John Dillinger Captured in Tucson 86 Years Ago

Anniversary approaches of John Dillinger's capture in Tucson, AZ. (I used to live at 928 2nd Ave., across the street from the house where Dillinger was captured.)

Lurking Vultures

Strange problem:

Roughly 300 vultures are roosting on a radio tower that federal agents operate in Kingsville, Texas, “nesting on the tower structure on the railings, catwalks, supports, and on rails and conduit throughout,” U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials said in a plea for contractors to submit “vulture deterrence system” ideas.

...“They will often defecate and vomit from their roost onto buildings below that house employees and equipment,” a CBP spokesperson said of the birds’ six-year conquest of the tower, according to Quartz. “There are anecdotes about birds dropping prey from a height of 300 feet, creating a terrifying and dangerous situation for those concerned.”

"Better Call Saul" Filming Locations - Season 5

This post is the sixth of eight posts regarding "Better Call Saul" filming locations (updated on January 28, 2024).

This post focuses on Season 5 locations.

The Blog Sidebar contains links to Filming Location posts.  These include:

• Eight "Breaking Bad" filming location posts;
• Four additional posts regarding "Breaking Bad" related subjects;
• Eight "Better Call Saul" filming location posts;
• Two additional posts regarding "Better Call Saul" related subjects;
• One additional post regarding Surrealist artistic influences in "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul";
• One post regarding "El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie";
• Three links to OldeSaultie's Google maps of "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" filming location sites. These are the best filming location maps on the Web! The KML files available at these addresses are particularly useful for importing locations into GPS-equipped devices.

Let me know if you have any problems or questions (E-Mail address: valdezmarc56@gmail.com).

--------------------------

To avoid unnecessary friction, I have redacted the addresses of all single-family homes in these books. (These addresses are still available at Marc Valdez Weblog, however.)  The pictures in the print editions are black-and-white, in order to keep costs down. 

"A Guidebook To 'Breaking Bad' Filming Locations: Including 'Better Call Saul' - Albuquerque as Physical Setting and Indispensable Character" (Sixth Edition)

Purchase book at the link.                                                                                                                   This book outlines thirty-three circuits that the avid fan can travel in order to visit up to 679 different filming locations for "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" in the Albuquerque area.  Some background is provided for each site, including other movies that might have also used the site for filming.

"‘Breaking Bad’ Signs and Symbols: Reading Meaning into Sets, Props, and Filming Locations” (Second Edition)

Purchase book at the link.                                                                                                        “‘Breaking Bad’ Signs and Symbols,” aims to understand some of the symbolism embedded in the backgrounds of “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” in order to decode messages and stories Vince Gilligan and crew have hidden there.                                                                                                    A series of tables are used to isolate how certain (particularly architectural) features are used: Gentle Arches, Tin Ceilings, Five-Pointed Stars, Octagons, etc. Daylighting innovations that were either pioneered or promoted in Chicago are examined: Glass Block Windows, Luxfer Prismatic Tile Windows, and Plate Glass Windows.

Certain symbols advance the plot: foreshadowing symbols like Pueblo Deco Arches, or danger symbols like bell shapes and stagger symbols. Other features, like Glass Block Windows or Parallel Beams in the Ceiling, tell stories about the legacies and corruptions of modernity, particularly those best-displayed at Chicago’s “Century of Progress” (1933-34). 

In addition, a number of scenes in the show are modeled after Early Surrealist artworks. The traces of various artists can be tracked in both shows, including: Comte de Lautréamont, Giorgio De Chirico, Man Ray, Max Ernst, Leonora Carrington, René Magritte, Toyen, Yves Tanguy, Remedios Varo, Paul Klee, and in particular, Salvador Dalí.

--------------------------

'The Guy For This'

Kim's Apartment Balcony ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 3, 'The Guy For This').

Symbol interpretation can be affected by life experience. Looking at the string of lights hanging below Kim's balcony, I fall back on my background as a meteorologist.

The hanging loops remind me of mammatus clouds, a sign of dangerous turbulence. Who knows if the interpretation is correct? It may be apropos, though.

