The Full Story of Mike | Better Call Saul & Breaking Bad Retrospective

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  • čas pƙidĂĄn 15. 05. 2024
  • 👟 Vessis early Black Friday sale is on now! Vessi is giving away a pair of socks of your choice to the first 100 shoes sold using my code SOCKSVIVIDKIWI. Get your style and size you want now before they sell out! Check out their Early Black Friday sale at vessi.com/VIVIDKIWI. Free shipping to CA, US, AU,JP, TW, KR, SGP. "Online Store"
    In this video, I'll be giving a full timeline analysis & character spotlight for the life of Mike Ehrmantraut from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
    Leave any opinions in the comments and possibly a like if you've enjoyed the video :)
    I'll see you next time with more Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad!
    Relevant links:
    My Patreon:
    / thevividkiwi
    My Twitter:
    / thevividkiwi
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    / thevividkiwi
    My Twitch:
    / thevividkiwi
    0:00 - Intro
    2:32 - Mike's Past
    13:56 - Better Call Saul Season 1
    22:12 - Better Call Saul Season 2
    37:39 - Better Call Saul Season 3
    47:47 - Better Call Saul Season 4
    59:15 - Better Call Saul Season 5
    1:14:12 - Better Call Saul Season 6
    1:25:12 - Between Shows (Interlude)
    1:28:03 - Breaking Bad Seasons 2 & 3
    1:40:04 - Breaking Bad Season 4
    1:53:16 - Breaking Bad Season 5
    2:18:32 - Mike's Legacy
    2:26:08 - Mike's Moral Code
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Komentáƙe • 1,2K

  • @TheVividKiWi
    @TheVividKiWi  Pƙed rokem +204

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      @tombingus3984 Pƙed rokem +11

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      @nolangrayson1817 Pƙed rokem +1

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    • @ProfessionalBabyEater
      @ProfessionalBabyEater Pƙed rokem +1

      No

    • @Lord-Griff
      @Lord-Griff Pƙed rokem +1

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    • @yuspicy2675
      @yuspicy2675 Pƙed rokem

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  • @toeslovermans
    @toeslovermans Pƙed rokem +2057

    Mike was the only character who ACTUALLY did it for his family.

    • @anon2427
      @anon2427 Pƙed rokem +58

      I don’t think so man

    • @totallynotclickbait6114
      @totallynotclickbait6114 Pƙed rokem +31

      @@anon2427 why else

    • @thescoobymike
      @thescoobymike Pƙed rokem +51

      @@totallynotclickbait6114 he was bored

    • @totallynotclickbait6114
      @totallynotclickbait6114 Pƙed rokem +131

      @@thescoobymike that must be it, never have i felt more stupid in my entire life

    • @filipnikolov2373
      @filipnikolov2373 Pƙed rokem +38

      @@totallynotclickbait6114 in breaking bad when gus was laudering his money he actively participated in madrigal even when he was specifically told not to do so. With that we can conclude that he was actually bored. He had enough money.

  • @uhhcallmejefe
    @uhhcallmejefe Pƙed rokem +2461

    The way Mike's story ends is genuinely the most heartbreaking part of Breaking Bad

    • @robertdore9592
      @robertdore9592 Pƙed rokem +168

      Mike was working toward this in one way or another; this is part of what made him such a tragic and heroic figure.

    • @joe_8699
      @joe_8699 Pƙed rokem +118

      Jessie took that ribbon. Folks left him, first stake at love was toxic and died. The new love murdered and her son was poisoned besause of his business partner. Constantly trapped after escaping the drug bust. But gets peace through it all. But he deserved it in my opinion.

    • @noponarchsage
      @noponarchsage Pƙed rokem +72

      Heartbreaking bad

    • @superiorbeing95
      @superiorbeing95 Pƙed rokem +48

      Not for me, a stone cold killer gets killed, hardly unjust and any liking I had for the character was always tempered.

    • @thatrandomarcher257
      @thatrandomarcher257 Pƙed rokem +20

      @@joe_8699 he didnt necessarily get peace, because he'll forever live with the events of breaking bad

  • @mowo_fb8119
    @mowo_fb8119 Pƙed rokem +1073

    I always thought Nacho always intended to short change 20 dollars to see if Daniel would be gullible or forgiving enough to later take advantage of, which is why he conveniently has a 20 dollar note in his wallet

    • @nativegamer947
      @nativegamer947 Pƙed rokem +60

      I've never thought of that but that makes so much sense

    • @mappingshaman5280
      @mappingshaman5280 Pƙed rokem +70

      Yeah that seemed obvious to me

    • @NoMoreBsPlease
      @NoMoreBsPlease Pƙed rokem +10

      That's what I thought.

    • @jakemikelson9881
      @jakemikelson9881 Pƙed rokem +8

      Good catch. I never looked at it that way

    • @BIGDZ8346
      @BIGDZ8346 Pƙed rokem +11

      I'm not sure is this true it may as well be true. But again it was in Natchos best interest that things went very smoothly on the deal so that Tuco does find out. But I guess we will never know for absolute sure.

  • @deepfried6156
    @deepfried6156 Pƙed rokem +857

    I genuinely watched a two hour long vid explaining two shows I've already watched... And I loved every second of it

    • @robertdore9592
      @robertdore9592 Pƙed rokem +13

      This chap is a little like the cineranter; his research is excellent and his observations very insightful indeed.

    • @Pr0fessorB1ble
      @Pr0fessorB1ble Pƙed rokem

      real

    • @kdfrogribbit
      @kdfrogribbit Pƙed rokem

      What about the movie

    • @aureliogama7208
      @aureliogama7208 Pƙed rokem

      How could you love it? The narrator is the most annoying one I’ve ever heard, literally.
      Without a doubt.

