OT: Better Call Saul. Second to last episode ever!!! (spoilers)
Well, we only have more episode in this fantastic series, which will likely put an end to the BB/BCS universe forever. Sigh!
As for this episode. It was so good to see Kim in the Gene timeline. I’m glad they addressed it. Her coming back to Albuquerque to tie up loose ends was a great use of an episode. Admitting to her involvement in Howard’s death was just crazy. And Pinkman in there was a nice touch.
Lots going on this episode. Definitely an up-tick in excitement compared to last couple weeks.
can’t wait for the final episode next week. I might shed a tear 😢
August 8th, 2022 at 10:36 PM ^
I’m not sure I like the decision to have Saul wrap the phone cord as he approached Marion.
August 8th, 2022 at 10:41 PM ^
Then I’m betting you probably also didn’t like the scene where he was about to kill the innocent, lonely old man with the vase containing his dog’s ashes either.
Yeah, pure evil Gene is just not the Jimmy/ Saul that we knew for so long. (😂 @ his three distinct names and existences)
This was another incredible episode for an incredible show
August 8th, 2022 at 11:19 PM ^
You know, I read that completely differently. I was thinking he would just knock the guy out again with the vase.
That’s probably why the phone cord scene didn’t sit well with me. As terrible as he is as a human, he’s been fun to root for and I was rooting for him to get out of that house without hurting the guy.
August 8th, 2022 at 11:24 PM ^
I appreciate your willingness to admit that you continue to root for him as he robs an innocent man - because it shows how brilliantly his character has been developed. (And it also shows how honest you are. I have a hard time admitting the truth that I am also almost always cheering for Jimmy/Saul/Gene).
Did not like this turn in Jimmy - he is a terrible person, but he's not a murderer. The threat with the dog's ashes was disgusting, and the phone cord threat was disgraceful. And Kim... Who she is now is not the same person, I have no idea whatsoever how she can be remotely happy in her new life. I'm glad she came clean, but it doesn't lessen the dislike she conjured with the whole scheme against Howard.
Honestly, the character building they did in this show was incredible. The fact is both Saul and Kim have done utterly disgusting things, and then ran and hid from them, and are terrible human beings capable of great inhumanity against others. And yet, we still love them and root for them because they want to help others and are generally kind hearted.
I'm still not sure if I want Kim to face trial and/or Saul to be captured or hit. What a show!
Kim turned away from being the decision maker all together. If you noticed, she didnt make any decisions on her own. Her being the ringleader in Howards scheme, and ultimately getting him killed changed her. Shes living the life she never wanted to live, which is why she moved from Nebraska to ABQ originally.
When Kim was talking to Jesse she said Jimmy used to be good, I think thats the sign that Jimmy is officially dead. We saw Gene turn away from the flashly clothes Saul would wear, which to me was a sign that Saul was dead. Gene is alive, and he's showing the traits we don't want to see. Murder? Stealing from the broken?
Will Gene get a redemption? Probably not. Will Kim? Kim's living the life she never wanted to live already.
August 9th, 2022 at 10:00 AM ^
I think Jimmy/Saul/Gene is set to live out his days alone after another name change from the vaccum cleaner salesman. This is ultimately his punishment. Also why he is taking a darker turn. The phone cord scence is a far cry from the scene where he gives the tax prepares the money after Kim threatens to rat them out to the IRS.
It is such good character development. I was late to the party for BB, but if you have not watched BCS I cannot recommend it enough.
Side question what are the 5 best shows you have watched? Not sure what order but I would go.
1. Breaking Bad
2. Better Call Saul
3. Game of Thrones
4. The Wire
5. Homicide
after asking this hard to narrow it down to 5.
August 9th, 2022 at 11:09 AM ^
The Wire
Breaking Bad (I don’t really separate BCS from BB)
LOST
Scrubs
Futurama
August 9th, 2022 at 11:25 AM ^
I wasn't directly asked but my personal Top 5:
1) The first 4 seasons of Dexter.
2) Counterpart.
3) The Wire.
4) The first season of True Detective.
5) Breaking Bad. | Barry. (tie)
August 9th, 2022 at 11:43 AM ^
Good call on early Dexter. Got a little too repetative toward the end, but loved the season with John Lithgow.
I think Jimmy/Saul/Gene is set to live out his days alone after another name change from the vacuum cleaner salesman.
Not that this would prevent such a story line from taking place, but the actor who played the vacuum repair guy passed away several years ago. But there are lots of ways they could get around that if they wished to.
To your point ... if the plan was to impose upon Jimmy/Saul/Gene the worst outcome for his life, being alone and out of the "game" would be it. But I think to have another name change / location change would leave open the big question: "Can he keep his head down and stay out of the 'game?'"
