TV Blockbuster 'Better Call Saul' Features an Elder Law Attorney

SaulFans of the TV show "Breaking Bad" know Saul Goodman as a morally compromised attorney who helps Walter White launder his drug money, but in the prequel "Better Call Saul" viewers are seeing another side of Saul: elder law attorney.

"Better Call Saul" begins with Goodman, whose real name is Jimmy McGill, as a down-on-his-luck lawyer with an office inside a nail salon. McGill, played by actor Bob Odenkirk, does public defender work, but is always trying to get paying clients. When he finally gets a client who is willing to pay him to draft her will, he sees the advantage in becoming an elder law attorney.

The show, which is nearing the end of its first season, features McGill's attempts at marketing to seniors. He prints up business cards that say, "Need a Will, Call McGill." He also visits senior centers and assisted living facilities, delivering yogurt with his ad on the bottom, and running a bingo game. When he discovers a chain of assisted living facilities is overcharging residents for basic necessities, he files a class action lawsuit against the chain.

Presumably, the show will eventually feature McGill's move from well-meaning attorney trying to make an honest living into the more criminally minded Saul Goodman. Right now, McGill is still helping the elderly and finding success at it. “Better Call Saul” airs on AMC, Monday nights at 10 p.m. ET/9 CT.  According to Wikipedia, the debut episode set the record for the highest-rated scripted series premiere in basic-cable history.

For a recap of a recent episode by the Washington Post's Style blog, click here.