Better Call Saul: Real Redemption?

[@VinnieGer]

I try to be super healthy but honestly, these videos are best enjoyed with a warm Cinnabon.

[@djangofett4879]

I prefer my cinnabons in monochrome.

[@mappingshaman5280]

Whose your Baker? Mine is called gene takavic, he has a friend called Jeff who's a cab driver

[@LadyhawksLairDotCom]

I think my blood glucose just shot up by thirty points.

[@eye.sexual]

Me halfway into a box of vanilla twinkies-

[@rickybindahoose6193]

As disgusting as it was the way that security guard scoffed his Cinnabon, it made me want to try one so badly, being from the UK I don't think I've ever seen a Cinnabon lol.

[@dashisneat]

I feel like there’s one important scene you’re missing when asking whether or not Jimmy has ever taken accountability for his actions. In the season 3 finale, Jimmy destroys his own reputation within the elderly community in order to repair what he did to Irene. This seems like a very good example of him taking accountability, without it being about self-interest.

[@BlueGamingRage]

Not only did it damage his reputation, it ruined his scheme to get Irene to settle with Sandpiper. Absolutely was a moral highpoint for Jimmy

[@dashisneat]

@@BlueGamingRage Very true. The only counter-argument I can think of is that he did it to impress Kim, but I don’t think it’s framed that way, and if it was, that’s not much different from Saul Gone really.

[@dashisneat]

@@skatefan9495 I agree, like I said, I don’t think it’s that way

[@Arman-ch5vi]

its so sad to see jimmy did genuinely have a good heart at times, he was a degenerate who robbed from his parents making them bankrupt, but he genuinely cared about chuck and looked after him when chuck would not do for him. he genuinely had a heart earlier, trying to not get involved with cartel to avoid big crimes, but in bb he puts mayhew in a position where he will get killed unless jesse and walt pay 100k. diehards hate chuck all day, but that's vince for you, he makea you hate what's good and love what's bad. chuck was always right about jimmy, he was a degenerate scumbag, ready to kill a cancer patient so to not get caught after after robbing him, and prepared to strangle an old lady with telephone wire

[@basicallybray]

I thought of this scene the moment I started watching the video. Glad I'm not alone.

[@go2damoon555]

When jimmy tells the old people he manipulated Irene but didn’t actually own up to them and he faked that microphone bit cause he couldn’t actually face what he did is an interesting moment for his character

[@jpeg204]

Yeah but at the same time I felt like it was the best way for him to do it, he tried to convince Irene’s friends to stop being mean to her and that it was his fault but they didn’t listen, he really needed to convince them that he was at fault, and them listening in on a “private” conversation is the best way to do that, plus he still had to face the shame of the situation when he went back into the room.

[@go2damoon555]

@@jpeg204 I agree and that’s what makes it so interesting. It’s like he’s half facing it. Not fully owning what he did. And in a way…he’s manipulating the old people even more by enacting that method of coming clean. It’s like he puts so much effort into not facing the full consequences that it would just be easier to tell the truth. Which comes full circle when he goes the extra mile at his confession in the finale to face ALL of his consequences.

[@subfreak1996]

I don't think Irene's friends would've believed him if he explained what he was up to in the normal way

[@deuce5546]

Gene Takovic makes the character all the more complex, an incredible feat tbh given he's around for 3 episodes only. The black & white episodes are like a soft reboot of the show, Jimmy, now as Gene, is going through all the phases he went through the entire show except in a more quick succession now, in Nippy he phases between good and evil trying to make the right thing while also taking advantage of the shortcuts just like in the earlier seasons, in Breaking Bad he turns into Saul Goodman to escape from the pain of losing his life's work to the feds and Kim's indifference and thus he becomes more indifferent to the pain he causes other people given his own emotional pain just like Jimmy in Seasons 4-6. Basically Gene is pretty much living a summarized version of his entire life and by extension us the audience are watching like a summary of the entire series in a mini story arc of sorts. Gene has nothing, both metaphorically and literally, Jimmy had Chuck, Kim and the law, Saul had money and fame, Gene has absolutely nothing, no friends, no family, no money, he has nothing to lose, he doesn't have the loved ones he used to keep as Jimmy McGill nor the popularity of Saul Goodman, this is why Gene has no restraint. In previous episodes we saw Gene try to replicate his personas, but in Waterworks we see Gene in the raw, we had a brief glimpse of it at the end of Breaking Bad and now it's clear, Jimmy was the lawyer, Saul was the criminal lawyer, Gene is just a criminal. He will rob and almost kill a man with cancer if necessary to escape, he will threaten to murder an old lady in order to save his own ass, he will even gloat to the DEA on their face about how he's gonna get away in his own terms. Gene is Jimmy's worse, Jimmy McGill with nothing to keep him in check, he's an unleashed "monster" and the realistic outcome of what 6 years of living as a soulless conman is gonna do to your moral compass. I thought I would make this brief analysis of the final episodes since while they were aired they got a lot of flack for their slow pace and atmosphere. Without these episodes the finale wouldn't work at all, they encapsulate what Jimmy's problem is, Jimmy is too smart for his own good, he will never be truly punished because he'll always find a way and he WILL take it. Kim, Chuck, the law, no one can punish Jimmy. Jimmy has to punish himself.

[@Delightfully_Witchy]

This is a great comment, but I think you mixed Gene with Victor St Clair (his last identity) before he got incarcerated: 1) Gene was a broken and lonely man who finally got his spine back. 2) Victor was a slimy vicious creature who was willing to kill and use people before Jimmy drew the line.

[@deuce5546]

@@Delightfully_Witchy I disagree, Victor wasn't much of an identity at all, it's very much just an alternative name related more to Slippin Jimmy than an actual separate persona.

[@stevewynnearts]

Nippy is my favourite character.

[@stevewynnearts]

Bartending school is in bars with Marco

[@aquirick]

Don't totally agree. Gene is the first Jimmy that recognizes guilt. The first time, he acts out on it, when he robs the cancer man he makes mistakes because he is overwhelmed with guilt (he liked the guy, he was being remember that you only live once at his third life, cancer=Walter, the accomplice that makes him the moral like Chuck did) and can't accept it, that's why he makes so many mistakes in trying to rob him. Same with the old woman, he let it slip that he's from Albuquerque, and then acts on pure rage. But it's exactly that rage, the worst we're seen from him in the whole series, that makes him recognize what he is become and change. Jimmy strugge in recognizing guilt, so that moment and his ability to come back from it are pivotal to the change.

