Raimond Cruz on Better Call Saul

“Tight ….Tight…..Tight”. Who doesn’t remember this famous frenzied response when Tuco (Raymond Cruz) snorted crushed blue meth from the bag? Surely every die-hard Breaking Bad fan can recall that cold-blooded, vicious and red chili loving Mexican lad. While Tuco was killed pretty early in season 2 of Breaking Bad, his character was revived recently in an American drama and black comedy ‘’Better Call Saul’’.

Set in 2002 which shows the struggles and adversaries encountered by Saul (Jimmy McGill) before he becomes a big shot. But to everyone’s surprise, Tuco’s character appeared in the first two episodes which shows him rather more calm , considerate and easy going drug dealer which totally negates his ‘high voltage’ personality. Recently an independent forum conducted a short interview with Raymond Cruz regarding his new role and asked questions about change in character’s personality and any possible surprises.

When did you find out you’d be in the “Better Call Saul”?

When they were writing the script they tried to figure out the way to accommodate me according to my availability. Production team approached me few months before the filming. I was very excited about it.

So you had no idea before that?

No, I thought my part was over and done with. It’s like getting married again when you’ve gotten divorced to the same person.

How did you keep it a secret?

That was the thing, they wanted to surprise the fans so they took kind of an oath to keep our lips zipped. You were hoping you could keep the people around you quiet, and it worked. Inside you’re excited that, “Oh, my God, I can’t wait to see when it comes out.”

Were your friends and family surprised when they saw the episodes?

Oh, yeah. I got text messages from my close friends who were like, “You didn’t tell me! I didn’t even know.”

Tuco is pretty much Jimmy’s introduction to the criminal world and in a way helps usher in Saul.

From the very beginning of the episode. [Saul] is basically fighting with himself to decide what’s ethically right or wrong. “How good can I be and still make it in this business?” Then all a sudden he’s thrust into our underworld. We literally drag him out to our world of hell and drop him in the desert and change his perspective on things.

That scene in the desert with Tuco and Saul negotiating is fantastic.

Yeah, the writing is undoubtedly a fine piece of imaginary craftsmanship. When I first read the scene I was excited about it because I loved the characters exchange between Saul and Tuco.

Did the Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould give you much description for where Tuco’s story is at in 2002?

Oh yeah. In the beginning, we discussed it because the blue meth doesn’t even exist yet. It’s a very different concept. When you’re taking on the character you’re looking at things differently because you’re not impressed by the effect of this drug on one’s personal being. Tuco’s still a live wire, he’s very much a physical, mental, emotional threat. But in “Breaking Bad” all these things crack up because of the effect of meth dosage. Here, he still has a bit of a emotional stability, he thinks about what he’s doing. Still very dangerous, but there’s a little more content in his actions

At this point in “Saul,” is Tuco definitely involved in the meth business?

Yes. But the quality of meth is low grade as compare to pure dosage created by Hiesenberg.At this time his foremost concern is to extend his business.

So his abuelita, is she Hector “Tio” Salamanca’s mother?

Yeah, she’d be Hector’s mother. She’d be the head of the family. And you know in “Breaking Bad’’ family is everything for Tuco and he is ready to take any step to secure its protection.

Do you know where the rest of his family is at this point in 2002? Tio or Tuco’s cousins?

We don’t allude to that in the script at all, but Albuquerque in the desert’s a weird place. It seems so vast and empty, but to look around you, there’s all kinds of creatures hiding in the sand.

Do you know if they’ll return as well in “Saul”?

I am not sure to be honest.

Will you be back in any more episodes?

I have no clue. I would be happy to see how the directors prolong my character in this drama.

It’s cool to see Tuco’s bodyguard, No-Doze, and brother-in-law, Gonzo, in Episode 2.

Ah yea, I loved being part of that. They have been Tuco’s trustworthy companions throughout his business.

We also see there’s still animosity between Tuco and No-Doze dating back to before “Breaking Bad.”

When he talks out of place, yeah. You know what happens to him later on when Tuco’s on meth. But at this point Tuco’s very calm, but there’s some animosity underneath it.

I wish tuco will come back soon.

Oh yes that would be awesome. I want to be a part of this journey.