Sorry for the change in the naming convention, I know I don’t have to explain it to you guys. It’s just what people search for. What a way to wrap things up. I wanted to see him kill Saul Goodman and that’s what I got. I really liked how intentional all the shifts felt, and all the character stuff made sense. Let me know what you think. Check out our new Breaking Bad Rewatch Podcast - "Growth Decay Transformation" wherever you listen to podcasts. Bald Move baldmove.com/category/growth-decay-transformation/ Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introduction/id1675565589?i=1000602684059 Spotify open.spotify.com/show/1fQeEC5Z2luyARci8sOMSP
Can you or anyone explain the timeline of this show and BB? Saul and Kim have that phone conversation during Water Works when they say it has been 6 years since they've seen each other and I simply can't get that to work. What am I missing?
Nice idea but incorrect He doesn't know he's going to confess at the time he says that about the one juror. He decides he's going to confess on the flight after Oakley tells him that Kim confessed. Also obviously Kim isn't actually on the jury. He was just convincing the opposition lawyer to negotiate with him with the one juror comment
Almost 15 years, 11 seasons, 125 episodes and a Netflix movie. Congratulations and thank you to: Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Giancarlo Esposito, Jonathan Banks, Michael Mando and the great Robert Forster along with all of the various writers and directors over the years for creating the greatest fictional universe in all media and for telling the greatest story ever told on television.
I been watching since day 1 back in 2008. I was 26 when I began watching BrBa and I'm 40 now with BCS ending. Amazing ride. Thank you Vince and Peter and everyone else. God bless.
What I liked about the ending is how it continued to illustrate Kim+Jimmy's "poisonous" dynamic. If Kim throws a beer bottle, Jimmy throws a beer bottle.If Jimmy starts a scam, Kim joins him, and maybe becomes even more passionate about it that he is. If Kim confesses, so does Jimmy. That relationship is what led to such tragedy as the death of Howard, but is also what led to the return of Jimmy McGill.
If Kim smokes a cigarette, Jimmy does too. Love this direction. It could also be supported by the divorce papers signage scene a few episodes ago, where Kim comes in trying to be cool about everything and "Saul" does the same and even out-shines her with his nonchalant attitude
Did they drop the whole Kim faking/forging the marriage documents or whatever plotline? I thought maybe she had a different real name or a secret past etc? Was that all in our heads? I forget all the theories but I feel like there was something going on there? Any thoughts?
When they showed him working in the prison kitchen, it showed that his actual day to day life isn't that different. He (Gene) was pretty much trapped in the work/home bubble while being extremely paranoid and scared all the time. Now he's doing the same thing, but he's free in the way that matters.
Peteys deleting anybodys comments who didnt like the ending? Which is funny because a week before he said... "he didnt want them to take it back to the courtroom" now u love it pete?
The whole aspect of Saul getting his sentence reduced to 7 years and thus confirming he was the greatest of them all, just to sacrifice it later to regain his humanity was a mirror of when, earlier in the season, Howard says that " maybe there are more important things" than being the greatest legal mind as he watched Chuck's picture in HHM. Great show! will deeply miss it.
@@maxmeier532 Howard died as an innocent man and Jimmy will probably die while seeking for redemption in simple life of a prisoner. Turning good and keeping pure heart until your death are the best decisions you can make. And if you don't get it, then maybe you should recall in your mind Mike's words from the first scene in the finale: "That's it? money?"
A happy ending for Jimmy - he went out on his own terms: He proved he could 'Saul' his way to a sweetheart 7 year deal, but rejected it to get the approval of 1 juror - Kim. It was her approval he desperately wanted, and by being completely truthful to himself, he got it. And it cost him an extra 79 years. But in prison he is finally free of guilt, free of running; and as we saw on the prison bus, he will be a King in there, helping out inmates. Jimmy's prison life will be better than anything a free Saul would've had. I loved this - it wasn't Breaking Bad style ending, it was a Better Call Saul ending. Like Jimmy, BCS went out on it's own terms. Beautiful 💚
It's the "happy ending" but not the smart or good ending, approval of past lover doesn't help you much when you're doing +70yrs in prison... While kim can move on with her life having a chance to live and love again, he'll rot in prison surrounded by the worst of the worst.
@@thebrowhodoesntlift9613 It's pretty heavily implied that Kim's also likely going to be taken to civil court over Howard's death, given the "lawyer shopping" line -- she's not exactly in the clear either, and her future is left dubious at best. Just assuming she will live and love again isn't a guarantee at all, especially if she faces her atonement in Hamlin's death.
I disagree with your point that "Jimmy didn't go out on his own terms". I think he went out exactly how he wanted to. He had full control over the situation and decided to kill off Saul in that courtroom to make Kim happy, even if it meant being in prison for the rest of his life.
And I think it's a very stupid decision. After Kim's confession, she would become a lawyer again and have a good life anyways. And Jimmy basically sacrificed his whole life just to make a woman feel better. Like wtf, she wasn't in danger or something. It was absolutely unnessecery. And now such a great talent will rot behind bars for the rest of his life. And even Kim will probably forget about him in the future, because life goes on.
It's funny that the complaints I've seen about the finale was that it was too depressing, but if you look beneath the surface it's actually kinda uplifting. Jimmy was a prisoner in his Saul Goodman persona and was definitely a prisoner to an absolutely mundane life he was living as Gene. He spent the whole series trying to get the respect of people in "the real world," and in the end wound up in a place that he is an absolute legend/folk hero. He was the one that always fought for the little guy and no matter what your offense was he was on your side. And Jimmy lied to a lot of people, but he lied to himself even more. He finally took ownership of his mistakes and did something that landed him in prison for the rest of his life while simultaneously setting himself free in a way. And it also set Kim free, since for much of the series she was the one that bore the consequences of Jimmy's actions. Like when he made the commercial and she ended up in dock review. She took all of the emotional burden of what happened to Howard and punished herself. I love that there is just so much depth to this show and you cant even fully comprehend how great it is until you dig a bit deeper and read some analysis. It may be a long time before we see another show that is this great. I had a thought while watching this last stretch of episodes that Vince and Co. may literally be the greatest TV show creators of all time. And as sad as it was to say goodbye to this universe it wasn't because I was yearning for more, or had questions, or the story felt incomplete. I was sad thinking about the memories of 14 years of watching some of the most amazing TV I've ever seen. I doubt I will see another spin-off of this quality in my lifetime. In the words of Saul it was "quite a ride."
Yeah, it is uplifting. It only seems depressing because we know the different sides to Jimmy and empathise with such a long prison sentence, but really, Saul Goodman is the the definition of a scumbag lawyer and he got what he deserved - which is exactly why he allowed it to happen. It's beautiful really.
You’re making alot of assumptions about how Gene felt about his life. He actually was doing interesting things, stealing identities for starters. I think he was starting to get the ball rolling doing what he does naturally scheming, maneuvering, being clever and colorful.
@@maynardbecker4613 The stealing identities things was him just doubling down on being self destructive. Kim rejected him and he went back to being Saul. Did he look happy to you? At all during that period after that phone call? The one time he looked happy--to me at least--during the Gene period was when he ran that scheme in Nippy. That was Jimmy. Falling back into being Jimmy could bring him happiness. Everything after that call was Kim was Saul. Generally Saul is not him in his happy place. It's him at his worst. When he went after the cancer guy that was mostly him lashing out at that guy as an undeserving surrogate for Walt like he used Howard as a surrogate for Chuck. Again..not happy things. The one thing that truly brought new color back into his life was getting back to being Jimmy and sharing that cigarette with Kim.
@@djsosonut if Gene appeared unhappy to you, it’s because the writers made made him appear that way by making his world look gray, filming in black and white, giving him dorky glasses, slick back hair and a stupid job at Cinnabon. Really made no sense.. it was out of character for Saul. The Saul we knew in BB would never ever choose that job himself. If he wanted to lay low, he probably would’ve done some work at home scheme. He would’ve been a great timeshare salesman in Florida or any kind of salesman. He would’ve found something that was interesting to him to do as work.
To me that chanting showed the futility of Saul Goodman. And I think it showed on the face of Jimmy. But also as you said it showed that Jimmy will handle prison and he will be with "his people" so to speak, even though I don't think Jimmy is bad, but there will be people like Marco etc. and he will be appreciated, so it won't be pure suffering.
I thought the opposite. It was the praise he desired, but now he doesn't want it because he convinced the one juror, Kim, that he can be the moral person Chuck wanted him to be.
I always thought Saul would do OK in prison, he'd be everybody's friend. The bus scene was the most efficient way to show that. The guard called him Saul when his Lawyer was there for a smoke. Kim, you could have at least blown him a kiss.
I like how he did the opposite of what he did in Winner. In Winner he pretended he was speaking from the heart when it was just to get reinstated. And now he finally speaks about Chuck honestly, beautiful episode
And here he actually was a winner, he won his soul back. He won reconciliation with Kim. Goddamned this finale was perfect, I have never felt as much as I did with this episode.
I didn't like that either. He went out if his way for Chuck, taking care of him, defending him, and trying to make him proud. All Chuck ever did was resent him, belittle him, and tried to ruin his career many times. Guaranteed, jimmy runs a clean show of he got the job at HHM, but chuck wouldn't allow that; his ego and pride were too big. Sure, what jimmy did ultimately led to his demise (not purposely) but only after Chuck tried to ruin him over and over. A man can o ly take so much, especially after he's given so much and did everything he could to turn his life around and make Chuck proud of him. The whole last episode was trash in my opinion and completely out of character for jimmy and saul and the BB universe.
One thing you glossed over: They showed Jimmy in prison living a better life than what he had when he was on the run. He had respect of the inmates, he was making dough which was something he enjoyed as Gene (similar to what he was doing at Cinnabun), and he had the respect of Kim, which he didn't have as Gene as well. He realized in prison also he is safe from himself and he can't get in trouble like he would in the real world. He can be himself with no temptations, also with the possibility of helping other inmates being an ex-criminal lawyer. This actually is a huge win for Jimmy and he will live the rest of his life happy, which he would never have gotten if he was always looking over his shoulder on the run (and missing Kim to boot). I loved this ending, and it really worked well to end the BB story.
You nailed it. I can't believe this guy didn't talk about this. You already did a much better job than this guy did in his video just from that alone imo
what really hit me was when saul and walter were talking and saul was saying he could’ve helped walt with getting back at Gray Matter, and walt just said “you would’ve been the last person id go to” that’s really crazy because Walt has no idea that Saul really is the worlds greatest lawyer
that is part of walts persona, he is so selfobsessed that he cant admit saul, someone he randomly met truly is the best lawyer he could hope for. It must be someone he, the all knowing and genius chemist, walt, finds himself after carefull examination of potential lawyers cv's
@@AdamRhodes536 that makes sense. but if anything that makes it even sadder in the bigger picture. seeing saul get excited saying how he could’ve helped but still being looked at as not being a “real lawyer” due to his image probably hit him hard in that moment. one of my favorite scenes of the episode
@@AdamRhodes536 even though Walt wasn’t what he became, it’s still delusional how he views himself or former self in comparison to Saul. He’s 1000x worse. Being trashy or low rent to yuppies is worse than being an actual terrible person. It’s literally the same fight jimmy has had his entire life, especially with chuck. Not being accepted. There are reasons for that, yes, but if he got any support whatsoever growing maybe he would’ve been different.
Can’t believe it’s over. What a wonderful ride and experience. I think it’s a beautiful ending for this universe. I only wish color was added when Jimmy and Kim were smoking the last cigarette but I can’t complain.