[@Kyrieru]

After re-watching the Tuco negotiation scene, I realized something I feel gets glossed over. Tuco is about to kill the two guys, and Jimmy literally tells Tuco "I put them up to it". Think about that for a sec. Tuco was about to gut these guys, and Jimmy STILL told him that it was his fault. He's lucky that Tuco kind of glossed over that comment as much as the audience does.

[@nont18411]

The audience loves to gloss over Jimmy’s selfless moment because they are fixated on Chuck’s comments too much. This video as well.

[@annalesezawodny-benlon4359]

I think many people did gloss over that fact, but I think some viewing differences can come from whether a person has already watched Breaking Bad and how long ago it was. We re-watched BB right before I streamed all 6 seasons of BCS. Saul's first appearance on BB lands him in the desert, but on BCS it's JIMMY out there with the twins. Jimmy hasn't given up on making Chuck proud, but poor Saul, Saul is a living, breathing testament to regret and compartmentalizing.

[@veloc.raptor9136]

I think youre forgetting that if Tuco killed the twins, he would have likely killedJimmy too out of rage. Also if Jimmy didnt react it would be on his conscience. Its a good deed, undoubtedly. But it doesnt make Jimmy a good person

[@AliciaM5555]

@Annalese damn that was well said.

[@bruhlol2744]

another glossed over fact, during carrot and stick even though kim completely smashed the kettlemens and he knew nothing he could do could possibly repair his relationship with them, he game them the carrot(thousand dollar bribe) anyway

[@osmanyousif7849]

You know, the ending of the show is a lot more ironic, as it was Jimmy who told Walter White in their final meeting to stay in Albuquerque and face the music for his actions (“You walk in with your head held high, you'll be the John Dillinger of Metropolitan Detention Center…”), but Walt didn’t take his advice. Instead, it was Jimmy who took it.

[@meesteranonymous8177]

Walt's ending was great, almost parallel to Nacho's but better

[@MisterzzYT]

Can't wait for the Lalo Prequel "Lalo's Gonzalo" where we see the origins of his vlogging career. Not sure if it's coming before or after "Huell's Rules" but should be great. Bravo Vince!

[@morningstar8501]

Man I’ll be real with you, the last scene between Jimmy and Kim, made me cry man. Idk why, it just hit me hard. I felt like a little girl :(

[@subfreak1996]

It's okay to cry

[@meesteranonymous8177]

Faag

[@morningstar8501]

@@meesteranonymous8177 say that to my face and you’ll end up with broken teeth and broken legs.

[@meesteranonymous8177]

@@morningstar8501 since when do faags have face? You have none

[@TheAwesomeAlan]

Really hoping that there's a show in the future with this much character depth that allows for opportunities for discussions and videos like these. A lot are close, but in my opinion, nothing quite compares to this show's level of quality and how relationships structure and affect the show's world as a whole.

[@billepperson2662]

I just heard Vince Gilligan sold a show to apple tv that's gonna star rhea seahorn & go for @ least 2 seasons

[@deuce5546]

@@billepperson2662 It's probably not gonna have the same writing team from BB and BCS so while I don't doubt the show's quality I doubt it will reach the previous two's levels. No offense to Gilligan but he didn't singlehandedly make these shows awesome.

[@as1tis]

Mr Robot

[@gandalf_thegrey]

@@deuce5546 But just like when you sign a football manager: You don't only buy their services, but parts (never the entirety) of their staff (Like his assistant manager) too. I'm sure he gonna get some friends into his workplace, he's in high demand, so his demands can be high too ;)

[@ricardohernandez8683]

The sopranos is on par with it imo

[@reid.7680]

As for times he willingly took accountability for his actions, how about when he knowingly sabotaged the career he built in elder law to get Irene her friends back and put the Sandpiper case back on track?

[@motiz88]

This. Loved the video, but this was conspicuously absent from the analysis.

[@VinnieGer]

Eh, but he was willing to kneecap it just to embarrass Howard so, not really feeling it.

[@aurelium771]

@@VinnieGer eh, I don't think you could argue that the old people were really harmed that much. As they pointed out themselves, a year or two is a long time for them. 90% would have wanted to settle right then and there and get their money before they kicked it.

[@guhankns]

@@VinnieGer The motivation was not just to embarrass Howard, but also so Kim can have enough money to pursue her full time pro bono dream

[@nont18411]

@@motiz88 Actually, the analysis overlook so many aspects of Jimmy. For example, the phone call with Kim. Yeah, Jimmy was aggressive but everything he said was RIGHT and Kim was a hypocrite to expect Jimmy to turn himself in without doing the same thing. Or in previous video when he said that Kim u turned her car because she “was influenced” by Jimmy. As if whenever it’s something good, it’s all Kim. But when it’s something bad, then Kim’s free will doesn’t exist anymore. It’s all Jimmy’a fault for mind controlling her.

[@heszedjim9699]

Remember the regret scene with walter while you watch breaking bad. The fact he looks at that watch is his real answer to the question, while he covers his shame with prideful boasts about grey matter

[@jamesmmcgill]

Jesse...

[@heszedjim9699]

@@jamesmmcgill James... Team rocket blasting off at the speed of light, surrender now or prepare to fight

[@saucegoodman825]

@@heszedjim9699 MEOWTH! Dat's right!

[@peterpirate8163]

Good video. I would say the first time Jimmy took accountability was when he restored Irene's reputation, to his own financial detriment, in the season 3 finale.