    • @FICUSULXD189
      @FICUSULXD189 Pƙed rokem +10

      @@aureliogama7208 Why are you here then?

  • @flightofthebumblebee9529
    @flightofthebumblebee9529 Pƙed rokem +789

    Mike really did believe he was doing it for his family, and he was, but it was wrong. Pride wasn't his fault like Walter, but instead it was guilt/shame. He should've kept his job as the parking attendant and enjoyed his time with his family. Even after robbing Hector he was able to buy his family a new home and support them while getting no-show benefits of working for Madrigal. In another life he could've done that and helped the church and survivors support group and lived to see Kaylee grow up. Kaylee and her mama would've given back every dollar just to have Pop-pop in their lives. In the end everything he did for Gus and Walt destroyed him and hurt his family.

    • @TheVividKiWi
      @TheVividKiWi  Pƙed rokem +71

      This. This right here. Great comment!

    • @nathanseton6332
      @nathanseton6332 Pƙed rokem +6

      Ok buddy đŸ€“

    • @KimboKG14
      @KimboKG14 Pƙed rokem +9

      hmm.... [stares stoicly]

    • @mrvk39
      @mrvk39 Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci +14

      You can argue that his daughter-in-law used him. She was kind of a grifter in a sense. You can argue she made up a story of shootings near her house (though it could've been just newspapers being thrown), which forced Mike to take a side-job committing crime to buy her a new house. She manipulated Mike's guilt to get money out of him, maybe not even being fully aware of it. She pushed Mike on the path of crime.

    • @Madanth0ny
      @Madanth0ny Pƙed 10 měsĂ­ci +4

      Mike also like the security life style Gus brought him a sense of worth and him being his guard Mike enjoyed doing that .

  • @PoweredByEnvy
    @PoweredByEnvy Pƙed rokem +181

    And to think, Mike was originally a "placeholder" character in Breaking Bad.

    • @Snarl_Marx
      @Snarl_Marx Pƙed 7 měsĂ­ci +24

      Similar to how Jesse was supposed to die at the end of season 1 but ends up being the only one to make it out alive.

    • @nemesisa-type6721
      @nemesisa-type6721 Pƙed 6 měsĂ­ci +15

      This show was quite literally lightning in a bottle, so many coincidences like that and now we have one of the best television characters of all time.

    • @OlgaZuccati
      @OlgaZuccati Pƙed 2 měsĂ­ci +4

      @@Snarl_MarxSaul was also supposed to only appear in 3 episodes,

    • @franslair2199
      @franslair2199 Pƙed měsĂ­cem +7

      Wasn't Gus supposed to be just a restaurant manager, only to have the showrunners figure that the character looks like he has something to hide?

  • @cash_man4473
    @cash_man4473 Pƙed rokem +415

    it’s so sad on how his story ends. he definitely was my favorite character and he got the worst end of the stick in every way with his death and his family

    • @flightofthebumblebee9529
      @flightofthebumblebee9529 Pƙed rokem +38

      Killing the cops who murdered his son was forgivable. Robbing Hector was even forgivable. His guilt from getting an innocent man killed is what draws him back into the game. But he went too far and should've never got involved with Gus beyond that.

    • @flightofthebumblebee9529
      @flightofthebumblebee9529 Pƙed rokem +32

      @beerrrrs yes but Gus got him to murder probably the one man he could call a true friend since arriving in Albuquerque. He also got Mike to help march a young man who Mike himself described as a good hearted person, into certain death. Then it only gets much worse once Walt joins the party. Mike should've kept his no-show security consultant job or his parking attendant job, while doing PI work on the side. His family would've rather had him than the blood money he didn't even get to give them anyway.

    • @smokelesschoice165
      @smokelesschoice165 Pƙed rokem +7

      @@beerrrrs2158 Good point. Had Walt not killed Gus, Mike would have still had a job and everything would have operated like clockwork. Just my two pennies worth.

    • @lifeunderthestarstv
      @lifeunderthestarstv Pƙed rokem +4

      @@flightofthebumblebee9529 best description ive read. mike is a tragic tale

    • @TheBoxingCannabyte
      @TheBoxingCannabyte Pƙed rokem +4

      @Doortrash Wasn't his motivation to stick with Walt primarily to get not only money back to his granddaughter (even though they had gotten that nice house and at least had that security) but also the legacy costs to honor the deal of the men remaining in Fring's operation? Seemed like he was trying to be honorable, albeit in a flawed way.

  • @BillyBong
    @BillyBong Pƙed rokem +125

    I always thought the "you're not the guy, we had a guy" was a reference to Victor, since he had just died. He did the dead drops, implied by victor being the guy to pick up the pickup from los pollos on his first appearance in BCS.

    • @bigwavesun
      @bigwavesun Pƙed rokem +9

      I believe Victor was too. Mike wasn't exactly happy about a good soldier being killed unjustly. Gus basically figured that Jesse could switch roles and help Mike and replace Victor temporarily and win him over and eventually completely replace Walt.

    • @charlesw7397
      @charlesw7397 Pƙed rokem +8

      Yep he 100% was talking about Victor. He's mad when talking to Jesse about it because Walt and Jesse killing Gale caused Victor's death (in a roundabout way since Gus ended up killing him when frustrated)

    • @aborikin2764
      @aborikin2764 Pƙed 3 měsĂ­ci

      Why would he care about Victor??? Victor was a piece of shit and Mike heavily disliked him.

