Meanwhile, Jimmy has started an unlikely, not-exactly-legal alliance withBadfixer and former cop Mike (Jonathan Banks).
Where do we find him when we resume the story?
BOB ODENKIRK:He is reveling in his big eff-you when we start.
Credit: Ursula Coyote/AMC
Of course, that isnt going to last forever.
You cant tell the world to f off forever.
You have to find your way back in.
He did learn some things from last year.
He learned a little bit about himself and hes okay with it.
I just couldnt believe how upbeat [the season premiere] was.
It had a light energy to it that I didnt see much last year.
I think the character is finding himself.
So because he knows himself a little bit, hes not wandering in the dark now.
Hes got a little bit of wind at his back.
[The premiere] was the most fun episode of the show Ive ever seen.
Yeah, it is.
So hes really motivated by a self-awareness and also a positive feeling of acceptance from her.
Thats a lot of good stuff motivating him.
The other aspect of season 2 is that there are more stories happening.
Were just talking about the Jimmy story, but theres other stuff happening now, so thats pretty great.
What are the overall themes of season 2?
That would be the bigger question.
How would you characterize the first time Chuck and Jimmy cross paths again?
Well, I would characterize it as a completely understandable and expected shock.
And when you both live in Albuquerque, youre going to see each other again.
More than either of them wants to be.
[Laughs] One of them is trying to win this battle of the brothers.
Until someone is declared a winner, theyre going to stay in each others faces.
What can you tell us about their dynamic this season?
Well, its as great as ever.
Its the most wonderful, angry, oil-and-water, Laurel-and-Hardy [relationship] that ever existed.
[Laughs] A great dynamic duo of respect and resentment of each other.
I wish they did more together.
They do more together but they dont rule the whole season, yet.
But youre going to get to see them together.
Theyre going to get a little closer.
They have that begrudging respect simultaneously with their very avowed hatred of each other.
But it cant happen soon enough.
It cant happen often enough for me and for Banks.
Its too much fun.
It makes me laugh every time.
Lets talk about this new character named Clifford.
Peter says hes avuncular and sweet, but you wouldnt want to cross him.
Does he become a mentor of sorts to Jimmy and is that relationship volatile?
He is kind of a mentor to Jimmy, but hes easy to misread.
Hes actually a cunning and intelligent guy whos wrapped his hard-nosed standards in a veneer of New Age-y gentility.
I mean, its Ed Begley Jr. the sweetest guyever.
He just looks like one and acts like one when he meets you.
Youre going to see moreBreaking Badpeople.
I dont know if you see so much moreBreaking Badstory, but you see moreBreaking Badpeople.
What kinds of people?
Well … theyre not zombies but they have some things in common with zombies.
[Laughs] I guess Id say our version of zombies we get to see.
Do we get more of both this season?
You get to see a little more Gene.
We see our most youthful Jimmy ever.
And which is more fun for you to play?
Genes no fun to play, that poor fing fella.
You know whos fun right now?
Jimmys the most fun of all because hes alone, hes carefree, hes angry.
Hes got a grudge to settle and hes starting to become aware of his strengths.
Hes starting to like himself a little bit, or at least get on his own team.
Better Call Saulwas a very slippery animal in season 1; the tone differed episode to episode.
Some went a little darker and had different focuses.
Are there episodes this season that shake up the formula even more?
And do any take place outside of Albuquerque?
Whats unique about this season is its a big symphony.
Its not isolated stories to me.
There are a bunch of melodies or stories going on, but theyre all playing together and coming together.
Your points a good one.
We dont have that this season.
We have a big symphony.
In terms of Jimmys evolution into Saul Goodman, how much closer to that do we get this season?
Its all about getting him to the cliff and having him want to jump.
I dont think its a slow journey at a certain point.
So, how close to the cliffs edge do we get this season?
He doesnt realize it, but its in view.
Can you give us one final cryptic tease for this season?
You cant put a shark in a hippie suit.
[Laughs]
To see whatBetter Call Saulco-creator Peter Gould revealed about season 2,click here.
