‘Better Call Saul’ Recap: ‘Wexler v. Goodman’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

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

The point of no return. Now there’s a phrase that’s about as ominous as they come because those words are often synonymous with a negative act. That kind that involves someone we care about as they find themselves ready to step over a proverbial red line, one where they completely alter the landscape of their lives and change for the worse. But what matters more when it comes to this unfortunate process, is that often times, loved ones immediately swoop in to save the person who is ready to submit to the darkness and their efforts offer up some mixed results. For while some are saved with love and care, others are so close to the abyss that any positive actions will have zero impact and what’s worse, they may drag their supposed savior into the void with them.
 
If anything, all of this is relevant to today’s discussion, simply because last night’s episode of Better Call Saul saw Jimmy McGill inch closer to the point of no return when it comes to his alter ego Saul Goodman. And what’s worse, Kim Wexler may be ready to shatter her own life in her efforts to save him from himself and that made ‘Wexler v. Goodman’ one powerful and moving tale. But before we dive too deeply into what the heck happened between these two damaged lovebirds, we need to take a moment and catch up with Mike Ehrmantraut in this tale, since it would seem he’s made a full recovery mentally. For he was at Gus’ side in this tale and after learning a little bit from Nacho as to what Lalo is up to, he was ready to teach the Salamanca family quite the valuable lesson in that, two can play the game.
 
But rather than pussyfoot around, like Lalo, and do a slow takedown, Mike felt the need to go right for the throat and bring some high heat down upon Lalo for a change, and he accomplished that feat by opening up some old wounds. Because there were victims when it comes to that little incident at the check cashing place and Mike sought out one of the survivors and gently nudged her into turning information over to the police. And to truly get Albuquerque PD interested in Lalo’s involvement in that fateful day, he pretended to be a police officer in order to drop off pertinent evidence at APD HQ and he even went so far as to have Nacho tail Lalo, so that he could report his position to dispatch and well… his plans worked and now the newest Salamanca crime boss has important questions to answer.

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​Yet while it was incredible to watch Mike do his thing once again, it is time we dive into the whole mess concerning Kim and Jimmy/Saul. Because in this particular tale, Kim’s conscience did indeed get the better of her and she quietly asked Jimmy to stand down and negotiate the right buyout price for Mister Acker, a request he seemed happy to oblige at first. But another win in court, and the orchestration of an embarrassing moment for Howard, reminded Jimmy of the wonders he can accomplish when he slips into Saul’s persona and well… that prompted him to go the extra mile to win this case. So, he finished the smear ads that Kim told him not to, and he even went so far as to file an injunction on Mesa Verde’s logo since he found the original artist and promised her royalties. And the whole point of these manic and stunning set of actions; was to strike a deal with Kevin face to face and of course, to vindicate Kim.
 
At least, that was his claim, one that only came out when Kim was angry with him and rightfully so. Because she was right, he once again made her the focal point of a scam, and deep-down Kim knew he enjoyed every single second of it, because Saul feeds him in a way no one can understand. But what matters more, is that his actions were in essence another step closer to the point of no return. Because that level of chicanery toward someone he loves speaks volumes to how close he is to shedding anything good left within his soul and that’s when a shocking surprise came into play. For Kim is fully aware of where Jimmy is at right now, and how little he’s beginning to care about others. But her love for him does run deep, and that prompted her to back away from ending the relationship and make the one desperate offer, that so many lovers believe will fix their significant others as they stand at the precipice, by asking for his hand in marriage.
 
Which is really not where any of us expected to this go. Because Saul was a jerk to Kim through and through and no amount of backpedaling or spin service can fix that kind of cruelty. But clearly, she wants to save him and believes this is the only way and well, it’s obvious that there is no way in hell that such a union can work. Because eventually, Saul is going to be on his own, and filled with a bitterness that might be explained by this fateful day. For there is a good chance he will drag Kim down with him as Saul continues to take over and that will in fact, drive Kim away. And losing the love of his life after the rest of his family would definitely be enough to cement Saul as the dominant personality and it should be supremely fascinating to see where this little twist takes us in the week to come, as we inch closer and closer to Saul Goodman’s reign and the genesis of Heisenberg. Until next time.

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