Bob Odenkirk’s 2-Season Prime Video Masterpiece Gives Better Call Saul A Run For Its Money

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Bob Odenkirk became one of the biggest acting success stories of the 2010s. He started the decade with a memorable role on Breaking Bad, and gradually turned that into a leading career. His critically praised performances in Better Call Saul and Fargo established him as a well-known Emmy winner, proving his ability to handle both dramatic and comedic roles with skill.

Bob Odenkirk is famous for playing Saul Goodman, but one of his best roles is actually in a unique and thought-provoking sci-fi series from 2019. The show, which streamed on Amazon Prime, received a lot of praise from critics, though it didn’t become a huge hit with general audiences.

I’m a huge fan of Bob Odenkirk, and while Undone hasn’t gotten quite the same buzz as shows like Better Call Saul or Breaking Bad, it really shows a different side of him. It’s a deeply strange and psychological series, and honestly, it features some of his best, most layered acting. If you’re interested in seeing the full range of what Bob Odenkirk can do as an actor, especially his dramatic skills, you absolutely need to check out its two seasons. It’s a truly compelling watch.

Bob Odenkirk Plays Jacob Winograd In Undone

A Haunting Father Figure Anchors Undone’s Reality-Bending Story

Prime Video’s Undone is a fantastic, but often overlooked, sci-fi series. It follows Alma Winograd (Rosa Salazar), a woman struggling to find her way in life, whose understanding of reality is shattered after a serious car accident. She starts experiencing time in a disjointed way, and her deceased father, played by Bob Odenkirk, appears to guide her, claiming she has the power to control time.

Undone thrives on its mystery, existing in a blurry space between psychological struggle and genuine supernatural events without ever fully revealing which it is. This deliberate uncertainty is what makes the show so compelling, and the character of Jacob, brilliantly played by Odenkirk, embodies that ambiguity perfectly – he feels both warm and trustworthy, yet also potentially deceptive and disturbing.

Jacob was a gifted physicist whose death remains a mystery. His return to Alma’s life could be a result of past trauma, a family history of mental illness, or something truly unusual. Actor Odenkirk portrays Jacob with a calm confidence, initially appearing kind but gradually revealing a more unsettling side.

Viewers of Better Call Saul will see echoes of that show in this character. Like Saul Goodman, Jacob is convincing, quick-witted, and has a complex sense of right and wrong. But while Saul relies on charisma, Jacob uses unwavering confidence to dominate. Bob Odenkirk masterfully portrays this, making Jacob’s advice feel both helpful and unsettling.

The animation style in Undone adds to the show’s dreamlike quality, subtly altering characters’ faces and movements to make them feel a little strange. Bob Odenkirk gives a nuanced performance, focusing on his voice, pacing, and small facial cues instead of big, dramatic gestures.

Throughout the two seasons of Undone, Jacob’s role shifts from a helpful figure to someone whose motives are unclear. It’s never revealed whether he’s genuinely trying to help Alma process her trauma, or if he’s using her to fix his own issues. The show’s creator, Odenkirk, deliberately leaves Jacob’s intentions ambiguous, allowing viewers to interpret his actions for themselves.

The show’s intricate nature is what makes Bob Odenkirk’s performance in Undone so captivating. His character, Jacob Winograd, is one of his most complex, possessing the same depth and suspense that made Saul Goodman memorable, but explored through themes of loss, scientific concepts, and a distorted perception of reality.

Undone Deserves Its Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score

Bob Odenkirk’s Mind-Bending Sci-Fi Excels By Fusing Emotional Intimacy With Ambitious Storytelling

With a remarkable 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Undone is one of the best-reviewed animated series of the past ten years, and for good reason. It’s successful because it uniquely blends different storytelling styles, realistic emotions, and a fresh visual approach.

The unique animation in the sci-fi show Undone isn’t just a visual trick. By drawing over live-action footage, the show creates a hazy, dreamlike look that reflects the main character’s confused experience of time and memory. This style lets scenes seamlessly blend between different realities, adding to the show’s overall mysterious and thought-provoking nature.

The show Undone doesn’t offer simple explanations. It handles mental illness with care and understanding, delving into difficult topics like family history, cultural background, and loss without making them seem easy to fix. The story deliberately leaves it unclear whether what Alma experiences is real or a product of her mind, and instead asks viewers to embrace the uncertainty.

The show also excels in its efficient storytelling. Over its two seasons, Undone avoids unnecessary scenes and focuses on developing its characters. The actors deliver outstanding performances, particularly Rosa Salazar, who brings a vulnerable and realistic quality to her lead role, and Bob Odenkirk, who provides a stable presence. Their complex relationship as father and daughter makes the show’s unusual plot feel relatable and emotionally honest.

In the end, Undone works so well because it treats its viewers with respect. It asks for your focus, patience, and thought, and then gives you a story that stays with you even after it’s over. This blend of creative boldness and genuine emotion is the main reason it received almost universal praise.

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2025-12-26 02:09