[@onemoreminute0543]

Gene's story ends when he is captured. He sees the literal writing on the wall in his cell and so reverts to the Saul Goodman persona. Sauls story ends when he negotiates the best deal he can (as Saul would). But when he sees Kim (literally) in the crosshairs in the courtroom (mirroring how he had a moment of moral hesitation in court when he represented Lalo), he reverts back to Jimmy, his true moral self. After the finale, I feel as if the main struggle of BCS had finally revealed itself- it's about the internal schism in the main character across his identities as Saul, Gene, and Jimmy. It's about a man battling with his demons (made literal identities) as he tries to get by in life. Breaking Bad was about watching a man become a demon, but Better Call Saul was about a man trying to counter or give into his inner demons (kind of like Sopranos, but ultimately more positive). Just think back to the song from the very start of the series- - My Echo (Gene) - My Shadow (Saul) - And Me (Jimmy) The Mike flashback focused on Saul Goodman, when he was still obsessed with money and collaborating deep into the world of the cartel. The Walt flashback focused on Gene, just as he's about to take on a new identity in hiding and is still refusing to reform himself. The Chuck flashback focused on Jimmy, before he began his descent into Saul and you can see his morality and humanity when he interacts with his brother (also some details in that scene hint that it actually takes place the day before the events of the first episode)

[@hazelsmith919]

interesting parallel in the flashbacks you cited. in each of those moments, each of those identities had a chance to change. with Gene, if he did some self help reflection, he could’ve avoided being Gene. with Saul, that was right after his near death experience that could’ve definitely turned him away from the cartel/criminal underworld, but is not shaken. with Jimmy, he could’ve opened up with his brother to remain Jimmy and never become Gene or Saul

[@emperortamarinfan]

so interesting about the flashbacks omg

[@karholdelrio9468]

One of the reasons I didn't want this show to end is because I'll miss your video essays. They're on the top quality ones, not only about this show in specific. But Better Call Saul is a great source of topics for this in deep analysis. Great job!

[@ricardohernandez8683]

Hey, maybe we’ll get breaking bad analysis videos in the future since he hasnt watched it and stated hes planning to

[@lulu4882]

beautiful analysis as always. i really liked the way you ended it. the one thing about the finale that never sat with me is that imprisonment in a supermax isn't "justice" being served for his actions. perhaps it will keep him from harming more innocent people, but our "correctional" "justice" system is in actuality exactly what manuel said to mike - revenge. retributive, not restorative. nothing can really atone for all the harm jimmy did in his life, but tossing him in a cage in inhumane conditions for the rest of his life is no better. justice is indeed building a world which doesn't incentivize people to harm others for personal gain.

[@thischannelhasnocontent8629]

I was against the show ending with Jimmy in prison for the exact reason you described. But I think the show made it work, because it never really framed prison as justice. All these sentences get bandied about -- 200 years, 40 years, 7 years, 86 years -- and they're transparently arbitrary. To add onto that, we have plenty of reasons to believe that Jimmy would be happier in prison than he ever was as Saul or Gene. The "justice" in the episode is him finally laying his soul bare to the rest of the world, whatever that may bring, and his prison sentence is only a natural consequence of that -- similar to how him losing his elder law practice is a consequence of his coming clean about scamming Irene's friends, but the show doesn't pretend that that's him "facing justice" or whatever. The finale is about his perception of himself and Kim's perception of him, and the prosecutors, the judge, Bill, and the whole courtroom were auxiliary to that.

[@lulu4882]

@@thischannelhasnocontent8629 i agree. vince said in interviews it's somewhat about "atoning for his sins", but i think an interpretation more true to the characters is what you described. kim was a sizeable part of why jimmy became a lawyer, fear of her outgrowing him and leaving the mailroom, seeding the idea that "maybe i can do that." we could view his coming clean as the mirror of that. kim turned herself in due to festering guilt and a desire to come clean about what she did to howard, and upon hearing about that and internalizing it, jimmy decided to follow her, probably thinking to himself, maybe i can do that.

[@thischannelhasnocontent8629]

@@lulu4882 I love this angle, thank you for sharing. I miss them every day lmao

[@kyleowsen]

I think the reason they made the difference between his plea deal and his real sentence so huge is so the audience would know it was a genuine confession. Like you don't just give up 80 years of your life as a romantic gesture, you only do it if you've realized that not coming clean and facing your guilt is going to be worse than prison.

[@jpeg204]

Exactly, that’s why I find it so strange when people interpret his confession as disingenuous or only done to impress Kim, it’s very clear that he did it primarily for himself.

[@ahumanbeingfromtheearth1502]

@@jpeg204 this exactly. I can agree that hearing about Kim's confession catalysed his decision to confess as well, but if it was entirely about trying to get back into Kim's good books then he would have done that already. He already knows from the phone call to her in waterworks that confessing is what she thinks he should do, if he was confessing entirely to win her over he'd have turned himself in after that call.

[@meesteranonymous8177]

Nah he was lovestuck primarily and fogured out the rest

[@lemongrasslaughs9061]

@@meesteranonymous8177 No

[@buriedpet]

People give up 80 years of their life as a romantic gesture all the time. It’s called marriage.

[@jaredlauri7347]

I remember watching Winner for the first time. I actually did pick up it was an act about halfway through, I just randomly thought ‘could he by lying here’ and my heart sank. I spent the next 2 minutes hoping I was wrong before the other shoe dropped. One of the most memorable experiences I’ve had watching a show, and one of the best episodes of TV I’ve ever seen. I’ve never wanted a character to truly change so badly

[@hugrow3901]

Man this channel is one of my new faves, you introduced me to long ass show analysis videos and I'm hooked, thank you for making this content

[@JustCobaltVA]

I know there will never be another show like Better Call Saul or Breaking Bad. Quite a ride.

[@itscosmicnerd]

I get unreasonably excited to see your deep analysis videos on this show on my feed! Can't believe these are all free omg

[@NoahK216]

I will miss this series deeply

[@stevesmith4600]

"I don't go to the dentist, because my high school bully had braces" is a terrible comparison to the Jimmy tearing up the shrink referral after talking to Howard. A more accurate analogy to that scene is "I don't go to the dentist, because a guy I know is going, and his teeth are not getting any better, and it sounds super painful." And please note, I am not saying that the re-wording I stated above isn't without some faulty logic; however, the original quote seems grossly over exaggerated in a bias way to make a point.