One thing that occurs to me is, that along with Pueblo Deco arches, overhangs such as balconies are used to foreshadow tragedies. By altering and obscuring the balcony, the hanging lights neuter the symbol, making the place safe for Kim. Someday, though, the lights might not be there, and if that day comes, then Kim is in real danger.

---------------------------------

'Namaste'

A quiz for Albuquerque film buffs. Hank and Gomey were not the first celluloid cops to chase bad guys through that particular culvert. The scene was Better Call Saul's tribute to what film and star?



Here's the answer: The 1974 Albuquerque film, "The Take," starring Billie Dee Williams. The car chase starts around 1:02:30, but you can jump to around 1:10:00 to see the culvert.


--------------------------------

'Dedicado a Max'

I've been trying to puzzle out why in episode 5, 'Dedicado a Max,' we see so much of one of J.M.W. Turner's most-famous watercolors, 'The Blue Rigi' (1842). The only thing I can think is that Turner was unusually-proactive for his time, with a sheaf of samples ready at close hand to upsell clients on ideas for big paintings. In other words, J.M.W. Turner was the Saul Goodman of 19th Century landscapes.

I like the various analogies and references in "Better Call Saul." In 'Dedicado a Max,' the Mexican village looks like an analogy to the Village in "The Prisoner," which for many years was the best show ever seen on TV.

In the Mexican village, the cares of the world are far away. The place is orderly and oppression is mostly unknown - except for what emerges from the fountain. Memory forges the chains that bind. The desire for revenge imprisons Gus, and will now imprison Mike.

In "The Prisoner," Rover emerges from the fountain, and the oppression is much more overt:



--------------------------------

'JMM'

In JMM, Herr Schuler wears a bathrobe with a Ripley Plaza label - a Santiago, Chile reference.

Ripley manages 3 shopping malls in the Santiago area. Mall Plaza Oeste has these wonderful ceiling fixtures. And Mall Plaza Egaña has a Cinnabon. There's a lot the creative team can do with what Santiago provides!

In episode ‘JMM,’ Mike reads a selection from “The Little Prince” to his granddaughter Kaley. I was curious what that selection might mean.


Wikipedia summarizes the journey of the Little Prince and his love for a rose on his home planet: “Although the prince fell in love with the rose, he also began to feel that she was taking advantage of him and he resolved to leave the planet to explore the rest of the universe. … The prince laments that he did not understand how to love his rose while he was with her and should have listened to her kind actions, rather than her vain words.”

Mike reads a selection from the Little Prince’s talk with a geographer:

“But what does that mean – ‘ephemeral’?” repeated the little prince, who never in his life had let go of a question, once he had asked it.

“It means ‘which is in danger of speedy disappearance.’”

“Is my flower in danger of speedy disappearance?”

“Certainly it is.”

“My flower is ephemeral,” the little prince said to himself, “and she has only four thorns to defend herself against the world.”

In the book “The Mighty Child: Time and power in children's literature,” Clémentine Beauvais discusses this selection: “This visit to the geographer, the last one before the Earth, marks a turning-point in the character development of the Little Prince. For the first time his problem is spelt out: his rose is going to disappear. This discovery plunges the Little Prince into his first existential epiphany; for the first time, he is led to envisage his life without the rose, and that life, even though he once had it and did not think it problematic, is now felt as unbearable. … Namely, this is the first time the Little Prince perceives himself as having-done something in the past and having-been someone else before.”


I wonder if Kim Wexler is Jimmy McGill’s rose?

--------------------------------

New Season 5 Filming Locations


Given that my ability to get out into the field has been limited since February 2020, I will present the work of James Gelet, whose love of photography and expertise in location hunting helps produce works of the highest quality, as well as the photos of Adam Ramirez.