The small amount of color was meant to demonstrate that in jail jimmy can now begin to hopefully reignite the feelings with his old flame. But I do understand wanting more color. Once the show didn’t go full color when jimmy finally mentioned what happened with chuck I knew full color was out of the question
When Saul asks Walt about regrets, Walt stares at the watch Jesse gave him, hinting that he regrets wronging Jesse. But then he decides to brush it aside and talk about Grey Matter and money
yeah, I gotta say, for me this scene did more to make sense of Walter White's personality than any scene from Breaking Bad. He comes across like an arrogant New Atheist on Reddit who watches too much Rick and Morty, only he's responsible for scores of grisly deaths, multiple federal racketeering crimes, and the downfall of his own family. He really was an irredeemable, miserable person; and the fact that he went out like a gangster means nothing, since everybody who remembers him blames him for ruining their lives. "Ozymandias" was a perfect title for the penultimate episode, because all his brilliance, and skill at defeating and manipulating others, amounted to nothing but ruins in the end. BCS and Breaking Bad is the difference between a pro-social sociopath who finds his way in the end, and a malignant narcissist who's only ever satisfied by inflicting more pain than his competitor does to him
Mike Ehrmantraut cited 1984 as the year he took his first bribe and "broke bad" This is also the year Beverly Hills Cop premiered where Jonathan Banks played the criminal hit-man Zack.
Being caught in the dumpster directly references the 601 teaser opening where cleaners place the Saul Goodman standee in one. Nicely bookended! Also, "Waterworks" is two steps away from "Go to Jail" on a Monopoly board, so yeah, these writers mastered the art of foreshadowing.
@@ryanbuckley5529 It's not "or," it's AND especially since Pete already referenced what you said. There are several Easter eggs is this finale that are meant to serve as bookend visual cues to that 601 opener but that also are in other episodes, including the H.G. Wells "Time Travel" book. VERY nicely done. It's my favorite thing about this show, how they thoroughly bring things full circle.
You saw him on his first day in prison..let’s see how long that happiness lasts when he realizes he can’t go out for steak dinner he can’t get any Punani, when he can’t go on a hike or go to the beach or take a European vacation or cuddle or date orhave children or have a comfortable bed and on and on and on.
@Zahdorfi It at least shows one his fears was unneeded where, maybe part con, but also a concern, was the danger of ADX Montrose, but the bus scene and that fist bump from his fellow inmate saying "I got you (covered?), Saul" demonstrates that kind of celebrity that makes him protected there (Jimmy represents a small measure of a fun reference, something that a prison can make valuable to inmates and of which Jimmy is the beneficary.
Bingo. Kim inspired Jimmy always. She was the reason he studied law. When he saw that she was willing to face the consequences of her actions it was the one thing that got through to him. Her action was the only thing that could shatter his facade and finally allow Jimmy to face himself.
He wouldn't be slippin' Jimmy if he made ethical choices, that's literally the point of the nickname. 6 Seasons of the writers telling us that Jimmy is irredeemable, but suddenly in the series finale, he is. Makes absolutely no sense based on EVERYTHING we know about Jimmy. And Jimmy needs Saul in prison. It's survival of the fittest. Nice, honest Jimmy would be eaten alive. So that makes even less sense. The ending is basically that Jimmy is a moron and chose suffering and death in prison over a better option that ANY human on the planet would choose. The Pope would have taken the 7.5 years... you, me and literally everyone else. So why the heck would slippin Jimmy take the 80+ years? Are the writers really saying that Jimmy turns out to be the most hardcore ethical person on the planet? wtf kind of ending is that? If the plot isn't even conceivable in the real world, I don't see how it could work for a TV show like this. After all, this isn't a fantasy world of magic or whatever.
@@johns.1857 L take. Jimmy broke the cycle of tearing down everything he touched and finally “faced the music”. He owned up to his actions, realized how much hurt he had caused throughout his life, redeemed himself, and finally gave up his 2 facades that were Saul and Gene. I saw another comment on another video that said Gene was a coward who was scared, continuously ran away, and was finally caught in a dumpster (here is a man on the run, whereas Jimmy previously went in a dumpster to obtain evidence to help win a case for senior citizens). Then Saul’s ending came when he showed he was the best criminal defense lawyer by reducing a 190 year sentence to 7.5 years. It’s a call back to when Jimmy/Saul got a job at the copy machine store and he got it way too easily and threw it back in the owners faces. Then Jimmy got his ending by facing the music and owning up to his actions. This ending was beautiful and solidified Better Call Saul as one of the greatest, if not the greatest prequel in tv history. It may even top Breaking Bad story wise.
@@joseochoa7043 Yeah, I'm kind of torn there. He could have taken the 7 years while still basically admitting his guilt. What he did seemed more like a Statement to Kim. I'm just not sure what it gains him, because he will more than likely never see her again and she will still probably be sued in civil Court for all she has. Just let it go at the Ice Cream and do the 7 years. If that's the way the system works, that's the way it works.
@@TangoNevada Exactly lol. He already lost everything already to include Kim. At least he would’ve had a chance to start over after his sentence just like Kim and Jessie are. Except neither did any time at to begin with but idk I guess I’m just the antagonist lol.
@@joseochoa7043 Nah I'm with you man. I can see Jessie deserving less of a punishment since he cooked unwillingly for a long time and already went through hell when trapped by Jack, while Jimmy was always in control. Kim's wrongdoings also don't amount to Jimmy's. But for Jimmy to rot in prison, out of his own volition, it almost seems out of character no matter how you justify it.
Another detail I loved was him making bread in prison, no different than what he would be doing at Cinnabon. His "life" as Gene was not real life and real freedom, because he wasn't himself. In prison, he's doing the same thing, but is actually "free" because he is himself - Jimmy McGill
The show came full circle. Maybe I always want to see the bad guy win in the end so a life sentence wasn’t ideal in my brain but I think it’s beautiful how he finally stopped running both physically and mentally.
@@veru6907 oh absolutely. I think he was a mental prisoner as Gene with only the remnants of his past life to look at. For once his mind is clear. It was the death of Saul but a rebirth of Jimmy
As much as I'd have liked to see Saul talk his way out in 7 years, Jimmys shown fate feels much fairer and more appropriate. Especially since the people in prison with him seem to have respect for him given his time as Saul, and he might get to see Kim now and again. It's not like Jesses ending, but they both seem freer than ever, ironically.
He also made the decision. He took control in the courtroom and put himself where he is. I think that will make a difference to his mental state in prison.
When the last episode began I was really hoping that at the end, during a moment with kim, the black and white would turn to colour. I was really disappointed at first when it didn't happen. But when you pointed out the cigarette and flame having colour, I realized that did happen in a more subtle way, and honestly prefer it like that. Very well done.
I loved how they finished this story with Jimmy and Kim and that last cigarette. It was nice to see Jimmy again , without Saul. The cast and writers did a brilliant job. I will miss this masterpiece
I liked that, but I would say Saul is still there. He'll never leave Jimmy, he's now just a part of Jimmy that Jimmy accepts. That Jimmy understands. Understood too late, but understood. Changed from it. He's still called Saul in prison, and I think that to mean he doesn't mind being Saul Goodman. He's just not the Saul Goodman we think of, he's truly now what would have been the guy who meant Speedy Justice For You, the same kind of man who would make people want to say Gimme Jimmy.
@@_h_r_1_ I enjoyed it, to me it was therapeutic. Better Call Saul has been a long ride of very high highs, very low lows, and it was hard to think Jimmy deserved any form of redemption after everything he did. This episode in a way, was all about figuring out how to give a character who was so close to being unredeemable a satisfying ending. Him getting caught was almost always going to happen sooner or later, and this ending showed Jimmy's legal chops. Where he is most vicious, and able to swing things in his favor. I like that we see alot of what's going on resolving, and see Saul's transition back to Jimmy for good. To me, this is what the last Breaking Bad related show needed. A more chilled out goodbye to a world we loved hearing the drama of.
My interpretation of it is that while he may be behind bars for the rest of his life he is no longer in prison. He’s been in prison since Kim left him. He’s no longer Saul, or Gene but once again James McGill. Walt died, Jimmy got redemption, and Jesse lived free. There was no better way to end the Breaking Bad universe.
I'd say, its not that he is just "once again" Jimmy, or Saul, or Gene. He said he is James McGill, but then, in the bus, to the prisoners, he was Saul, and in prison, he is baking like Gene. I think that means he is finally a whole man, not a presona, but all the men he has been. He has stopped running from his own self, saul running from jimmy, gene running from saul; he is finally one.
Your last sentence . . . Walt was the worst of them and deserved death. Jimmy was pretty bad also but had some good in him and was capable of feeling for others sometimes, so he got redemption instead of death. Jesse was the best of them who felt guilty when what they did hurt others who were innocent victims, so he deserved to live free.
The detail that got me was on the end of the flashback of his brother, he tries to give the advice of "... there's no shame in going back and changing your path", which Jimmy confronts with an air of irony and goes away. Then his brother get his book: "The time machine". And there my friends, is where all the fakeness of "no regrets" from the previous two flashbacks goes down. That's the date in time that he wants to go back, to listen to his brother, let him help with his growth as lawyer and never became Saul Goodman.
@@shaunhunterit342 I agree. Chuck saw himself always better than Jimmy and he had to prove it by becoming a top notch lawyer and not by getting (slippin') away with everything. Jimmy wanting to become a lawyer was a direct personal attack and it made him even more mad.
Never before has a TV show finale left me as calm, balanced and complete as this. He got exactly what he deserved, both in the good and the bad meanings of the phrase. He got life in prison for all he's done, but he got the character development that so many people (real and fictional) never get, because they can't bare the effort, pain and consequences that entails. And above all he got the appreciation for who he is. Because the legal system is supposed to judge you for what you've done, but the people around you judge you for who you are. Jimmy is not just what he's done. He has to be put in jail for what he's done, but his positive sides can still be appreciated - by Kim, by his fellow inmates, and perhaps to some extent by the people witnessing that him going to jail (for this long) was ultimately a choice.
It's okay for a story but no way in hell dude is going to willfully take life in prison like that over 7 years..I didn't like it at all ... It felt forced and predictable once it unfolded.. I didn't hate it. But come on 86 years.. he could have found himself back to Jimmy without giving up the rest of his life.. it's too fake like smile your behind bars.. once the cameras shut off you're back home but in real life that shit would never happen for a guy like Saul
@@MrCrisisZ Not sure why you’d expect that when the episode is called Saul Gone. And that’s a good thing. His life was miserable as Gene, he actually seems happier in prison
@@salamisumo2 he wouldnt have to live as gene after the seven years btw… and it’s like hes giving up his life just so Kim wouldn’t hate him which is pretty dumb tbh.
Yeah, and after all the times they talked in the toilet at the courthouse, they even manage to do it again on the plane when Bill is going to/coming from 'the john' :)
Maybe this wasn't the intention, but I found it nice that Jimmy won out in front of the two people (the ones that are still around anyway) who knew him best when he was his best
@@FluteWarped yeah probably apart from chuck (who knew jimmy the best in the whole series as howard points out), they knew him the best at the start, might be somebody i'm forgetting, i don't think howard really knew who he was but i might be wrong
Yesterday I ended BCS, and started to watch Breaking Bad, again. Probably will watch BCS again after that. Two of the best series of all time. Especially this Better Call Saul because it had more emotion, more drama, even more laughter... I really learned to love Jimmy, Kim, Mike and Nacho... Will miss this so very much.
What a brilliant ending to a brilliant show. I started crying when I realized in the court scene what Jimmy‘s plan is. I think by taking all the blame for his crimes and not getting away with just a couple of years in a prison of his choice, he made a civil suit against Kim by Sheryl a lot less propable. His goal with this final stunt was to save her from losing everything. Saul would‘ve gotten seven years in prison. But Jimmy took 86 to save Kim. All the money, suits, hookers ans blingbling was just a charade, a coping mechanism. The only thing that ever was important to him is her. A bittersweet ending to the Breaking Bad universe: Jimmy sacrifices himself for the love of his life.
@@MarkHogan994 yes it does, because he's admitting that Lalo was there because of him and he put everyone at risk and also that he dragged kim into ruining howard's reputation.
I disagree. Nothing in the storyline pointed to Saul loving Kim that much. Sure he cared about her. But it was Kim's idea to get married. Kim wasn't necessarily looking at losing much. It was never established that Howard's wife would come after her with a civil suit. Jimmy just all of a sudden decides to sacrifice his life for Kim. It's just a little too convenient in my opinion. It seems like Vince and Peter got tired and said to hell with it, let's just get this over with, and make it a storybook ending.
