"Better Call Saul" Recap: "RICO"

Written by John Edward Betancourt

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

I have to say that the last couple of episodes of Better Call Saul have thrown me for a loop, in a good way mind you. This was a series that started out as bleak in so many ways when you think about it, but between last week and this week, it is suddenly hopeful in nature and and while we all know the joyous tone cannot be maintained, last night's episode "RICO" was no exception to this newfound sunny disposition. 

In fact the only "dark" moment I can think of, came with the finest of intentions. Our B story last night revolved around Mike and his finally getting the chance to watch and care for his granddaughter. But in the process of helping his daughter in law Stacey, he comes to discover that financially she is in need of help, leading Mike back to the crooked vet that helped him with his gunshot wound so long ago in the hopes of finding some illegal side work, no doubt to get the cash to Stacey and Kaylee.

But the centerpiece story of the night was about the brothers McGill and we started off that tale with another glimpse back into the past where Jimmy, working as a mailroom boy at Hamlin, Hamlin and McGill gets the good news that he has passed the Bar Exam and after sharing the news with his brother in the hopes of joining him at the firm, Jimmy has his hopes crushed by Howard Hamlin, bringing us back to the present where Hamlin is of course beaming with pride over the Kettleman's settlement moments before Jimmy makes a powerful discovery about one of his elderly clients. 

It turns out that the retirement community she is living in, has been severely overcharging her and her fellow residents, exciting Jimmy at the chance of such a big case landing in his lap and putting him to the test as he goes above and beyond, including dumpster diving in one nasty scene, to prove the retirement community is up to something as since they were shredding documents before his very eyes. It turns out the shredded documents are indeed a part of something ugly, and the case has caught Chuck's attention and he seems to return to his former self as he quickly buries himself into what appears to be turning into a RICO case as he decides to team up with his little brother. In fact the case is so big, Chuck drops a bomb on the lawyers representing the retirement community, telling them it will take $20 million to make their clients whole again.  But as awesome as all of this is on screen, nothing was more important or more powerful than the closing moments of the show, when Chuck ventures outside and even interacts with electronic devices without a thought as he pours over documents.  

It could be a sign that Chuck is at last getting better when it comes to his condition and apparently burying himself in a case was just the trick to do it. But seriously, what an amazing episode to see Jimmy once again working toward helping others and setting things right in the world and what a blast it was to see the two brothers finally working side by side and well, it made me sad. Because despite all the feel good episodes we are getting as of late, we know that Saul Goodman is hiding in the shadows, waiting to be born and it seems more and more, it won't be Chuck being committed or some catastrophic life event to turn him to the dark side if you will. It will be men like Howard and maybe this case. After all, Chuck is still part of HH&M and once they get wind of this case, I wouldn't be shocked to see them try and swoop in and steal it, and that kind of injustice may finally be the straw that breaks Jimmy's back. Time will tell... 

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