Northeast Heights (E. of Wyoming, W. of Juan Tabo, S. of Osuna)

(no new locations offered with this update)



Upper Northeast Heights (E. of Juan Tabo, S. of Osuna)

11124 Ventura Pl. NE ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 1, 'Magic Man'; episode 2, '50% Off')

Northeast Heights (N. Of Osuna)

8904 Roys Pl. NE ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 2, '50% Off').

OldeSaultie sends a realtor link.

8504 Estates Dr. NE ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 2, '50% Off')

Looks like they repaired the mailbox.

Upon reviewing the scene better, I see the second stories resemble clerestories. I notice that Glass Block Windows are present on houses in the neighborhood. That generally implies a Chicago connection of some sort. What Chicago connection?




A Google search regarding 50% off coupons for lawyer services reveals that Chicago Fraternal Order of Police members can get good discounts for lawyer services. Specifically:

We recently announced our partnership with the United States Concealed Carry Association which means that, as an FOP member, you have the opportunity to claim an exclusive discount of 15% when you join the USCCA.

As the industry leader in self-defense education, training, and up-front legal and financial protection, the USCCA is proud to have many current and retired law enforcement professionals as members....

As law enforcement professionals, we know firsthand the consequences of a self-defense shooting and the life-altering costs associated with legal defense.

It’s for this reason that every USCCA Membership includes the Self-Defense SHIELD that will give you and your family the up-front protection you deserve as responsible gun owners.

Please take the time to explore this exclusive opportunity and get the additional protection you need in the event of the unthinkable.

So, with his cheesy stunt, Jimmy is merely offering services that cops have long had. There are other services available too, like insurance against Nursing Home Abuse, as well as other insurance protections.

Don Eladio's "Frunk" scene, 11821 Glendale Ave. NE ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 10, 'Something Unforgivable'). Lalo knows how to give a gift!

Lower Northeast Heights (W. of Wyoming), & Lomas Blvd. Corridor

Mike beats hoodlums, and gets beaten in turn ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 3, 'The Guy For This'; episode 4, 'Namaste'). 2718 Manzano St. NE.

Red Cloud Jr. High School, Sandia High School, 7801 Candelaria Rd NE ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 6, 'Wexler v. McGill'). Kim is stubborn.


Photo by James Gelet.

Downtown

Ants on 5th Street just south of Tijeras Ave. ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 2, '50% Off'; episode 3, "The Guy For This").

Photo by James Gelet.

Ants anyone?

1st St. & Coal Ave. Overpass area ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 1, 'Magic Man').  Also used for phone sales ("Better Call Saul," Season 4, episode 7, 'Something Stupid'): Where Jimmy gets over-confident.

Parking Garage, Level 8, Structure having rooftop parking adjacent to the Simms Building, 400 Gold Ave. SW ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 6, 'Wexler v. McGill'). (Photo by Adam Ramirez)

Parking Garage, Level 8, Structure having rooftop parking adjacent to the Simms Building, 400 Gold Ave. SW ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 6, 'Wexler v. McGill'). (Photo by Adam Ramirez)

The views outside the parking garage as seen on television do not appear to be from the actual location. Instead, views as seen from atop the Acropolis Parking Garage appear to have been used. Presumably fancy technology was used for this purpose. [Note: Need to reevaluate this statement - 09/09/2022]

View looking northwest from atop the Acropolis Parking Garage, 220 Copper Ave NW ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 6, 'Wexler v. McGill'). (Photo by Adam Ramirez)

View looking southeast from atop the Acropolis Parking Garage, 220 Copper Ave NW ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 6, 'Wexler v. McGill'). (Photo by Adam Ramirez)

Juan Bolsa's Office, Martin J. Chavez Library, Hotel Andaluz, 125 2nd St NW ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 9, 'Bad Choice Road').

Martin J. Chavez Library.

Jimmy and Kim stay at Hotel Andaluz, 125 2nd St NW ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 10, 'Something Unforgivable').

Room 609 in Hotel Andaluz.

The room across from Room 609 might have been where they filmed, but there is no room number here.

Sixth floor of Hotel Andaluz.

View from the mezzanine.

