The Best And Worst Things About Better Call Saul Season 6
All good things must eventually come to an end, and "Better Call Saul" is sadly no exception. The "Breaking Bad" prequel series debuted in 2015 and soon took on a life of its own. The show got nominated for dozens of Emmy awards over its run, living up to the high standard set by its predecessor. The sixth and final season most definitely put a definitive cap on the story of Saul Goodman and the "Breaking Bad" universe as a whole. It's certainly surreal to know that after so many years, Vince Gilligan's magnum opus is complete.
Despite the show's undeniable prowess, not every single scene can be a winner and we'll be explaining why in short order. Grab some Los Pollos Hermanos chicken and fill up your second best lawyer mug, because we're about to discuss the best and worst things about "Better Call Saul" Season 6. Be warned, there are spoilers ahead!
Best: Seeing Saul's house
At the beginning of every season of "Better Call Saul," we're treated to a peek inside the life of Gene Takovic. These flash forwards, set after the events of "Breaking Bad," are always back and white for thematic effect. It's worth noting that detail, as this specific visual aspect is used to throw viewers in the opening seconds of Season 6. We are shown a shot of black and white ties, making us think we're in for another Gene segment, but then colorful ties immediately fill the frame. Unlike previous seasons, this season opens not with another Gene segment, but instead a look at Saul Goodman's life — more specifically his overly-lavish abode.
Saul's personal life, including his living situation, are scarcely mentioned in "Breaking Bad" outside of a few throwaway lines. So seeing this aspect of the character's existence is definitely a major eye opener for longtime fans. Fittingly, his house is just as tacky and over-the-top as Saul is — equal parts excessive and stylistically gaudy. This includes a treasure trove of multicolored suits, a golden toilet, and various other unnecessary extravagances. These visuals, combined with a somber cover of Frank Sinatra's "Days of Wine and Roses," make for a supremely melancholy scene.
Worst: Lalo's German escapades
Lalo Salamanca (Tony Dalton) became a fan favorite character after arriving on the scene in Season 4. Despite being a coldblooded psychopath, he still possesses an infectious swagger that makes him an absolute delight to watch. His presence definitely helps raise the stakes and he serves as a major catalyst for Jimmy's descent into murky waters. He is charming (something aided in no small part by Dalton's delivery), but that doesn't mean every one of his scenes is stellar. The strength of a scene often rests on how much it contributes to the season's overall narrative, and Lalo's trip to Germany is pretty pointless.
It's not that Lalo's European escapes made for horrendous television by any stretch, but their placement in the season is a tad jarring. From conversing with Werner Ziegler's widow Margarethe to violently confronting one of Ziegler's fellow engineers, Lalo definitely covers a lot of ground. But again, these scenes don't do much to bring the overall story forward. Aside from giving Lalo a tad more insight into the truth of Gus' laundry operation, there isn't much here that's wholly necessary content. Tony Dalton's acting is, as always, excellent, but these scenes definitely fall into the category of fat that should have been trimmed.
Best: Kim finally meets Mike
For the majority of the series' run, Kim Wexler and Mike Ehrmantraut are kept in separate storylines, their only shared connection being Jimmy. This changes significantly in Season 6, which is when "Better Call Saul" truly starts resembling "Breaking Bad." Not only does the sense of levity go sailing out the door, but we finally get some much desired character interactions. Case in point: Fans finally get to see Kim and Mike share the screen, and more than once.
Their first conversation — a daylight encounter in a local diner — is definitely a treat for longtime viewers. Kim had previously noticed a mysterious car following her during her daytime activities, even confronting the two men behind the wheel. This resulted in Mike himself sitting her down for a one-on-one conversation to explain that it's for her and Jimmy's protection, just in case Lalo resurfaces. Kim and Mike are among the best characters in the whole "Breaking Bad" universe, and seeing them chat is a treat for fans.
Worst: Gus' personal time
It can't be stated enough just how enthralling Giancarlo Esposito's performance as Gus Fring is. Viewers fell in love with the actor's icy turn as Gus in "Breaking Bad," and getting to see more of him in "Better Call Saul" — as well as learning about the origins of his relationship with Mike — is a highlight of the prequel show. But that doesn't mean every scene with him is necessarily an efficient use of screen time. Following the demise of Lalo Salamanca, Gus attends a meeting between the respective cartel heads: Hector Salamanca, Juan Bolsa, and Eladio Vuente (aka Don Eladio). The meeting itself is pretty gripping, but what comes after is something of a failed opportunity.
