The Better Call Saul Season 6 Episode 1 Scene That Went Too Far
Contains spoilers for "Better Call Saul" Season 6, Episode 1, "Wine and Roses."
More than seven years after its February 2015 debut, "Breaking Bad" spin-off "Better Call Saul" is approaching its conclusion. As referenced in the lead-up to its premiere, Season 6 — which kicked off with the premiere of the first two episodes on April 18 — will be the series' last. Hopefully, by the end of the AMC show, viewers should have some idea of what happens to characters like Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) and Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton) as the "Better Call Saul" story gives way to the events of "Breaking Bad."
During its run, "Better Call Saul" has provided considerable insight into Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk), the real man behind the cartoon-like persona of Saul Goodman that he adopts partway through the show. Notably, Jimmy isn't quite the beacon of justice he claims to be, despite working in law. A flashback in Season 2, for instance, demonstrates how Jimmy's selfishness originated in his childhood, as he guiltlessly steals money from his father's business. In the series' present, his tendency to make moral compromises for his own gain manifests most prominently when he attempts to con an elderly woman with whom he had previously built up what seemed like a friendly rapport.
Unfortunately, for viewers still endeared to Jimmy, he continues to show some troubling inclinations early in Season 6, arguably taking a step too far during a plot to manipulate a longtime rival.
Jimmy's exploitative tendencies go too far in the Season 6 premiere
Near the end of "Better Call Saul" Season 5, Kim suggests she and Jimmy work together to somehow disgrace their former boss, Howard Hamlin (Patrick Fabian) — someone against whom Jimmy has long since held a grudge. In Season 6, Episode 1, Jimmy and Kim begin their anti-Howard scheme, with the ultimate goal of encouraging him to settle a lawsuit that will net Jimmy a considerable sum of money.
The first step of their plan involves Jimmy infiltrating a country club's restroom. He accomplishes this by asking for a tour of the facility, knowing he will run into Kevin Wachtell (Rex Linn). Kevin quickly recognizes Jimmy and encourages the country club staff to cease the tour immediately. In response, Jimmy, who gives the name "Saul Goodman" upon entering the club, argues he's being blacklisted over his Jewish name. He then claims that Kevin's resultant outburst is rooted in antisemitism.
The big issue here is that Jimmy is not Jewish, and thus, he cannot claim to be subject to antisemitism. It only makes matters exponentially worse that, during this scene, he is making claims about being discriminated against through the fake name that he chose for himself. As such, his suggestion of discrimination is rooted entirely in bad faith.
This Season 6 premiere scene reveals another instance of Jimmy's explorative tendencies gone horribly, if not problematically, awry as he attempts to capitalize on a history of real and destructive prejudice against the Jewish people for his own gain. While viewers are well aware of Jimmy's questionable morals at this point, falsely aligning himself with a long history of systematic intolerance against a specific group of people ranks among his more objectionable behavior from any season of "Better Call Saul."