‘Better Call Saul’ Recap: ‘Nippy’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 610 of ‘Better Call Saul’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There are a great many reasons why the AMC series, Better Call Saul, is held in such high regard. For instance, it’s cast puts on an acting clinic week in and week out, with Bob Odenkirk and Rhea Seehorn leading the way with their rightfully Emmy nominated performances since they often move us and wow us when they’re on the screen. Plus, the writing is simply top notch and engages a viewer in ways they never thought possible. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that this series is the rare prequel that embraces the sequel, courtesy of Easter Eggs and crossovers that make this story accessible to any Breaking Bad fan and motivate those who didn’t watch Walter White’s tragedy play out to do so. But of the many reasons we respect this show, there is one reason above all others that it has our awe.
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In that, it is one of the few shows out there… that genuinely knows how to surprise its audience through and through. Because in this era of fan theories and saturation, sometimes people are able to call what comes next and find comfort in knowing the story. But from the very beginning of Jimmy McGill’s tragic journey, there have been few times where we’ve been able to make that happen, since the amazing writing in this story has found new and stunning directions to take us in, and for proof… well then look no further than last night’s episode. Because ‘Nippy’ was quite the unconventional tale, one that didn’t take the audience where they expected to go. Because let’s be honest, after that stunning ending to last week’s story, we expected to be spending way more time with Saul Goodman.

Because having him pop up in all his glory with newfound context regarding what drove Jimmy to embrace Saul… implied that we would get a taste of that world again and gain further perspective on that iconic character. The kind that would continue to add new wrinkles to the events of Breaking Bad. But instead that simply was not meant to be. For this particular tale, moved us far beyond those events and the harrowing moment that saw a disgraced and terrified Saul Goodman escape the ABQ in a hurry to keep his own hide safe. Instead, we returned to Gene Takovic’s life, shortly after he made that phone call to Ed, wherein he promised he would handle matters himself and boy… did he. Because Jimmy/Gene came to realize somewhere along the way he had to make a stand and not run and hide anymore and he did so in quite the creative manner.

Primarily by relying upon his old skill sets as Slippin’ Jimmy and the theatrics that only Saul Goodman can display and combining those two powers with the forgettable nature of Gene… allowed for him to quickly ingratiate himself with a seemingly everyday woman named Marion. But he didn’t take the time to get to know her to try and be kind or make some kind of penance for the past. No, she was nothing more than a mark, plain and simple, someone who would help Jimmy get to Jeff. Because she was his mother and his smooth actions, allowed for Jimmy to spend time with the family at dinner and of course… set a plan in motion to keep his identity a secret. But not through violence or threat or anything of that sort, because that has never been Jimmy’s style. No instead, he figured out how to keep his real identity a secret in a far more compelling manner for Jeff.

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Because Jimmy knows how to read people and knows how to give them what they want and he knew that Jeff wanted in on the wild world that Saul now represented, so why not give him a taste? Which allowed for that elaborate plan to come to life. One where Jimmy would spend many a night playing nice with the night watchmen in security, under the guise of thanks for calling the ambulance for Jimmy. To gain their trust of course and to properly case the mall and learn of its security weaknesses. Which as it turned out, involved just feeding a kind security named Frank, some delicious Cinnabon. For when he had that in his hands, he was without focus and away from the monitors, for exactly three minutes no less, an eternity for a thief that wanted to perhaps say… steal some high-end goodies.
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Of course, that is exactly what Jimmy wanted to happen. Because the chance to take part in a high risk/high reward heist, one designed by him and executed by Jeff… would be enough to give Jeff the fix he needed and give Jimmy the peace and quiet and anonymity he wanted through mutually assured destruction. Since this plan would pull together enough felonies to bring everyone down in the event it went public, and well… despite one stunning hiccup, one that required some surprise honesty from Jimmy regarding the path of his life and the hardships he’s dealt with… the plan went off without a hitch and Jeff finally got to enjoy the good life as a criminal and it would seem that Jimmy is finally free of any worry regarding being exposed after all this time. 

Which is a plot… that absolutely took us by surprise and one that once again reminded us of Jimmy’s extensive skill set as a con man and how damn good, he is at it. Since he once again pulled off an impossible heist. But going this route and spending time in the ‘future’ of the Breaking Bad Universe, does beg some important questions. Such as… why? Why go here and do this and show us a skill set we already know and well, the answer to that is simple. For this is a character study through and through, one that has explored the nature of choice and the temptations of darkness that some give into and well, going this route story wise was clearly designed to setup some important question regarding Jimmy. In that, is it possible for a man like James McGill to find redemption? For that matter, can he escape what seems to be his dark nature? After all, he’s committed some heinous crimes, hurt a lot of people along the way, often in the name of the thrill of ‘The Game’ as he put it and even in hiding, he still can craft the worst. 

A move that makes this… a set up episode for the final leg of the journey. One that will explore those questions in great detail and will undoubtedly see Jimmy be tempted further down the line by his former persona and former habits. Since he found great comfort in the power of the scam and boy does he miss being Saul, as evidenced by those closing moments and well… that makes this a brilliant episode when all is said and done. One that was powerfully subtle and genius in nature, courtesy of Michelle MacLaren’s masterful direction. And of course, it featured some stunning performances, especially from Bob Odenkirk and Carol Burnett was quite impactful as Marion. In fact, who knew that a Bob and Carol scene would be so electric? And hopefully we get more of them on screen together in these final three episodes and down the line in general. But all of that aside, what matters more, is that the stage is set for the endgame and the questions we need answers to are posed, and it will be quite fascinating to see where this series takes us next as we reach the end of Jimmy McGill’s stunning journey. Until next time.

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