Better Call Saul Fans' Minds Are Blown By This Lalo Salamanca Detail
The final run of "Better Call Saul" is packed to the brim with memorable moments and jaw-dropping scenes. But some fans are blown away by one specific detail involving Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton).
Early on, the creators of "Better Call Saul," Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, told the LA Times they wanted to make sure the spin-off had the same quality that viewers came to expect from "Breaking Bad." While working on the prequel's predecessor, the duo earned numerous accolades for their attention to detail, something that also led it to become one of the biggest shows on television. The task of doing it all over again was surely a daunting one, but their efforts led the crew to seek out the talents of a number of notable actors.
For example, Tony Dalton, who also starred in the Marvel series "Hawkeye," has received significant praise from critics for portraying the dangerous Cartel member, with Uproxx claiming he is the best villain on the small screen. It's no secret that his character has become a fan favorite on "Better Call Saul." Out of all the mind-blowing events on "Better Call Saul," one well-crafted aspect of a crucial scene featuring Lalo may not have been noticed on the first watch.
All of Salamanca's rounds are accounted for
On the r/BetterCallSaul subreddit, u/kaijumediajames pointed out some amazing attention to detail regarding Lalo's gunplay at the end of Season 6, Episode 7 ("Plan and Execution") and throughout Season 6, Episode 8 ("Point and Shoot"). Lalo uses a German sidearm, the Heckler and Koch P7, with an eight-round magazine.
At the end of Episode 7, Lalo uses a single round to murder Howard Hamlin (Patrick Fabian). In the next episode, he uses an additional five bullets to kill the bodyguards protecting Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito), before shooting Gus directly in his bullet-proof vest. This scene occurs only moments before Lalo pushes Gus down the stairs and reloads his weapon, which only had one round left in the chamber. While it isn't a major moment in the episode, Lalo's decision to reload his weapon at this exact moment is a testament to the lengths that "Better Call Saul" producers will go to achieve next-level realism.
When discussing his character's demise with TVLine, Tony Dalton explained that he viewed his exit as a fitting conclusion for the persona. He said, "If you create a villain, you want to tear him down. That's the whole point of it. You want to make sure that the bad guy gets his day in court, if you will. I figured as long as he gets a worthy death. I'm good. Honestly, since the show's over anyway, I prefer dying. It's like full circle."