  • @ALFIEBOY-de9rh
    @ALFIEBOY-de9rh Pƙed rokem +345

    I love how every main character in the BB/BCS universe is so complex and how their actions led them down their paths which decided their fate can be analysed for up to 2.5 hours further proving that these where the best shows ever created. Bravo Vince.

    • @direwolf4981
      @direwolf4981 Pƙed rokem +6

      I am in the film industry myself, and I must say they have the best writers ever. Incredible weaving of many stories at once

    • @abramsullivan7764
      @abramsullivan7764 Pƙed rokem +4

      Bravo Vince, bravo Peter, and bravo Thomas

    • @marilynmanord1790
      @marilynmanord1790 Pƙed rokem +3

      I could not agree more! Excellent writing.

    • @alim.9801
      @alim.9801 Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci +2

      Vince and Peter!!

  • @davuddacic3737
    @davuddacic3737 Pƙed rokem +585

    Wake up babe, new 2 hours+ kiwi video just dropped

    • @TheLegendofGumby
      @TheLegendofGumby Pƙed rokem +14

      You just made me realize I have dyslexia lol it’s been wiki in my head all this time.

    • @davuddacic3737
      @davuddacic3737 Pƙed rokem +7

      @@TheLegendofGumby np fam

    • @billepperson2662
      @billepperson2662 Pƙed rokem +2

      Who are all these coupled up people with African sleeping sickness?

    • @robbone4
      @robbone4 Pƙed rokem

      Like waking up the kids for Christmas!

    • @davuddacic3737
      @davuddacic3737 Pƙed rokem +1

      @@robbone4like baking up the kicks for chrism

  • @pattersonmorin32
    @pattersonmorin32 Pƙed rokem +239

    Also, Stacy and Kaylee most certainly learn about Mike’s career as a criminal. Kim confessed using Mike’s name and the Heisenberg/Saul Goodman case was national news. Also, I assume that the tape of Jesse’s confession was found at the scene with Walt’s body. We could probably assume the countless documentaries and articles were written about everyone involved. Just makes me sad that he tried to protect them from all of it but ultimately will probably be seen as a monster by them. 😱

    • @sludgerat666
      @sludgerat666 Pƙed rokem +25

      I'm sure there's mixed feelings there. Monster sure but they would still care for him.

    • @sludgerat666
      @sludgerat666 Pƙed rokem +26

      Considering Stacy forgave Mike for killing the crooked cops. But that's just my opinion

    • @oltimer3159
      @oltimer3159 Pƙed rokem +13

      @@sludgerat666 nice to think of but most dead gangsters never truly get sympathy from the public, even if they did some sympathetic things. Different when you’re watching their life though.

    • @sludgerat666
      @sludgerat666 Pƙed rokem +9

      @@oltimer3159 I'm not talking about the public. I'm talking about Stacey and Kaylee. It's deeply personal.

    • @flightofthebumblebee9529
      @flightofthebumblebee9529 Pƙed rokem +7

      I don't think Mike's daughter in law or his granddaughter would hate him even after learning he disappeared after being involved with Fring and Heisenberg. Stacey knew Mike was "on the take" and talked Matty into taking dirty money too. She also knows he killed the 2 men who killed Matty.
      Stacey wouldn't be shocked to learn Mike was involved in crime nor do I think she would condemn him for it.

  • @plexyglass429
    @plexyglass429 Pƙed 3 měsĂ­ci +8

    My only problem with this video is you loop that short music track for the entire thing, it starts to become like having to listen to Christmas music in retail

  • @BIGDZ8346
    @BIGDZ8346 Pƙed rokem +105

    1:44:19 Correction Gale was not the guy it was most probably Victor as he just got killed by Gus. (The guy is referred to as the backup guy to watch your back while doing pick ups.)

    • @SPFLDAngler
      @SPFLDAngler Pƙed rokem +14

      Yeah how did he screw that up?.. Gale was literally just a backup cook. He wasn’t the guy. The guy was the person that got his throat cut by Gus after trying to cook.
      Hopefully it was just a slip of the tongue and getting names mixed up, because that’s just a big mistake to make when you’re supposed to be a superfan making in-depth videos on specific details in a tv show..

    • @PayneToThaMax
      @PayneToThaMax Pƙed rokem +23

      @@SPFLDAngler he messed up the name because it's a 2.5 hour video, lol. Give the man a break, it's a big undertaking (and a great result btw) - slip-ups will happen

    • @BIGDZ8346
      @BIGDZ8346 Pƙed rokem +5

      @PayneToThaMax I agree just wanted to correct the record since I generally thought he ment Gale. But tbh after watching BCS I struggle a bit to comprehend how Victor was Mike's guy. Seemed like he didn't get on well with either Victor or especially Tirus

    • @SPFLDAngler
      @SPFLDAngler Pƙed rokem +5

      @@PayneToThaMax no, he didn't just mess up names. He even says Jesse killed "the guy" which is why he had to help Mike. Meaning he actually thought that Gale was Mike's backup and going out on pickups lol

    • @DragonsFrogs
      @DragonsFrogs Pƙed rokem +2

      @@SPFLDAngler he also called Kaylee a boy haha, I think its just doing 2.5 hours of VO work

  • @johnadkins4547
    @johnadkins4547 Pƙed 2 měsĂ­ci +6

    Mikes guy wasnt gail or nacho. Mikes guy was victor, that's what he meant by, "I had a guy."