[@dialnh]

One of the only ways I think you're missing out by not watching Breaking Bad is the whole anxiety of watching each episode like "wtf happens to kim." Because the more you watch Better Call Saul, the more you realize how integral she is to the story but then in Breaking Bad: nothing. She's not even mentioned once. Obviously it's because she wasn't conceived of yet, but still lol. For me the anxiety was real like I was watching BCS like "Ok if Kim is still around, she would've been in BB"

[@jpeg204]

Has he not watched Breaking Bad? I feel like that would be a major misstep, BB should definitely be watched first. Not only does it add so much context to BCS with its plot and it’s references and characters, but it also plays an integral part to how the show is supposed to be watched. We are supposed to see who Saul Goodman is, because it makes us pay much closer attention to how Jimmy slowly becomes him, the context is needed, especially considering how a lot of it is built on reframing him from the comic relief character he is in BB into a much more tragic character with tons of depth, it completely changes the way we look at his character in BB which is the point. And yeah as you said it definitely adds that tension to the fates of the characters that don’t appear in BB. But maybe the most crucial part, watching BCS first would literally spoil the events and ending of BB, especially when you look at the final 4 episodes. Breaking Bad should absolutely be watched before Better Call Saul.

[@eduarda2534]

Thisss! I remember watching the first and second season just waiting for Jimmy to fuck up and Kim to dump him. I thought she would break up with Jimmy after he aired the commercial, even he did, since Kim says that if someone like that ever happens again they are over, and Jimmy says "this isn't over?". When he altered the mesa verde files I was 100% sure they were going to break up. And at some point I started wondering if she dies or if they were together during Breaking Bad and we just never saw her, but after Howard died I knew they were going to get divorced soon.

[@susanbork5801]

I expected Kim was working on the other end of Lydia's operation in Czech Republic during Breaking Bad. To find out she was slumming in Florida was a huge disappointment.

[@nont18411]

I think that sense of dread is what made everyone loves Kim’s ending, even though I found it laughable.

[@dialnh]

@@jpeg204 I kinda agree that you should watch bb first but i would've loved to have seen what bcs would be like if i didn't tbh

[@santiagorodriguez4385]

Been waiting for YOUR take on the final since it freaking aired.

[@lieutenantlucas]

I didn't think of it when it aired at the time, but the scene where he makes Jeff say "we're done" feels like a call back to Breaking Bad where he tries to cut ties with Walter, and he corners him in his own office and says "We're done when I say we're done". Another example of Jimmy or Saul or Gene or whatever we're calling this person trying to take back control and power in his own life.

[@enemystand2981]

Babe, wake up, a new what’s therapy? vid dropped

[@romancandleofthewild]

I just finished the series, and I couldn't wait to watch your analysis on it. Your Better Call Saul deep dives are so thoughtful and well-constructed. Also THANK YOU for pointing out that Kim returned the finger guns! I didn't notice it when I watched the finale and seeing that she returned the gesture made me appreciate the ending that much more.

[@buckiris]

Thanks for this! As a recovered alcoholic, I have a lot of thoughts and feelings when it comes to past actions, regrets, redemption. I think that's one of many reasons why this show was so captivating to me. I appreciate your analysis and you put my thoughts into words.

[@AnthonyL0401]

Thanks! I have been struggling to put into words my non-orthodox feelings about the finale of BCS. I have not felt that it ended the way others say it ended. Your video is comprehensive and I love the therapy angle a lot.

[@WhatsTherapy]

Hey thanks! And thanks for the money donation, much appreciated

[@Vent69420]

If love is connection and to connect is to compromise and empathize, then to disregard the other and go for whatever you want is the definition of disconnection. The path to a better future is wonderfully laid out by this show. If chuck had been as good as Kim turned out to be for Jimmy, maybe Saul may never have existed.

[@jacksonb.valentine8208]

@25:00 just finished a deep dive into logotherapy after reading a few body’s of work by Dr. Viktor Frankl. I whole heartedly believe that search for meaning is in all of us, and unreached in most of us.

[@Tali-De]

This video was amazing, thank you so much for your hard work, and I can’t wait for the Jimmy The Artist one!! I didn’t even notice the “Confession Pattern” of the season finale’s 😮

[@reshpeck]

Redemption, as in redeem, implies that we are all initially innocent and have committed acts that require redemption.

[@harper5128]

you make the perfect videos to watch contemplatively with one elbow rested on my desk doing the thinker pose while agreeably saying yup under my breath

[@christianbhagwani3263]

Yup

[@RustyRants]

yup… yup… yup..!

[@motionsuggests]

i didn't see the channel name when the video autoplayed, but halfway in when you mentioned that you are a therapist yourself, i thought to myself, 'oh, that's why the analysis is so great and intricate.' as a social work student, appreciate all ur content!

[@ZachyNY]

I love this series so much I have been waiting since the finale

[@Isaac-se4cx]

Isaac! That's me!! :-) Thanks for making me smile. Given your channel's theme of therapy and the video's theme of redemption, it'd be interesting to dive into Kim's apology and how she took accountability for her actions. (It doesn't deserve its own full-length video like this, but would be nice to hear what you think about it.) It'd also be interesting to hear your take on why she became such a bland, extremely passive person, who seemingly gave up on wanting "more" - I didn't fully understand that when I watched the finale. It was a beautiful scene when she volunteered for pro bono work again. You mentioned in your other episodes how Kim and Jimmy didn't seem to have any friends - it's also interesting how Kim had a group of coworkers she got lunch with. She didn't seem very interested in them, so I wondered how she found herself there.

[@eliastemp1608]

Brad thank you for making me love this dude even more

[@mickeydoodle69]

The show is so strange. Both series are lamentations on revenge, maybe before they can reasonably be labeled any other way. Almost every move by all the principals is motivated first by revenge. And the ultimate product of all of it - From Boston Sunroof, to Walt first seeking out Jesse and everything after those two points - is desolation, horror, disgrace, and detection. Simple enough: avoid revenge, kids. It’s bad!! Then, at the very last, and after the entire adventure leaves us in a bleak, black and white wasteland of angst and recrimination, the revenge lesson is abandoned for an entirely different kind of conundrum. We know what revenge brings, but now we’ve got to consider redemption. Specifically: what does it look like? Who deserves it? What does that person have to do to get it? Here I think the answer is far more open ended. It’s interesting that Jimmy, on top of being the only criminal left around to answer for the conspiracy and its mayhem, is also given the opportunity to be the judge of his actions as a part of it, as well as the arbiter of punishment. We know what he choses, but what any of it means there’s simply no time left to consider. Should Jimmy have engineered a more lenient sentence? What part did Kim play and is it justice that she avoids legal recourse? How about Howard? Jimmy didn’t pull the trigger and he never invited Howie or Lalo to his house, nor did he pull the trigger. Is it justice that he assumes responsibility? Or is it a useless martyrdom designed to look good in Kim’s eyes? If Jimmy’s only options were bargaining for a few years in a minimum security farm, or signing the rest of his life away, which option hews closer to true justice and why? I don’t know the answers, but a show that so deftly and artfully posses the questions is one we probably won’t see again for a long long time.

