Better Call Saul is back for season 2! This week, Jimmy takes a slippery vacation and Mike warns his client about some much needed restraint. My thoughts after the jump.
This was a solid return to the world of Jimmy McGill. It sort of felt like a retread of last season's finale with Jimmy going back to his old ways in a kind of self imposed exile/vacation, instead this time he tried to do it in his own turf. He also tried to indoctrinate Kim into the shenanigans and it worked! Lawyers really do make natural cons.
Jimmy and Kim together was a lot of fun and was really sweet. It has never been too clear on how much history they actually had, but they finally hooked up during the show and it was cute and satisfying. I am not quite sure what Kim's frame of mind is after the little getaway, but I hope she does not regret too much. I am sure she will be relieved to see Jimmy finally take the job offer after he finally got the big picture figured out.
Seeing him look for the one way to rebel by messing with the light switch in his new personally tailored office was a really nice touch for the state of his character. Even in better circumstances, he is looking for ways to stretch his boundaries a bit. I cannot wait to see how this new Jimmy approaches the big case for the old folk's home residents this season.
But we all know this will not end well. The episode opened with our second glimpse into Jimmy's life post Breaking Bad and it is getting bleaker and bleaker all the time. Especially in contrast to the Jimmy who is unafraid to con stock brokers with Kim and peel stickers off of light switches just to mess with them this season, it is heartbreaking to see just how afraid he is. He would rather sit on a crate locked in the garbage room rather than face the possibility of bumping into cops by going out the emergency door. The message he scratches into the wall (SG WAS HERE) is just the final tug on the heart strings we needed. Even as his new identity, he will always be Saul Goodman at heart. I love the show's literal depiction on the different masks and identities we take on as individuals. Jmmy literally has different names for his different frames of mind, but in his heart he will always be the con man. There is a sense of menace on this show that is irresistible. Even in the quieter moments, we know this will not end well. Saul and Mike will soon meet Heisenberg. Mike will die. Saul will go into hiding forever in fear. It is the small details involving their friends and loved ones around them that we are not so sure about. I fear for Kim. Either she is going to leave Jimmy in a terrible place or she is going to meet a terrible end. Let's hope she makes it out of this show all right.
Before I go, let's briefly mention Mike. He is back to his old ways as well. The dweebish looking dude from last season is still working with him and Nacho trading pills for cash. Mike started the episode as he always does waiting with his sack lunch (Pimento sandwich I'm sure) but is sort of horrified to see his client show up in the douchiest yellow Hummer imaginable. Mike warned him to be careful and that he needed him, but the dweeb does not listen. He pays for it in full now that his house was broken into and police are about to find his stash. I am sure he will reach out to Mike for help, who will in turn come to Jimmy for legal advice. This will be the birth of the true Saul Goodman, the criminal lawyer. This will be really exciting to see.
All in all, this was an entertaining episode. No really big plot developments here, but it is setting the foundation for what the season will explore. I have a hunch that we will finally see Saul Goodman by the end of this season in one way or another. Let's hope there are no casualties. Or do, if you are a sicko.
Grade: B.
Better Call Saul is on every Monday night on AMC.
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