Better Call Saul 1.10 "Marco" 4/6/15

Cafe Society
142

Just finished binge-watching in preperation for the new season. Great show, love the back story and character development of Saul and Mike.

A couple of thoughts on Chucks resentment towards Jimmy: As he made clear, Chuck doesn’t respect his brother, the “reformed” con man and does not believe for a minute that Jimmy will ever change his true character. Too bad, because his brother respects him so much that he, unbeknownst to Chuck, turned in the biggest possible score of his life ($1.6 million cash!) not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because he truly was committed to reforming himself of his Slippery Jim past.
Chuck also mentioned that things always came easy for Jimmy and that everybody loves Jimmy. This point was emphasized with the assistant sent over by the firm. Chuck obviously doesn’t know him despite working for years together in the same firm, but when he walks out to his car he looks over and gets a big smile on his face when he sees Jimmy. They have a quick very friendly chat followed up with a let’s grab a beer line.
I think deep down, Chucks animosity towards his brother stems from the fact that everybody loves the slacker, while the hard worker Chuck, despite the standing ovation that was orchestrated for his return, has no close personal relationships. The firm had to pay someone to take over the duties Jimmy had been taking care of for the past year. Jimmy loves and respects his brother and now that Chuck has driven him away I think we will see a downward spiral in Chucks condition.

I really liked this episode. It lacked the flash and up-tempo speed of Mikes back story episode, but it subtly gave us the insight into reasoning for the upcoming transformation from Jimmy to Saul. Jimmy fingering his buddy’s ring just before walking into the big meeting -his buddy’s dying words “this was the best week of my life…”. Going into the meeting to join the other firm would be something he was doing to prove to his brother and everyone else that he was a new man. Unfortunately that respect he so craved was something he would never be able to earn. Meanwhile he really does enjoy the lifestyle he had back in Cisero. Combine that with his newly earned legal abilities and we see that he can combine the two to be both successful and be himself. Whoever has a problem with that can just suck it!

143

That’s interesting. I wonder if we’ll see a transition to the lonely Saul from Breaking Bad.
Or if its a case of “everyone’s the hero of their own story” and Jimmy/Saul only seemed that way in the context of Walt and Jesse’s story.

144

Interesting to go from turning down the million and change to a good guy, to the Saul of Breaking Bad.
Perhaps I shall watch *Breaking Bad *one of these days. :slight_smile:

145

Saul wasn’t all that “bad” on BB. Though he certainly looked out for himself first, as anyone should.

146

What do you mean Saul wasn’t that bad? He made a living helping vicious criminals get away with their crimes and there is plenty of reason to believe that there are people dead because of action or inaction on his part—“Why don’t you kill Badger?”

147

Loved reading your excellent insight, I’m so hungry for “Better Call Saul” talk … won’t be long now. I’m more excited about the 2nd season than this dang screwy election.

148

Would you say that about any criminal defense lawyer? (Although most of their work is not necessarily helping people “get away with” crimes but negotiating fair sentences when guilt is evident, and fighting for them in the cases where there actually is reasonable doubt. No reason to think Saul’s practice was any different)

Either way, kind of silly to criticize him for doing his job.

149

Do you think for a second that real criminal defense lawyers behave like Saul? If so, you are very very wrong.

Saul was an active participant in crimes—he not only knew about them (often in advance), he also helped facilitate them, plan them, and cover them up. He put hired killers in touch with clients.

If you think that was “just doing his job,” then it’s silly to criticize any criminal, because they’re just doing their jobs.

150

Saul himself emphasized his being a “lawyer who is s criminal” rather than a “criminal lawyer.”