‘Better Call Saul’ Recap: ‘Axe and Grind’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 606 of ‘Better Call Saul’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Our relationship with revenge, is complicated to say the least. Because this is a notion… we both lament and embrace. After all, we know the level of satisfaction and peace it would bring us, if we took the time to exact the perfect revenge plot. But at the same time, we know it has the potential to corrupt us morally. Since it requires a crossing of lines and acts that cannot be taken back. Which is why the vast majority of us, opt to just… let the matter go in the end, and let the universe/karma handle the rest. So, we don’t do something we might utterly regret. But what’s amazing… is that some people, simply cannot let revenge go, for fascinating reasons… the kind that usually involve deep emotional wounds and a need for a sense of justice.
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If anything, our complicated relationship with the nature of revenge, and the power it holds over some is top of mind today, simply because it was explored in great detail during last night’s episode of Better Call Saul on AMC. For ‘Axe and Grind’ saw one person in this corner of the Breaking Bad universe struggle with the realities of revenge and what it really means to them. But before we dive too deeply into that, we need to discuss some of the other chess pieces that were moved about in this tale. Because this is a story that also informed us that Lalo is going to go to any lengths to get answers regarding Fring and how to shut down his arm of the cartel’s operation. As evidenced by the fact that he willingly sliced a man to pieces in order to get answers, making him a terrifying threat that is inching closer to learning the truth.

Not to mention, his grip on Fring and the outfit are strong, since security was still running about the city to keep everyone involved in the operation safe. To the point where Mike has even put people on overwatch regarding his granddaughter, a move that brought about some conflicted emotions for the audience. For we should have felt warm and fuzzy, watching Mike talk to Kaylee from afar and try to be there for her regardless of the circumstance… but instead disdain and sorrow were the flavors of this moment. Simply because we know how Mike’s time with Kaylee ends, making this entire sequence hollow at best and oddly enough, this wasn’t the only hint/tie in this story, to the tragic future that awaits him and so many others.

Because that sequence with the now retiring veterinarian hinted strongly at the reality that Jimmy might buy his little black book, and that is how he gets his hands on the escape plan he makes use of down the line. Not to mention, the classy version of his office that now exists was clearly a failed experiment in making Saul Goodman appear to be a top-tier lawyer. Since his clients care not about appearances, just their freedom and it likely won’t be long before the ghastly, over the top office we know will come to fruition so that Saul can properly operate in the manner he will soon be used to and well, it is Jimmy and Kim’s journey that truly allowed for us to explore the power of revenge and how it sometimes never leaves us, even when an escape route from it presents itself.

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Because despite setting the stage for the final move in bringing down Hamlin, Hamlin and McGill, through some kind of resolution regarding the Sandpiper case… Kim was clearly having second thoughts. The kind that was being nurtured by Cliff Main. Because he came to visit Kim once again, down at the courthouse no less, and while he was there, he offered her quite the proposition. In that… she might be able to leave the public defender life behind to really make a difference with his firm. Because they were planning to launch a new arm of the firm aimed at helping others through and through and well, that put Kim at the crossroads in question. Because the day of the meeting, was the day that HH&M was supposed to get theirs.
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But with Jimmy’s blessing, she was able to leave the moment of vendetta behind and go and pursue that potential future and potential peace and for a time, it appeared as though, she was ready for this to simply be done and she could quickly forget about it and atone for it through the money and through good deeds. But while she was off and practicing her presentation for the meeting, a wrinkle emerged in the plan. One where everything was going to quickly fall to pieces thanks to a change that took Jimmy and Kim by utter surprise. Which in turn motivated Kim to make a powerful choice. In that, she could either take Jimmy’s advice and they could back off on the plan and try to find a new way to bring Howard and the firm to its knees… or they could go for broke and try and make the magic happen on this day and this day alone. 

Which, when presented with the opportunity to take part in revenge or let it go… that old fire began to burn deep within Kim, and all of her hate for Howard and everything he’s done to both her and Jimmy bubbled to the surface, and she made the call… to execute the plan regardless of the risk and bring down their old firm at long last. A move that not only made it clear that revenge is complicated and messy, but that letting it go when we truly believe in our souls, we have been wronged by someone else, and that someone else should be served justice… is near impossible. Because once it truly grabs hold of us, it will never let go and now Kim is ready to risk everything for a chance to execute it and that sets the stage for a powerhouse and incredible mid-season finale.

For it is obvious now, that the madcap dash to bring down Howard Hamlin and grab hold of riches in the process, will be the focus of said mid-season finale, and it will be fascinating to see if this duo can pull it off and of course, learn how this helps to forge the tragic path that Jimmy McGill will walk. Because collateral damage from this kind of move is a foregone conclusion. But while we impatiently count down the minutes to next week’s tale, we can bask in the wonder of another engaging character study. One that did an incredible job of showcasing the power of revenge and its hold upon us, and how far we are willing to go to obtain its perverted sense of justice, when we genuinely feel as though there is no other recourse in this life, but to make someone that wronged us, pay an incredible price. Until next time.

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