  • @Marscael24
    @Marscael24 Pƙed 9 měsĂ­ci +21

    I always saw Walter as the villian but I never actually hated him until I watched this. I love how much story is behind Mike. And from his perspective, I love how much work he put into his goal just for Walter to come in and screw everything up. Having better call Saul give more story to Mike was extremely successful towards making many memorable lines and scenes from breaking bad that much more impact full.

  • @andrewince8824
    @andrewince8824 Pƙed rokem +78

    Jesse using his insight as to how meth addicts behave definitely upped Mike's respect for him. I can tell Mike appreciates those who can take a negative experience and channel it for something more positive.

  • @ANGELA1071973
    @ANGELA1071973 Pƙed 8 měsĂ­ci +4

    Mike deserves a spin off called better not fight mike where we see him as a cop and stuff like that

  • @theultrak641
    @theultrak641 Pƙed rokem +79

    1:44:36 “Although Jesse and Nacho have their differences, they are comparable characters between the 2 shows as they give off a similar vibe.” Truly scholarly

  • @joemckim1183
    @joemckim1183 Pƙed 3 měsĂ­ci +5

    I didn't realize that Mike being stuck in Mexico is how Walt was able to kill Gus. Walt might not have been able to pull that off if Mike was alongside Gus.

  • @orbitman9377
    @orbitman9377 Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci +20

    I think the death of Verner and Nacho are some of the best scenes in both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Verner's acceptance of his death is extremely depressing and tragic. Nacho's death is just as tragic and depressing for completely other reasons.

  • @dadsocksss
    @dadsocksss Pƙed 8 měsĂ­ci +11

    I believe that Mike was referring to Victor as his “guy” who he no longer has because he was killed due to Walt + Jessie’s actions

    • @TheXabl0
      @TheXabl0 Pƙed 2 měsĂ­ci

      Agreed. I don’t think Mike would have had that much attachment to Gale, but Mike always showed immense loyalty to his “guys”.

  • @entity8019
    @entity8019 Pƙed rokem +63

    Mike is honestly, truly, the greatest character I've seen on TV. Finely tuned and honed over two whole shows... JB's acting chops only got better and better as time went on. He IS Mike. Anyway, I'm only seven minutes in and can tell this is probably the best thing on YT at the moment for people like me. Thank you. // Edit // 20 mins in... holy shit this is top-tier content! Very, VERY well made.

    • @jamesmaybrick2001
      @jamesmaybrick2001 Pƙed rokem

      Lies. Mike didnt die, he went into witness protection and tought at Community college for a little while.

  • @SubxZeroGamer
    @SubxZeroGamer Pƙed rokem +316

    In retrospect it's a bit odd that Gus didn't have at least one person watching Gale's apartment considering how valuable he was to him lol. I loved this video. You always pick up on all the little details the writers put in there and some of the arcs that went over my head lol

    • @jmwild1
      @jmwild1 Pƙed rokem +105

      Call it hubris. I think after killing Lalo, Gus felt invincible much like Walt after he defeated Gus. For both of them, it led to a stupid mistake.

    • @slinkerdeer
      @slinkerdeer Pƙed rokem +23

      The writers themselves admitted Walter survived thanks to plot armour

    • @jmwild1
      @jmwild1 Pƙed rokem +34

      @@slinkerdeer I mean duh. He's the star of the show and they're writing a story that results in him surviving an execution order. The term "plot armor" has a derogatory connotation that I don't think is deserved here.

    • @ratedr7845
      @ratedr7845 Pƙed rokem +5

      @@jmwild1 yes it does

    • @elijahgarcia4327
      @elijahgarcia4327 Pƙed rokem +4

      @@jmwild1 plot armor is something most of the main character in breaking bad have to some extent. Our main cast by season 5 is white guys who probably never would’ve gotten involved in the drug game without some weird event in their life happening

  • @bcolerl8915
    @bcolerl8915 Pƙed rokem +21

    Walter went as long as he did based on luck. his impulsiveness almost got him caught many times but his luck is what made him cocky and he eventually got caught because of it.

  • @KuromaruKenkaku
    @KuromaruKenkaku Pƙed 6 měsĂ­ci +6

    "Matty's son Kaley, Mike's granddaughter" watched this like a half dozen times and just caught that lmao

  • @jefolson6989
    @jefolson6989 Pƙed rokem +23

    A murderer with a heart of gold. When Mike is at the diner, everyone know him. When he isnt at work, he is a likeable man, very emotional. He saved some lives and his going to bat for nacho proves he isnt heartless. Its his work ethic. He does what he is called upon to do. A remarkable, complex and layered performance. He accomplishes it all with few words and no explanation.The most interesting character in either show. Second is Kim Wexler.

    • @lancenwokeji6349
      @lancenwokeji6349 Pƙed 9 měsĂ­ci +2

      Mike may not be heartless, but he is pretty far from having a heart of gold. When he isn’t at work, he seems pretty bad at dealing with people (shown by his fleeting relationship with Anita), he’s complicit in the death of Ignacio, stayed loyal to the man who caused Ignacio and Werner’s deaths, was okay with Gus using kids to deal drugs, etc.
      Mike has a moral code, competency, and loyalty, but a lot of people forget that both of these attributes do not inherently make you a good person

  • @ultramariogod
    @ultramariogod Pƙed rokem +13

    It's sad that Mike dies for nothing and his family will never know what happened to him

  • @GARYnickS4556
    @GARYnickS4556 Pƙed rokem +18

    honestly this whole series feels like the message crime doesnt pay

    • @Wohlfe
      @Wohlfe Pƙed 6 měsĂ­ci +1

      It's really about how destructive vices and toxic relationships are imo. Obviously addiction and violence but also greed, pride, ego, revenge, manipulation, etc.
      Most characters downfall is directly tied to their own bad behavior.

