The Salamanca twins' near-silence in Breaking Bad was meant to make them appear as terrifying forces of nature, but it ultimately feels out of place in the realistic world of the show. The twins' lack of dialogue is seen as a tool for intimidation and to avoid being bugged, but it makes them come off as unrealistic and cartoonish compared to other well-developed characters in Breaking Bad. In Better Call Saul, the Salamanca twins maintain their silent demeanors, only speaking in select moments, but they do show some surprise and respect when addressed in Spanish, suggesting they only speak to those they hold respect for.

The Salamanca twins in Breaking Bad are a major part of season 3, but the reason for their near-silence explains why Vince Gilligan's creative choice did not pay off. Leonel and Marco Salamanca first appear in Breaking Bad, and they later make appearances in its prequel series,...