I've been wondering who is more motivated to get Jimmy/Saul/Gene -- the DEA or the cartel? If the DEA gets him, he's tied up in prison forever. He could certainly play his con games there, to some degree. If the cartel is motivated and gets him, then it's just over.
August 8th, 2022 at 11:56 PM ^
Fixed it for you: put an end to the BB/Huell's Rules/BCS universe forever. Sigh!
Seriously, I thought they had to bring in Carol Burnett for a major role and not just a bit part as Jeff's mom when we first saw her and sure enough tonight we saw her part in Gene's downfall.
You can really tell Aaron Paul has matured. And also his Jesse is a little rusty. Just didn't buy the character as I did back in the BB days.
I think he was closer to his BB days in this cameo than he was in the BB scene of the previous episode. He was 27-28 years old that first season of BB, he's now 42. Indeed, a lot of maturation along the way.
I felt the same way, but Aaron Paul is in his mid-40s and trying to play an age/personality he played in mid-late 20s.
Worked well enough for me.
I hear they're going to have a prequel to Better Call Saul....The Rise of Gus.
August 9th, 2022 at 12:19 PM ^
Someone on Reddit suggested ‘Being Bolsa’
I would honestly take anything. As long as Vince and Peter are doing it.
If Vince Gilligan is at the helm I’m game for whatever he throws our way.
I want cameo appearances in the last two episodes... Like the Kettlemans in the background at the supermarket, etc. Or Jesse skateboarding on sidewalk.
Kim's breakdown on the Albuquerque airport bus had me in tears. If Rhea doesn't win an Emmy something is wrong.
How Vince Gilligan met Carol Burnett in real life through a mutual trusted chauffeur was really unlikely, and we are all better off for it. She was terrific. "Ask Jeeves" was hilarious...
The camera shots of Gene's adventure trying to escape dog vase guy's house was Alfred Hitchcockian. I felt like I was watching part Rear Window and part Fargo. How can this not be nominated for best cinematography?
August 9th, 2022 at 10:29 AM ^
Kim's breakdown on the Albuquerque airport bus had me in tears. If Rhea doesn't win an Emmy something Sis wrong.
Seriously... ?
I don't know if it's the actress or just the way she plays the character but I found that scene really cringey.
August 9th, 2022 at 12:15 PM ^
If you are fortunate enough to grow older and wiser, that scene will grip you like it did most of the more mature audience.
August 9th, 2022 at 10:30 AM ^
BTW, let me just say here that I laughed out loud when Jeffy tore off like a bat out of hell and hit that parked car. The wife and I were both all 'what the hell was that?'! But the look those two cops had... Just priceless!
August 9th, 2022 at 11:42 AM ^
I did not expect to see Kim starring in the sequel to the movie Office Space. Too funny.
August 9th, 2022 at 11:59 AM ^
One of the better episodes of television I've seen in a long time.
August 9th, 2022 at 12:01 PM ^
Just now realizing what a slow-moving show this is... I like it though.
Slow-moving shows are a lost art nowadays. When things slow down, it allows for more subtle things to get introduced, and for far better character development. I think Vince Gilligan is brilliant with his use of pacing. I also think the use of light and shadows in Better Call Saul (and Breaking Bad) was stunning.
My wife and I were beating at the end of the episode whether we think Jimmy will end up in jail or commit suicide next week. I just don’t think he’d allow himself to be captured. But I have to say, I think some of the folks in this thread suggesting he’ll go the vacuum sales route and change his name/location again is far more likely.
That would seem to be his ultimate punishment. Alone, miserable, irrelevant, and most importantly, out of the game. Burying himself in another alias to where he wakes up every day not even knowing who he is anymore, and what’s worse, no one caring if he’s alive or dead.
August 10th, 2022 at 6:08 AM ^
I agree the worst punishment would be what you describe ... him living on, anonymous in some backwater place, irrelevant and alone. That would be hell on earth for him.
My gut tells me that's not how the show will end. For one thing, the vacuum repair guy's services are not cheap, and at this point Gene does not have a lot of money left. But from a story-telling perspective, it also doesn't resolve anything. Not resolving the story arc is somewhat of a "thing" with TV in the last several decades: The Sopranos ended that way; Mad Men ended that way, etc.
I think he meets his demise. In the back of my mind, I see him trying to sweet-talk his way out of his pickle one more time, and this time it just doesn't work. But I could be wrong.
August 10th, 2022 at 1:09 PM ^
maybe the vacuum cleaner's price tag is why he was really pushing for that last score, putting himself in a really risky spot?