Watching Jimmy finally overcome his trauma and own up to what he did was a perfect way to end the show. He's more free in prison than he ever was as Gene! I'm going to miss the BB/BCS universe so much.
This left me feeling down, a warped soul meets a broken one. Too different to ever be the same, but with the sentiment they made mistakes and accept that. Man what a series
@Lefroy You know Jimmy had a change of heart once he knew Kim confessed right? Upon that realisation, all he wanted was to do the right thing for once in his life. Simple as that. It's definitely not poor writing, it's just your poor observation.
@Lefroy What did you expect would happen? Jimmy comes up with one final plan and goes out in a blaze of glory like Walt? Or that he gets away and spends the rest of his life on the run like Jesse? Jimmy took the 86 years because he has nothing left to live for anyways and by doing it he reconnected with Kim which really seems like the only thing he truly wanted in the end.
I was in prison, one similar to Saul. I also worked in the prison hospice and helped the elderly dying inmates who had no chance of release. To have experienced all that intense emotional pain and to know that feeling as a loved one walks out of visitation and your stuck behind the fence as they go out to live their life…the finale was traumatic for me. I know Saul redeemed himself. I know it had to happen. It was so well done. But the reality of what Saul faces is absolute hell, misery, suffering, and pain. I’ll never be able to watch the finale again. I wish for Saul’s sake, he had died in the desert rather than face decades of misery and pain.
I feel for you man, and I agree. sure, peace of mind is great and nothing compares to it. but at the cost of your freedom, knowing that you'll never see the outside of the prison walls again? Jimmy should've taken the 7 years and then work to rebuild his image and his life after he got out.
I think the point is is that he redeemed himself in Kim's eyes (got to see her again as well), and won her respect back, and that's all that matters for him in the rest of his life. That way he can mentally deal with life in prison.
It left me with a bitter taste as well. As much as I understand and respect the themes and message behind the ending... I can't help but think it's just too dramatic for the sake of it. I can't believe Jimmy would give up all of his life just to get Kim's respect back, a woman who he didn't reach out for the entirety of the Breaking Bad timeline. We all know they loved each other profoundly in BCS, but after that...? The drama of this sacrifice borderlines the Shakesperean You could then say he also did it for himself, to free himself from the burden, to redeem himself. But I find this very farfetched as well. He was ready to disappear again days before. He shamelessly played people again to get his sentence down to 7 years, even after being confronted with Hank's wife. Then after learning Kim did the right thing, he takes the hardest U-turn to come clean for the first time in the show, and he does it in front of the judge who could snap his life away. That's just... Idk. For the first time in the show it felt like the themes were dragging the characters along instead of the opposite. Other more reasonable endings for me would have been Jimmy being unable to magically reduce his sentence to 7 years and just paying for what he's done, or him taking the 7 years route, plain and simple, perhaps with a glimpse of him redeeming himself in the future in a way more active than just rotting in a cell. Despite my little rant, and the fact the wrapping up wasn't too much in my taste... it's been a hell of a show. 9/10 in my book.
@@sunsetman22 absolutely what I thought! In line with his character he will be pleading insanity after the fact in a year. No way he can spend the rest of his life there. It would have made perfect sense for all for him to take the 7 and have his damascus experience while serving the 7, writing a book and becoming a better man from there. Now he is as good as dead and he pulled the trigger to a long agonozing death.
Saul's conversion back into Jimmy occurs in a similar way to Scrooge, when he is visited by 3 ghosts in "A Christmas Carol". According to Peter Gould, this is an echo of what we saw in the 'series finale'. Mike, Walt and Chuck, three men who had a huge impact on Jimmy's life, caused someone unable to tell his own truth to finally break free; this makes the protagonist's confession in court even more powerful.
There wasn’t any conversion. Jimmy was never Saul, he was never Gene. They were simply personas Jimmy used to achieve his ends. The redemption he gains in the end was always within him, it just took a long time to get there.
Jimmy was always a scumbag though. Stealing from his parents, you know what through the sun roof, ruining his brother and so much more. Jimmy was back but he still isn't redeemed in my opinion. Not in the opinion of the courts either. Not in Marie's opinion. Maybe in Kim's opinion but I'm not sure of that either, too much has happened and Kim is changed by all of it.
I think his testimony to the judge did somehow work like a time machine. He managed to go back and reconcile with his regrets and make things right with Kim and himself. To go back to who he was before Saul and Gene.
I personally think the ending implicates a pretty clever juxtaposition of a free man locked up in prison. The irony being that Jimmy regains his freedom through his acceptance of his past and its ramifications, simultaneous to being sent to prison for the rest of his life. Bravo writers, what a fitting, cerebral yet subtle end to the show.
Yeah, I was glad they did that. Would've been too much of a downer without the romantic cigarette with Kim. Also the fact they're both hiding from the door shows they could potentially reconnect in future while he's in there.
Jimmy got incarcerated in 2011, then after 9 years of good behavior, and the rise of the covid pandemic, he was released and him and Kim lived happily ever after. 😬
I will be honest, there were multiple times I was bawling my eyes out. I thought it was perfect, absolutely loved it. And it's gone.. but all great stories must have an end. I am so thankful I was here for the ride.
Look on the plus side. In 6 months to a year we get to rewatch BCS and BB in their entirety all over again and see how much Easter eggs and foreshadowing we missed the first time lol
I became emotional at least thrice, first when Marie talked about Hank, second when Jimmy started confessing in court and third when Kim is leaving after seeing Jimmy in prison. In the courtroom scene i started laughing when Saul again started his sob story but immediately he starts confessing and it became emotional. Terrific directing.
I am sad that my favorite show is over. All of the actors on this show did such a wonderful job and the writers gave us such a compelling story line to follow. It was a great journey.
I am really happy that they addressed every plot point and loose end out there. I hate those "it's up to the viewer to decide for themselves" BS endings. I guess the only thing we never found out was what happened to Gus in Santiago all the way back.
@@SaulGoodman-w2x I think the finale was perfect, and it also left a lot for the viewer to imagine. Done right that is important thing, and here it's done right. We don't know if Kim's fate, we don't know if they will see each other again, but we know they reconciled and Jimmy saved his soul. Something that Walt certainly didn't achieve, Jesse is kind of out in the open.
@@babyabdool8731 I didn't like the Sopranos ending. There are arguments and disputes about it to this day. David Chase had to come out a couple of years ago and say outright that yes, Tony freakin dies at the end. Even with that confirmation it still didn't make sense to me provided what happened in the last few episodes there really wasn't much justification for killing Tony off. So it seemed to me they did it purely for the shock factor. Either way, I don't think it's good when the creator has to explain the ending of his show.
The most astonishing thing about BCS isn't just how great it was, but how it reframed and improved the already amazing story shown in Breaking Bad. Gilligan is nothing short of a complete genius.
He didn't really save her. He just wanter her to hear him confess. There is no way that she is going to convince a jury in a civil trial that she had no knowledge of what they were doing to Howard.
I hate that everyone is implying Saul "cucked". And that you either think this was an awesome sacrifice for love or something idiotic/bad writing. What you need to know is Saul did it because for HIMSELF as well. Its obvious to me Saul is definitely going to repeat his mistakes. He finally relieved himself of all his guilt and shame by fully confessing what he did. He finally tried to do some kind of punishment for his evil deeds. But he cannot be trusted, you know conning is what makes him happy and he is self destructively addicted to it. The best ending the BEST is actually finding some sort of contentment in prison where he cannot harm any innocents. And being able to live with himself. That wasn't being cucked it was getting what he deserved and would make Jimmy happy.
I would argue he did go out on his own terms (as best he could). He proved one more time he can win by reducing his sentence down to 7 years. Then he again takes control and sabotages himself into 85 years in favor of getting things off his chest.
I’m not trying to be a dampener here I’m still processing it at the moment but I’m thinking why would he change the 7 year deal to 86 just to prove to Kim that he wants to come clean but will never see her again. He was always a con man and seeing him do that was out of character I feel.
@@markbirch2268 He did that to absolve her of any responsibility in the eyes of the government. By confessing all of that, he saved her from prosecution, and probably a civil suit from Howard's widow. He wanted her to be free and have a life that she wanted.
I thought this was a disappointing finale. But the next day, while at work I was thinking about it, it struck me that his entire life was an act, except for when he was with Kim. His responses to his brother, Walt and Mike were not sincere. It was Kim. It was always Kim that he cared about. That is captured best when she nervously tried to lit his cigarette and he warmly took her hands into his. That one gesture said everything. It said, it's okay. I am at peace, it's over, I'm in jail, you're safe and I love you. It was so, so beautiful. Now, I think the finale was incredible.
Something important that is missed in the reviews that I’ve read is that Saul nor Walter White for that matter truly cared about money. Above all they wanted respect, power and most of all to win. More money equates to winning. Why I thought Saul’s Berkshire Hathaway regret was great because it was a total farce. Saul preferred to be misunderstood and never show his true colors.
Walt’s too. One detail I loved was how Walt looked at the watch with a little bit of a wince before talking about Gray Matter. For me that felt like an homage to the scene where he clicks that watch and has those prisoners killed, and perhaps it’s suggesting that way deep down, though he’d hate to admit it at this stage in his development, he regrets not just that but all the choices he made.
I thought the bus ride scene was totally important. Lets us know that even in prison, he'll be running things in no time. Or at least, won't be shivved.
I kinda read it as an acknowledgement that the world will ruthlessly and forever on label him as Saul, but that he finally is strong enough to break free of this label internally. He's finally free to see himself as Jimmy.
2:46 Mike is a man of few words. However, in this scene, he uncharacteristically let down his guard to share his inner secrets with Saul. Why? Because if you recall in that tense episode where Saul almost got shot by the cartel hitmen in the line of fire, not to mention sacrificing himself to bait an incoming vehicle so Mike could gun it down with his sniper rifle. At that moment, they were comrades in arms/battle. Mike also needed to calm Saul down from a mental breakdown with humanity. As such, the viewers were privy to a more intimate side of Mike.
I thought he was gonna take out the courtroom when he came strutting into court in that “Salamanca Twin” suit. 😂 Bagman is my all-time favorites, I loved seeing him and Mike back there. I also liked how Gene calls the Cinnabon from Jail, mirroring when Gus called Lyle after he got shot.
@@heyitsdazy Remember, Odenkirk may be Jimmy/Saul/Gene, but like Lalo said, “You’re perfect. You’re “Nobody.’” Nobody don’t play games. He has to where the skull boots too.
I'd say that the freedom Jimmy has in prison is a different sort of freedom but freedom none the less. He's been freed from the constant fear of being exposed as a conman. He's been freed from defending Lalo who's a straight up murderer.
@Lefroy you take his statement too literally. Perhaps trying to define a concept as malleable as freedom in literal terms is not the greatest idea. Jimmy freed himself. This is his own personal freedom, as he has now confessed his sins and owned his past.
@@KevFrost yea there was some moral ambiguity to what they were doing especially at the time because of fucking how unlikeable howard is you cant really look at it retrospectively cus we as the audience just like Jimmy and Kim dont realize that howard was an innocent victim until it was to late
I loved how they had chuck pick up the time machine book. Just to make it clear that missing that heart to heart with chuck was the real moment he needed to go back to
This show got me depressed. It's all so good with the little meanings, the hurt and how they can go on afterwards. I put myself deep in the shoes of the characters of everything i watch. I just can't handle what they go through.
Walt caused the death of so many people , Death is his price Jesse suffered so much pain, freedom is what he deserved. Saul broke the law he has sworn to uphold, imprisonment is his eternity. It's really about consequences. Thanks Pete for making this show even more enjoyable with your weekly reviews and discussions. You made us appreciate every moment and character of this show so much.
Thanks for all you and this community have added to my appreciation of a truly wonderful show. It's nice when the creators of something treat their audience like adults and allow slope burns and wistful endings. I love Kim's character so much and am so glad that he did do what she needed in the end. Oh crap, I'm going cry again. Love to all of us.