  • @TheCousinEddie
    @TheCousinEddie Pƙed rokem +19

    Great job creating this timeline! There is so much going on that it's easy to confuse many elements of the story. I also appreciate you adding the time period for each season. Subscribed!

  • @Cevarial
    @Cevarial Pƙed rokem +11

    It took me 2 weeks to finish it. I’d listen to it going to and from work. Great job. Kept me entertained on my commute. You have my thumbs up. You earned it.

  • @keithbowman7650
    @keithbowman7650 Pƙed rokem +5

    I'm impressed by how informative your video is. You've definitely earned my subscription. Mike is my favorite character across both shows, and it is very cool to have all of this information in one place.

  • @antoniomaruge8218
    @antoniomaruge8218 Pƙed rokem +4

    Loooooooove this. Great video. This is just what I needed. This kind of video concentrated in only one character is a great idea. Keep them coming please. đŸ™đŸœ

  • @zetaholicc
    @zetaholicc Pƙed rokem +5

    kid named finger

  • @kenwu369
    @kenwu369 Pƙed rokem +2

    This channel is truly criminally underated, love your contents, been binge-watching for days now, keep up the good works!

  • @colt2206
    @colt2206 Pƙed 7 měsĂ­ci +1

    Mike was my favorite character in the series

  • @westonschroeder9623
    @westonschroeder9623 Pƙed rokem +4

    This video is hella long but it’s honestly awesome. You put in a ton of work and anybody interested in this, would truly be rewarded by your work
 keep it up, you deserve recognition for your analysis and attention to detail

  • @willalers225
    @willalers225 Pƙed rokem +3

    Keep it up with these long form videos analyzing just one character throughout both eras of the shows. Excellent.

  • @batgurrl
    @batgurrl Pƙed rokem +13

    Thanks so much KiWi for your analysis of a complicated and fascinating character. Yes, Jonathan did a stellar job of portraying him. Seeing his background story in BCS was illuminating 🖖

  • @CHINCHINCHINNY
    @CHINCHINCHINNY Pƙed rokem +56

    I haven’t watched yet, but I just wanted to say thanks for your hard work dude. You do a truly phenomenal job and these videos contain analysis of some of the best tv characters of all times. What you do here is truly art and I appreciate it and you ❀

    • @TheVividKiWi
      @TheVividKiWi  Pƙed rokem +5

      I appreciate your kind words! Glad you enjoy the content. :)

  • @abstr4ctisease
    @abstr4ctisease Pƙed rokem +23

    Just a short note on Mike's loyalty to Gus: I feel that it goes far beyond anything to do with Gus and Mike's personal relationship-->Mike and Gus both know that the cartel consists of 'animals', and considering Mike has his last remaining family living in the region it seems natural that Mike would pick Gus over the cartel running the drug-trade in ABQ. Well organized crime brings less violence, business over bloodshed.

  • @linguistsam
    @linguistsam Pƙed rokem +6

    Hiya, just finished this fine and thoughtful retrospective of Mike. It's amazing how linear these two shows were. As for the next character spotlight, I know you'll do Kim, but I hope when you do, you'll include the backlash against the Skyler character, as I really believe, and hope you do too, that Kim was born out of everything good about Skyler, without the bad "why did you put a ream of paper on the Mastercard" bad hand job vibe. You're excellent at what you do, my friend. Thank you so much for putting them out. It's clear you put a lot of time and effort into them. Cheers.

  • @rainman2984
    @rainman2984 Pƙed rokem +2

    Bro!!!! The work you put into this is amazing and very much appreciated! This video is awesome manđŸ™ŒđŸŸđŸ’ȘđŸŸ

  • @uugabuuga7450
    @uugabuuga7450 Pƙed rokem

    there were some unintentionally funny bits here and there, but they just added to the charm of the video. You made a huge effort for this and I think it payed off.
    there were so many greats bits I didn't register while watching the show, so videos like this are a blessing.

  • @k1n6n07h1n6
    @k1n6n07h1n6 Pƙed rokem +4

    Tuco's such a badass that he owned a Taurus Judge 3 years before they were released.

  • @Evolution_10_X
    @Evolution_10_X Pƙed rokem +8

    He played mike amazing. Could never picture anyone playing mike besides him. đŸ‘đŸ»

  • @icbm777
    @icbm777 Pƙed rokem

    This was fantastic! Thank You for uploading this. Mike as a character deserved this for his fans.

  • @russfoulkes5490
    @russfoulkes5490 Pƙed rokem

    Loved this essay!
    Can't wait for your next videos, though I do appreciate the time and effort that must go into making these so pace yourself man!
    Fantastic work.

  • @matthewaltomare7629
    @matthewaltomare7629 Pƙed rokem +9

    Wow, I just watched this for 2 1/2 hours straight. I never have that kind of time, but definitely worth it. Thank you for putting this together. Better spent than any other boring movie out there.

  • @tombingus3984
    @tombingus3984 Pƙed rokem +5

    2:18:00 "I can't believe there's a billion people on this planet, and the only one I get to die with is you!!"

  • @TheStardustConspiracy
    @TheStardustConspiracy Pƙed rokem +1

    What a journey of a video!! Great analysis on Mike’s character, I love to see one on Saul, Jesse and Walter also. Keep up the great work!!

