Better Call Saul and the Cognitive Effects of Prequel Television Series

This article explores the many interesting cognitive effects derived from Better Call Saul 's status as a prequel to Breaking Bad . These include how Better Call Saul uses viewers’ foreknowledge of the original series to strongly influence hypotheses about what will happen in the prequel, sometimes by narrowing viewers’ hypotheses, sometimes by creating surprises, or even opening up possible directions for the narrative relatively late in the series’ run, and sometimes by enlivening otherwise perfunctory scenes. The series also sometimes encountered difficulties engaging viewers with plots concerning legacy characters who did not change much from series to series. Ultimately, the article contributes to the discourse surrounding prequels and narrative complexity in television.