additional emotional vulnerability.

Though familiar characters from “Breaking Bad” make subtle appearances, the metamorphosis of Jimmy McGill is the central focus of the show. Other “Easter eggs” appear in the spinoff (including a Cinnabon in Omaha, which Saul Goodman predicted he would end up working in during his last appearance in “Breaking Bad”).

Like “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul” is a drama tinged with dark comedy, featuring Vince Gilligan’s trademark cinematography and wit. It aligns well with the tone of the original series. So far the spin-off is standing well on its own without being overshadowed by “Breaking Bad”.

AMC airs “Better Call Saul” on Mondays at 10 p.m.