After so long, this is the final analysis of an episode of Better Call Saul I will ever watch from you but not necessarily the last analysis I will see from you. It was such an amazing run and such an amazing show, thank you for your analysis of all the episodes Pete. You are the GOAT
This show was a master class. To go from Breaking Bad to this is one of those things that so few people could pull off in this way. Its truly an example of a brilliant artist refining his craft and raising his game. I know a good amount of people who bailed on this show early on bc it was "boring." To me that just means more and more people will discover how brilliant this show is over time. I am really going to miss it (as well as the breakdown videos showing me all the things that went over my head), and can't wait to see what he/they do next.
The great detail in the last frame of the BCDC jailsuit hanging on the coat rack, showing he gets sent back to New Mexico for good behavior eventually. This finale was amazing and tied up all the loose ends so well
No, you are missing this. All the suits on the rack were previous outfits he wore. The BCDC jailsuit joins the old used outfits it was from when he was held in that jail prior to his federal plea bargain hearing. He was in Montrose for 86 years, with maybe a few off for good behavior. You don't get transferred from federal prison to a county lockup.
@@nexttsar the shows flexible with reality in this area though. Montrose is based on a real max security prison that is no where near as lax as we see Jimmy's
When Kim told Jimmy he should turn himself in, Jimmy was defiant and said Kim should turn herself in first. When he found out she actually did it, he felt like he had to hold up his end.
Best ending to the series I could have asked for. I shed a tear at the end when the guard notified Jimmy his lawyer was there to see him and knew right before it would be Kim as his lawyer. When she finally showed up on screen I shed another tear. What a ride
I was crying heavily in so many occasions. Also because of different reasons, but from the point I knew Jimmy will get redemption (probably since the plane scene) I was a total mess. I predicted the whole episode, really it was what I was hoping for, but they managed to surprise in every way while having the main beats I wanted and expected. Amazing writing and just goddamned Bob Odenkirk should get more appreciation for his acting. He manages to show what he truly feels, a lot that he might not actually is conscious at the moment, while having a mask and a show.
@@weixin9270 Crazy how many people missed this. She stated her old card doesn’t have an expiry date so she used it to get inside and have a conversation (and cigarette) with him. No way she goes back to law after her confession in writing.
It was pure art. Just like Breaking Bad's finale, Saul Gone gave fans everything they could wish for and more in a series that is as intricate and masterly crafted as any iconic cinematic example from the past we could think of. And, the after show tribute to the fans after the episode was not only a nod of the hat to fans, as almost silent characters in the making of the show, but it was acknowledging the importance of fans to the actors and creators and was a truly nice closing to the amazing ride that BCS was and will always be.
The BB Finale kept me on the edge of my seat, heart pounding and awestruck at the end. BCS was smooth, soft and yet managed to stick with me throughout the day. Bravo, just bravo.
I can't believe it's finally over There's a part of me that I invested in this series that seems slightly lost now I think it's one of my best series ever and I will watch it many times over And I really enjoyed the summaries and Opinion of the series You've done a cracking job Pete👍
@@Yanuu - I agree with Mfourmusic. Ozark, in the second half of the last season, just felt a bit flat with the way it ended, at least for me. Seasons 1 thru 3 were great!
Game of Thrones ending: Kim snaps and takes over Albuquerque by destroying half of it with a tank. Jimmy reluctantly kills Kim in order to stop her and is then sent to El Paso to watch over the border. As the Albuquerque legal community begins to rebuild, Bill Oakley is named Attorney General of New Mexico for some reason.
I was really sad how it ended for Howard I didn't think the vendetta against him was justifiable and that scene with his wife in their home trying to be affectionate and she just didn't care you could see how it was hurting him Great character
I think Cheryl is the biggest hypocrite there is, she kicks Howard to the pool room, is an emotionally distant c**t and then suddenly when he dies she wants to act like she cares about him. If you cared about him you wouldn’t have treated Howard like shit
Am I the only one who thought this episode sucked? 1. We don't know much about Bill Oakley but we know he was good pals with Jimmy until one day he found that he had lied and scammed the court "to get a murdering cartel psychopath back on the streets". At that point he didn't even want to acknowledge him let alone be friends with him. But then later on when Saul is known to have been an accessory to multiple murders, Bill is not only happy to represent him but continues fighting for him even when Saul has confessed to the extent of his guilt. 2. Having had a previous episode where we saw Kim humanised more than ever before with her crying on the bus, we see no emotion from Kim whatsoever in this episode. Saul apparently lies about her on the record saying she was involved in Howard Hamlin's murder just to get her to the courtroom. You'd think Kim might feel something about that, but there is no reaction shown. Also having felt so guilty about being the indirect cause of one murder, to the extent of having broken up with Jimmy, she is now just easy about hanging out with him now he is an accessory to multiple murders. 3. Above all though, it's no small thing for a man to willingly accept life imprisonment when he could have got off with 7 years. Earlier in the episode, in the conversations with Mike and Walter, it's shown just how self-interested Saul is, and that he has no regrets beyond his own self-interest. From that point he suddenly transforms into someone who cares about the truth more than his own freedom? I felt like this episode was contrived to bring a certain kind of closure but it just violated the character development so far to the point that I no longer cared about the show or its main character.
Finished the final episode - felt teary. This for me has been the best thing on television. I appreciate all aspects of the BB/BCS series. After experiencing the cinematography in this series, I pay closer attention to cinematography in movies/tv now. The music selection is chef's kiss! Thank you to all who brought us this show, cast and crew!! We 💚 You!!!
Thought the Chuck-Jimmy scene was heartbreaking. Jimmy running the grocery errand for Chuck, saying, "you'd do the same for me," and the look on Chuck's face says maybe not. Chuck sincerely reaching out by saying let's talk about your cases, but Jimmy rebuffs him with "you'll just tell me what I'm doing wrong." Chuck getting back by asking if Jimmy stole the ice chest. Two guys trying to help each other, not knowing how, and fated to hurt each other because of that ignorance. So Jimmy becomes the corner-cutting anti-law lawyer to tear down the legal shrine Chuck has built because he so desperately needs his brother's approval.
Besides being sad that Better Call Saul is over, I am going to miss not seeing anymore videos every week on the latest episode. Thank you, Pete. These videos were all good, man.
IMO, it's a 1,000 mile stretch of the imagination to swallow the people that both Kim and Jimmy became. Kim, a boring insipid wallflower? Please. Jimmy begging to have an 86 yr sentence in Montrose rather than an easy 7 years in a luxury prison? Please. Neither one of these people could possibly become the polar opposite of their characters throughout S1-5. I was very disappointed in Gene's lack of judgment in the B&E at the cancer man's home. IRL, Gene/Saul/Jimmy is smarter than that. This final episode was ridiculous, and unbelievable. Walter White's ending was very much in character to his persona. Saul's ending is so out of the blue, and character, it's like the writers took leave of their senses. The only redeeming two scenes: when the hardened convicts chanted "Better Call Saul! Better Call Saul!" on the prisoner transport bus, and in the prison bakery, the men he works with idolize him. So we know that Saul won't be shanked in the Montrose prison. He's a Rock Star.
It didn’t work for me, either. I thought the actors did a great job with the material, but the ending was contrived and unbelievable. Jimmy/Saul would have taken that seven year deal and not looked back.
Yes, I really didn’t get why Gene was so okay with scamming the cancer guy. So out of character. They made him so mean towards the end, I didn’t even like him.
@@lynseypearson I know, right? Gene really pissed me off. Yes, very out of character. I hate the writers for this weird twist. I think they did it to soften us up to Jimmy's 86 yr sentence in prison. These last 3 episodes were shit.
Thanks Pete. Great review. For me, it hit all the notes I wanted it to hit. And I think the biggest takeaway for me, was that Jimmy appeared to be thinking about his regrets all along, he just didn’t know how to deal with them. That’s why he was asking everyone the same question about the time machine and also had it there on his nightstand. This fact makes his final admission even more powerful. The final scene at the prison where they slowly pan the camera behind the block wall, cutting off the view to Jimmy was a perfect ending.
I didn't take the Saul chant on the bus as anything menacing or potentially threatening for Jimmy, but the opposite. They were basically celebrating the famous Saul as a champion of underworld characters. At least that's how I took it. Same for the scene when Jimmy is in the prison kitchen and gets called away for a lawyer visit. The fellow inmate(s) have an almost reverence for him. He's their hero.
It was hard to accept at first. His line to Oakley over the phone “where do I see this ending? With me on top, like always.” Had me thinking, Wow, how in the hell will he get away with this!? Cut to him talking the lawyers down to 7 years, and I truly thought he’d take the deal and the last scene would be him getting out and going right back to being Saul. The twist of him blowing the deal and confessing to everything truly angered me, mainly because it just seemed insane he got that deal in the first place. Him ending up on top wasn’t getting away with it, it was showing the world that he could if he wanted, but chose not to, while making amends with the one person he loved in the process. Like Felina in Breaking Bad, it seemed to lose a bit of realism, but still delivered in the message and character arc. I will miss this universe so much.
The writers were great. But in BB and in BCS they started getting away from character driven decision to plot driven. And characters begin doing things that make us feel like we didn't really know them. Jimmy putting faith in Jeff? Becoming a bugluar ? Threatening an old lady? Choosing life in a hard jail vs 7 years in a country club ? I don't recognize the guy doing that
The ending is Jimmy confesses all his sins and then rots in prison, all so that Kim can forgive him. Not the satisfying ending I wanted and no where close as good as Felina. I was let down because I wanted the ending where he goes out on top like Walter White did. The overall show is really good but to me the ending is the most important part and if you don't nail the ending well then I can't really look back fondly on the show.
I'm noticing that people are already dividing into those who think Saul should have taken the 7 and a half year deal and those who think he should have done exactly what he ended up doing. I would imagine this debate will rumble on for years - the same way that people still debate crucial points in Breaking Bad. It's a sign of the quality of the shows concerned I think that people with differing perspectives can come up with nuanced arguments to support their opinion.
Although it was apparent throughout the series, the finale really boiled down the series with the three flashbacks as to who Saul was, and how the characters compared. Mike gave Saul a true regret, because he was always straightforward about who he was. Walt also gave Saul a real regret, but was a arrogant jerk about it. But Saul gave both of them nothing but glibness because he could never ever admit to any weakness or guilt. He bottled it all up in the character of Saul Goodman. It was actually his defining characteristic. That is why the ending confession hit anew so powerfully, because we were reminded that this might have been the first time he ever took responsibility for anything. The final flashback with Chuck showed really where Saul started, When Chuck said you do not have to do this and Jimmy said, "you're my brother, you would do the same for me." And Chuck said nothing in that indirect way he had of hiding his true feelings, that was the crux for me. No, we know now Chuck would not have. Jimmy finally discovering what his brother thought of him really was the thing that sent Jimmy to the bad end he got.
@@thefossilfool9877 i really wanted to but when I saw jimmy dress like a Salamanca brother in court, it was way too predictable with what was going to happen.
@@LAvisionI don’t think that should put the whole finale down for you, but obviously if that’s the way you feel then that’s unfortunate. I think the message as a whole was that all of Jimmy’s bad traits and awful decisions came from repressed guilt (Chuck, Howard etc.) and an unwillingness to admit that he did the wrong thing and/or face up to the consequences. At this point the only meaningful thing in his life, the only person he’s ever really loved and who’s loved him back is Kim. It doesn’t really surprise me that he’d give it all up and finally become Jimmy again, in turn earning her respect and setting himself free from the persona he’s built up. I don’t think he was a true Sociopath, just someone who really did go through the ringer and then chose to make some of the worst decisions possible rather than face up to their emotions and experiences - in the end he decided to do so and go back to being Jimmy. Like I said, I’m genuinely sorry you didn’t get what you wanted from the finale cause that must feel crappy. (I had a similar experience with JW Dominion)
I can’t believe this is the last video like this we’ll ever get. Thanks for everything Pete. I always look forward to yours and Kiwi’s content after each episode, and it’s weird to think this is the last of it. I like how some people think that this is out of character. I like how this ending will be debated amongst the fan base for a long time. I also got everything I wanted. To be fair, I only wanted Jimmy to finally accept and confront all he’s done in the past. I wasn’t expecting him and Kim to meet again out of fear of disappointment, but I’m so happy it ended with that. I love how the ending is slightly ambiguous. It’s up to us viewers to decide whether or not Kim and Jimmy’s relationship ship will continue. It’s up to us whether or not Saul comes back. It’s up to us whether or not he gets out early on good behavior. I choose to believe he gets out early and links up with Kim again shortly after.