Downtown West and Old Town

Lalo gets arrested, Aspen Ave. & Los Tomases Dr. NW ("Better Call Saul, Season 5, episode 6, 'Wexler v. McGill'). Mike's careful setup.

Huning Castle & ABQ Country Club

Albuquerque Country Club (35.091241°, -106.675919°). Mr. Acker is a nuisance ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 5, 'Dedicado a Max').



Barelas

Parking lot across from Ives' Flowers, 908 4th St. SW (35.076693, -106.653326). ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 2, '50% Off') Episode 2 Tweaker montage.

Bienvenidos Amigos! Juanita's Comida Mexicana - 910 4th St. SW ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 2, '50% Off').

Huning Highlands/ Martineztown Locations


Going wild in an alley. Alley between Central & Gold Aves.; between Arno St. & Edith Blvd. ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 2, '50% Off'). Episode 2 Tweaker montage.

Photo by James Gelet.

Tweaker's Alley

Gnome Home, 205 Walter St. NE ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 2, '50% Off'). Episode 2 Tweaker montage.

Running towards the camera, Between Copper and Central Avenues on Walter St. NE ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 2, '50% Off'). Episode 2 Tweaker montage.

University Area & Near Presbyterian Hospital

Roberts' desk at Police HQ, Props & Film Resources, CNM, 1008 Coal Ave. SE ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 6, 'Wexler vs. McGill'; episode 7, 'JMM').















Nob Hill

(no new locations offered with this update)



South Valley (West of River), Southwest Albuquerque and Pajarito Mesa

Sand Dunes (34.995928°, -106.863600°) - ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 1, 'Magic Man'). Same as BrBa Confessions dunes.

Breaking Bad's "Confessions" Sand Dune

In August, 2015, I finally succeeded in reaching the correct sand dune. Since I didn't have a four-wheel-drive vehicle or a mountain bike, I chose to park at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), and walk. Since I first had to pass through the prison's infrastructure, it was no surprise that I was stopped by prison security. Nevertheless, I did reach my destination! Met off-road bikers too.

Detail of old corral seen in the distance of the scene.

Separate destinations.

Photo by James Gelet.

San Jose Neighborhood and South Valley (East of River)

La Fonda del Bosque, National Hispanic Cultural Center ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 1, 'Magic Man').

Grandma's K&I Diner. Gene flees to Missouri for a bit ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 1, 'Magic Man').

Manager Brenda Keiser recently moved to Albuquerque from Houston in order to take charge of the restaurant. She talked about Wayne Elliott and his wonderful help in providing the authentic and antique ranching gear that help give the restaurant its ambiance.

Electrical Substation, Delta Power Co., LLC, 725 Electric Ave. SE ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 3, 'The Guy For This'). Gus lets dead-drop plan proceed. Same site as ("Better Call Saul," Season 3, episode 2, 'Witness'), where Mike spies on gas cap rendezvous.

Counting Room, 215 Rossmoor Rd. SW ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 8, 'Bagman'). The Cousins get some cash. (Photos by James Gelet)

Southeast Heights

An old Blakes' restaurant at Georgia St. and Gibson Blvd. SE ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 7, 'JMM'; episode 10, 'Something Unforgivable'). Explosions!

Juan Tabo Hills Bridge, Juan Tabo Blvd. SE ("Better Call Saul", Season 3, episode 8, 'Slip'; Season 5, episode 4, 'Namaste').

Kind of complicated once Hank and Gomey go through the culvert ('Namaste'). When Hank and Gomey make the drop guy flee on foot, they are where Ira Sprecker Rd. crosses Tijeras Arroyo (35.018958°, -106.610531°) - also the location of Hank's speech. Victor picks up the drop guy at the north end of the Juan Tabo bridge crossing of Tijeras Arroyo, looking south (35.056703°, -106.515400°).

San Pedro Branch Library, 5600 Trumbull Ave SE ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 6, 'Wexler v. McGill'). Dave Clark tampers with a witness.

El Pueblo II Apartment Complex, 6021 Anderson Ave SE ("Better Call Saul, Season 5, episode 6, 'Wexler v. McGill'). Mike sets up Lalo.

