‘Better Call Saul’ episode 6 spoilers: Jonathan Banks on key Mike story

Monday night’s “Better Call Saul” is being hyped already as one of the biggest installments of the entire season. Why is that? It is the chance to finally understand Mike Ehrmantraut in a way that we haven’t already. We will learn about his past; not only that, but how it will impact his future, and why he cares about his granddaughter so much.

As teased in the sneak peek, Mike lost his son Matt to some mysterious circumstance while he was in Philadelphia. Due to that, he feels more inclined to protect this child to the best of his ability … even if that does mean at times doing some less-than-wonderful things. In explaining the man’s emotional process, Jonathan Banks said the following to The Hollywood Reporter:

“It’s the only connection he has left to his son … Whether she’s in the cradle or whether she’s 5 or whether she’s 12, he’s just desperately in love. That’s his granddaughter.”

In the interview, Banks also responded to whether or not he had some sort of conversation with creator Vince Gilligan over what sort of backstory his character had, even dating back to the “Breaking Bad” days:

“I do recall saying years ago — when I let my granddaughter Kaylee out of the car with mylar balloons just before I go to shoot people — I said to Vince, who was directing the episode, ‘Vince, that is my granddaughter. That is not my daughter.’ I said to him “However Mike has lost his soul, wherever Mike has gone, has something to do with his son.”

One thing that is nice about Banks here is just how protective he really is about his character. This is why he has never been afraid to speak his mind about the story, or the decisions that the writers make for him.

Excited to see what happens next? Share with a comment.

(Photo: AMC.)