I've always felt that BB was the best drama ever on TV with an amazing and complete character/story arc. Now BCS is right up there with it. I will take these two over Sopranos, Mad Men, The Americans, The Wire, etc which are also great shows. Pete, I only discovered your channel in the final season and I am so glad I did. Thank you.
Blesphemy. BCS cant touch Breaking bad. Better call Saul might have some people watching it again some time, but Breaking bad will be on a whole nother level, for good reasons. The best aspects of BCS were always storylines that crossed with Breaking bad or had similarities. The rest was a half assed dramedy of a lawyer and shit, we got plenty of lawyer shows.
@@maxmeier532 Your opinion. To me, BCS is right up there as well. Saul Goodman is a genius character, and the drama was brilliant. You can't compare any lawyers show to this, and you know it
A perfect, beautiful ending to a beautiful love story. Reminded me of the classic old movies Jimmy and Kim used to watch together where the honorable hero always pulls through and gets the girl 🥲💕😭📽
Just a chef's kiss ending to a truly incredible saga of storytelling. The character arches in both BB and BCS end in a reckoning. Each got what they deserved while also being granted redemption through atonement.
I've seen a lot of comments about this and you're not wrong about that. My intention was more about him having to live with the decision rather than get the spectacular exit that Walt and Nacho had.
@Captain Charisma yes it's about right. Airing out his conscience and going to prison for whatever term it should naturally be is the only way Jimmy could be free. Walt died on his own terms, mind freed of all and Jessie got to start over, to finally live on his own terms, mind freed of all. Jimmy was the same.
@Captain Charisma the worst prison is your mind. Jimmy was already in a prison, had been a very very long time. Haven't you ever heard the expression "I'd rather be in jail than do time"? The writing was absolutely brilliant, it was obvious for years that's what the we're building towards and it would have been poor writing to turn away from it at the end. You'll get it when you are older.
@Captain Charisma it makes sense for the character. It makes sense for the story that was told. Now do I think Walt should have gone to prison, Jimmy gone free and Jesse got his brains blown out... Yes but it's their story and it's not illogical the way it was told. Jimmy hurts everyone he knows and does this big show of remorse just to do it again. Like Chuck told him, he did it in a way that prevents him from doing it again. Necessary? No, but it makes perfect sense why he would permanently blow his life up. Dude was close to strangling an old lady he gave up so he could have some self respect. Like I said, you'll get it when you're older. Hard concepts for sure.
My favorite aspect of the episode is that Jimmy was able to end things on his own terms, contrary to the analysis here. If he was picked up by the police and sentenced, it wouldn’t be, but the fact that he made himself a sweet deal and then was willing to give it up to redeem himself. That put the decision to end things on his terms back in his court and he finally made the right choice for once in his life. It was a satisfying ended to a fantastic series.
He actually did it all for Kim, which in turn, turned him back to Jimmy. Which is sweet. Just shows how much Kim meant to him if it meant he had to spend his whole life in prison.
great breakdown. the goodbye at the prison yard and finger guns brought a tear. Such artful storytelling. Such well thought out craft. I will dearly miss this series, probably now my favorite TV show of all time.
It was a fantastic finale and far exceeded my expectations. I was waiting for your insights Pete. I loved the cameos and that he essentially sacrificed his life to save Kim, out of Love. I was waiting for Kim and her showing up for the end was perfection. I cried like a baby.
Sorry for the change in the naming convention, I know I don’t have to explain it to you guys. It’s just what people search for. What a way to wrap things up. I wanted to see him kill Saul Goodman and that’s what I got. I really liked how intentional all the shifts felt, and all the character stuff made sense. Let me know what you think.
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Can you or anyone explain the timeline of this show and BB? Saul and Kim have that phone conversation during Water Works when they say it has been 6 years since they've seen each other and I simply can't get that to work. What am I missing?
The signing of the divorce papers might screw that up a little but she left 6 years before that scene in 2004.
@@bernarddiggins5404 I have the same question
@@PetePeppers1 Damn, 2904???
Saulberpunk
@@bernarddiggins5404 fun and games breakup- 2004
Divorce scene in waterworks-later in 2004
Saul meets Walter- 2008
Black and white scenes- 2010
Kim was the one juror he needed to convince
Indeed
This is beautiful
I didn’t even pick up on that , great catch
Whoaaaa… what an observation and conclusion
Nice idea but incorrect
He doesn't know he's going to confess at the time he says that about the one juror. He decides he's going to confess on the flight after Oakley tells him that Kim confessed. Also obviously Kim isn't actually on the jury. He was just convincing the opposition lawyer to negotiate with him with the one juror comment
Almost 15 years, 11 seasons, 125 episodes and a Netflix movie. Congratulations and thank you to: Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Giancarlo Esposito, Jonathan Banks, Michael Mando and the great Robert Forster along with all of the various writers and directors over the years for creating the greatest fictional universe in all media and for telling the greatest story ever told on television.
Also Patrick Fabian and Tony Dalton. May their characters rest in peace together
You never know they'd start a series focusing on Salamancas
And Michael McKean! He was one of the hearts and souls of Seasons 1-3
I been watching since day 1 back in 2008. I was 26 when I began watching BrBa and I'm 40 now with BCS ending. Amazing ride. Thank you Vince and Peter and everyone else. God bless.
@@sanmechrocker Mark Margolis is getting pretty old. I don't think that would ever work
What I liked about the ending is how it continued to illustrate Kim+Jimmy's "poisonous" dynamic. If Kim throws a beer bottle, Jimmy throws a beer bottle.If Jimmy starts a scam, Kim joins him, and maybe becomes even more passionate about it that he is. If Kim confesses, so does Jimmy. That relationship is what led to such tragedy as the death of Howard, but is also what led to the return of Jimmy McGill.
underrated insight.
Dude yes!!
If Kim smokes a cigarette, Jimmy does too. Love this direction. It could also be supported by the divorce papers signage scene a few episodes ago, where Kim comes in trying to be cool about everything and "Saul" does the same and even out-shines her with his nonchalant attitude
I would do the same kim is 🔥
Did they drop the whole Kim faking/forging the marriage documents or whatever plotline? I thought maybe she had a different real name or a secret past etc? Was that all in our heads? I forget all the theories but I feel like there was something going on there? Any thoughts?
When they showed him working in the prison kitchen, it showed that his actual day to day life isn't that different. He (Gene) was pretty much trapped in the work/home bubble while being extremely paranoid and scared all the time. Now he's doing the same thing, but he's free in the way that matters.
Dude, prison is horrible. Don't sugar coat it.
He also is respected by the convicts. They all think he is cool. It's an odd dynamic. Not nearly as bad an end as he could have had
Its a metaphore... It doesnt say prison is good.
The bread making and dough mixer was also a callback to his duties working at the Cinnabon.
He’s surrounded by the criminal element which is exactly how he wants it. He chose the long sentence and that end result.
I also cracked up when Walt told Saul to stay in his lane 😂 loved that they recaptured all of Walt’s super irritating, eternally irritated energy
And his sheer arrogance.
yeah, they didn't pull any punches in his scenes
Peteys deleting anybodys comments who didnt like the ending? Which is funny because a week before he said... "he didnt want them to take it back to the courtroom" now u love it pete?
@@dannybracco3250 Temple OS cap, my nigga. Next!
@@VictorIV0310 english my guy?
The whole aspect of Saul getting his sentence reduced to 7 years and thus confirming he was the greatest of them all, just to sacrifice it later to regain his humanity was a mirror of when, earlier in the season, Howard says that " maybe there are more important things" than being the greatest legal mind as he watched Chuck's picture in HHM. Great show! will deeply miss it.
So you fell the guy who got shot and the guy who spends the rest of his life in prison are the ones who made the best decisions? Okay.
@@maxmeier532 What a weird failure in logic.
@@maxmeier532 Howard died as an innocent man and Jimmy will probably die while seeking for redemption in simple life of a prisoner. Turning good and keeping pure heart until your death are the best decisions you can make. And if you don't get it, then maybe you should recall in your mind Mike's words from the first scene in the finale: "That's it? money?"
Ending a show like that just to have an allegory is just plain moronic. This ending is shit.
@@kazam3527 I suppose it's nice to have such a high opinion of one's own opinion.
A happy ending for Jimmy - he went out on his own terms: He proved he could 'Saul' his way to a sweetheart 7 year deal, but rejected it to get the approval of 1 juror - Kim. It was her approval he desperately wanted, and by being completely truthful to himself, he got it. And it cost him an extra 79 years. But in prison he is finally free of guilt, free of running; and as we saw on the prison bus, he will be a King in there, helping out inmates. Jimmy's prison life will be better than anything a free Saul would've had. I loved this - it wasn't Breaking Bad style ending, it was a Better Call Saul ending. Like Jimmy, BCS went out on it's own terms. Beautiful 💚
Wow, your comment almost made me cry! Great way to put it 🌟
It's the "happy ending" but not the smart or good ending, approval of past lover doesn't help you much when you're doing +70yrs in prison... While kim can move on with her life having a chance to live and love again, he'll rot in prison surrounded by the worst of the worst.
@@thebrowhodoesntlift9613 Not the good ending? If you really think he only did it for Kim, I don't think you understood the episode.
@@thebrowhodoesntlift9613 Jimmy will prosper in prison don't worry
@@thebrowhodoesntlift9613 It's pretty heavily implied that Kim's also likely going to be taken to civil court over Howard's death, given the "lawyer shopping" line -- she's not exactly in the clear either, and her future is left dubious at best. Just assuming she will live and love again isn't a guarantee at all, especially if she faces her atonement in Hamlin's death.
I disagree with your point that "Jimmy didn't go out on his own terms". I think he went out exactly how he wanted to. He had full control over the situation and decided to kill off Saul in that courtroom to make Kim happy, even if it meant being in prison for the rest of his life.
agree with you 100%. once again you seen saul on full display one last time. dude is a legend
It was the only way to finally get the Acceptance he was looking for all along.
And yet, while he "came clean" looking for redemption he con-ned Oakley.
And I think it's a very stupid decision. After Kim's confession, she would become a lawyer again and have a good life anyways. And Jimmy basically sacrificed his whole life just to make a woman feel better. Like wtf, she wasn't in danger or something. It was absolutely unnessecery. And now such a great talent will rot behind bars for the rest of his life. And even Kim will probably forget about him in the future, because life goes on.
@@garrukthewildspeaker262 It wasn't about just making Kim happy, Jimmy had immense guilt over the death of his brother and Howard.
It's funny that the complaints I've seen about the finale was that it was too depressing, but if you look beneath the surface it's actually kinda uplifting. Jimmy was a prisoner in his Saul Goodman persona and was definitely a prisoner to an absolutely mundane life he was living as Gene. He spent the whole series trying to get the respect of people in "the real world," and in the end wound up in a place that he is an absolute legend/folk hero. He was the one that always fought for the little guy and no matter what your offense was he was on your side. And Jimmy lied to a lot of people, but he lied to himself even more. He finally took ownership of his mistakes and did something that landed him in prison for the rest of his life while simultaneously setting himself free in a way. And it also set Kim free, since for much of the series she was the one that bore the consequences of Jimmy's actions. Like when he made the commercial and she ended up in dock review. She took all of the emotional burden of what happened to Howard and punished herself.
I love that there is just so much depth to this show and you cant even fully comprehend how great it is until you dig a bit deeper and read some analysis. It may be a long time before we see another show that is this great. I had a thought while watching this last stretch of episodes that Vince and Co. may literally be the greatest TV show creators of all time. And as sad as it was to say goodbye to this universe it wasn't because I was yearning for more, or had questions, or the story felt incomplete. I was sad thinking about the memories of 14 years of watching some of the most amazing TV I've ever seen. I doubt I will see another spin-off of this quality in my lifetime. In the words of Saul it was "quite a ride."