  • @mgkatherman1
    @mgkatherman1 Pƙed 10 měsĂ­ci

    All the time that went into creating these eps....Cheers to you! Nice work. Mike is my favorite character as well. Thanks for the excellent recaps 🙏

  • @sophiesums3954
    @sophiesums3954 Pƙed rokem +6

    This video is so well done definitely gonna listen to it again in the future. I love listening to these types of videos while doing my homework. I think a video on Jessie and Janes relationship and how it impacted him in the long run and how things could have been different would be really interesting.

  • @sabianstone8201
    @sabianstone8201 Pƙed rokem +10

    mike understood what he was doing was wrong, but in the end he didn’t care, he did it all for his granddaughter. he didn’t care about gus fring or walter white, he cared about his granddaughter. (and jesse 😊)

  • @codycevering2733
    @codycevering2733 Pƙed 7 měsĂ­ci

    Very well done. I have always loved this character, and this piece has absolutely done him justice. I loved every minute of this spotlight and am very thankful for the work you have done to bring it to life. Superb work.

  • @KombatGod
    @KombatGod Pƙed 4 měsĂ­ci +2

    About Mike "abandoning" Kaylee, I always thought he also didn't want her to see him be arrested or even just confronted by the police.
    So in a sense his move was still in protection of Kaylee.

  • @anastasiadudette706
    @anastasiadudette706 Pƙed rokem +15

    So out of all of this. The only person who got what he wanted was Walter White. He had lost everything but had accomplished everything he wanted to do.

    • @goatsoup
      @goatsoup Pƙed rokem +4

      i mean gus got his revenge, he just didn't live all that long after that

    • @alfalldoot6715
      @alfalldoot6715 Pƙed 11 měsĂ­ci +1

      Jesse also managed to get the life he to, but I guess he didn't really go into the business with any actual ambitions besides some change.

  • @gabrielmacgregor4276
    @gabrielmacgregor4276 Pƙed rokem +4

    I love his character, everyone has a story. People forget every criminal has a timeline that causes them to be where they are, people don't just go bad, a good portion of criminals don't just go bad, little or big decisions usually slowly turn them into who they eventually become, as a good human with a colorful past i really connect with characters like Mike, people who are constantly changing, people who are generally good but are put in criminal situations.

  • @Marka301
    @Marka301 Pƙed rokem +1

    really good video, this was a two hours and a half I had already watched but have rewatched and still enjoyed every second of it

  • @dage1206
    @dage1206 Pƙed 8 měsĂ­ci +1

    Your analyses of the episodes and the writing is impeccable. I’m impressed every time with details I may have missed or overlooked. Props!

  • @papahamdrew9962
    @papahamdrew9962 Pƙed rokem +5

    One of my my favorite characters, if not my favorite. 2 and a half hours of Mike, thank you lord for this sweet present on thanksgiving. Amen

    • @JihadiFemboy
      @JihadiFemboy Pƙed rokem +2

      Same, Mike is up there as one of the 🐐s. Also your profile pic = good because it's from the most underrated SW movie

  • @cineaste485
    @cineaste485 Pƙed rokem +10

    I never thought of Mike having a potential love interest on the show. That’s really interesting.

  • @jakegreene1484
    @jakegreene1484 Pƙed rokem +1

    Big props to you for not putting midroll ads on your videos đŸ™ŒđŸŒ

  • @BriPhi-ob9sb
    @BriPhi-ob9sb Pƙed rokem

    This was really awesome, I can't wait for the next one!

  • @95mudshovel
    @95mudshovel Pƙed rokem +16

    a _very_ cool Thanksgiving surprise! Mike is such an interesting character and Jonathan Banks does an amazing job. another great video, well done and happy Thanksgiving. 😊

  • @thygfr
    @thygfr Pƙed 10 měsĂ­ci +8

    I never understood why Mike hated Walter so much when essentially they both got involved for the same reasons. Mike didn't seem to have as much animosity to Gus as Walter who was equally brutal and more calculating

    • @idkbro6195
      @idkbro6195 Pƙed 8 měsĂ­ci +6

      Mike and Gus had an agreement. Then hotshot Walter gets a taste of the power, and can't help but WANT to play chess with Gus.

    • @Wohlfe
      @Wohlfe Pƙed 6 měsĂ­ci +5

      Because from his POV Walter was a pain in the ass who made dangerous stupid decisions constantly that easily could have blown up in all their faces.

  • @yimins_baybeh
    @yimins_baybeh Pƙed rokem

    This was the best timeline flow/recap I've seen anywhere on CZcams

  • @elsarios1091
    @elsarios1091 Pƙed rokem +1

    Thoroughly enjoyed this Kino! Excellent work!

  • @Steven_Edwards
    @Steven_Edwards Pƙed rokem +6

    I think you are right as far as the retocon goes about Mike's later treatment of Saul in BB vs how he treats Jimmy in BCS is that he loses more and more respect for Jimmy over time as he becomes Saul Goodman full-time.
    Mike may have sympathy for Jimmy and what they have been through together, he make even like Jimmy, but when it comes to business and Gus, he has no patience for Saul Goodman after dealing with him in the Saul Goodman persona for four years.

  • @normdeplume4082
    @normdeplume4082 Pƙed 3 měsĂ­ci +4

    We all know that this show was really a spin off for Mike. They just needed Saul to fill the time between Mike scenes.

  • @doctormilky7105
    @doctormilky7105 Pƙed rokem

    Not going to lie this is exactly what Iv been hoping someone would make a video like this. Yessss this is perfect

  • @tweegster-canadianbrickcaf1011

    stumbled upon your channel and its been swesome a great poscast I can have playing in the background while I work. keep up the great work.

