Unveiling Breaking Bad's Unsolved Enigma through a Riveting Gus Fring Spinoff

Summary

Rewriting:

The completion of Gus Fring's superlab in Breaking Bad is a significant unresolved aspect, which could be further explored in a spinoff focusing on Mike and Gus. This spinoff not only addresses the gap but also provides insights into Gus' origins and delves deeper into Mike's storyline.

While many fans desire a Gus Fring spinoff, its likelihood seems improbable as Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan intends to conclude the franchise after Better Call Saul. This decision aims to preserve the story's exceptional and distinctive nature, safeguarding the integrity of the entire universe. Nevertheless, Gilligan acknowledges the possibility of his stance evolving in the future.

Breaking Bad still has one lingering mystery, which could potentially be addressed in a Gus Fring spinoff. Better Call Saul has already tied up various loose ends from Breaking Bad, bringing back beloved characters from the original series. While Better Call Saul has shed light on Gus Fring's rise to power, his connections to the Salamancas, and his identity as a gay man, there is still a sense that there is more to explore with this intriguing and enigmatic character. Better Call Saul may have purposely left one lingering question about Gus Fring unanswered, leaving room for a spinoff to provide further explanation.

Gus Fring's Superlab Has A Major Loose End

A potential spinoff focusing on Gus Fring could delve into the iconic superlab from Breaking Bad, which remains unresolved after the events of Better Call Saul. The prequel dedicates a significant amount of time to the development of Gus Fring's superlab. In Better Call Saul season 4, Mike leads the recruitment, training, and supervision of a team of German construction workers for the project. Although they manage to prepare the basic structure of the superlab, Mike is forced to kill engineer Werner Ziegler before construction can be completed. After this, the fate of the superlab's construction remains uncertain.

The superlab resurfaces in Better Call Saul season 6, where Lalo Salamanca and Howard Hamlin's corpses are stored in the unfinished compound. The next appearance of the superlab in the Breaking Bad timeline occurs in a season 4 flashback, featuring Gale Boetticher visiting the recently completed lab. However, a significant gap exists in the narrative, as the transition from an empty cave in Better Call Saul season 6 to a fully functional facility in Breaking Bad is left unexplained. While Gus briefly mentions finding another engineer, this development warrants its own story.

Mike Finishing The Superlab Would Be Perfect For A Gus Spinoff

The superlab's completion is not just a plot hole; it presents an ideal opportunity for a Gus Fring spinoff. Gus Fring and Mike Ehrmantraut faced immense stress while planning the superlab, implementing a meticulous and covert process to finish the project. Since their collaboration with the German crew fell through, they would need to start from scratch and establish even more elaborate rules for the next construction team. As there is still much work to be done on the superlab in Better Call Saul season 6, a spinoff showcasing how Mike and Gus accomplish its completion could be easily narrated.

This spinoff would delve deeper into Gus' background, as he only made his appearance in Better Call Saul season 3, leaving several questions unanswered about his origins. Additionally, it would further develop Mike's story. Although the concept may not lend itself to a lengthy five or six season show, it could work as a movie akin to the Jesse Pinkman story in El Camino or as a miniseries. Failing to explore the completion of Gus Fring's superlab in a spinoff would be a missed opportunity, as it offers an ideal avenue for expanding the narrative of Breaking Bad.

The Gus Spinoff Is Unlikely To Happen

While fans may be eager for a Gus Fring spinoff to delve deeper into the intricacies of the character and address lingering questions, the chances of it actually happening seem unlikely. Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan expanded on his franchise with Better Call Saul and the standalone film El Camino, indicating his interest in building a Breaking Bad universe. However, Gilligan seems ready to conclude the narrative with the ending of Better Call Saul, believing that these three separate stories have sufficiently explored the world and its characters. Gilligan expressed his thoughts by stating, "You can't keep putting all your money on red 21. I feel like we might have pushed it with the Breaking Bad spinoff, but I couldn't be happier with the outcome. I'm also extremely proud of El Camino. However, I think it's important to recognize when it's time to leave the party and not be the one wearing a lampshade on their head."

While these shows hold a special place in our hearts, it's important to consider Gilligan's perspective. Continuously revisiting the same storyline runs the risk of eventually depleting its essence and diminishing its former uniqueness. If one of these Breaking Bad spinoffs fails, it could jeopardize the entire universe. However, Gilligan also admits that his current feelings do not necessarily dictate his future plans:

"At the moment, I have no intentions of expanding this universe any further. I likely gave a similar response when Breaking Bad concluded. I need to prove to myself that I possess different creative capabilities. I aspire to be more than a one-trick pony."

Gilligan's ambition to explore new ventures is both admirable and thrilling for fans of his storytelling. Interestingly, he also acknowledges that the notion of creating a spinoff after Breaking Bad initially appeared unappealing. Breaking Bad, renowned as one of the greatest shows ever made, has now been challenged by some who argue that Better Call Saul surpasses it in quality. Given its immense success, this achievement may motivate Gilligan to reconsider this universe and potentially delve into the compelling character of Gus Fring once he has delved into other endeavors.