Yeah, it is uplifting. It only seems depressing because we know the different sides to Jimmy and empathise with such a long prison sentence, but really, Saul Goodman is the the definition of a scumbag lawyer and he got what he deserved - which is exactly why he allowed it to happen. It's beautiful really.
You’re making alot of assumptions about how Gene felt about his life. He actually was doing interesting things, stealing identities for starters. I think he was starting to get the ball rolling doing what he does naturally scheming, maneuvering, being clever and colorful.
@@maynardbecker4613 The stealing identities things was him just doubling down on being self destructive. Kim rejected him and he went back to being Saul. Did he look happy to you? At all during that period after that phone call? The one time he looked happy--to me at least--during the Gene period was when he ran that scheme in Nippy. That was Jimmy. Falling back into being Jimmy could bring him happiness. Everything after that call was Kim was Saul. Generally Saul is not him in his happy place. It's him at his worst. When he went after the cancer guy that was mostly him lashing out at that guy as an undeserving surrogate for Walt like he used Howard as a surrogate for Chuck. Again..not happy things. The one thing that truly brought new color back into his life was getting back to being Jimmy and sharing that cigarette with Kim.
I didn’t get the dopamine hit I usually get from most of the episodes.
@@djsosonut if Gene appeared unhappy to you, it’s because the writers made made him appear that way by making his world look gray, filming in black and white, giving him dorky glasses, slick back hair and a stupid job at Cinnabon. Really made no sense.. it was out of character for Saul. The Saul we knew in BB would never ever choose that job himself. If he wanted to lay low, he probably would’ve done some work at home scheme. He would’ve been a great timeshare salesman in Florida or any kind of salesman. He would’ve found something that was interesting to him to do as work.
I honestly loved the chanting on the bus. It’s the love and respect he’s always wanted. Plus it let’s us know he’ll do ok in prison
To me that chanting showed the futility of Saul Goodman. And I think it showed on the face of Jimmy. But also as you said it showed that Jimmy will handle prison and he will be with "his people" so to speak, even though I don't think Jimmy is bad, but there will be people like Marco etc. and he will be appreciated, so it won't be pure suffering.
Yeah its a reminder that he cannot kill Saul, he will allways be remembered by the people he helped.
I thought the opposite. It was the praise he desired, but now he doesn't want it because he convinced the one juror, Kim, that he can be the moral person Chuck wanted him to be.
I just feel it was a little strange or unrealistic but I like most of the episode
I always thought Saul would do OK in prison, he'd be everybody's friend. The bus scene was the most efficient way to show that. The guard called him Saul when his Lawyer was there for a smoke.
Kim, you could have at least blown him a kiss.
I like how he did the opposite of what he did in Winner. In Winner he pretended he was speaking from the heart when it was just to get reinstated. And now he finally speaks about Chuck honestly, beautiful episode
And here he actually was a winner, he won his soul back. He won reconciliation with Kim. Goddamned this finale was perfect, I have never felt as much as I did with this episode.
It's as if his conscience and success are playing a zero sum game. Only can come out the winner
I didn't like that either. He went out if his way for Chuck, taking care of him, defending him, and trying to make him proud. All Chuck ever did was resent him, belittle him, and tried to ruin his career many times. Guaranteed, jimmy runs a clean show of he got the job at HHM, but chuck wouldn't allow that; his ego and pride were too big. Sure, what jimmy did ultimately led to his demise (not purposely) but only after Chuck tried to ruin him over and over. A man can o ly take so much, especially after he's given so much and did everything he could to turn his life around and make Chuck proud of him. The whole last episode was trash in my opinion and completely out of character for jimmy and saul and the BB universe.
@@scottd1903 I'm not reading all that idc
@@doodleBurgers lol same
One thing you glossed over: They showed Jimmy in prison living a better life than what he had when he was on the run. He had respect of the inmates, he was making dough which was something he enjoyed as Gene (similar to what he was doing at Cinnabun), and he had the respect of Kim, which he didn't have as Gene as well. He realized in prison also he is safe from himself and he can't get in trouble like he would in the real world. He can be himself with no temptations, also with the possibility of helping other inmates being an ex-criminal lawyer. This actually is a huge win for Jimmy and he will live the rest of his life happy, which he would never have gotten if he was always looking over his shoulder on the run (and missing Kim to boot). I loved this ending, and it really worked well to end the BB story.
Excellent interpretation. Gene was a prision of anonymity, Prison was a prison of understanding that he was Saul but now is whoever he is now.
Well put and I totally agree ,a very fitting ending !
You nailed it. I can't believe this guy didn't talk about this. You already did a much better job than this guy did in his video just from that alone imo
Perfect summary!
I didnt hate the ending but wow when you put it that way I love it. what a great end to everything
what really hit me was when saul and walter were talking and saul was saying he could’ve helped walt with getting back at Gray Matter, and walt just said “you would’ve been the last person id go to” that’s really crazy because Walt has no idea that Saul really is the worlds greatest lawyer
that is part of walts persona, he is so selfobsessed that he cant admit saul, someone he randomly met truly is the best lawyer he could hope for. It must be someone he, the all knowing and genius chemist, walt, finds himself after carefull examination of potential lawyers cv's
That wasn't a statement on Saul's ability, but his image.
@@AdamRhodes536 that makes sense. but if anything that makes it even sadder in the bigger picture. seeing saul get excited saying how he could’ve helped but still being looked at as not being a “real lawyer” due to his image probably hit him hard in that moment. one of my favorite scenes of the episode
@@AdamRhodes536 even though Walt wasn’t what he became, it’s still delusional how he views himself or former self in comparison to Saul. He’s 1000x worse. Being trashy or low rent to yuppies is worse than being an actual terrible person. It’s literally the same fight jimmy has had his entire life, especially with chuck. Not being accepted. There are reasons for that, yes, but if he got any support whatsoever growing maybe he would’ve been different.
2nd Greatest Lawyer.............But, that’s still phenomenal!!!
Can’t believe it’s over. What a wonderful ride and experience. I think it’s a beautiful ending for this universe. I only wish color was added when Jimmy and Kim were smoking the last cigarette but I can’t complain.
The flame and the tip of the cigarette had colour!
Yeah, I liked the decision to make it just the cigarette. Thought it was fitting to have just that spark that they share.
@@PetePeppers1 put a cork in it pete
@@LiefsPerla Thats not enough…. I didn’t even notice that until I saw a comment about that…
The small amount of color was meant to demonstrate that in jail jimmy can now begin to hopefully reignite the feelings with his old flame. But I do understand wanting more color. Once the show didn’t go full color when jimmy finally mentioned what happened with chuck I knew full color was out of the question
When Saul asks Walt about regrets, Walt stares at the watch Jesse gave him, hinting that he regrets wronging Jesse. But then he decides to brush it aside and talk about Grey Matter and money
Nice observation, I didn't notice that. the BB universe is full of these subtle hints, I love it.
You know you're dealing with a narcissist when their biggest regret is something other people did (see also Meghan Markle)
yeah, I gotta say, for me this scene did more to make sense of Walter White's personality than any scene from Breaking Bad. He comes across like an arrogant New Atheist on Reddit who watches too much Rick and Morty, only he's responsible for scores of grisly deaths, multiple federal racketeering crimes, and the downfall of his own family. He really was an irredeemable, miserable person; and the fact that he went out like a gangster means nothing, since everybody who remembers him blames him for ruining their lives. "Ozymandias" was a perfect title for the penultimate episode, because all his brilliance, and skill at defeating and manipulating others, amounted to nothing but ruins in the end. BCS and Breaking Bad is the difference between a pro-social sociopath who finds his way in the end, and a malignant narcissist who's only ever satisfied by inflicting more pain than his competitor does to him
when is this dialogue taking place in Breaking Bad? i dont remember that moment?
@@raoulhery its an add-in scene based on the time when walt and saul went to the vacuum man for evacuation.
Mike Ehrmantraut cited 1984 as the year he took his first bribe and "broke bad" This is also the year Beverly Hills Cop premiered where Jonathan Banks played the criminal hit-man Zack.
Also 1984 and the corrupt law enforcement fits perfectly. But nice catch there with Beverly Hills Cop. Kind of incredible it will be 40yo soon.
@@juzujuzu4555 banks was so good in that role. He was scary
Literally 1984
@@cablehogue599 Yes, he truly was. And interestingly he looked old even back then :D That film was really important for me in my childhood.
And two years prior as a cop in 48 Hours
Being caught in the dumpster directly references the 601 teaser opening where cleaners place the Saul Goodman standee in one. Nicely bookended! Also, "Waterworks" is two steps away from "Go to Jail" on a Monopoly board, so yeah, these writers mastered the art of foreshadowing.
Or when he’s literally digging in the trash at SandPaper in season 2
@@ryanbuckley5529 - That’s what I was thinking of too.
@@ryanbuckley5529 It's not "or," it's AND especially since Pete already referenced what you said. There are several Easter eggs is this finale that are meant to serve as bookend visual cues to that 601 opener but that also are in other episodes, including the H.G. Wells "Time Travel" book. VERY nicely done. It's my favorite thing about this show, how they thoroughly bring things full circle.
Oh yea! Holy moly you still play Monopoly to know that? You MvP for spotting that. Well done
I already said all this.
by the looks of it Jimmy seemed happier in prison rather than working at cinnabon in omaha which actually felt like a prison for him
He's free. It was just anxiety and paranoia working at the Cinnabon from always looking over his shoulder.
You saw him on his first day in prison..let’s see how long that happiness lasts when he realizes he can’t go out for steak dinner he can’t get any Punani, when he can’t go on a hike or go to the beach or take a European vacation or cuddle or date orhave children or have a comfortable bed and on and on and on.
@@maynardbecker4613 he 🦴d a bunch of strippers before he went to jail he got it out
@@maynardbecker4613 i doubt that was his first day
@Zahdorfi It at least shows one his fears was unneeded where, maybe part con, but also a concern, was the danger of ADX Montrose, but the bus scene and that fist bump from his fellow inmate saying "I got you (covered?), Saul" demonstrates that kind of celebrity that makes him protected there (Jimmy represents a small measure of a fun reference, something that a prison can make valuable to inmates and of which Jimmy is the beneficary.
Kim confessing to Sheryll is the kicker that turns Saul back into Jimmy. He feels her reaching out and saying that the consequences should be faced.
Yep. Especially when he heard Sheryll was looking for lawyers - sounded like Kim was in real danger of losing the little she had.
Bingo. Kim inspired Jimmy always. She was the reason he studied law. When he saw that she was willing to face the consequences of her actions it was the one thing that got through to him. Her action was the only thing that could shatter his facade and finally allow Jimmy to face himself.
He wouldn't be slippin' Jimmy if he made ethical choices, that's literally the point of the nickname. 6 Seasons of the writers telling us that Jimmy is irredeemable, but suddenly in the series finale, he is. Makes absolutely no sense based on EVERYTHING we know about Jimmy. And Jimmy needs Saul in prison. It's survival of the fittest. Nice, honest Jimmy would be eaten alive. So that makes even less sense. The ending is basically that Jimmy is a moron and chose suffering and death in prison over a better option that ANY human on the planet would choose. The Pope would have taken the 7.5 years... you, me and literally everyone else. So why the heck would slippin Jimmy take the 80+ years? Are the writers really saying that Jimmy turns out to be the most hardcore ethical person on the planet? wtf kind of ending is that?
If the plot isn't even conceivable in the real world, I don't see how it could work for a TV show like this. After all, this isn't a fantasy world of magic or whatever.
@@johns.1857 L take. Jimmy broke the cycle of tearing down everything he touched and finally “faced the music”. He owned up to his actions, realized how much hurt he had caused throughout his life, redeemed himself, and finally gave up his 2 facades that were Saul and Gene. I saw another comment on another video that said Gene was a coward who was scared, continuously ran away, and was finally caught in a dumpster (here is a man on the run, whereas Jimmy previously went in a dumpster to obtain evidence to help win a case for senior citizens). Then Saul’s ending came when he showed he was the best criminal defense lawyer by reducing a 190 year sentence to 7.5 years. It’s a call back to when Jimmy/Saul got a job at the copy machine store and he got it way too easily and threw it back in the owners faces. Then Jimmy got his ending by facing the music and owning up to his actions. This ending was beautiful and solidified Better Call Saul as one of the greatest, if not the greatest prequel in tv history. It may even top Breaking Bad story wise.
