Better Call Saul

[PseudoSABR]

 

They only thing they showed was that it clearly wasn't real.  Beyond that we don't know any particular cause.

Are you suggesting his electricity-allergy is not a symptom of schizophrenia (or something else which would cause hallucinations/such behavior)?

[TheLeviathan]

 

Are you suggesting his electricity-allergy is not a symptom of schizophrenia (or something else which would cause hallucinations/such behavior)?

 

I think it probably is a symptom of that, but Chuck and everyone around him continues to treat it like an actual, real allergy.  And by sheer force of personality and the respect people have for him I think a lot of people still believe it is a real thing.  

 

Jimmy got a reality check he couldn't deny by that doctor turning on the bed and showing that it's all in Chuck's head, not an actual physical effect.  Most people aren't privvy to that.

[nicksaviking]

 

I think it probably is a symptom of that, but Chuck and everyone around him continues to treat it like an actual, real allergy.  And by sheer force of personality and the respect people have for him I think a lot of people still believe it is a real thing.  

 

Jimmy got a reality check he couldn't deny by that doctor turning on the bed and showing that it's all in Chuck's head, not an actual physical effect.  Most people aren't privvy to that.

 

Kim was at the hospital when the doctor did that, but I can't remember if she was out of the room.

 

I kind of always got the feeling that Howard was humoring Chuck because he respects him so much. I'm not sure that he actually believes that there is a physical problem, simply he doesn't want to call him out.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Kim was at the hospital when the doctor did that, but I can't remember if she was out of the room.

 

I kind of always got the feeling that Howard was humoring Chuck because he respects him so much. I'm not sure that he actually believes that there is a physical problem, simply he doesn't want to call him out.

 

Yeah, I don't know if it's that or, if over time, he's actually started to believe it.  Either way the result is the same - everyone acts like it's real.

[Vanimal46]

Thoughts on last night's episode? Nice to have an episode focused on Kim... Though it was tough to watch her get her heart broken by Howard saying "you have your hands full in doc review" The guy certainly feels betrayed by her, and she is still in the dog house. 

 

Chuck is certainly doing his best to drive a wedge between Kim and Jimmy with the story of Jimmy stealing $14k from their father at the end of the episode. 

[DaveW]

 

Thoughts on last night's episode? Nice to have an episode focused on Kim... Though it was tough to watch her get her heart broken by Howard saying "you have your hands full in doc review" The guy certainly feels betrayed by her, and she is still in the dog house. 

 

Chuck is certainly doing his best to drive a wedge between Kim and Jimmy with the story of Jimmy stealing $14k from their father at the end of the episode. 

Good episode, very lawyery at times but I liked it, and it came off as pretty realistic on how stuff goes down at a law firm.

 

Chuck is such a dick, the opening scene was very telling as well, Chuck is absolutely jealous of Jimmy and his charisma.  I have a feeling that the "stealing from the family" story isn't the full truth either. Jimmy is a schemer, but by all accounts he is extremely loyal to his friends and family (which actually leads to his ultimate downfall) I can't see him stealing from his own father.

[Vanimal46]

That much is clear about Chuck. He resents that Jimmy has the charisma and charm to win over everyone he works with. It's also pretty clear that he plays the morale police and feels he's the ultimate decider on who deserves second chances. He's never wanted Jimmy to succeed in his profession, even back in season 1 when he was the one that made the call that Jimmy would never work full-time at HHM. 

[Vanimal46]

By the way, it was quite strange to see Hector Salamanca speak when all he did was ring a bell in BB...

[USAFChief]

By the way, it was quite strange to see Hector Salamanca speak when all he did was ring a bell in BB...

That's the most interesting piece, to me. Mike has to handle that situation...but how?

[DaveW]

 

That's the most interesting piece, to me. Mike has to handle that situation...but how?

He is desperate for the money now to help support his daughter in law and grandchild, this is ultimately what turns him "bad" overall moving forward.

I would guess he goes back to Tio Salamanca and demands a lot more than 25k. Tuco gets out of jail in a year or two and things move forward etc etc.

