‘Better Call Saul’ Recap: ‘Something Unforgivable’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season five finale of ‘Better Call Saul’.
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At some point or another in our lives, we will, or we have, been involved in a relationship that is quite toxic in nature. The kind that we stuck with for far longer than we should have, simply because there was a prevailing belief that perhaps we could save the person we were dating and bring out the good that we knew was buried deep down within them. But the ugly parts of said relationship eventually are too much to bear and that’s why we leave, to be free of the negative emotions that seemingly start to change us and really, it is that last part about toxic relationships that truly concerns us all. Because we often wonder long after the nightmare has come to an end, as to whether or not we were really starting to transform into something far darker when dating that person.
 
Granted, that’s likely our imaginations getting the better of us, but we do dumb things for love and sometimes we inherit the traits and the habits of our significant others, and the thought of succumbing to their particular brand of darkness, is a terrifying prospect indeed for most folks. But it just so happens that the season five finale of Better Call Saul dove full bore into a unique aspect of this concept. Because ‘Something Unforgivable’ is a story that outright examined how some people have no problem with losing themselves within the traits of their lovers. Which seems like a wild concept, but the aftermath of the Lalo incident made it clear that Kim Wexler-McGill gets something out of the incredible life that Jimmy leads and the tough times he puts her through, and for proof, look no further than the fact that she didn’t leave him after being lied to and having a drug kingpin barge his way into her home.
 
But before the story could dive deep as to why she’s okay with all of this, some other loose ends needed to be dealt with first. Specifically, whether or not Jimmy and Kim would be safe after that uncomfortable moment, and after some digging on Jimmy’s part, he came to learn that their problems with Lalo were coming to an end at last. For Fring ordered an assassination attempt on Lalo and that of course, put poor Nacho in the crossfire as always. Because it was up to him to ensure that Fring’s men made into Lalo’s magnificent compound. But while he was successful in making a move against his boss, he and those hired assassins were woefully unprepared for how resourceful Lalo really is. Because every attempt to bring him down failed miserably and sadly it would seem that Lalo is now fully aware of the fact that Nacho was involved in this attempt on his life and this may signal the end of the road for a man who wanted nothing more than to be free of a life of crime.

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​Which brings us back to Kim and Jimmy’s journey in this particular tale. Because as Nacho was dealing with that whole Lalo mess, Kim was starting to quietly understand what made Jimmy so alluring for her and why she felt the need to stay in a relationship that is clearly unhealthy for her. And really, what it all boils down to, is that Jimmy inspires her. Because she sees the confidence he exudes, and how he wastes zero time worrying about the lasting implications of a decision, or whether or not he should be courteous in getting the job done. He just makes magic happen and Kim wants in on that and that does have some merit, since letting loose served her well in dealing with Howard, when he once again tried to exert ‘friendly’ influence upon her. But while what Jimmy does sounds noble in nature, what Kim is missing is the sheer fact that his lifestyle comes at a great cost.  
 
Because he hurts people when he really lets loose, and he ignores the morality of what he’s doing. Which means he really is indulging in something dark and dangerous when he goes after someone and the reason that Kim is overlooking this, is because she thinks she’s found a way to balance out the way that Jimmy handles things. Which is why she is so hellbent on taking up a pro bono practice. So that she can indulge in the darkness and pay it back by helping those in need, and all it will take to achieve that perfect balance of light and dark… is something unforgivable. Such as say, setting up Howard Hamlin to take the fall for something he hasn’t done, so that Sandpiper settles and pays out Jimmy and Kim an exuberant sum of money and this was… quite the stunning way to end season five. For in essence, Kim has lost herself in a fantasy understanding of Jimmy’s world, one that she will likely regret when all is said and done.
 
Because it is only a matter of time before Kim’s moral center once again rights her mind, and when she sees the scorched earth she’s left in her wake, regret will come into play and that will likely spell doom for her relationship with Jimmy. If anything, it is just devastating to see Kim transform in this manner, and her decision to stick it to Howard in the cruelest way imaginable is likely what will set the stage for Saul Goodman’s reign in Albuquerque. For the fallout of this event will be ugly for certain, one that will likely put an end to this ridiculously unhealthy relationship, and it will also teach dear Jimmy to believe that he will never face any consequences for his actions. Which will bring him great hardships in the end, especially when Walter White and Jesse Pinkman walk through his door and send his already turbulent life, into an outright tailspin. Until next season.  

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