[@motomiya3310]

@58:00 this was when Kim learned that Jimmy was the one who got Chuck's insurance cancelled. That shot was about her realizing that she had been lied to by Jimmy and had blamed Howard for Chuck's death instead of Jimmy.

[@firewoman2863]

I really hope you can make a video that focuses on Kim, too! Thanks for all your hard work. You've given us alot more to enjoy and think about.

[@qsns_]

babe wake up, new what's therapy saul discussion

[@iy42]

I think you're still missing a bit what people mean about the therapy decision. It's not about Jimmy trying to make some rational decision and more about how affected he is by Howard's state in that scene. Jimmy has always seen Howard as the most put together, stable, unwavering person throughout the entire show, so it makes sense that he would be shocked by seeing so much clear suffering and vulnerability in him. Since Jimmy is also so focused on shutting down these elements within himself, he interprets those healthy reactions in Howard as weaknesses, and the fact that someone as strong as Howard could be going to therapy twice a week and STILL look like this--I think--convinces Jimmy that therapy just doesn't work. It's not that it's a rational or logical, but Jimmy is definitely already trying to come up with any reason to be able to justify not going and as backward s as the logic is, Howard being in therapy while also looking worse than ever is a good enough excuse. (As far as the many, many parallels this series does with Breaking Bad, Jimmy's irrational justifications to cover up his own anxieties about acknowledging the situation and his fear of seeking treatment mirror Walter's reaction to his own illness in an interesting way.) The issue I had with your earlier interpretation of Jimmy not wanting to go to therapy in order to do the opposite of what Howard is doing is that I feel like that goes against a fundamental element of Jimmy's character from the very beginning of the show, his tendency to imitate/become the people he's in conflict with. His entire law career is a result of subconsciously trying to become his brother, his instinct when dealing with the Mesa Verde case is to imitate elements of Kevin's personality, after going up against the Kettlemans he ends up transforming his office into theirs, whenever he does any of his one-off con-man schemes he tries to impersonate his mark as much as possible, and you can even frame his entire life as the result of child-Jimmy making the decision to be less like his "sheep" father and more like the "wolf" who ripped that father off. Most importantly, how many times throughout the show has he found some reason to straight up do a Howard impression? I think in a show where impersonating the enemy has been a go-to strategy for Jimmy so many times, the therapy decision is actually a deviation from his normal behavior. The fact that Jimmy very specifically uses all the information he learns in this scene to ruin Howard's life throughout the rest of the show only further sells it to me that he interprets Howard's behavior here (and going to therapy) as simple weaknesses -- because that's what maliciously turns them into. Anyway, loved all your videos on this show!

[@robofistsrevenge3288]

To answer the most notable and important question, yes, Lalo would've been a phenomenal KZbinr.

[@01NeilHD]

"Mmm ...muy bien taco!"👌

[@BradTasteInMusicOfficial]

OOOOH IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS

[@autonomous8108]

Even tho I loved all the cameos throughout the series, I think my favorite is the one with Saul, and Walt talking about the time machine. Walt was gonna be the biggest cameo in the series, and I was interested to see how they'd pull it off. It didn't feel at all like it was there just to get the viewers. It felt necessary, and critical to the story. They hit the nail like Jimmy hitting the floor. You learn a lot about Jimmy in that short scene

[@CassidyListon]

2:17 "is this even a RE demption? Was he good before?" 🤔 I would argue that there were a few times when he was doing productive, "morally" good work. First, when he worked as a mailroom boy. Then when he was a public defender. And again when he ran his own practice next to Kim's doing elderly law.

[@brycehanson6518]

Babe wake up there’s a new “What’s Therapy” video about Better Call Saul

[@ethanforan7050]

First, really good video and about Jimmy manipulating his emotions Chick mentioned when he was telling Kim about how Jimmy stole money from his parents store that no one cried harder than Jimmy at his fathers funeral. I definitely feel like Chuck understood Jimmy I don’t know if I am remembering it right but I think Chuck said something about how Jimmy being locked up in prison would be the only way to ensure he doesn’t hurt anyone and in the ending that’s what happens. I definitely think that if Jimmy didn’t get locked up he would still do scams it’s almost an addiction for him.

[@slipperyjimothy]

Chuck never really said that. In fact, the only consequences he ever wanted for Jimmy was taking away his law license, he even says he doesn't deserve prison at one point. Anyway, I never took Jimmy's crying at his father's funeral as a manipulation -- I always interpreted that as him feeling guilty, but who knows.

[@denisesudell2538]

Sorry, but you’re wrong about the finger guns at the end. Peter Gould, who of course wrote and directed the episode, said in interviews afterward that they had discussed whether Kim should give the finger guns back to Jimmy, and they had decided against it so viewers wouldn’t interpret the gesture as meaning that Kim was going back to scamming.

[@rubenhinze7695]

One scene I haven't seen anyone talk about that I think is very important is when Lalo instructed Jimmy to kill Gus and he convinced Lalo to send Kim instead. I don't think this made him irredeemable for me, but this was certainly the point where I lost all respect for him. Throughout the show I was constantly questioning if Jimmy really loved Kim because she put a ton on the line for him, not that she was innocent or anything, but she clearly went above and beyond to back Jimmy up, but I never got the feeling that Jimmy appreciated her all that much and this scene confirmed to me that he didn't love her, but he just kept her around because she made him feel worthy of love and respect. Honestly, it was such a cowardly thing to do, because I know it wouldn't be ideal to leave Kim with Lalo, but I feel that it was a much better option than to send her to kill Gus. I know they didn't know who Gus was, but surely Jimmy should've known that Lalo wouldn't just send them to kill a random civilian and that it would probably be extremely dangerous. And that's ignoring the fact that Kim would have to murder someone and likely be scarred for the rest of her life. And it was also just so sad to see Kim justify Jimmy's choice after the fact and think he did it because he loved her. I don't know why more people don't talk about this.

