'Better Call Saul' Recap: 'Lantern'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

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

It has often been said, that the finest stories out there, feature ordinary, everyday people that are thrust into extraordinary situations and as time goes on, I'm coming to realize that particular line of thinking when it comes to storytelling, is completely and utterly wrong. Because by thrusting someone into that scenario...they aren't quite themselves. Faced with their potential destruction or the loss of lives they will shed the worst parts of who they are to do more and be more and it's simply not an accurate representation of life. 

If anything, the true secret to crafting an incredible story is to put ordinary people into ordinary situations because the battle that can be life, is fascinating when done right. Because now we are alongside characters we can truly relate to as they make the same mistakes we do, and that's precisely why Better Call Saul is the finest character study out there since Jimmy McGill and his friends are truly everyday people doing their best to get by in the world. They have their hopes and their dreams and all they want is peace and security and happiness like the rest of us and despite their best efforts to make that happen, sometimes life gets in the way, and the harsh realities that the world sends our way was on full display in last night's incredible season three finale, 'Lantern'. 

Now normally, I do like to spend a little time talking about the side stories Saul has to offer, and while it was satisfying to see Nacho's plan come to fruition, I really want to stick with the core themes this episode had to offer because this story went to some deeply dark and philosophical places that the series has never ventured into before and the first one that came up was what can happen to people when they face their own mortality. Because following Kim's accident, both she and Jimmy come to the realization that Kim could have passed away in that accident and it led Kim to finally do something we've never seen her do, and take it easy for a change. She came to realize that life is too short to work hours on end and she stepped away from the Gatwood Oil case and her practice for the time being in order to recover and enjoy some quiet time. Now how all of this transformed Jimmy we will get to in a moment, because it ties into the other curveball that this episode threw our way, courtesy of Chuck's story.

Because last week's episode really seemed to set the stage for a powerful showdown between Charles McGill and his own firm. He wanted war, he wanted to show Howard you don't mess with someone of his prowess and pride has been quite the sin for some time now when it comes to Chuck, and his pride finally served as his downfall. Rather than draw out a long legal battle with his mentor, Howard went with the buyout option, paying millions of dollars out of his own pocket to send Charles packing, and the act spoke volumes as to how far Charles has fallen, and how we sometimes reap what we sow, and this moment set the stage for another powerful lesson...what do we become when our life has no further meaning or purpose? Because being humiliated in such a powerful way transformed Charles, and it led to the first of a pair of heartbreaking moments of the night. Because as I mentioned a moment ago, Kim's accident opened Jimmy's eyes to the fragility of life, and to not waste time either and he made an unexpected trip to his brother's house to bury the hatchet.

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But rather than finally reconcile and make peace, Charles chose the nuclear option. Not only did he rebuff Jimmy at every turn and insult him in the process...he flat out told his baby brother, the one he used to read to as a child, the one he saved from jail, and the one he gave a second chance to...that 'you've never mattered all that much to me.' Those words were cruel. Those words were painful, and they brought this reviewer to tears because goodness, how could any man say that to his own brother? And the pain on Jimmy's face said it all, this was the end for the Brothers McGill, and they would never speak to one another ever again, and the finality of this moment, hung heavy over the rest of the episode.

But despite taking that kind of verbal and emotional abuse, Jimmy seemed determined to keep his positive new outlook on life going, to the point where he decided to right the incredible wrongs he brought to life last week, once he learned that his machinations for money...continued to cause great harm to his former client Irene. Her friends still hated her, and it was all Jimmy's fault. Sure he pleaded with them, and even tried to create a positive vibe surrounding Irene, but to no avail. That anger was unleashed and after a quick moment of inspiration from Kim...Jimmy figured out how to set things right. He set up a wonderful song and dance with Erin from Davis and Main that exposed his intentions and in doing so...he saved Irene's friendships and lost his millions. 

However, that may be the last kind act we ever see James McGill perform. Because once again, life threw a curveball and Chuck's story answered that question as to what happens when we have no purpose in life. Robbed of the potential to ever practice law again, and with his brother now out of his life...Charles broke down. His illness returned with a vengeance and in a harrowing set of scenes, we saw the strength of said illness as he literally tore his own house to pieces to try and satiate the cravings in his brain and that's when the biggest heartbreaker of the night arrived. At his lowest. Alone in a decimated house, a distraught and exhausted Charles McGill, slowly and deliberately kicked over a lantern in his home, setting everything ablaze...

Does this likely mean the end of Charles McGill? I don't see how it doesn't, and what an unfortunate and sorrowful end to a proud man that accomplished so much, and I've wondered for some time now as to whether or not Chuck being out of Jimmy's life will only accelerate the creation of Saul Goodman and now we will find out for certain. Because when one considers that Jimmy and Chuck's final conversation was filled with bile and anger, and that Jimmy is in a fragile place financially and personally...this will likely be the thing that finally snaps him and sends him down the dark path we have all been waiting for. When all is said and done however, this was a hell of way to end the season, and this is hands down the most powerful episode of Better Call Saul that I've ever seen, in fact, just hand Michael McKean an Emmy right now for his performance last night. Either way, I think we can all agree, that that final image of an inferno building within Charles McGill's home is going to haunt us and the show for quite some time...

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