  • @fyffitness
    @fyffitness Pƙed rokem +52

    I’m a Fring fan. He was an enigma, and we need a series dedicated to fring.

    • @floppywhisk
      @floppywhisk Pƙed rokem +4

      i think he said fring is his next one!

    • @Krakkokayne
      @Krakkokayne Pƙed rokem +1

      We need to see how he went from a dictator to the chicken man

    • @knuckle12356
      @knuckle12356 Pƙed rokem +6

      I would love to see Fring navigating what, a Communist takeover of his country? Surviving as a homosexual where the stakes are deadly. I can't recall where he was originally from, if it was a communist/domino theory conflict, but it would be a great story.
      Only issue I see is Giancarlo IS Gus. And he would need to be _significantly_ aged down for the entire series [$$]. I wouldn't be as excited about a spinoff that didn't include G. Esposito.

    • @Krakkokayne
      @Krakkokayne Pƙed rokem

      @@knuckle12356 he's from Chile, which is still a communist dictatorship

    • @fyffitness
      @fyffitness Pƙed rokem

      @@knuckle12356 they aged him down in something recently didn’t they?

  • @joeyboogenz
    @joeyboogenz Pƙed rokem +6

    Also , Mike is by far the best character in both series even though the rest of cast are absolutely brilliant . As an older guy , I really relate to Mike and my own regrets with mistakes I've made . If there is ever a better universe out there ,I' hope I don't miss it . This universe transcends those of LOTR , The Sopranos ,peaky Blinders ,the Harry Potter legacy and is maybe only matched by the Star wars canon universe . You have a future as an analyst for a high level private or Govt capacity . Or you can just keep dissecting films and series. Would love to watch you dissect Peaky Blinders. Very amazing series ,with a film being in production to wrap up loose ends.

  • @shubhambhakta4989
    @shubhambhakta4989 Pƙed rokem

    This is very well put together and excellent insight!!!! 12/10

  • @SuperAdamBoyd
    @SuperAdamBoyd Pƙed rokem

    March-August BCS and your videos got me through a broken leg. Haven’t watched in a bit, Your theme music just made me tear up, Thank you for your Channel.

  • @babygorilla4233
    @babygorilla4233 Pƙed rokem +3

    Aside from when hes hungover Mikes interactions with his grandaighter are so sweet. Letting her teach him things is just cute.

  • @riddlydiddlyimawantedmanin4442

    Breaking bad ad better caul saul was a really special show. It was really awesome getting to watch the last episodes and discuss them together on your channel. Thank you for putting these together

    • @riddlydiddlyimawantedmanin4442
      @riddlydiddlyimawantedmanin4442 Pƙed rokem

      as the things to discuss kinda dry out for this show, I look forward to whatever you do next with the channel and wish you the best luck making a living doing what you love.

  • @tanyacharbury4728
    @tanyacharbury4728 Pƙed 6 měsĂ­ci

    Magnificently narrated and analyzed. Thank you!

  • @ericreed2064
    @ericreed2064 Pƙed 3 měsĂ­ci +1

    Very thorough, dude. Excellent stuff.

  • @alaskanwhiskey6383
    @alaskanwhiskey6383 Pƙed rokem +4

    Wish Nacho and Mike teamed up more. If they were gusses two main guys in breaking bad, that would have been so good

  • @smokelesschoice165
    @smokelesschoice165 Pƙed rokem +7

    I hope they eventually apply de-aging technology to the characters in Better Call Saul and re-release the series. Oh. And don't forget to replace the 2nd Jeff actor with the original actor who played him at the start of Season 5.

    • @matiaseee8273
      @matiaseee8273 Pƙed rokem

      It would be a lot easier to just re shoot the season 5 Jeff scene with the new actor

    • @flightofthebumblebee9529
      @flightofthebumblebee9529 Pƙed rokem +2

      This is not necessary. The only time the age becomes an issue is if you're literally comparing pictures of BrBa to BCS. It never takes away from the series at all and we still totally believe this is a prequel to BrBa. I think the Jeff replacement did a fine job and he was in the film Cheap Thrills.

    • @alexjustalexyt1144
      @alexjustalexyt1144 Pƙed rokem

      @@flightofthebumblebee9529 it's better to further immerse into the series. I couldn't take the flashback part of Kim and Jimmy seriously, they were acting young but didn't look young at all

    • @flightofthebumblebee9529
      @flightofthebumblebee9529 Pƙed rokem

      @@alexjustalexyt1144 when? Jimmy was like 40 by the time he joined the mail room and went to online school. Kim was likely a late achiever too. I assume Kim is about a decade younger than Jimmy. You're wrong. De-aging sucks.

  • @bizzyb8734
    @bizzyb8734 Pƙed rokem

    Wonderful, wonderful video!! Bravo!! I enjoyed your commentary and hung on to every word. Of course, you pointed out things that I totally missed😊. Breaking Bad is one of my #1 shows of all time (along with The Shield & Sons of Anarchy). Now, BCS is in my top five. Thanks again for a great video!!

  • @TaylorSchlupp
    @TaylorSchlupp Pƙed rokem

    Man you really do your homework for these videos. Awesome video dude!

  • @bmarie8695
    @bmarie8695 Pƙed rokem +3

    This is a great video. There were some details I was unaware of until this video and I have watched BB at least 7 times and BCS 5 times.
    Mike is my favorite character.

  • @dbags7617
    @dbags7617 Pƙed rokem +3

    If Gus had 5 Mikes, he'd be running the whole world. Cant find a better guy than Mike

  • @KoroshiyaOne
    @KoroshiyaOne Pƙed rokem

    Outstanding video. I admire the effort for this.