[@toxzicoolb7981]

Saul quería que kim se fuera, para que escapara

[@DakNJaxter]

What made the Season 4 finale lying so left-field, was that every scene where Jimmy lies in that season has a tinge of corniness to it. Almost like heightened theatrical stage lying. But that's almost completely absent from his hearing. Very cleverly done. Also, the "We're done" motif feels like a deliberate call-back to his attempt to cut ties with Walter White at the start of Season 5. Another scene where he's made to feel small and helpless. I saw it not only as a push-back, but also to an extent, Gene deliberately (or sub-consciously) emulating Walter White's intimidating/controlling persona.

[@kensredemption]

49:05 So, about this shot in particular: I rewatched this scene recently on a big screen and, it’s very subtle but, I did see Jimmy tearing just slightly. Not sure what the symbolic significance would’ve been behind it - maybe the last bits of Jimmy being buried under the guise of the sleazy, apathetic Saul Goodman or maybe burying his pain under the facade that “it’s all good, man”.

[@davidbjacobs3598]

Great vid! I'm surprised you didn't mention how Kim seems to counter Walt's, "You were always like this." When Jesse asks Kim if Saul is a good lawyer, she replies, "When I knew him he was." To me this seems to suggest that Kim believes he has changed, that he was not always like this. The scene also mirrors Walt's in that it's another Breaking Bad-era flashback with both shows' secondary protagonists, and arrives at the opposite sentiment. I also would argue that Walt's line is a conclusion based on disingenuous statements from Jimmy. Like yeah, Jimmy talks about how he regrets hurting his back, but also he's the one who brought up this entire conversation. He asks Walt about regrets (in this weird round-about thought experiment way) but when the question is turned back on him, he goes "Oh I don't know, I guess I regret hurting myself that one time." He acts as though he had nothing prepared and chooses a shallow answer, but clearly by virtue of asking the question, this topic has been on his mind. That doesn't necessarily mean Walt is wrong, but the evidence he's going off is flawed. Personally I think Jimmy was mulling over whether or not he had regrets, and asked Walt as a means of bouncing off somebody. He's debating the question. Then Walt's answer basically tells Jimmy, "Well if this is your answer, then this is what it would say about you." So Jimmy is just as torn on the question as we are. But of course that's just my interpretation.

[@whatsthatnoise5955]

I see the end as him starting to come to terms with accepting himself

[@joshuapaul8580]

10:53 I initially interpreted Saul's speech here as strictly appealing to the expectations of the Judges at his hearing. It is almost exactly the kind of thing Kim advised him he needed to do in order to win his appeal, after all. I did wonder how much of it, if any was inspired by his genuine feelings that he was in denial about. The best lies are grown from a kernal of truth as they say.

[@jpeg204]

Yes your final point is exactly how I interpreted that scene, it’s like he had kept those emotions masked, but let the mask slip just for that moment in order to get what he needed, and then convinced himself that he faked it. I believe that he expressed his genuine emotions, which makes the scene that much more tragic once you see him immediately begin to deny them again.

[@alexsh929]

15:13 I was one of the people that left that sort of comment, and in all honesty, i think both things could be true. Reason being that you claim Howard is doing the right thing in grieving about Chuck instead of running away from his feelings, that overall what the therapy is doing for him is good. And while that *is* in fact *true*, i doubt that this is the way Jimmy saw Howard at that point. Someone who dismisses therapy, I doubt his thoughts at that point were "huh, Howard seems to be doing pretty well thanks to that shrink". You could say that Jimmy wasn't looking to be honest with his feelings and face them head on, which was what Howard was doing, so he run away due to that. Jimmy was looking for some way to help him keep hiding what he was going through from Kim, and if a shrink couldn't make him feel better, then it wasn't gonna cut it for him.

[@jacksonb.valentine8208]

@32:00 I believe he was always Jimmy. His names didn’t matter, his actions defined him. So in a sense, all those identities are the same man, only inmate McGill is separate from all those other personas. Even then he is still Jimmy, but he is a redeemed Jimmy, at least to some extent.

[@EPMTUNES]

Absolutely godlike series. I just know before I’ve even started this video that it can go in the top 10 of video essays on bcs. (3 of the others also being yours)

[@MidnightLobster7]

I know this wasn't intended at all, it was just a recast, but this is how I rationalize the actor swap for Jeff. The original actor is a much bigger and more intimidating guy, and this is when he has all the power. Later on, once Gene has all the power, Jeff is played by a much thinner and less threatening actor. Its all a reflection of Gene's perception of Jeff. Thats my attempt to rationalize it so it bothers me less, I hate recasts lol. Another great video btw, I rewatch these pretty often and always get hype when a new one is out.

[@corbinmarkey466]

These are seriously the best videos on Better Call Saul.

[@TetchyEquation]

Do you not consider Jimmy confessing to all of his elderly clients as a moment of him taking personal responsibility? Admittedly its not an event that causes him to change in anyway, but he does step up when he realizes that he cannot fix the broken relationship between Irene and her friends without telling the truth

[@nuparuchi]

I think you're right that breaking bad isn't that necessary for enjoying better call saul, and your analysis here shows as much because everything you've said slots very nicely into what breaking bad does, I think. The only thing that came to mind is a very important interaction between saul and walter white where walter tells saul that "we're done when I say we're done", forcing saul to keep working for him. When he's forcing jeff to say that they're done it's not just a show of power, but it's a show of power mirroring the last time he felt dominated by someone. Loved the video!

[@jpeg204]

I think it is absolutely necessary for BB to be watched before BCS because it adds so much to it and you are missing out on a lot without the added context. The most blatant reason is that the events and ending of Breaking Bad is literally spoiled in the last 4 episodes of BCS. But also just in relation to the characters, Breaking Bad is meant to be watched first, the point of the prequel structure of BCS is to make the focus more about the journey and development of the characters than it is the end point, especially with Jimmy. We know he ends up as Saul so it makes us pay attention to how he slowly changes and becomes him, and it completely recontextualizes his character in BB and makes him much more tragic. Also a lot of the plot points and character cameos would not make as much sense or be as impactful without the context of BB. Hell even when it comes to the name of the show, it wouldn’t even make any sense without the context of BB, that’s a pretty obvious indication that BB should be watched first.

