The art of the cameo is a time honored tradition from Alfred Hitchcock to "Saturday Night Live." Incorporating brief, crowd pleasing appearances can be both an effective way to excite viewers as well as build story. That's why fans of "Better Call Saul" have been hoping to catch of glimpse of the shady lawyer's two most infamous clients.
Bryan Cranston's Walter White and Aaron Paul's Jesse Pinkman have been confirmed not to be appearing in season one of "Saul." But what about season two and beyond? Paul is hoping for a chance to guest star somewhere down the road.
"We always have fun having that discussion," Paul said to Variety. "Vince [Gilligan], myself, Peter [Gould], the writers. We just have no idea how that would happen. But hopefully one day."
No doubt an appearance from the stars of "Breaking Bad" would be the ultimate fan service. But it's refreshing to see Gilligan and co. tell original and interesting stories about the formative years of Jimmy McGill without having to dip into the well. The show maintains a similar "there's-something-off-here" tone and enticing visuals as "Breaking Bad" but the story and its characters (aside from a few giddy callbacks) are all its own and that's a good thing. Fans have just begun learning about who McGill is and how he became Saul Goodman. The show does not need to rush or force cameos just for the sake of pleasing the fans.
Still, it is nice to know in the back of your head that Paul and Gilligan have discussed the possibility. A future reunion would work if the right opportunity came along and it fit organically into the plot only after we've gotten to know the "Better Call Saul" world a bit better. Director Michelle MacLaren (who oversaw a large handful of "Breaking Bad" episodes as well as the second of "Saul") said as much to Variety.
"I think it's open to whoever Vince and Peter decide to bring in. I would imagine that everyone who would ask would say yes, but I have no idea what they're going to do with it."
Will Jesse Pinkman return for one last cook? Maybe, maybe not. Let's all just enjoy the ride in the meantime.
