‘Better Call Saul’ Recap: ‘The Guy for This’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

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

​Whether we like it or not, our reputation most certainly proceeds us. For we all carry with us some fascinating quirks and habits, and they are with us for so long in life, that eventually they define us. But rather than dive into endless examples that reinforce that fact, there’s something far more important to examine when it comes to reputation, specifically whether or not our it helps us or hinders us when all is said and done. Because sometimes how we are viewed by others can impact a great many things when reputation comes into play, and it just so happens that last night’s episode of Better Call Saul, took the time to examine this notion in fascinating fashion, by showing us the good and the bad that comes with how we are viewed.
 
Which made ‘The Guy for This’ quite the powerful episode when all is said and done. Since it offered such unique perspective on this matter, and for proof, look no further than Saul Goodman’s journey in this tale since his reputation helped to advance his career. For as it turns out, Nacho did indeed bring Jimmy/Saul to meet with Lalo, and the past is precisely why Jimmy found himself face to face with another ruthless Salamanca. Because Lalo had heard about the incident with Tuco and how Jimmy had done a phenomenal job of saving the lives of those two skaters and his own hide for that matter as well. Which means that Jimmy’s quick mind and ability to work a room were now legendary in their own right, and his new standing as a lawyer who will take on any case, made him the perfect guy to help the Salamanca empire out, for the right price of course.
 
But once the cash payment was agreed upon, Jimmy went to work and set up a grand lie for Krazy-8 to work with. One where he and Saul played a little game with the DEA in order to secure Domingo’s freedom all while setting Gus up, to take the fall, and this segment was downright incredible to watch. Because this was Jimmy in his element, and it was both horrifying and delightful to see him work the system and cut deals with his special brand of manic energy. Plus, it was equally as amazing to see the return of DEA Agents Hank Schrader and Steven Gomez and all fan service aside, what matters more here is that Jimmy’s reputation paid off in spades for him. Because he did indeed pull off exactly what Lalo knew he was capable of, and he got a grand taste of the good life financially and this act will only further cement his standing as a lawyer who can accomplish whatever wonders you need, regardless of the moral or financial cost.

---

​Which is a bittersweet result for certain. Because while it is indeed good for Jimmy/Saul, it’s bad for the audience since it only further brings Jimmy closer the much darker Saul we meet in Breaking Bad. But while Jimmy’s story in this tale features some measure of perspective, the genuine dark side of reputation was explored in far more direct fashion by way of two other key characters; Nacho and Kim. For Nacho once again dealt with the raw honesty of his father when dear old dad swung by to confront him over the fact that he tried to make a quiet deal to buy out the shop to get his dad to safety. But dad immediately knew his son was involved thanks to Nacho’s proclivity to throw cash around to get what he wants. But the saddest part about this particular plot thread is that dad didn’t see the gesture as kind, he just saw it as another reminder that his son was a drug dealer and well, he’s right and clearly Nacho’s reputation ruined an attempt at kindness and widened the rift between he and his father.
 
Yet while that is a supremely direct example of how a bad reputation does bad things for people, a more unique exploration was handled by Kim. Because she’s trying quite hard right now to find the balance between being a corporate lawyer and one that does a touch of good in the world and the former element is testing her like never before. Because in this story she was pulled away from her pro bono charity work to deal with a land dispute. For a man who lived on property that Mesa Verde bought out, firmly believed he did not need to vacate his home, despite the court ruling in the bank’s favor. And that brought about a tense confrontation, one where Kim unleashed her frustrations on the man to get him to comply. A move that eventually brought about guilt, and an attempt to set things right. But despite her best efforts to make peace with the man, she was nothing more than a scuzzy lawyer in his eyes and that reputation bothers her to no end because she really is trying to do a little good in the world and it was fascinating to see the story take the time to examine general reputations in this manner.
 
If anything, what truly made this episode so special, is the sheer fact that it worked hard to balance the impending future with its traditional character study style and truly, it succeeded in its endeavor. For the plot definitely moved forward since Saul Goodman is getting his colorful ties wrapped around the underworld and clearly the drug war is heating up behind the scenes, bringing us closer to Heisenberg’s reign. But what matters more, is that several characters were tested on a moral level, something that is key to the tragedy that awaits. Because eventually they will have some hard choices to make, and those vignettes brought about some powerful performances from Rhea Seehorn, Michael Mando and Juan Carlos Cantu, who plays Nacho’s dad, Manuel. Because he brought an unexpected gravity to a simple scene, as a father who loves his son but is furious at how he turned out. Which in many ways reflects the audience’s feelings about Saul, since he is a good man who is slipping away into the darkness and it should be interesting to see where the story goes from here, now that Saul Goodman has had a taste of the most addictive drug of all; money. Until next time.

---