# Better Call Saul 2.03 "Amarillo" 2/29/16 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 29, 2016, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505 "2016-02-29T15:09:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/41 "2016-03-02T11:01:24Z")
I did have a moment wondering exactly when in time BCS is set, and some things in this episode gave it away: 1. VHS Player. Would place it late 90’s for me. DVD, while existent, didn’t take off until PS2 release time. 2. Flip phone, but importantly, extractable aerial. This would place it around 98-99. So Jesse is likely to still be in School. If we want Walt in this, he’s in teacher nomans land, Grey Matter long past, and raising a family. I don’t see either appearing in the series in the short term. Though this might not connect with the age of Nacho or Tuco… ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/42 "2016-03-02T13:05:05Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > They made it pretty obvious by making a big deal about the (lack of) dolly, and then all but drew in the cartoon light bulb over Jimmy’s head when she comes down the stairs on that thing. Boy do I feel dumb. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/43 "2016-03-02T13:38:00Z")
I hope when I’m an old lady in a nursing home, a dashing and kind young lawyer comes out to speak with me and my friends. Damn, is Jimmy a charming dude or what? ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/44 "2016-03-02T14:47:32Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > So apparently the distinction between allowed and prohibited solicitation is real time communications? Letters are fine, but a phone call, instant message or face-to-face conversation are not. > > Also, could Nacho want Gus to go away? Or could it be Captain Cook, aka Jesse Pinkman? Or Crazy 8? He was in the drug biz for a few before BB starts. My gut is telling me that if Mike was paid to make someone “go away”, either that person or Mike would not have survived to the Breaking Bad timeline. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/45 "2016-03-02T15:44:36Z")
I love the line (paraphrasing, but to the effect of) “I’m not saying that they’re putting a gun in your face and stealing your money by force… so get that image out of your mind.” Another applaud for the stair lift dolly cam and for Saul remembering which Hummel it was and who gets it in the will. Even though I lived through the era of flip phones and VHS and it wasn’t that long ago I’m still trying to remember: would they have had flat screen monitors then? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/46 "2016-03-02T16:14:43Z")
I am struggling with the daughter thing. It really feels to me like she’s just lying - she just doesn’t strike me as a person having paranoid delusions. But Mike is gladly giving her money and would probably help her move even without the stories, it doesn’t make sense. I think Mike is struggling with the same thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/47 "2016-03-02T16:16:52Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > I did have a moment wondering exactly when in time BCS is set, and some things in this episode gave it away: > > 1. VHS Player. Would place it late 90’s for me. DVD, while existent, didn’t take off until PS2 release time. > > 2. Flip phone, but importantly, extractable aerial. This would place it around 98-99. > > So Jesse is likely to still be in School. If we want Walt in this, he’s in teacher nomans land, Grey Matter long past, and raising a family. I don’t see either appearing in the series in the short term. > > Though this might not connect with the age of Nacho or Tuco… Cliff said that they ran the mesothelioma ad “a few years back” and the date on the ad says 9/23/99, which would put the current time frame as early 2000s. According to the Breaking Bad Wiki, Better Call Saul is set in 2002. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/48 "2016-03-02T16:31:56Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > I did have a moment wondering exactly when in time BCS is set, and some things in this episode gave it away: > > 1. VHS Player. Would place it late 90’s for me. DVD, while existent, didn’t take off until PS2 release time. > > 2. Flip phone, but importantly, extractable aerial. This would place it around 98-99. Not everyone uses the latest and greatest technology all the time. I don’t think it would be at all unusual for someone in the early 2000s to be using a VCR and a flip phone with an extractable antenna. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/49 "2016-03-02T16:50:22Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Cliff said that they ran the mesothelioma ad “a few years back” and the date on the ad says 9/23/99, which would put the current time frame as early 2000s. According to the Breaking Bad Wiki, Better Call Saul is set in 2002. When Nacho peeks in the glove box, he is looking at the registration for a 2003 Hummer which expires [May 2003](http://i.imgur.com/HVH0Rvx.png). Since he almost certainly bought it spanking new, that would confirm the 2002 timeline. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/50 "2016-03-02T17:01:00Z")
I wondered if the Hummer driver might be who Nacho wants taken out. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/51 "2016-03-02T17:12:41Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > I wondered if the Hummer driver might be who Nacho wants taken out. Doubt it. Nacho would see him as Mike’s guy, so he’d be the last guy to go to. Not to mention, I doubt Nacho would need any help taking care of that guy. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/52 "2016-03-02T17:14:16Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > When Nacho peeks in the glove box, he is looking at the registration for a 2003 Hummer which expires [May 2003](http://i.imgur.com/HVH0Rvx.png). Since he almost certainly bought it spanking new, that would confirm the 2002 timeline. When Mike is sitting in his booth at the parking lot, you can see the reflection of a train in the glass. And it appears to be the Rail Runner, which went into service in 2006. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/53 "2016-03-02T17:20:00Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Even though I lived through the era of flip phones and VHS and it wasn’t that long ago I’m still trying to remember: would they have had flat screen monitors then? From memory yes, but they were still quite high end in 2002, by 2004-2005 they were standard from memory. So yes, law firm might have them, especially if they upgraded their computer systems recently. I recall buying a new desktop in mid 2003 and it came with a flat screen monitor. 