Near "Q" Studios

Lalo's Speedway In Tijeras Arroyo near Mexican Road Junction - Ira Sprecker Road & Los Picaros Rd. SE (35.016982°, -106.615544°) - ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 3, 'The Guy For This').

Kind of complicated once Hank and Gomey go through the culvert. When Hank and Gomey make the drop guy flee on foot, they are where Ira Sprecker Rd. crosses Tijeras Arroyo (35.018958°, -106.610531°) - also the location of Hank's speech. Victor picks up the drop guy at the north end of the Juan Tabo bridge crossing of Tijeras Arroyo, looking south (35.056703°, -106.515400°).

Also a filming location for the 2014 film, "After the Fall."

Antelope Wells money pickup - On the road along the edge of the East Mesa SW of Q Studios, where other scenes (e.g., the 'Sunset' scene in "Breaking Bad," where Gus put a hit on Hank Schrader) were also filmed ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 8, 'Bagman').

I checked my pictures, from five years ago. In general, I didn't take pictures of the right stuff. Nevertheless, I suspect this picture of trees (looking north) are the same trees behind Jimmy (looking south).

Antelope Wells.

Photo by James Gelet.

Antelope Wells 2.

Photo by James Gelet.

James adds:

Oh and I wanted to share some info on the well. I'm puzzled as to why they felt they needed to do this, but the well scene was filmed in two different spots. Your coordinates were right for anything looking south. But anything that showed the actual well and/or was looking north is about 100 yards north of there. The coordinates for the actual well are at

(34.971866, -106.638873)

In August, 2022, we passed through the general area.

A TV ad for Mesa Verde (34.977741°, -106.610661°). East Mesa state lands behind Q Studios ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 6, 'Wexler vs. McGill').

Photo by James Gelet.

"Q" Studios

(no new locations offered with this update)



I-25 Corridor, North

An uncomfortable drive Princeton NE, just N of Candelaria, and east on Candelaria ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 3, 'The Guy For This').

The carpet pattern in the hotel suite where Gus, Lydia and Herr Schuler meet appears identical to the carpet pattern at Sandia Casino and Resort ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 7, 'JMM'), 30 Rainbow Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87113.

Casa Tranquila exterior - ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 9, 'Bad Choice Road').

Albuquerque Heights Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
103 Hospital Loop NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109

North Valley

Best Quality Vacuum, Formerly On The Spot Vacuum Sales and Service, 2714 Fourth St. NW ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 1, 'Magic Man'). The Disappearer.



Northwest Albuquerque

Parking Lot, Cottonwood Shopping Center, 10000 Coors Bypass NW ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 1, 'Magic Man'). (35.197403, -106.658854)

Phone call in the mall.

Photo by James Gelet.

Calabacillas Arroyo and the Culverts under Coors Blvd. NW ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 4, 'Namaste').

Corrales

Howard's house - 40 Camino Vega Verde, Corrales, NM (also shown in the movie "Force of Execution," with Steven Seagal).

Fortified country estate. Lalo's house (two houses over from the "Sicario" house!) - ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 10, 'Something Unforgivable'; Season 6, episode 1, 'Wine and Roses').
12 Camino de las Brisas, Corrales, NM
(35.213044°, -106.625547°)

Photo by James Gelet.

West Mesa (except Pajarito Mesa)

(no new locations offered with this update)



Sandia And Manzano Mountains

(no new locations offered with this update)



To'hajiilee

Along Route 7076 ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 8, 'Bagman').

Carefree Jimmy drives off with the money (35.150342°, -107.126374°)

Jimmy eats a granola bar (35.148934°, -107.123044°)

Ambush site (35.150027°, -107.119462°) - ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 8, 'Bagman'; episode 9, 'Bad Choice Road').


Photo by James Gelet.

Final resting place for Esteem (35.154977°, -107.115113°) - ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 8, 'Bagman'; episode 9, 'Bad Choice Road').