We see Gus sitting in a posh establishment, sampling what appears to be some rather expensive wine. We've already been shown that Gus is a man with a refined palette, so this doesn't really communicate anything new. His charming interactions with a handsome sommelier do add some credence to the theory that Gus is gay (the aforementioned cartel meeting takes place at the same location where his former business partner and implied lover was killed), but it's not exactly confirmation. If the writers had used this moment to finally confirm Gus' sexuality then this scene could have been one of the best moments of the whole series, but it ends up being rather vague and pretty boring.
Best: The demise of Nacho Varga
Many "Better Call Saul" fans were wondering what Ignacio "Nacho" Varga's ultimate fate would be heading into the final season of "Better Call Saul." Would he somehow find a way to escape the wrath of the cartels, or would he meet an untimely end? In Season 6, we learn that the answer to that question is the latter, not the former. After a few episodes on the run, Nacho finally relents and — after making an agreement with Gus and Mike to keep his father protected — gives himself up.
However, during a tense standoff with the cartel heads, in which he reveals that he aided in the assassination attempt on Lalo, Nacho takes control one last time. Not only does he call Gus a joke, but he finally spits a gallon's worth of venom at the Salamancas, calling them "psycho pieces of s***." The icing on the cake is that he finally admits to Hector that he's the one who caused his debilitating stroke back in Season 3. Cornered and with no way out, Nacho takes Don Bolsa's gun and opts to go out on his own terms, shooting himself. He denies Hector his revenge and sticks it to him one last time, a fitting exit for a truly great character.
Worst: Jeff's new actor
At the beginning of "Better Call Saul" Season 5, we are introduced to a new character by the name of Jeff, a very quirky cab driver. Recognizing Gene as Saul Goodman from his time in Albuquerque, Jeff confronts him about it during Gene's lunch break at the mall. The whole interaction is superbly uncomfortable, aided in no small part by actor Don Harvey's unsettling performance. From his bizarre manner of talking to his somewhat menacing body language, Jeff has you guessing if he's malicious or just a socially inept weirdo. Many fans wondered just how Gene would deal with Jeff, opting to tell Ed (aka The Disappearer, the guy who set up his new life as the boss of a shopping mall Cinnabon) that he would handle it himself.
When we return to the story in Season 6, something is off: Jeff is no longer being portrayed by Don Harvey. As revealed by Entertainment Weekly, Harvey was contractually committed to HBO's "We Own This City," so he was swapped out with another actor by the name of Pat Healy. While far from terrible, Healy's delivery just isn't up to par with Harvey's far more unnerving performance, and fans found the switcharoo more than a little jarring. "So am I the only person who watched that entire episode of 'Better Call Saul' and failed to realize the guy 'Gene' was scheming with was the cab driver who recognised him?" one viewer said after the episode (via Yahoo!). "They clearly recast the role and I was sitting wondering where this guy was gonna fit into the story."
Best: The deaths of Howard and Lalo
Much like "Breaking Bad," the ending of "Better Call Saul" arrives in the form of an epic two-parter: "Plan and Execution" and "Point and Shoot." Not only do we see Jimmy and Kim's plot against Howard finally come to fruition, but we see the finale of the Lalo saga as well. Following his downfall at the Sandpiper moderation, Howard goes to confront Jimmy and Kim at their apartment. After a superbly venomous (yet still eloquent) rant from Howard, the tone immediately shifts with the arrival of Lalo Salamanca. Lalo, with no remorse or second thought towards this complete stranger, shoots Howard dead.
Using Kim and Jimmy as bait/distractions, Lalo then goes to confront Gus Fring at the laundry, i.e. the secret meth lab (which is still in progress). Lalo, ever the sadistic showman, takes Gus at gunpoint and forces him to give a tour of his secret pet project on camera. This leads to Gus taking a page out of Nacho's playbook and laying his true thoughts out on camera. In a vicious tirade, performed brilliantly by Giancarlo Esposito, Gus tears apart the entire cartel system, directing some additional ire towards the Salamancas. He's speaking his mind, but he's also causing a distraction: When he gets the chance, Gus trips the lights and unloads an entire clip's worth of bullets, finally taking Lalo out. In a haunting sequence, it's revealed that both Lalo and Howard are buried in the same grave underneath Gus' meth lab.
Worst: That boxing scene
Jimmy and Kim's elaborate plan to take Howard Hamlin down makes for some truly hysterical and suspenseful scenes. Patrick Fabian's portrayal of Howard is (as it is in all previous seasons) impeccable, with some additional layers thrown in during the final season. This is the season where we finally get to see what is going on behind Howard's fancy suits and positive affirmations. Sadly, he's shown to be a man living a life full of anxiety and disappointment. It's these developments that make Jimmy and Kim's actions seem increasingly scummy, with viewer sympathy now leaning towards Howard.