[PseudoSABR]

 

That's the most interesting piece, to me. Mike has to handle that situation...but how?

Sell out the guy who put him up to the hit? (Nacho Varga never did appear in Breaking Bad, did he?)  Not that Mike would sell Nacho out, but he'll find a way to implicate Nacho, and evade culpability. 

[DaveW]

 

Sell out the guy who put him up to the hit? (Nacho Varga never did appear in Breaking Bad, did he?)  Not that Mike would sell Nacho out, but he'll find a way to implicate Nacho, and evade culpability. 

Why does he have to sell out Nacho at this stage? As far as Tuco and Uncle are concerned Mike is just an old retired ex cop. Mike figures as long as Tuco gets 1-2 years in jail that should give Nacho enough time to build up etc and enough time for Tuco to get off the meth and maybe come out less crazy.

 

Either way he got the original job down for Nacho.

[USAFChief]

Mike isn't stupid enough to think taking $5k and claiming the gun will make the Salamanca situation go away.

 

He needs a better answer.

[Vanimal46]

Correct Chief. I don't think Mike knows what he's going to do with the Salamancas yet. Probably tread water for now until he gets a better grasp on the situation. 

We know in this series Mike doesn't resort to killing now that he's no longer a cop. Now that we know his connection to the Salamancas dates back this far, it's interesting that in Breaking Bad Mike was the one that killed one of the Salamanca cousins in the hospital. No wonder why he did it; he had a history with this family. 

[Vanimal46]

Thoughts from last night's episode? I like that Kim is becoming a bigger part of the show, and not just a small bit character from season 1. I shouldn't be surprised anymore that Mike is a bada$$ dealing with the Salamanca cousins. Hardly broke a sweat eliminating that threat. 

[TheLeviathan]

Mike's story is overshadowing Jimmy's big time right now.  I hope that doesn't become a problem for the show.

[Vanimal46]

I've noticed that too. I don't know how they turn the tables to Jimmy's story, or balance it out going forward. Jimmy's story isn't as captivating as Mike's right now. 

[nicksaviking]

It sure looks like Jimmy is going to break from corporate law quickly. Perhaps that will spur his story to the places we always expected.

 

I also originally thought that Gus wouldn't be introduced any time soon as there never appeared to be a Saul/Gus interaction prior to breaking bad and I thought introducing that to Mike's story would keep him more isolated from Jimmy so as not to contradict anything from Breaking Bad.

 

Gus might pop up soon though the way the story is going. He certainly would be an asset to Mike right about now.

[DaveW]

 

Mike's story is overshadowing Jimmy's big time right now.  I hope that doesn't become a problem for the show.

Why would that be a problem? In breaking bad it could be argued that Jesse's story overshadowed Walts for the better part of the last few seasons of the show. No issue having "co-leads" IMO and Mike is an extremely well done character both in BCS and in BB.

 

Kim is also stealing the show IMO, and that is a good thing. The more great actors/characters/storylines the better.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Why would that be a problem? In breaking bad it could be argued that Jesse's story overshadowed Walts for the better part of the last few seasons of the show. No issue having "co-leads" IMO and Mike is an extremely well done character both in BCS and in BB.

 

Kim is also stealing the show IMO, and that is a good thing. The more great actors/characters/storylines the better.

 

Well if Saul is the central character than the central story is inferior to side stories.  That could be an issue as things go on.  

 

I just want them to bring Saul up to the same level as Mike and Kim and it's not there right now.  It was in season 1, however.

[DaveW]

 

Well if Saul is the central character than the central story is inferior to side stories.  That could be an issue as things go on.  

 

I just want them to bring Saul up to the same level as Mike and Kim and it's not there right now.  It was in season 1, however.

Again, Walt was the central character and there were huge stretches where his character took a back seat. I'm sure this will just be the same, they have some time to kill with Jimmy -----> Saul so I am not worried, once that transition begins to happen then things will be amazing.

[TheLeviathan]

Again, Walt was the central character and there were huge stretches where his character took a back seat. I'm sure this will just be the same, they have some time to kill with Jimmy -----> Saul so I am not worried, once that transition begins to happen then things will be amazing.

