‘Better Call Saul’ Recap: ‘50% Off’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

​Normally when a television series and the network figure out the endgame for said series, there are some inherent risks that come into play storytelling wise. For the folks behind the scenes might see an opportunity to cram in as many storylines as possible in the hopes of crafting a memorable ending for their fans. Which can in turn, rush some important storylines to an incomplete or unsatisfying conclusion, the kind that end in outright disaster, something we’ve seen happen time and time again. But this is a worry that didn’t exist for fans of Better Call Saul once the sixth and final season was announced. For they are fully aware of the fact that everyone that works on this series believes firmly in the value of telling a proper story, one that comes to a logical and satisfying conclusion and for proof, look no further than the show’s latest episode.
 
For ‘50% Off’ had the opportunity to rush through some of the storylines it introduced in the season five premiere and neglect them in favor of focusing squarely upon Saul Goodman. But instead, this story expanded beyond Saul’s early days as a lawyer and offered up a powerful character study. For it also examined the power of guilt and fear, the former of which was handled by way of Mike’s journey in this tale. For here we came to learn that poor Mike was feeling awful about how things went down with Werner, prompting him to turn to heavy drinking, and he even let his anger get the better of him at the most inopportune moments. To the point where he snapped at his granddaughter while watching her when she asked a few personal questions about her late father, the kind that reminded Mike of some of his dubious choices, and it was just fascinating to see a man as steadfast and as stoic as Mike, succumb to emotion and guilt in this manner. And it would not be shocking to see him sink deeper into the dark place he’s currently residing within in episodes to come, especially when one considers that the handful of things that bring him joy in life, now elicit his frustrated ire.
 
As for the power of fear, well that was handled by way of Nacho’s story. Because this poor young man once again found himself and his family under fire by Gus Fring and his thugs, simply because Gus needed more out of the young man. In fact, he needed to know exactly where Lalo was going at all times so he could properly monitor his enemy and that put it upon Nacho to find a way to earn Lalo’s complete and utter trust, something he had yet to do. But to Nacho’s credit, he took full advantage of a grand opportunity when it dropped right into his lap. Because thanks to a couple of loud and idiotic tweakers (who ironically were on a bender in the hopes of taking advantage of Saul’s 50% off deal), Ocho Loco was pinched by the police. And their arrival forced Mouse and Arlo to bounce; leaving lots of expensive inventory behind, and the possibility of losing that profit is what prompted Nacho to spring into action and rescue the drugs. And this daring move on his part, one that brought him within inches of capture, accomplished wonders. For Lalo now trusts Nacho, and really this was quite the bittersweet storyline. Because while it is noble to see Nacho go above and beyond for his beloved father, it’s a shame that he has to do it out of the fear of seeing him harmed, and truly the terror of seeing him hurt is about as effective a motivator as they come.

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But this has been and will always be Jimmy McGill’s story and there were plenty of moments featuring him since the story continued to explore the early days of Saul Goodman’s reign and well, it was just fascinating to watch Jimmy try and build his new empire, while trying to remain grounded in everyday life. Something that quite frankly, he struggled with early on in this tale. Because clearly, there is a rift developing between he and Kim, one he is helping to perpetrate with his views on the law and his desire to work the system as he sees fit. But he is indeed trying to make an effort to bridge that gap, with mixed results of course. Because while they still care for one another and are still able to keep some of the fun and magic going in their relationship, Jimmy’s all-in approach to the law is having an impact and oddly enough, his newfound dedication to his job is what truly served as the centerpiece to this particular tale.
 
Because it was downright incredible to see a free and clear Jimmy McGill do his thing as Saul Goodman. For Jimmy was simply poetry in motion once he stepped within the walls of the courthouse. For he was able to juggle his forty-five clients and their needs without breaking a sweat in the slightest, and it was equally as impressive to see him wheel and deal and create opportunities to churn and burn through so many cases, and this too was bittersweet in nature. After all, it demonstrates just how capable a lawyer Jimmy really is and it does leave one to wonder exactly what his life might have looked like, if Chuck had placed a little faith in Jimmy’s abilities. But what matters more about this particular portion of the story is that we were able to learn that Jimmy’s outright dedication to his new clients and his incredible success in providing them with amicable deals with the state, is what served as the inadvertent gateway to getting him into the underworld. Because Lalo took notice of his message and his work, and sent Nacho to pick Jimmy up, all in the likely belief that Saul Goodman can help out the Salamanca family in regard to Ocho Loco’s little problem.
 
In the end, this really was quite the riveting episode, and a fine reminder that the characters of this universe are what make this story so compelling. Because they’re believable and full of depth and it is episodes in this vein that truly keep us coming back for more. For now, we have to know if Mike is going to be okay after everything he’s been through, or if Nacho will have to sacrifice more of his soul in order to keep his father safe. And of course, this upcoming meeting for Saul is going to be critical to his future, since Lalo is likely going to make him an offer he cannot refuse, which will whittle away any of the good left in his soul as his journey toward darkness continues. Either way, the plot continues to thicken in season five and kudos to this series for continuing to take the slow burn approach to these complex stories that involve equally complex characters and the need for more of this universe and all the details and powerful moments it sends our way, will make the wait for next week’s brand new episode, a difficult one. Until then.

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