Better Call Saul Actor Tony Dalton's Favorite Scene Is One That Will Always Stick With Him
Over its six-season run, "Better Call Saul" tells the story of Jimmy McGill's (Bob Odenkirk) journey to become the criminal lawyer Saul Goodman fans know and love from "Breaking Bad." The prequel spin-off brings back plenty of characters from the original show, including many of the terrifying meth-empire figures of Albuquerque, from the cunning Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) to his right-hand man, Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks).
However, the show also gives us plenty of new players in the Southwestern drug game, including cartel henchman Nacho Varga (Michael Mando) and another iconic villain in Lalo Salamanca, one of the main figureheads in the Salamanca cartel. Lalo proves to be equally as ruthless as Fring, and a worthy opponent for the "chicken man." Although Gus is most embodied by his stoic, almost honorable demeanor, Lalo is a continuously loose cannon. One toothy grin from him is enough to set your nerves on edge. It's the smile of a panther settling on its prey.
Actor Tony Dalton was cast to pitch perfection in the part, and it's probably no coincidence that he was soon eyed by Marvel Studios to play another role. Indeed, there's a reason why Jack from "Hawkeye" looks so familiar to "Better Call Saul" fans. Dalton, with his perfectly groomed mustache and rakish smile, brings a charisma to the role that few others could have matched.
Having added so much to the show, Dalton was asked what his favorite scene on "Better Call Saul" would be, and his answer gets to the root of what he values in his work.
Tony Dalton loves that tense apartment scene in Season 5
Speaking with Tell-Tale TV in April 2022, "Better Call Saul" star Tony Dalton revealed that his favorite scene in the series is one from Season 5, Episode 9 ("Bad Choice Road"). In this scene, Dalton's character, Lalo Salamanca, corners Jimmy and Kim (Rhea Seehorn) in their apartment and demands to know the truth about what happened to Jimmy during his harrowing experience in the desert in the prior episode.
"That was fun," Dalton said, "because we really rehearsed it." Indeed, that scene, in which Kim ends up saving Jimmy from Lalo using the full force of her expert litigation skills, is among the most nerve-wracking scenes in the history of "Better Call Saul." Although "Breaking Bad" fans intuitively know that Jimmy will survive the encounter, viewers are also given the distinct impression that Lalo may snap at any moment and kill Kim. In the end, he leaves them both unharmed, but decidedly rattled.
Dalton went on to explain that he particularly enjoys filming moments that have a lasting impact on the show and serve to develop the characters. Notably, Dalton sees this apartment scene as a prime example of that long-term influence. "It ended up being a good scene, but also, just, like, the emotional baggage that's involved in it, and what happens to the characters, each one, after that. Everything changes." Of course, in the wake of Lalo's interrogation, Jimmy and Kim live their lives with an eye cast back over their shoulders, dreading his possible return. Of course, when Lalo pays them another visit in the "Better Call Saul" Season 6 midseason finale, the consequences are devastating.