Long hike

---------------

[June 7, 2020 update]

Recently James Gelet succeeded in finding the location of the Rollover. Working together with Google Earth, we also found the location of the Tree (35.139082°, -107.069183°).










James says:

So I guess the tree is a favorite hang out of a bunch of those To’hajiilee wild horses because of the shade. When I was approaching it they were eyeballing me hard and I seriously concerned the alpha of the group might take a run at me. Thankfully when I got close enough they bailed. So it was just a matter of playing hopscotch through all the horse shit to get the shot.

The Rollover isn't far away, on Trail 7042 (35.137337°, -107.068736°).

James adds:

I'm surprised someone on set didn't spot this, but there is a distinct anthill shaped hill with a white cap visible in both the tree scene and the rollover scene. In fact the rollover road is visible in the tree scene if you look carefully. This leads me to believe the entire desert trek montage was filmed within walking distance of this area. (There is a lot of different terrain there so it would be perfect.)

Dragging the bags on an exhausting desert journey. Quite near the Tree.

Photo by James Gelet.

The bad-guy vehicle on a "grid" search appears about here: (35.115832°, -107.069925°).

Campsite (35.136623°, -107.078067°).

Photo by James Gelet.

High upon the rocks.

Photo by James Gelet.

Spying from the rocks near the rollover site.

Photo by James Gelet.

Taking aim.

Photo by James Gelet.

---------------

Nacho and Lalo approach the border - I'm still thinking (35.142932°, -107.095628°), but I need to confirm this estimate ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 9, 'Bad Choice Road').

Laguna Burger, 66 Pit Stop, Rio Puerco, NM ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 9, 'Bad Choice Road'). AKA, Alejo Travel Center in BCS.

(February 2023) I finally have some of my own pictures of Laguna Burger.

Laguna Burger.

Laguna Burger.

Laguna Burger.

Laguna Burger.

Laguna Burger.

Laguna Burger.

Photo by James Gelet.

Zia Pueblo, San Ysidro, and Cabezon

(no new locations offered in this update)



Santa Ana & Algodones

(no new locations offered in this update)



Bernalillo and Placitas

(no new locations offered in this update)



Santo Domingo, Cochiti, and La Bajada Hill

(no new locations offered with this update)



Santa Fe & Lamy

El Rancho de las Golondrinas, La Cienega, NM ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 5, 'Dedicado a Max').

Mike & Doc's conversation (35.571276°, -106.111642°). ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 4, 'Namaste'; episode 5, 'Dedicado a Max').



Near Los Lunas and Belen

Tucumcari Call Center site ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 3, 'The Guy For This'; episode 4, 'Namaste'). Mr. Acker's house: 158 Rayo Rd., Belen, NM (Photo by James Gelet).

Marvelous drone shot of Mr. Acker's house! (Photo by Adam Ramirez)

Thrift store - Bethlehem Thrift Shop, 1300 S Main St, Belen, NM 87002 ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 4, 'Namaste').

Abandoned feed lot parking lot (34.775565°, -106.769287°) - ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 7, 'JMM'). (Photo by Adam Ramirez)

Abandoned feed lot parking lot (34.775565°, -106.769287°) - ("Better Call Saul," Season 5, episode 7, 'JMM'). (Photo by Adam Ramirez)


Note the grid of the broken pavement in the Abandoned Feed Lot.

More Distant Locations

(no new locations offered with this update)



----------------------------------

Guessestimates and Wish List




----------------------------------

Cartesian Grids Carried as a Prop or Worn as a Costume Piece

One of the fun things the creative team started to do in Season 3 of "Breaking Bad" was to link props, costumes, and dialogue together. For example, when a Cartesian grid (representing rationality) is used either as a prop or worn as a costume piece, there is always a question (the essence of rationality) hanging in the air. Sometimes there are lots of questions.

Season 5 of "Better Call Saul" seemed to feature more of these costume or prop grids than any season before. The most spectacular use was in episode '50% Off', with an amazing cascade of courthouse questions between Jimmy McGill and Assistant DA Bill Oakley. And I can't imagine why Jimmy declined Mike's offer of a space blanket!