Saul vs. Saul | A Matchup Between Fan Favorites on Homeland and Breaking Bad
If you’re not watching Homeland, shame on you. If you’re not watching Breaking Bad, shame on you. These are two of the BEST shows on television right now—so good that even as they get more and more insane and less and less believable, I still find myself more addicted with every episode.
Quick background: Homeland is a show about the CIA and the agents who suspect that a war hero may be a terrorist. Breaking Bad is a show about a science teacher who turns into a crystal meth manufacturer. Watch them both. They’re great. And what both shows have in common is a fan-favorite character names Saul. Saul Bereson from Homeland is a CIA higher-up who supports our protagonist even when he doubts her. Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad is the seedy lawyer who helps the drug-slinging heroes avoid getting caught.
The greatest similarity between the Sauls is that both of them are go-to characters for lightening the show up. Homeland and Breaking Bad have doom and gloom and drama and intensity. When Saul or Saul is on the screen, though, you root for him—he makes any scene better. Saul Goodman can cut the tension in a scene with a hilariously offensive one-liner, and there’s no better image than a chagrined Saul Berenson listening to his protege Carrie have sex with a terrorist.
So to help you tell the difference between Saul and Saul, I’ve composed a handy chart. Not only is it informative, but it proves that these two would be PERFECT for a spin-off series. Think about it, Hollywood.
Enjoy, and check out Homeland and Breaking Bad. They’re worth the cable bill.
SAUL BERENSON – HOMELAND |
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SAUL GOODMAN – BREAKING BAD |
CIA Analyst /Loveable Curmudgeon |
Profession |
Lawyer / Drug Ring Advisor |
Butts heads with CIA director David Estes |
Workplace Conflicts |
Butts heads with Mexican cartels / Peruvian drug lords |
Finishes Carrie’s corkboard diagram of Abu Nazir’s actions |
Organization |
Keeps a huge safe of money in his Constitution-themed office |
Carrie once tried to bang him to get her way |
Love/Hate Relationships |
Walt and Jesse once held him up at gunpoint |
Polygraph operator: “Are you sometimes called ‘The Bear?’” Saul: “Fuckin’ hope not.” |
Name |
“My real name’s McGill. The Jew thing I just do for the homeboys. They all want a pipe-hittin’ member of the tribe, so to speak.” |
While being held captive: “Well, if it isn’t Javert.” |
Pop Culture References |
Saul: “What did Tom Hagan do for Vito Corleone?” Walt: “I’m no Vito Corleone.” Saul: “No shit. Right now you’re Fredo.” |
Unwittingly helped a terrorist commit suicide |
Police Relations |
DEA agent: “I’ve seen better acting in an epileptic whorehouse.” Saul: “Like the one your mom works at? |
Lies on the floor listening to music after his wife leaves him. |
Compassion |
Tells Walt to leave his wife. |
Enormous salt & pepper beard |
Signature Look |
Bad suits & worse comb-over |
To Carrie: “You are the smartest and the dumbest fuckin’ person I’ve ever known.” |
Tough Love |
To Walt & Jessie: “Here goes: You two suck at peddling meth. Period.” |
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