The Best of ‘Better Call Saul’ – Season 4

Written by John Edward Betancourt

‘Better Call Saul’ Episode 410: ‘Winner’
Original Air Date: October 8, 2018

“S’all good, man.”
- Jimmy McGill

We like to believe that when we are dealing with toxic family members in our lives, that we can easily ignore them and deny them any impact upon who we are and what we will do. For we are of course, our own person, one free from that kind of influence, especially from someone that we call blood and is as disgusting as they come. But whether we like to admit it or not, somehow and some way, those people will indeed have some kind of an impact upon us. In some cases, it will be positive in nature. For their ugly behavior informs us of how to be a better person and how to deny them the power they harbor over others. But often times… their impact upon us is negative. To the point where they either elicit something as simple as a negative feeling in our hearts when we think about them, or they outright influence us in dark ways.
 
Because the bond that we share with family is strong and when their words dig deep into our souls and infuriate us and hurt us… there is little that can keep us from indulging in the dark and finding a way to make them pay in our own special way. If anything, that dark impact is top of mind today, simply because it was the outright focus of the finest episode that season four of Better Call Saul had to offer. For ‘Winner’ is a story that truly explores the lasting legacy of Charles McGill and what it did to Jimmy’s already ailing soul and that allowed for a masterful story to take place. One that explored that impact in great and heartbreaking detail. For this one picks up a year after Charles committed suicide by fire and well… the anniversary of his death weighed heavy upon Jimmy for several reasons. First and foremost, because it brought great pain to the forefront of his mind. Since all the tributes and reminders helped to hammer home how he treated Jimmy.
 
But it truly elicited a sense and need for revenge for Jimmy. Because despite all the good deeds he pushed forth here, he couldn’t escape the sting of knowing that his brother held him in no regard as a lawyer and watching him express his disdain over that to Kim in private, truly informed us how much he wanted to get back at his brother and his legacy and that is precisely why the ending of this story is so powerful and so significant. Because it truly takes great pain to force a person to basically lie to their bosses in a manner that is manipulative. For doing so risks great consequences. But Jimmy did that here and thought little of backlash or the New Mexico State BAR Board. He just wanted to stick his thumb right at Chuck and pervert the situation and make it feel special when it was nothing more than another fine Jimmy McGill performance to get what he wanted. One that won the day of course. 

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​Which of course, brought forth the birth of one Saul Goodman, since Jimmy opted to practice under that name after winning back the ability to practice law in New Mexico again and that is truly where this episode shines. Because in that moment, when he decides, albeit short for certain… the joy that Jimmy experiences is quite significant. For it speaks to a man that feels he ‘beat’ his brother and thumbed his nose at him while he managed to obtain the one thing his brother sought to keep from him. And the sparkle in his eyes and the excitement in his voice reinforces that and informs us of the fact that he is ready to be unleashed in law and do as he pleases, whenever he pleases, because he is free of the McGill legacy at last. The sky is now simply the limit in the most heartbreaking and twisted manner imaginable and that is just powerful, powerful stuff… not to mention… this episode also provides the fans with quite the important moment.
 
Because as mentioned a moment ago… this is the moment that Saul Goodman came to life. Which means that this episode gave fans everything they ever asked for. For we tuned in from the get-go to see the formation of Saul and learn what gave him life and in the end, it was spite and revenge and pure disdain for a man that never once believed in his brother. Fulfilling the reality that this was indeed a grand tragedy through and through. Because damn, that is a tragic creation. But at the same time, what makes this moment so special… is how low key it is. For it also informs us that the journey isn’t done yet, and to truly get to the Saul Goodman we met in Breaking Bad, some other things are going to need to happen. A reality that rightfully instilled a sense of dread in all of us, since the final push to create Saul… was indeed devastating and powerful.
 
If anything, one can consider this episode to be, the true beginning of the show’s downward spiral into darkness. Because season five was just brutal and the final season has gone even harder into the pain and sorrow. Making this another keystone episode, another incredible character study and hands down… the finest episode that season four had to offer. Because this really was the perfect storm of sorts and truly put us on the path with its grand exploration of trauma and consequence, courtesy of a stunning performance from Bob Odenkirk. Since he sells every single moment with his incredible skill set as an actor, and well… now that we’ve reached the end of this powerful and impactful, and downright heartbreaking tale… the time has come to turn our attention to the final episode in this farewell retrospective. One that features another formational moment for Jimmy McGill. Wherein he learned what it is really going to take to have everything he wants in life. Until next time.

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