[@coalescententity6651]

I disagree that we can't be sure if he's being genuine in his court confession at the end. His body language is subtly, yet noticeably, different from that of in his disbarment hearing. I normally would write this off to acting discrepancies but I don't think that's this case with a show of this quality.

[@CodeineCoffee]

WAKE UP BABE NEW WHAT'S THERAPY VIDEO

[@lukeferrell9800]

Been waiting for your vid since the finale, great work!!!

[@epicmonkeysandapes9896]

around 48 minutes in you mention how Jimmy switching from rude to tender comes across as manipulative. I found this really interesting because I interpreted it more as him being conflicted and emotionally unstable, but I geuss those two views aren't mutually exclusive. The sigh-ish noise he makes after yelling at Kim makes me think that a part of him knows he acting completely innapropiate. He's too emotional and hasn't fully processed why. He knows he misses Kim but he hasn't accepted what led to their seperation and his role in it. It's this unprocessed guilt which makes him much more relatable and sympathetic than someone who manipulates others purely out of malice.

[@king_big_pp]

You know its going to be a good Friday when What's Therapy uploads a BCS video

[@thefirebuilds]

whoah dude, done is a throw back to breaking. "we're done when I say we're done." Gene took that on.

[@Jakeabe]

Such a good video and channel. I felt kinda unfulfilled by the ending I was unsure about Kim’s feelings and Saul’s redemption and this video gave me a brand new perspective that I’m so appreciative of and I prefer it now so much more. Thank you 😊😊😊

[@Teacher-Christine]

Thank you for a wonderful and thoughtful series of videos. Keep up the good work! (Also I loved your “thank you” roll for members, with each one personalized with colour and font. I do the same thing for name labels for my students). 🙂

[@Faceplay2]

I always have believed that when Jimmy told Marco in the first season that he had to go back to New Mexico because he’s a lawyer and he was being genuine at that time. You have to think there was no one pushing him to do that besides him at that point not Kim and not Chuck. I think after a week of partying his emotions sort of sobered up from being super pissed off at his brother and with the voice messages and miss text messages from Albuquerque it helped him realize that he was responsible for people, Which got him to decide to go back to New Mexico at that point.

[@michalina_peek557]

it's interesting how in this talk with walter about regrets he doesn't mention people he scammed, he just says something like 'this is how i paid for my school', it really shows how he used to prioritize his own needs above others'

[@redriot2115]

KZbin when there's just a few seconds of silence in a video: 🔴👄🔴

[@gandalf_thegrey]

1:07:30 I have to agree here. But that's the great thing: While other spin off suffered immensely and directly from not giving you context to already know characters but just assume you know them (as, let's be honest here, how do you get to a spin off before the original, 99% do it the other way around). I never had the feeling my girlfriend is lost on anyone or anything that's is originally from BrBa. I just have the feeling the willingness of the writing team to write a stand alone was bigger than just rely on the fact people know it already. I also had never the feeling anything important in the story was lost on her either, everything you need to know... BCS provides!

[@FeelinGood21]

Wish we could've had Don Harvey's performance. He played that one scene so good

[@tovbyte]

when jimmy sees Howard being distraught i saw it as playing into an antiquated way of thinking that grief and its consequences on open display is a sign of weakness or something (which is false, but I still see people think like this), hence he looks at Howard’s progress with therapy as weakening him or not working (again, false but common thinking)

[@Jonathan-sc8fq]

men will literally ruin bingo instead of going to therapy

[@julianossa3578]

did anyone notice how his diploma from the UAS is under the name "Saul Goodman"? Does this mean he went by that name throughout law school and planned on practicing under that name the whole time?

[@timothytorigian7932]

Great video, as always. Thanks for your hard work. I loved your thoughts on accountability, as I never really thought about it in the form of manipulation.

[@althedinoguy]

YESSS NEW BETTER CALL SAUL WHATS THERAPY VIDEO

[@onemoreminute0543]

Seeing Saul shaved and in his lawyer suit for the finale put quite the grin on my face I must say! 😁 Crazy to think that the years of speculating what the mysterious fate of Jimmy in the Gene timeline would be are finally over.... the questions were answered in perhaps the most satisfying way possible

[@jamesmmcgill]

Regrets, I've had a few. But then again, too few to mention.

[@KariAlarcon]

Can you make a video of Kim and her self-imposed punishment? Many people say she didn't pay for Howard's death but I do believe she did in her own terms and she still can be sued by Howard's widow

[@JStack]

She’s not in prison, so no she didn’t face punishment.

[@KariAlarcon]

@@JStack do you think prison is the only punishment? There are things worse than prison

[@KariAlarcon]

@@JStack do you think prison is the only punishment? There are things worse than prison

[@nont18411]

She didn’t pay anything. Jimmy took all the blames for her and everyone in the audience loves it. It’s a pinnacle of the masterful writing of this show that manipulated the audience like a fiddle into thinking that Kim, a mastermind who destroyed an innocent man’s life for “fun” and complicit in ruining Chuck, is a moral compass angel true hero of the story who did no wrong.

[@nont18411]

@@KariAlarcon Prison is not the only punishment but technically, NOTHING happened to her at all. Kim’s ending rely on everyone decided not to do their job. - Kim invaded Gus’ house -> Somehow a drug lord with spy network like Gus never tried to blackmail her or sending his men to spy on her in Florida at all. - Kim confessed to the DEA -> Somehow an organization that tracked Kaylee Ehrmantraut and Skyler White out of suspicion with their involvement with the drug empire, never tailing Kim after she confessed about her involvement with drug lords like Gus, Lalo and Mike and was a wife of a fugitive who was on the run like Jimmy. Jimmy was arrested ONE MONTH after Kim’s confession so what were the DEA doing at that time? Nothing. - The truth about Howard came out -> Kim’s job, family, house and friends still intact. Comparing to Skyler, who was tracked by the DEA out of suspicion and anticipation for Walter contacting her, lost her house and was fired from her job that she had to struggle to find a new one as taxi dispatch. Kim lost absolutely nothing in her life. And she got to be a lawyer again? What a sick joke!

