‘Better Call Saul’ Recap: ‘Hit and Run’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 604 of ‘Better Call Saul’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say, that the first few episodes of the final season of Better Call Saul on AMC… have been quite the emotional roller coaster ride. After all, we watched Jimmy McGill express serious concern over the fact that his beloved wife was digging deep into the darkness that only he thought he thrived within, since she was eager to teach the Kettlemans a fine lesson in matters of revenge. Plus, we also bid farewell to a beloved character. For after years of doing his best to escape the business and the life, Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Varga was forced to own up to his actions and take a different way out, one that shocked us and broke our hearts in the process, leaving all of us to wonder what other bold darkness awaited us in this week’s tale.

But as it turns out, Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould were content to give the audience a slight break from all the darkness and bleakness and offer us up a story that would allow for us to catch our breath and expand upon some other plot points… such as having Jimmy continue to make steps toward fully becoming Saul Goodman, and that made ‘Hit and Run’ quite the relaxing and fascinating episode for certain. In fact, it was so laid back… that the looming threat of Lalo Salamanca’s revenge, seemed fleeting at best. Since Mike worked to set up security all over town for everyone that Lalo interacted with. Including Kim and Jimmy, much to Kim’s chagrin, since she learned about the reality that Lalo was indeed alive and well and out there somewhere.

However, there was simply no sign of him in this tale. Just the potential and that in turn allowed for us to learn more about how careful Gus Fring was with security. Since we came to learn that he had secret tunnels beneath his posh home, one that connected to a neighbor’s home, where a command center was also set up to keep on eye the house and warn of potential intruders. If anything, this entire sequence was worthwhile, because it added depth to how Gus exits the franchise and how much he underestimated Walter White. Because if this is the kind of security, he surrounded himself with, there should have been no way that Walter pulled off what he did. But all thoughts upon the future and kingpin related mistakes aside… offering up these scenes really did relax the audience enough to savor Jimmy’s journey into darkness and matters of revenge.

For this story also saw our favorite power couple, take their vendetta against Howard Hamlin to the Nth degree. Since Jimmy did his best to resemble Howard physically, right down to the suit and spray tan before swiping Howard’s posh car to pick up the legendary Wendy in order to pull off an elaborate moment of doubt for Cliff Main, whilst he was meeting with Kim. Wherein Wendy was ‘ejected’ from the car and played it off as though Howard had hired her for some kind of sexual act and never paid in the slightest. A move that shocked Cliff to no end and really left him doubting Howard and his abilities, giving Jimmy and Kim another upper hand in this fight to get Sandpiper settled and it will be interesting to see what Cliff does with such a sellable lie. One that almost failed thanks to a parking cone mishap. 

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But of course, the centerpiece of this tale, was the grand exploration it put forth regarding what other factors went into the creation of one Saul Goodman and more of his foundation was laid down here, courtesy of two key moments. The first of which, involved marginalization. Because everyone at the courthouse, who used to be friends with Jimmy, turned their backs upon him once they learned that he helped Lalo out. To the point where he was met with actual scorn and disdain and callouts from these folks and well… we all know how Jimmy responds to being marginalized and treated as though he doesn’t matter. And while that may not have made him immediately go dark and embrace Saul through and through, this is just another baby step in that process… one that was further enhanced by some new clientele.
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Because Jimmy’s phone was ringing off the hook while he was the courthouse and once, he was done there… he met some of his new potential clients at the ol’ nail salon. Whom were the kind of individuals that any other lawyer might think twice about representing. But they knew of what he did for Lalo with his knowledge of the law and were eager to pay, and money talks for Saul Goodman and he quickly took them all on as clients. A move that was foundational to Saul’s future business for certain, since he would need word of mouth to quickly build an empire amongst people that would struggle in court with their cases, and of course… the fact that Jimmy was revered by his new clients for his work, also helped to bring the marginalization he experienced at the courthouse around full circle. For if Jimmy cannot get admiration from his peers, he’ll get it from his clients and relish within it as Saul. 

However, all of those moments paled in comparison to the ending of this tale. Since we came to learn through a meetup with Kim… that Jimmy got tossed from the nail salon after all these years and needed a new place to practice and of course… that brought him to the iconic strip mall where he would grow his empire. A move that Kim supported because of its logistical benefits. Since it offered his clients all kinds of convenience, courtesy of its close proximity to the courthouse, and well… just like that… the future home of Saul Goodman was settled upon, over tacos no less, and we are in fact… that much closer to the true genesis of Saul and that made this quite the epic and satisfying episode when all is said and done. One that might have also offered up some insight as to the fate of Kim Wexler.

For her continued back and forth between the light and the dark, and her concerns about Jimmy and Lalo… made it appear as though, she may be having misgivings about breaking bad in this life. And that conversation with Cliff… might have given her a way forward toward doing good and paying penance. But only time will show us why we don’t see Kim in Jimmy’s future and while we wait to learn that… we can bask in the wonder of a story that made some big progress regarding Saul’s formation. Because so many choices and moments here, really did set the stage for his arrival. Plus, you can never go wrong with an episode that provides us with all kinds of cameos of characters from ‘the future’, since Spooge popped up here as did Wendy and well… all this episode does is leave us incredibly eager to continue to the journey. So, we can see finally see the moment when Saul Goodman is born, and when Jimmy McGill’s fate is sealed. Until next time.

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