  • @stuartstuart866
    @stuartstuart866 Pƙed rokem

    Great recap, It revealed details that I had missed or forgotten about.

  • @ozymandias2540
    @ozymandias2540 Pƙed rokem +13

    I watched both shows with my step dad and he said that mike seemed like a good guy in a bad situation but honestly I don’t think he’s a good man
like at all. Honestly he’s worse than Saul if you really think about it. He willingly worked for a man who was perfectly fine murdering kids just because the other side was “worse”. Mike just convinced himself that he was doing the right thing. Nachos fathers final scene was perfect because it’s true. Mikes just another gangster thinking he’s doing a good thing. Also I think my step dad like him so much cause his name is Michael as well

    • @user-mt6hr4qf9n
      @user-mt6hr4qf9n Pƙed rokem +3

      Also Casper telling him that Werner was worth 50 of Mike - Mike knew it. Like Jimmy and Gus his moral compass got knocked by personal tragedy. He's likeable but totally not the moral centre.

    • @flightofthebumblebee9529
      @flightofthebumblebee9529 Pƙed rokem +1

      Mike was definitely better than guys like Victor or Tyrus and even better than Walt or Gus, but he still did horrible things and ruined lives. He knew this and never tried to justify his bad choices.

    • @Steven_Edwards
      @Steven_Edwards Pƙed rokem +1

      Nobody thinks they are the villain in their own story. Mike didn't believe he was a villain for most of BCS but slowly towards the end he accepted it and was committed to the fact he was a bad guy in BB.

  • @ultramariogod
    @ultramariogod Pƙed rokem +16

    Definitely a story for Kim, Nacho, Howard, Gale, Gus, and eventually Walt and Jessie
    Edit: Also Jimmy and Chuck McGill

    • @TheVividKiWi
      @TheVividKiWi  Pƙed rokem +7

      Gale would be a fun side character to cover, and yea I'll eventually get to all the main characters for sure.

    • @ecritdelajaponographie8565
      @ecritdelajaponographie8565 Pƙed rokem +6

      @@TheVividKiWi 2-hour Gale retrospective confirmed!😂

  • @kellysmyth2337
    @kellysmyth2337 Pƙed 5 měsĂ­ci

    Impressive work. Well done, very enjoyable. Thankyou

  • @DerrisDerrison
    @DerrisDerrison Pƙed rokem

    First time I've ever watched a video over 2 hours on CZcams,
    Brilliant deep dive
    Subbed :)

  • @martinzaehringer1697
    @martinzaehringer1697 Pƙed rokem +3

    What I wanted to know was whatever happened to Stacey and Kaylee. They must have been devastated to find out what Mike was involved with. Mike's so-wrong comment about providing for his family, "They'll never know what I did," comes back in spades to haunt his family. Kaylee loved her Pop Pop so much.

  • @MrLocomatt
    @MrLocomatt Pƙed rokem +12

    Mike is the best character in both shows. His smarts is beyond. Jesse is 2nd with his movie. 😼Walt shows how someone can go from good to bad without seeing it they do small things that add up over time. Well his murder was 2nd or 3rd do but still his mind was he was doing good. Just shows how different people think.🎉

  • @it.was.written
    @it.was.written Pƙed rokem

    Oooooh hell yeah! You blessed us today! I’m gonna watch this tomorrow! 🎉

  • @Lawson18
    @Lawson18 Pƙed rokem

    To the Vivid Kiwi,
    I just want to say your commentary is absolutely brilliant. It's one thing to have sensible opinions and takes on a sublect, but entirely another thing to articulate it with such clarity and finess. I pretty much agree with all of what you'e said, but also gave some thought to aspects I hadn't before. Hats off to you for a truly great, worthwhile analysis. I'd be very interested in your other work.
    Great. Great!

  • @DukeDukeGo
    @DukeDukeGo Pƙed rokem +4

    In Breaking Bad Saul actually says he "knows a guy who knows a guy... who knows another guy"
    Who's the third guy? Saul obviously knows Mike who directly works for Gus
    Hadn't they planned for Mike to be Gus' guy at this point in time? I mean his whole character was just an emergency solution bc Bob was on HIMYM

    • @MrRyan-wu4jx
      @MrRyan-wu4jx Pƙed rokem +2

      I think he’s just being deliberately vague, adding an extra layer to his process of actually finding Gus keeps Gus better protected.

  • @rylomarquis9388
    @rylomarquis9388 Pƙed rokem

    Watched all of this . Brilliant job

  • @DylanBigBruh
    @DylanBigBruh Pƙed rokem

    This was an absolutely amazing video. Also I found it hilarious how the only music you used was the Better Call Saul credits theme

  • @HermitagePrepper
    @HermitagePrepper Pƙed rokem +15

    Mike is both a tough well trained soldier but he's also one of the smartest characters in the series. Hes easily a match for Walter white in the IQ dept.

    • @professordrmao6321
      @professordrmao6321 Pƙed rokem

      How. Its fiction

    • @sniperpupper616
      @sniperpupper616 Pƙed rokem +3

      @@professordrmao6321 ?

    • @anon2427
      @anon2427 Pƙed rokem +4

      I wouldn’t go as far at putting Mike up there with Walt and Gus but he is definitely smart

    • @anon2427
      @anon2427 Pƙed rokem +11

      Mike is more wise than smart, and Walt is more smart than wise

    • @walter9240
      @walter9240 Pƙed 9 měsĂ­ci

      @@sniperpupper616mf has the intelligence of a stack of bricks