[@Heatherakasuppie]

I really think that jimmy often uses the truth to manipulate people and will tell the truth insincerely to get what he wants (the speech at The Bar) It is hard to tell when he's lying or being honest, but i think that's because he mixes the truth with lies so much.

[@thatgirl6155]

I felt like ultimately the reason Jimmy flushed the therapist's number was he didn't want to self-reflect. Self-reflection would get in the way of the path he was on, his schemes and his budding Saul persona. And despite the fact it would objectively help him be a better person for himself and others, he's so determined to stay on his current course, he flushes the number. Similar to Gus declining the wine guy's advances, it would be good for him, but he was so addicted to the pursuit of revenge he couldn't give it up even for his own happiness.

[@jpeg204]

Yeah but I don’t even think it was necessarily about staying on his path, mainly just that he didn’t want to face his past and his guilt, he just wanted to keep burying everything deeper and deeper because he couldn’t face it. The path he was on was basically just a result of that self destructive behavior.

[@ChaoticAnswers]

"Bob Odin Kirk" played "Jimmy Saul Gene". The holy Trinity.

[@nameynamename3758]

"maybe then bringing up the premiums was justified" lol you serious

[@MeatSalada]

I’ve just always considered the persona of Saul as jimmy’s “Superman” a facade he puts on in situations that “jimmy” is too afraid to handle. I feel like jimmy has always found a way out in a sense to kind of avoid blame on his own part. Slippin jimmy, Saul Goodman, gene takovic, and his ultimate character arc results in him accepting his own actions as Jimmy McGill instead of hiding behind a mask.

[@MeatSalada]

I absolutely love these videos of yours thank you for posting these

[@popepnw3960]

BABE WAKE UP WHATS THERAPY DROPPED A NEW BCS VIDEO

[@claudeavilez8241]

You should do The Sapranos. I think you would enjoy taking that series apart.

[@SubxZeroGamer]

I've been eagerly awaiting your next video and I'll eagerly await the next one lol. Love these essays, you're amazing and brilliant

[@octaviofierro3923]

You made us wait... Well deserved

[@GoatJesus]

I'm an hour in and thinking...Isn't it taking accountability with what he did to Irene? He basically confessed what he was up to to everyone to get her friends back together.

[@RobinHerzig]

Irene for sure, and the skater twins

[@quietlike]

Whem he moved to NM with Chuck, he was honest and wanted to change his life. He took accountability for his actions when he left his friend behind at the bar. He chose to change for the better and not be a conman at that point. He decided to grow up. He got a degree and did change his life, but Chuck kept him down. That swnt him spiraling out of control down the road to breaking bad.

[@ondrejvasak1054]

I had a theory that Jimmy was gonna give himself up since Season 2 Episode 1. He was obviously living in a lot of fear and paranoia and could not do any of the things that made him happy. All the things he loved were stripped from him. He was basically in hell already, it strongly reminded me of the vibe from Crime and Punishment. It was clear that the only way he could ever reclaim any happiness in his life was to face the consequences of his previous actions. It happened in a different way to what I anticipated, but it made a lot of sense how they finished the show. So I can be both glad that my theory was partially confirmed and pleasantly surprised at the way they went about it. What is a bit outrageous is the 83 years sentencing, I honestly cannot understand how can you get more than 15 years unless you directly murder someone. Seems completely bonkers, I am not sure if that is actually possible in the US legal system. It would be nice to have some sort of hope for the future for Jimmy.

[@onemoreminute0543]

'Nippy' was the false ending to the series- it's where Genes story could have ended if he chose to actually walk away. BCS usually has 10 episodes per season, and Nippy was that 10th episode, where things would have normally ended. Gene had made sure that Jeff wouldn't rat him out and was secure- he could have avoided jailtime. But obviously, there were 3 more episodes to this season, which completely undo this false ending. Genes conversation with Kim leaves him bitter and frustrated, so he reverts back to scamming with Jeff as a coping mechanism until it all comes crashing down. He's partially influenced by greed (he looks longingly at the shirt in the store), but it's his grievances with the world that act as the catalyst for him to then act on those desires. (Spoilers for Breaking Bad): Theres a lot of similarities to how Jimmy and Walt both come full circle at the end of their respective shows. Jimmy started off as a scam artist with Marco, and then ended as a scam artist with Jeff. Walt began the series without purpose in life and then as Mr Lambert found himself in that same situation in New Hampshire (his clothing also bears similarities to what he wore in the pilot) They both have false endings which betray their usual episode pattern per season (Nippy was the Tohajilee of the show) which then drive the characters into an absolutely dreadful place. Both shows also end with their characters leaving their partners as they first met them. Jesse and Walt depart next to a car in the night, framed on the left and right (as they did in the pilot). Jimmy and Kim lean against a wall and share a smoke (as they did in 'Uno')

[@fareseno]

Saul and walt are mirrored evil imo

[@airshow406]

A significant detail thats easy to overlook in the Gene/Jeff dynamic if you haven't seen Breaking Bad first is that Gene is acting a lot like Walt. Hell the episode where they run the drinking scam is *called* Breaking Bad to show how much, at this moment, Gene's story is mirroring Walt's.

[@jackdailey5238]

Weird preference but I like the old Jeff actor over the new one. New Jeff is a great actor but I like the way old Jeff played him

[@Jared_Wignall]

It’s amazing how a prequel, that also is a squeal regarding the Gene timeline, was able to show how interesting the big comedic character of Breaking Bad actually was. Better Call Saul is one of the best shows that has ever been made and in my opinion is better than Breaking Bad. Better Call Saul really shows how important Saul Goodman truly was in this universe. Got to where I liked Jimmy McGill so much I never wanted Saul Goodman to actually become a reality, which would then mean lot of the legal stuff that happened in Breaking Bad with Walt and Jesse then couldn’t happen. Of course Jimmy McGill had his own problems, but you see how he does try to do the right thing, but a combination of his brother trying to hold him back and prevent him from being the good lawyer he could be as well as his own inner Slipping Jimmy coming out here and there, they really made Saul Goodman one of the most interesting characters in the Breaking Bad universe and the ending of the show was just perfect.