Better Call Saul: Best Gus Quotes

Gustavo Fring, played brilliantly by Giancarlo Esposito, was easily the most memorable villain on Breaking Bad. So when fans discovered that he would be reprising the character in the prequel-spinoff Better Call Saul, they were understandably thrilled. Gus plays a far different albiet important role in the origin story of Saul Goodman, providing much of the show's tension and drama.

A combination of masterful writing and an excellent performance has created many more memorable moments from Gus throughout Better Call Saul; many may even alter the way fans look at him in the parent series. Regardless, Gus in Better Call Saul still remains cold, menacing, and all-around intruiging, leading to some fantastic bits of dialogue from the character.

7 "A dog who bites every owner he's had can only be disciplined with a firm hand or... put down."

When Mike tries to convince Gus to let Nacho go free near the end of season five, Gus refuses. Mike makes the comment that Gus has Nacho's father threatened, which he doesn't like. In repsonse, Gus utters this chilling line, indicating that he's willing to use fear to motivate Nacho.

What makes this line even more interesting is that it somewhat mirrors a quote from Gus in Breaking Bad. At one point in the original series, Gus mentions that he doesn't like to use fear as a motivator; a stark contrast from this moment in Better Call Saul. This only goes to show how far Gus has come by Breaking Bad, and how the final season of Better Call Saul ultimately changes him.

6 "Lalo Salamanca lives."

Here's an example of a relatively simple line made memorable through its delivery. In the season six episode "Carrot and Stick", Gus speaks with Hector Salamanca, promising to avenge the death of Lalo. However, this changes when Hector's demeanor seems off, indicating to Gus that Lalo is actually alive. As he leaves, he calls Mike and delivers this one line.

Esposito delivers this line with such conviction that makes it impossible to ignore. Lalo is a terrifying villain and, during the events of Better Call Saul, is Gus's arch nemesis. This line makes it clear that for Gus, mere news of Lalo's death won't be enough; that he won't rest until he can confirm himself that Lalo is dead.

5 "It fought me, but I was stronger. The merciful thing would have been to kill it. I kept it. It lived for some time."

This line comes from the end of a story Gus recites in the season four episode "Pinata". In the scene, Gus talks to a now hospitalized Hector. He recounts a childhood story of a coati that ate fruit from Gus's lucuma tree. As Gus tried to capture it, it badly broke its leg. Here, Gus remarks how the right thing would've been to put the creature out of its misery, but that he instead chose to let it suffer.

The one-to-one correlation in this scene is fairly clear; Hector is the trapped coati that Gus intends to let suffer for as long as possible. It's a dark and chilling story that capstones Hector's fate, but also recounts Gus's cold cruelty. It's clear from this story that Gus has been ruthless since childhood, something that carried over into his adult years.

4 "Look at me. From now on... You. Are. Mine."

In the season four episode "Breathe", Hector has recovered from a coma due to Nacho secretly switching his medications. Gus discovers this, and in this shocking scene says this line, indicating that Nacho is now under his control.

There are very few moments in Better Call Saul that live up to this level of menacing. This line exemplifies Gus's personality and intentions, but also adds a layer of tragedy to Nacho's situation. From the beginning, Nacho has always been a character wanting to get out of the drug business, and yet here he finds himself under the thumb of another kingpin.

3 "Someone will make a move against the Salamancas. Which brings... war. Which brings... chaos. Which brings... the DEA."

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Shortly after Hector's stroke, Gus and Bolsa meet with Nacho and Arturo about the Salamanca territory. Bolsa is concerned about the future of the Salamanca family, which leads Gus to make this chilling prediction to Bolsa.

To call Gus one of the most careful characters in the Breaking Bad universe would be an understatement. He seems to always think far ahead, as seen here. He understands that the chaos that ensues from within the drug business will only bring unessecary attention from the DEA; life for Gus and the Salamancas is only bound to get worse.

2 "I do not wish to see your gun. And if I don't, I promise you won't see mine."

In the season three episode "Sunk Costs", fans witness the first collaboration bewteen Gus and Mike. They meet up on a deserted road, where Mike first recieves a call from Gus, asking if he's armed. When Mike confirms that he is, Gus makes this request and promise to Mike before stepping out to talk in-person.

As stated before, Gus is a character built around precaution and planning. This is the first time fans see Gus in his drug kingpin persona in Better Call Saul, making it the first time chronologically in the Breaking Bad franchise. This quote is able to perfectly sum up Gus's ethos when working in the drug business; everything should be fine, unless someone tries to cross him.

1 "I decide what he deserves. No one else."

In the season four episode "Breathe", Hector has just awoken from his coma. A doctor tells Gus that he's unresponsive and suggests better care at different hospitals, though Gus appears to disaprove. When the doctor asks Gus if this is what Hector deserves, Gus responds with this line.

With Hector and Gus being rivals long before the events of Better Call Saul, even Hector's current state isn't punishment enough according to Gus. This line shows Gus's determination and control over Hector, as well as showcasing just how much of a menacing force the villain is.

Better Call Saul airs on Mondays on AMC at 9:00 p.m. EST.

MORE: Better Call Saul: The Best Episodes, According to IMDB