"Putting the "criminal" in "criminal lawyer.""
Better Call Saul - Episode Highlights
Episode Highlights
Five-O
This episode breaks from Jimmy's storyline to give a powerful, self-contained origin story for Mike Ehrmantraut. Through flashbacks, we learn the tragic story of his son's death and witness Mike's methodical revenge on the corrupt cops responsible. It establishes the deep guilt and motivation that drive his character for the rest of the series.
It transformed Mike from a simple 'fixer' into one of the show's most complex and sympathetic characters. Jonathan Banks' Emmy-nominated performance anchors this episode, which is a masterclass in backstory and emotional revelation, setting the stage for his entire arc.
Chicanery
The conflict between Jimmy and Chuck culminates in a tense bar association hearing. Jimmy masterfully turns the tables on his brother by secretly planting a battery on him, exposing Chuck's electromagnetic hypersensitivity as a mental illness in front of his peers. The episode is a brilliant courtroom drama that results in Chuck's complete public breakdown.
Considered by many to be the series' best episode, "Chicanery" is the climax of the brothers' feud. Jimmy's victory is a hollow one, as it destroys the person he once admired most and sets both of them on a tragic path from which they cannot recover. It is a pivotal moment in Jimmy's descent into Saul Goodman.
Winner
Jimmy gives a seemingly heartfelt speech about his brother to win his law license reinstatement. However, it's revealed to be a calculated performance, shocking Kim. He then declares he won't be practicing under the name McGill, officially adopting the moniker 'Saul Goodman.' In the B-plot, Mike is forced to execute a German engineer, Werner Ziegler, cementing his tragic path.
This episode marks the official birth of 'Saul Goodman.' The moment Jimmy reveals his insincerity to Kim creates a crucial fracture in their relationship and shows that the last vestiges of the old Jimmy are gone, replaced by a cynical and manipulative persona.
Bad Choice Road
After a traumatic ordeal in the desert, a shaken Jimmy returns home to a worried Kim. In the episode's stunning climax, Lalo Salamanca unexpectedly arrives at their apartment to confront Jimmy. Kim, in a moment of bravery and quick thinking, stands up to the menacing Lalo, defending Jimmy and saving both their lives.
This episode brings the two halves of the show—the legal world and the cartel world—crashing together in a terrifying way. Kim's confrontation with Lalo is a major turning point for her character, showing she is no longer a passive observer but an active and capable player in the criminal game.
Plan and Execution
The mid-season finale sees Jimmy and Kim's elaborate plan to ruin Howard Hamlin come to fruition. As they celebrate their victory, their worlds are shattered when Lalo Salamanca appears in their apartment and, without warning, murders Howard. The shocking and brutal act is a direct consequence of their actions.
This episode is the point of no return for Jimmy and Kim. The 'fun and games' of their cons have a real, horrific, and bloody consequence. Howard's murder destroys their relationship and sends both of their lives into a tailspin, directly leading to Kim leaving Jimmy and the final stages of his transformation.
Saul Gone
In the series finale, Jimmy (as Gene) is caught. He brilliantly negotiates a lenient plea deal but abandons it in court after learning Kim has confessed. He proceeds to confess to all his crimes, taking responsibility for his role in Walter White's empire and, most importantly, clearing Kim's name. He reclaims the name Jimmy McGill and is sentenced to 86 years in prison, sharing one last, poignant cigarette with Kim.
The finale provides a thematically perfect and emotionally resonant conclusion. It argues for redemption through accountability. Jimmy's final act is not a con but a genuine sacrifice, proving that despite his transformation into Saul Goodman, the man he was—and the love he had for Kim—was never truly gone.