@@johns.1857 you really just missed the whole point of the show 💀
The circle is complete. A bittersweet ending, just perfect. I am going to miss the show
I still think he should’ve taken the 7 years, he could’ve done things to redeem like we assume Jessie would do
@@joseochoa7043 Yeah, I'm kind of torn there. He could have taken the 7 years while still basically admitting his guilt. What he did seemed more like a Statement to Kim. I'm just not sure what it gains him, because he will more than likely never see her again and she will still probably be sued in civil Court for all she has. Just let it go at the Ice Cream and do the 7 years. If that's the way the system works, that's the way it works.
@@TangoNevada Exactly lol. He already lost everything already to include Kim. At least he would’ve had a chance to start over after his sentence just like Kim and Jessie are. Except neither did any time at to begin with but idk I guess I’m just the antagonist lol.
@@joseochoa7043 Nah I'm with you man. I can see Jessie deserving less of a punishment since he cooked unwillingly for a long time and already went through hell when trapped by Jack, while Jimmy was always in control. Kim's wrongdoings also don't amount to Jimmy's. But for Jimmy to rot in prison, out of his own volition, it almost seems out of character no matter how you justify it.
Another detail I loved was him making bread in prison, no different than what he would be doing at Cinnabon. His "life" as Gene was not real life and real freedom, because he wasn't himself. In prison, he's doing the same thing, but is actually "free" because he is himself - Jimmy McGill
The Exit sign shot is one of the best in TV history. So many layers in all the shots in this episode. Amazing.
yeah the buzzing harking back to Chuck with his fear of electricity kinda like he was watching.. cool
@AndrewWithEase11 11 you okay andrew?
Best in TV? Okay, that's a strech.
The show came full circle. Maybe I always want to see the bad guy win in the end so a life sentence wasn’t ideal in my brain but I think it’s beautiful how he finally stopped running both physically and mentally.
in a way jimmy is now way more free than he was as gene
@@veru6907 oh absolutely. I think he was a mental prisoner as Gene with only the remnants of his past life to look at. For once his mind is clear. It was the death of Saul but a rebirth of Jimmy
As much as I'd have liked to see Saul talk his way out in 7 years, Jimmys shown fate feels much fairer and more appropriate. Especially since the people in prison with him seem to have respect for him given his time as Saul, and he might get to see Kim now and again. It's not like Jesses ending, but they both seem freer than ever, ironically.
He DID win. He’s spending his life among criminals like himself, which is his preference.
He also made the decision. He took control in the courtroom and put himself where he is. I think that will make a difference to his mental state in prison.
When the last episode began I was really hoping that at the end, during a moment with kim, the black and white would turn to colour. I was really disappointed at first when it didn't happen. But when you pointed out the cigarette and flame having colour, I realized that did happen in a more subtle way, and honestly prefer it like that. Very well done.
Yeah, same. Very fitting for a show such as this
I loved how they finished this story with Jimmy and Kim and that last cigarette. It was nice to see Jimmy again , without Saul. The cast and writers did a brilliant job. I will miss this masterpiece
😭
I liked that, but I would say Saul is still there. He'll never leave Jimmy, he's now just a part of Jimmy that Jimmy accepts. That Jimmy understands. Understood too late, but understood. Changed from it. He's still called Saul in prison, and I think that to mean he doesn't mind being Saul Goodman. He's just not the Saul Goodman we think of, he's truly now what would have been the guy who meant Speedy Justice For You, the same kind of man who would make people want to say Gimme Jimmy.
@@_h_r_1_ It's okay to have a shitty opinion, friend.
@@_h_r_1_ I enjoyed it, to me it was therapeutic. Better Call Saul has been a long ride of very high highs, very low lows, and it was hard to think Jimmy deserved any form of redemption after everything he did. This episode in a way, was all about figuring out how to give a character who was so close to being unredeemable a satisfying ending. Him getting caught was almost always going to happen sooner or later, and this ending showed Jimmy's legal chops. Where he is most vicious, and able to swing things in his favor. I like that we see alot of what's going on resolving, and see Saul's transition back to Jimmy for good. To me, this is what the last Breaking Bad related show needed. A more chilled out goodbye to a world we loved hearing the drama of.
@@_h_r_1_ go watch Marvel or some shit then
My interpretation of it is that while he may be behind bars for the rest of his life he is no longer in prison. He’s been in prison since Kim left him. He’s no longer Saul, or Gene but once again James McGill.
Walt died, Jimmy got redemption, and Jesse lived free. There was no better way to end the Breaking Bad universe.
I'd say, its not that he is just "once again" Jimmy, or Saul, or Gene. He said he is James McGill, but then, in the bus, to the prisoners, he was Saul, and in prison, he is baking like Gene. I think that means he is finally a whole man, not a presona, but all the men he has been. He has stopped running from his own self, saul running from jimmy, gene running from saul; he is finally one.
Your last sentence . . . Walt was the worst of them and deserved death. Jimmy was pretty bad also but had some good in him and was capable of feeling for others sometimes, so he got redemption instead of death. Jesse was the best of them who felt guilty when what they did hurt others who were innocent victims, so he deserved to live free.
@@samuelmarekmrackaAmazing. 👏
@@samuelmarekmracka But is he still locked up with Walter White,or was taht a real allucination ?
@@gameoverthee that was a flashback bro…come on keep up 🤦🏻♀️
The detail that got me was on the end of the flashback of his brother, he tries to give the advice of "... there's no shame in going back and changing your path", which Jimmy confronts with an air of irony and goes away. Then his brother get his book: "The time machine". And there my friends, is where all the fakeness of "no regrets" from the previous two flashbacks goes down. That's the date in time that he wants to go back, to listen to his brother, let him help with his growth as lawyer and never became Saul Goodman.
and more than that he DOES change his path
Please. What about Chuck's behaviour throughout the show makes you think he ever intended to help Jimmy?
@@shaunhunterit342 I agree. Chuck saw himself always better than Jimmy and he had to prove it by becoming a top notch lawyer and not by getting (slippin') away with everything. Jimmy wanting to become a lawyer was a direct personal attack and it made him even more mad.
Never before has a TV show finale left me as calm, balanced and complete as this. He got exactly what he deserved, both in the good and the bad meanings of the phrase. He got life in prison for all he's done, but he got the character development that so many people (real and fictional) never get, because they can't bare the effort, pain and consequences that entails. And above all he got the appreciation for who he is. Because the legal system is supposed to judge you for what you've done, but the people around you judge you for who you are. Jimmy is not just what he's done. He has to be put in jail for what he's done, but his positive sides can still be appreciated - by Kim, by his fellow inmates, and perhaps to some extent by the people witnessing that him going to jail (for this long) was ultimately a choice.
That’s so true how it’s just a perfect ending
It's okay for a story but no way in hell dude is going to willfully take life in prison like that over 7 years..I didn't like it at all ... It felt forced and predictable once it unfolded.. I didn't hate it. But come on 86 years.. he could have found himself back to Jimmy without giving up the rest of his life.. it's too fake like smile your behind bars.. once the cameras shut off you're back home but in real life that shit would never happen for a guy like Saul
@@MrCrisisZ Not sure why you’d expect that when the episode is called Saul Gone. And that’s a good thing.
His life was miserable as Gene, he actually seems happier in prison
@@salamisumo2 he wouldnt have to live as gene after the seven years btw… and it’s like hes giving up his life just so Kim wouldn’t hate him which is pretty dumb tbh.
Beautifully stated!!!!!
I love how Bill gets dragged along just for Saul to make him look like an idiot again hahaha
Yeah, and after all the times they talked in the toilet at the courthouse, they even manage to do it again on the plane when Bill is going to/coming from 'the john' :)
Yeah. Defeat snatched from the jaws of victory, to use Bill's words.
Maybe this wasn't the intention, but I found it nice that Jimmy won out in front of the two people (the ones that are still around anyway) who knew him best when he was his best
I loved that part too, because Oakley was an ass the whole time and Jimmy never really had comebacks that would get to him
@@FluteWarped yeah probably apart from chuck (who knew jimmy the best in the whole series as howard points out), they knew him the best at the start, might be somebody i'm forgetting, i don't think howard really knew who he was but i might be wrong
Yesterday I ended BCS, and started to watch Breaking Bad, again. Probably will watch BCS again after that. Two of the best series of all time. Especially this Better Call Saul because it had more emotion, more drama, even more laughter... I really learned to love Jimmy, Kim, Mike and Nacho... Will miss this so very much.
What a brilliant ending to a brilliant show. I started crying when I realized in the court scene what Jimmy‘s plan is. I think by taking all the blame for his crimes and not getting away with just a couple of years in a prison of his choice, he made a civil suit against Kim by Sheryl a lot less propable. His goal with this final stunt was to save her from losing everything.
Saul would‘ve gotten seven years in prison. But Jimmy took 86 to save Kim. All the money, suits, hookers ans blingbling was just a charade, a coping mechanism. The only thing that ever was important to him is her. A bittersweet ending to the Breaking Bad universe: Jimmy sacrifices himself for the love of his life.
Can we give some praise for the cinematography?? The black&white visuals were like silent movies almost.
also the fact that saul build him a reputation that made his jail residency not as problematic or dangerous where criminal sees him as a cool lawyer
Nothing he said affects a potential civil case... at all.
@@MarkHogan994 yes it does, because he's admitting that Lalo was there because of him and he put everyone at risk and also that he dragged kim into ruining howard's reputation.
I disagree. Nothing in the storyline pointed to Saul loving Kim that much. Sure he cared about her. But it was Kim's idea to get married. Kim wasn't necessarily looking at losing much. It was never established that Howard's wife would come after her with a civil suit. Jimmy just all of a sudden decides to sacrifice his life for Kim. It's just a little too convenient in my opinion. It seems like Vince and Peter got tired and said to hell with it, let's just get this over with, and make it a storybook ending.
The way Kim breathed and heaved while standing at the prison gate was so emotional and bittersweet for both of them.
Watching Jimmy finally overcome his trauma and own up to what he did was a perfect way to end the show. He's more free in prison than he ever was as Gene! I'm going to miss the BB/BCS universe so much.
There's still the stop-motion Spooge musical to look forward to! (Once I can get traction with my petition)
I'm going to start watching all over again. It's amazing how much I've forgotten.
I couldn't have asked for a better ending to the BrBa universe.
This left me feeling down, a warped soul meets a broken one. Too different to ever be the same, but with the sentiment they made mistakes and accept that. Man what a series
@Lefroy exactly!! 👏🏻 Thank you. My thoughts exactly
@Lefroy So you just copy and paste the same reply on every comment?
...is this like a thing of yours?
@Lefroy You know Jimmy had a change of heart once he knew Kim confessed right? Upon that realisation, all he wanted was to do the right thing for once in his life. Simple as that. It's definitely not poor writing, it's just your poor observation.
@Lefroy guess what, it's a TV show. I'd like to escort you to the documentary section
@Lefroy What did you expect would happen? Jimmy comes up with one final plan and goes out in a blaze of glory like Walt? Or that he gets away and spends the rest of his life on the run like Jesse? Jimmy took the 86 years because he has nothing left to live for anyways and by doing it he reconnected with Kim which really seems like the only thing he truly wanted in the end.
I was in prison, one similar to Saul. I also worked in the prison hospice and helped the elderly dying inmates who had no chance of release. To have experienced all that intense emotional pain and to know that feeling as a loved one walks out of visitation and your stuck behind the fence as they go out to live their life…the finale was traumatic for me. I know Saul redeemed himself. I know it had to happen. It was so well done. But the reality of what Saul faces is absolute hell, misery, suffering, and pain. I’ll never be able to watch the finale again. I wish for Saul’s sake, he had died in the desert rather than face decades of misery and pain.
I feel for you man, and I agree. sure, peace of mind is great and nothing compares to it. but at the cost of your freedom, knowing that you'll never see the outside of the prison walls again? Jimmy should've taken the 7 years and then work to rebuild his image and his life after he got out.