Yes, at times Walt wasn't at the top but his story was always driving everything. Not the case here. It's not hurting the show now but it might if it continues.

[Vanimal46]

 

It sure looks like Jimmy is going to break from corporate law quickly. Perhaps that will spur his story to the places we always expected.

I also originally thought that Gus wouldn't be introduced any time soon as there never appeared to be a Saul/Gus interaction prior to breaking bad and I thought introducing that to Mike's story would keep him more isolated from Jimmy so as not to contradict anything from Breaking Bad.

Gus might pop up soon though the way the story is going. He certainly would be an asset to Mike right about now.

Yeah I can see this being the last attempt at corporate law for Jimmy. He doesn't seem too comfortable in the corporate housing they put him in. I'm assuming that's why he was sleeping at his old office in the nail salon. Clearly he doesn't like his company car much because his coffee mug would not fit in the cup holder....

I think we're getting closer to seeing Gus too. IIRC, he was Mike's boss in Breaking Bad, so eventually they have to meet.  

[Vanimal46]

Thoughts on last night's episode? Jimmy's fire me montage was great. I suppose that's the start of his colorful shirts that we saw on Breaking Bad? Also, I'm starting to believe that Chuck's story about Jimmy stealing $13-14k from his father was a lie.. Sure he stole a couple of bucks from the register, but they certainly made it seem like his dad contributed more to the lost funds... 

[DaveW]

 

Thoughts on last night's episode? Jimmy's fire me montage was great. I suppose that's the start of his colorful shirts that we saw on Breaking Bad? Also, I'm starting to believe that Chuck's story about Jimmy stealing $13-14k from his father was a lie.. Sure he stole a couple of bucks from the register, but they certainly made it seem like his dad contributed more to the lost funds... 

Yeah, I always assumed that the 13-14k wasn't Jimmy. Also, I don't think he was "stealing" that money to "steal it" from his dad, part of me thinks he took the money from the register so his dad wouldn't find out about the cigarettes being sold (and thus shattering his world view)

Jimmy could have told his dad immediately that he confirmed the guy was a scammer, but didn't as it clearly would have upset his dad quite a bit.

 

It's also interesting that at least in all the flashbacks, the only people that Jimmy "scams" are essentially as he put's it "douche bags/rich douche bags" not saying that makes it "right" but I doubt he would be ripping off honest people as that would remind him of his father.

[TheLeviathan]

I think a Jimmy centric episode was needed and it was very solid.

[DaveW]

I think a Jimmy centric episode was needed and it was very solid.

Good point. I also like they have already gotten him back into his own practice. There is only so far the jimmy doesn't fit in with a big law firm storyline could go.

[Shane Wahl]

Re: main plot(s), sub plots, or side plots:

 

I think a key element of BrBa and now BCS is that there is one/are two (merging more probably by next season?) main plot lines without rubbish on the side. Compare these shows to "Dexter" which had to have some of the stupidest sub plots known to man (I swear a few writers were devoted to the Dexter story line and a few completely different writers did the rest . . . ). I would say that only Mad Men and The Sopranos could really pull off truly stellar sub plots to go with the main plot. A lot of shows get carried away with side nonsense and it weakens the show.

[DaveW]

Deadspin did a great job at the too, oh and the wire which by Internet law must always be brought up when talking about epic TV shows

[Vanimal46]

 

Re: main plot(s), sub plots, or side plots:

 

I think a key element of BrBa and now BCS is that there is one/are two (merging more probably by next season?) main plot lines without rubbish on the side. Compare these shows to "Dexter" which had to have some of the stupidest sub plots known to man (I swear a few writers were devoted to the Dexter story line and a few completely different writers did the rest . . . ). I would say that only Mad Men and The Sopranos could really pull off truly stellar sub plots to go with the main plot. A lot of shows get carried away with side nonsense and it weakens the show.

Agreed. Dexter was infuriating at times with their sub plots.. Another one that comes to mind was LOST. That show went so far off the rails with their sub plots that by season 3 or 4 it was a completely different show.