Switch (Better Call Saul)
"Switch" | |
---|---|
Better Call Saul episode | |
Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 1 |
Directed by | Thomas Schnauz |
Written by | Thomas Schnauz |
Featured music | "Funny How Time Slips Away" by Billy Walker |
Original air date | February 15, 2016 |
Running time | 47 minutes |
Guest appearances | |
| |
"Switch" is the second season premiere of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, the spinoff series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on February 15, 2016 on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries.
Plot
Opening
In a flash-forward that follows the events of
Main story
Daniel's house is ransacked and he calls the police, upset that his valuable baseball card collection has been stolen. The responding officers are suspicious about the nature of the burglary because valuable items including Daniel's computer and TV were left untouched. They are also suspicious of his Hummer. When they search inside his house, the officers find a hidden wall compartment behind his couch, apparently located and emptied by the burglar.
Production
This episode was written and directed by executive producer Thomas Schnauz,[1] who also wrote the episodes "Nacho" and "Pimento" of the previous season. Just like "Switch", "Pimento" was also directed by Schnauz. Despite being credited, Michael McKean as Chuck McGill does not appear. Kyle Bornheimer, who plays Ken, reprises his guest role from the first-season Breaking Bad episode "Cancer Man".[2]
Reception
Ratings
Upon airing, the episode received 2.57 million American viewers, and an 18-49 rating of 1.1.[3]
Including Live+3 viewership, the premiere was watched by 4.708 million viewers and attained an 18-49 rating of 2.1.[4]
Critical reception
The episode received positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the episode has a 93% rating with an average score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 14 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads, "'Switch' succeeds in taking its sweet time while laying nuanced groundwork for the anticipated transition from Jimmy into Saul."[5]
Terri Schwartz of IGN gave the episode an 8.5 rating, concluding, "'Switch' marks a solid return for Better Call Saul as we begin to see the 'how' of Jimmy's transition into Saul Goodman be explored."[6] The Telegraph note how "it was obviously a hoot to resume acquaintances with Jimmy, Kim and Mike".[7] The A.V. Club gave the episode a B+.[8]
Notes
References
- ^ Sepinwall, Alan (February 15, 2016). "Season premiere review: 'Better Call Saul' - 'Switch': Ken Wins loses again". HitFix. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
- ^ Fienberg, Daniel (February 15, 2016). "'Better Call Saul' Writer-Director on Surprise 'Breaking Bad' Return and What's Next". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ^ Welch, Alex (February 17, 2016). "Monday cable ratings: 'WWE Raw' stays steady, 'Better Call Saul' premieres low". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
- ^ Porter, Rick (February 28, 2016). "Cable Live +3 ratings, Feb. 15-21: 'Better Call Saul' premiere moves up the charts". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 29, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- ^ "Switch". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
- ^ Schwartz, Terri (February 15, 2016). "Better Call Saul: "Switch" Review". IGN. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- ^ Power, Ed (February 15, 2016). "Better Call Saul, season 2, episode 1: Switch was a 'hoot' and 6 other things we learned". The Telegraph. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- ^ Bowman, Donna (February 15, 2016). "Jimmy reads, disobeys the signs in the Better Call Saul premiere". The A.V. Club. Retrieved February 16, 2016.