There is one particular scene that, despite the talent involved, feels very much out of place. After a confrontation with Cliff Main, the result of a drive-by frame job courtesy of Jimmy and Kim, Howard seeks a unique recompense. This comes in the form of a sparring match in the middle of a boxing ring between Howard and Jimmy, protective headgear included. The show's later years are far more serious than earlier seasons, so this bizarre buffoonery sticks out like a sore thumb.
Best: Meet Saul Goodman (again)
Following the death of Howard at the hands of Lalo, Jimmy and Kim make an attempt to return to normality. This is understandably impossible, especially for Kim, who struggles to cope with what has happened. Her trauma, compounded by Howard's memorial at the soon to be defunct HHM, causes her to quit being a lawyer entirely. But, not only that, she also begins packing her things to leave Jimmy, noting that, despite loving him, the two are poisonous together. Losing Kim is truly the straw that breaks the camel's back for Jimmy, the last line of defense between him and complete corruption.
Following the heartbreaking scene, we fade to black on a dejected Jimmy and emerge on the morning rituals — heralded by "Any Way You Want It" by Journey — of Saul Goodman. After six seasons of waiting, fans finally get to see the show's namesake as he's presented in "Breaking Bad." In a cruel twist of fate, however, this reveal is now tragic as opposed to jubilant. No longer can we see Saul as a colorful chucklehead with a penchant for snappy one-liners. Instead, we can only see him as an utterly broken man compensating for his pain with apparent charisma.
Worst: Kim's new boyfriend
For the longest time, "Better Call Saul" fans lost sleep theorizing over the fate of Kim Wexler. Following the events of "Plan and Execution" and "Point and Shoot," Kim has left Jimmy and turned over a new leaf. In the show's final arc, set after the events of "Breaking Bad," we finally get to see her ultimate fate — and it isn't pretty. Much like Jimmy's new life as Gene Takovic, Kim's existence is drab and bereft of any fun. She has a spectacularly boring boyfriend who engages her in conversations about mayonnaise versus Miracle Whip.
In a season with numerous murders, the most horrific thing is the awkward sex scene between Kim and her new man. This soul crushing sequence lacks any of the legitimate chemistry Jimmy and Kim shared, with her boyfriend uttering "Yep" on loop. It stays with you long after the credits have rolled, and not in a good way. While definitely an intentional tool to drive home just how vanilla Kim's life has become without Jimmy, it's still hard to sit through and seems somewhat unnecessary. Kim won the hearts of fans over the years and she didn't deserve this sendoff.
Best: The return of Walter and Jesse
We wanted it. We expected it. The showrunners held off for as long as possible, but we finally got the two cameos we'd been dying to see since "Better Call Saul" began: Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, played (presumably) one final time by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul. Their cameos are placed within an episode fittingly called "Breaking Bad," a reference to Saul's debut episode being titled "Better Call Saul." The episode not only continues the black and white Gene storyline, but fills in gaps in the "Breaking Bad" timeline as well.
We get to see an extended version of the late night desert encounter between Saul, Walter, and Jesse, showcasing a conversation following their agreement. It's an absolute delight to see Bob Odenkirk, Bryan Cranston, and Aaron Paul interacting as these characters once again, with none of them having lost a step. It also puts a nice little cherry on the Lalo saga, with Jesse noting he's "never heard of no Lalo in the streets." As an added bonus, Jesse also pops up again in the penultimate episode, sharing a scene with Kim following her final meeting with Jimmy. While both moments lean towards fan service, it can't be denied just how cool it is to see Walt and Jesse again.
Worst: A lack of resolution for Mike
Given the fact that "Better Call Saul" largely operates as a prequel story, it only contains conclusive endings for certain characters: Chuck, Howard, Lalo, and Nacho, new additions whose stories end before "Better Call Saul" catches up with the "Breaking Bad" timeline. One character that didn't fit the bill is Mike Ehrmantraut, whose final major moments feel a bit hollow.
To be clear, Mike's final appearance in "Better Call Saul" is far from a terrible scene. Having to deliver the news to Nacho's father that his son is dead makes for a fittingly bleak moment. However, as a final bow on Mike's multi-season story and his last major character beat, it ultimately feels a bit hollow. While the argument can be made that this helps influence Mike's colder, more closed-off nature in "Breaking Bad," this scene is still a bit less than Mike deserved. Considering his tragic death in "Breaking Bad," a bit more resolution with Mike's character would have been welcome.