2002/2003 is the time when DVD’s really took off, for the preceding few years it has been a mix of VCD (Video CDs, which needed two discs and I don’t think were that popular in the US) and VHS. DVD’s started taking over as they became cheaper, had much better quality and the whole “extras” option. Aforesaid computer came with a DVD burner, but not a DVD burner, so I can suppose that two film students would still use VHS. Flip phones were around. Camera Phones became poipular about 2004 (from memory), they were still restricted to Japan. Whats surprising is the fact that I have not seen the [Nokia 3310](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_3310) aka the “greatest phone ever” in the series, it was everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/54 "2016-03-02T17:21:08Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > When Mike is sitting in his booth at the parking lot, you can see the reflection of a train in the glass. And it appears to be the Rail Runner, which went into service in 2006. I’ll bet there are dozens of anachronisms to be found if someone wanted to search for them. They are minor points that don’t and shouldn’t distract from the story being told. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/55 "2016-03-02T17:30:08Z")
I only noticed it because I thought that train didn’t start service until about 2008 or so. I was surprised to learn it was around earlier than that. But yeah, minor error. ---
**Author:** ![soonerblue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soonerblue/32/3302_2.png) [@soonerblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soonerblue)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/56 "2016-03-02T17:42:23Z")
> [@Garula](#): > > Jimmy’s greatest fault is overconfidence. He’s damn sure that if he plays the ad and it’s successful (which it was) he can easily smooth over any ruffled feathers. It may seem impetuous to those of us in the audience, but to Jimmy the risk of showing the video and having it be rejected by some stick in the mud partners is greater than the risk of him not being able to talk his way out of not getting permission first. > > Ultimately, I think that’s what will drive him to become a “criminal lawyer.” He’s simply more comfortable dealing with people whose motivations he can easily comprehend and manipulate. People who simply desire wealth and status (i.e. criminals) can be easily flattered and will overlook transgressions if the results are positive and the transgressor is obsequious enough. People like his brother and perhaps his new boss who have other principles are largely beyond his ken. The thing is, Jimmy is truly a good lawyer, and works his heart out for who ever hires him. In the beginning of Season #1 when he was a public defender, remember how he chased that prosecuter down hallways and up stairs, pleading to make a deal for his client, and all the guy would say was “Petty with a prior.” Jimmy would say, “Come on. Meet me halfway.” … “Petty with a prior.” … “Petty with a prior.” Working hard for 700 bucks a shot. Remember what he said to the Kettlemans last season - that if they hired him he would be there for them 24/7. “What are you gonna get from me that you’re not gonna get from those other guys? Passion, commitment.” And look how hard he worked for the elders, dumpster diving to build a case against Sandpiper. He just takes creative shortcuts to get to the same place, dances right at the edge of gaming the system … maybe because it’s more fun, or maybe like you said, he thinks he can talk his way out of trouble if his results are spectacular. ---
**Author:** ![soonerblue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soonerblue/32/3302_2.png) [@soonerblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soonerblue)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/57 "2016-03-02T17:51:12Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > We know the firm has already used such tactics, in the ‘mesothelioma’ ad, so I don’t think it is a reputation thing. I think it is just a control issue, Cliff is angered because Jimmy did something without his approval. Good point … and I think we have much to learn about Davis and Main … ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/58 "2016-03-02T18:23:11Z")
I don’t think there’s any reason to think the daughter-in-law is actively dishonest. I thought the implication was that she was not entirely mentally healthy, presumably due to her husband being killed and the stress of raising a child alone, and is panicking at the paper deliveries, which were loud enough to at least startle Mike. Although it’s a bit unlikely that the paper deliveries happened at 2:13 a.m., or whatever precise time she said. So I guess we’ll watch and find out. Remember how many people in this thread thought that the baseball card collection was fictional. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/59 "2016-03-02T18:39:50Z")
> [@tnetennba](#): > > I don’t see his story arc as a fall from grace, more like a realization that Slippin’ Jimmy/Saul Goodman is who he really is. And ends up embracing it. It’s also the reason that Kim will dump him when she finds out that he lied to her about vetting the ad with the boss, especially after she berated him for jeopardizing her credibility with the agency. My guess, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2016, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505/60 "2016-03-02T18:41:56Z")
> [@soonerblue](#): > > He just takes creative shortcuts to get to the same place, dances right at the edge of gaming the system … maybe because it’s more fun, or maybe like you said, he thinks he can talk his way out of trouble if his results are spectacular. This is being a little generous, I think. I’m totally ignorant of the law, but the linked rules regarding solicitation are pretty clear, and I imagine there’s legitimate reason for the existence of such rules. Jimmy didn’t just skirt the edges, he cannonballed over the line with glee and abandon. He’s not so much a good lawyer as he is a shady, ambulance-chasing huckster. Sort of like running a marathon set in a big circle through city streets, taking a 25-mile shortcut, and then finishing first. That doesn’t make you a good runner who just skirts the rules, it makes you something else entirely. > [@MaxTheVool](#): > > I don’t think there’s any reason to think the daughter-in-law is actively dishonest. I thought the implication was that she was not entirely mentally healthy, presumably due to her husband being killed and the stress of raising a child alone, and is panicking at the paper deliveries, which were loud enough to at least startle Mike. > > Although it’s a bit unlikely that the paper deliveries happened at 2:13 a.m., or whatever precise time she said. > > So I guess we’ll watch and find out. Remember how many people in this thread thought that the baseball card collection was fictional. This is FX; I’ll be happy if it’s anything mundane, no matter how ridiculous. Just please no UFOs. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-call-saul-2-03-amarillo-2-29-16/747505.md?page=4)