Mike Ehrmantraut Hits the Mark: Unveiling the Astonishing Sniper Skills in Better Call Saul Season 5

Summary

Better Call Saul receives praise for its accurate portrayal of a sniper sequence, earning major kudos from a former special operations sniper.

The show stands out with its meticulous attention to detail, including the way the character Mike breathes.

Despite a few minor inconsistencies, the episode realistically portrays a sniper patiently awaiting the car's approach, highlighting the show's dedication to accuracy.

The sniper scene featuring Mike Ehrmantraut in season 5 of Better Call Saul receives praise for its accuracy, adding to the show's reputation. While it can arguably be considered the best TV spinoff ever, Better Call Saul has another noteworthy distinction. It has been recognized by a few real-life lawyers as one of the most realistic legal shows, despite strong competition. A new video highlights Ehrmantraut, explaining why a familiar scene is executed so effectively. In the video from Insider, former special-operations sniper and author Nicholas Irving takes a moment to commend Better Call Saul.

Irving rates 11 sniper scenes from various movies and TV shows, including Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Extraction, Skyfall, The Wall, and Hacksaw Ridge. However, it is the eighth episode of Better Call Saul season 5, titled "Bagman," that impresses Irving the most. The episode, written by Gordon Smith and directed by series co-creator Vince Gilligan, pays attention to small details. For instance, Irving appreciates the way Mike (Jonathan Banks) takes deep breaths before taking a shot to remain calm. However, he does have some suggestions for improvement. Irving suggests getting in a squatting stance or on one's knees to provide more stability and support while holding the rifle. This would result in a straight-back motion when the rifle recoils, as opposed to the current motion. Irving believes that with the proper body alignment and rifle positioning, the character will be able to achieve this.

Yeah, I think it was a smart decision for him to allow the vehicle to get closer. Contrary to popular belief, as a sniper, we actually prefer shots that are closer in proximity. It simplifies our task and increases the likelihood of hitting the target almost 100%. However, if I'm tasked with protecting someone and I shoot at a vehicle just a few yards away from them, there's still a chance that the person will be injured by the moving vehicle.

I'm not a fan of the car performing a triple axle. That's not how it usually happens in reality. In my experience as a machine gunner, I have never caused a car to flip over. Typically, they would either crash into a wall or collide with another parked car. On a scale of one to ten, I would rate it a six. The only reason I'm not giving it a higher score is because of the sniper waiting for the car to approach closer.

Better Call Saul's Attention To Detail Is Its Biggest Strength

In the ongoing debate regarding the superiority of Better Call Saul over Breaking Bad, one aspect that often goes unnoticed is the distinctive and often unappreciated operatic and deliberate nature of the spinoff. Unlike Breaking Bad, which is not typically known for these qualities, Better Call Saul has the flexibility to dedicate entire sequences to the meticulous construction of certain elements or to linger on seemingly inconsequential details that only reveal their significance much later, sometimes spanning across multiple episodes or even entire seasons.

When that moment finally came, the feeling was indescribable. Witnessing the intricate plans of Saul (Bob Odenkirk) and Kim (Rhea Seehorn) unfold was a truly unparalleled experience. Sometimes, the outcome was relatively harmless. However, more often than not, such as when Saul humiliated his brother Chuck (Michael McKean) on the stand, the consequences were truly devastating. Nevertheless, it always left you captivated.

This adds an extra level of enjoyment to the spinoff, making it worth rewatching, as there are always subtle character nuances and seemingly insignificant moments that become more significant later on. Better Call Saul, like any fictional piece of entertainment, prioritizes entertaining, evoking emotions, and sparking conversations over strict accuracy. However, the show truly shines when it pays attention to even the smallest details.

Source: Insider