I think the point is is that he redeemed himself in Kim's eyes (got to see her again as well), and won her respect back, and that's all that matters for him in the rest of his life. That way he can mentally deal with life in prison.
Daniel, I am sorry for the trauma you suffered.
It left me with a bitter taste as well. As much as I understand and respect the themes and message behind the ending... I can't help but think it's just too dramatic for the sake of it. I can't believe Jimmy would give up all of his life just to get Kim's respect back, a woman who he didn't reach out for the entirety of the Breaking Bad timeline. We all know they loved each other profoundly in BCS, but after that...? The drama of this sacrifice borderlines the Shakesperean
You could then say he also did it for himself, to free himself from the burden, to redeem himself. But I find this very farfetched as well. He was ready to disappear again days before. He shamelessly played people again to get his sentence down to 7 years, even after being confronted with Hank's wife. Then after learning Kim did the right thing, he takes the hardest U-turn to come clean for the first time in the show, and he does it in front of the judge who could snap his life away.
That's just... Idk. For the first time in the show it felt like the themes were dragging the characters along instead of the opposite. Other more reasonable endings for me would have been Jimmy being unable to magically reduce his sentence to 7 years and just paying for what he's done, or him taking the 7 years route, plain and simple, perhaps with a glimpse of him redeeming himself in the future in a way more active than just rotting in a cell.
Despite my little rant, and the fact the wrapping up wasn't too much in my taste... it's been a hell of a show. 9/10 in my book.
@@sunsetman22 absolutely what I thought! In line with his character he will be pleading insanity after the fact in a year. No way he can spend the rest of his life there. It would have made perfect sense for all for him to take the 7 and have his damascus experience while serving the 7, writing a book and becoming a better man from there. Now he is as good as dead and he pulled the trigger to a long agonozing death.
Saul's conversion back into Jimmy occurs in a similar way to Scrooge, when he is visited by 3 ghosts in "A Christmas Carol". According to Peter Gould, this is an echo of what we saw in the 'series finale'. Mike, Walt and Chuck, three men who had a huge impact on Jimmy's life, caused someone unable to tell his own truth to finally break free; this makes the protagonist's confession in court even more powerful.
There wasn’t any conversion. Jimmy was never Saul, he was never Gene. They were simply personas Jimmy used to achieve his ends. The redemption he gains in the end was always within him, it just took a long time to get there.
Love this insight
Jimmy was always a scumbag though. Stealing from his parents, you know what through the sun roof, ruining his brother and so much more. Jimmy was back but he still isn't redeemed in my opinion. Not in the opinion of the courts either. Not in Marie's opinion. Maybe in Kim's opinion but I'm not sure of that either, too much has happened and Kim is changed by all of it.
Anyone feel that deep hole within that can only be filled by watching breaking bad again for the 17th time 😭💔
Everyday ! And the hole jus keeps getting bigger
I actually did a rewatch of breaking bad and bcs over the last few months before this finale. I feel like a practically lives in the gilliverse
Yesssssss
@@michaelcorcoran8768 same here lol
Gonna rewatch them back to back with BCS first
I think his testimony to the judge did somehow work like a time machine. He managed to go back and reconcile with his regrets and make things right with Kim and himself. To go back to who he was before Saul and Gene.
I personally think the ending implicates a pretty clever juxtaposition of a free man locked up in prison. The irony being that Jimmy regains his freedom through his acceptance of his past and its ramifications, simultaneous to being sent to prison for the rest of his life. Bravo writers, what a fitting, cerebral yet subtle end to the show.
Perfect. That’s exactly it. As Saul and especially Gene, he was trapped and alone. As Jimmy in prison, he’s finally free.
Yeah, I was glad they did that. Would've been too much of a downer without the romantic cigarette with Kim. Also the fact they're both hiding from the door shows they could potentially reconnect in future while he's in there.
Agree. A perfect way to summarize Jimmy’s own struggle throughout his whole life.
Jimmy got incarcerated in 2011, then after 9 years of good behavior, and the rise of the covid pandemic, he was released and him and Kim lived happily ever after. 😬
This is my head cannon lol
Thanks for that. It really makes me sad thinking about Saul spending 86 years in jail and dying in prison.
cried during the "my name is James M. McGill," the chuck flashback, and the cigarette scene. beautiful
I will be honest, there were multiple times I was bawling my eyes out. I thought it was perfect, absolutely loved it. And it's gone.. but all great stories must have an end. I am so thankful I was here for the ride.
I second everything you said!
Look on the plus side. In 6 months to a year we get to rewatch BCS and BB in their entirety all over again and see how much Easter eggs and foreshadowing we missed the first time lol
I became emotional at least thrice, first when Marie talked about Hank, second when Jimmy started confessing in court and third when Kim is leaving after seeing Jimmy in prison.
In the courtroom scene i started laughing when Saul again started his sob story but immediately he starts confessing and it became emotional. Terrific directing.
I am sad that my favorite show is over. All of the actors on this show did such a wonderful job and the writers gave us such a compelling story line to follow. It was a great journey.
What a perfect show, if this is truly the end of the BB/BCS universe I am perfectly ok with this, everything feels complete. Bravo Vince and Peter!!!
I am really happy that they addressed every plot point and loose end out there. I hate those "it's up to the viewer to decide for themselves" BS endings. I guess the only thing we never found out was what happened to Gus in Santiago all the way back.
@@SaulGoodman-w2x what happens to Jeff? Haha
@@SaulGoodman-w2x I think the finale was perfect, and it also left a lot for the viewer to imagine. Done right that is important thing, and here it's done right. We don't know if Kim's fate, we don't know if they will see each other again, but we know they reconciled and Jimmy saved his soul. Something that Walt certainly didn't achieve, Jesse is kind of out in the open.
@@SaulGoodman-w2x What about The Sopranos ending?
@@babyabdool8731 I didn't like the Sopranos ending. There are arguments and disputes about it to this day.
David Chase had to come out a couple of years ago and say outright that yes, Tony freakin dies at the end. Even with that confirmation it still didn't make sense to me provided what happened in the last few episodes there really wasn't much justification for killing Tony off. So it seemed to me they did it purely for the shock factor.
Either way, I don't think it's good when the creator has to explain the ending of his show.
As much as I’ll miss BCS, I’m gonna miss your episode breakdowns just as much. Thank you Pete 🙏🏼
Agree 100%
The most astonishing thing about BCS isn't just how great it was, but how it reframed and improved the already amazing story shown in Breaking Bad. Gilligan is nothing short of a complete genius.
Loved this episode. Had the feds by the balls. 7 years but he threw it all away for the one person left that he actually loved.
He didn't really save her. He just wanter her to hear him confess. There is no way that she is going to convince a jury in a civil trial that she had no knowledge of what they were doing to Howard.
I hate that everyone is implying Saul "cucked". And that you either think this was an awesome sacrifice for love or something idiotic/bad writing. What you need to know is Saul did it because for HIMSELF as well. Its obvious to me Saul is definitely going to repeat his mistakes. He finally relieved himself of all his guilt and shame by fully confessing what he did. He finally tried to do some kind of punishment for his evil deeds. But he cannot be trusted, you know conning is what makes him happy and he is self destructively addicted to it. The best ending the BEST is actually finding some sort of contentment in prison where he cannot harm any innocents. And being able to live with himself. That wasn't being cucked it was getting what he deserved and would make Jimmy happy.
I would argue he did go out on his own terms (as best he could). He proved one more time he can win by reducing his sentence down to 7 years. Then he again takes control and sabotages himself into 85 years in favor of getting things off his chest.
In a way, both Saul and Jimmy wins
Kind of how Nacho went out on his own terms.
Yeah nice take
I’m not trying to be a dampener here I’m still processing it at the moment but I’m thinking why would he change the 7 year deal to 86 just to prove to Kim that he wants to come clean but will never see her again. He was always a con man and seeing him do that was out of character I feel.
@@markbirch2268 He did that to absolve her of any responsibility in the eyes of the government. By confessing all of that, he saved her from prosecution, and probably a civil suit from Howard's widow. He wanted her to be free and have a life that she wanted.
I thought this was a disappointing finale.
But the next day, while at work I was thinking about it, it struck me that his entire life was an act, except for when he was with Kim. His responses to his brother, Walt and Mike were not sincere. It was Kim. It was always Kim that he cared about. That is captured best when she nervously tried to lit his cigarette and he warmly took her hands into his. That one gesture said everything. It said, it's okay. I am at peace, it's over, I'm in jail, you're safe and I love you. It was so, so beautiful.
Now, I think the finale was incredible.
Something important that is missed in the reviews that I’ve read is that Saul nor Walter White for that matter truly cared about money. Above all they wanted respect, power and most of all to win. More money equates to winning. Why I thought Saul’s Berkshire Hathaway regret was great because it was a total farce. Saul preferred to be misunderstood and never show his true colors.
Walt’s too. One detail I loved was how Walt looked at the watch with a little bit of a wince before talking about Gray Matter. For me that felt like an homage to the scene where he clicks that watch and has those prisoners killed, and perhaps it’s suggesting that way deep down, though he’d hate to admit it at this stage in his development, he regrets not just that but all the choices he made.
@@Harrythreapletonofficial
The watch could also represent Jesse, considering it’s the one he gave Walt for his birthday
I thought the bus ride scene was totally important. Lets us know that even in prison, he'll be running things in no time. Or at least, won't be shivved.
Plus we needed to laugh for a few seconds.
I kinda read it as an acknowledgement that the world will ruthlessly and forever on label him as Saul, but that he finally is strong enough to break free of this label internally. He's finally free to see himself as Jimmy.
@@axelwickm and finally there are people who credit him for the things he did
2:46 Mike is a man of few words. However, in this scene, he uncharacteristically let down his guard to share his inner secrets with Saul. Why? Because if you recall in that tense episode where Saul almost got shot by the cartel hitmen in the line of fire, not to mention sacrificing himself to bait an incoming vehicle so Mike could gun it down with his sniper rifle. At that moment, they were comrades in arms/battle. Mike also needed to calm Saul down from a mental breakdown with humanity. As such, the viewers were privy to a more intimate side of Mike.
I thought he was gonna take out the courtroom when he came strutting into court in that “Salamanca Twin” suit.
😂
Bagman is my all-time favorites, I loved seeing him and Mike back there.
I also liked how Gene calls the Cinnabon from Jail, mirroring when Gus called Lyle after he got shot.
LOL! That kind of stuff only happens on TV...... oh wait. That def should be alternate ending. Guns blazing literally.
@@heyitsdazy
Remember, Odenkirk may be Jimmy/Saul/Gene, but like Lalo said, “You’re perfect. You’re “Nobody.’”
Nobody don’t play games.
He has to where the skull boots too.
The suit was awesome!!!
@@CTX50
That suit rocked.
He out-Sauled Saul in that thing.
All we needed was The Bee Gee’s singing, “Stayin’ Alive.”
LOL
I do love that idea that, by being in Prison, Jimmy is actually now more free than ever
@Lefroy you really missed the point huh
Actually maybe living in Omaha was worst than being in prison
@Lefroy yeah you really missed the point, low intelligence
I'd say that the freedom Jimmy has in prison is a different sort of freedom but freedom none the less. He's been freed from the constant fear of being exposed as a conman. He's been freed from defending Lalo who's a straight up murderer.
@Lefroy you take his statement too literally. Perhaps trying to define a concept as malleable as freedom in literal terms is not the greatest idea. Jimmy freed himself. This is his own personal freedom, as he has now confessed his sins and owned his past.
Does everyone forget, that even tho Kim confessed, that Jimmy actually tried to call the whole "Ruin Howard plan" off in the first place?
And deny all those sandpiper residents their due until after they died?
@@KevFrost yea there was some moral ambiguity to what they were doing especially at the time because of fucking how unlikeable howard is you cant really look at it retrospectively cus we as the audience just like Jimmy and Kim dont realize that howard was an innocent victim until it was to late
When Jimmy was being led to his interview and turned to see Marie was excellent!
I loved how they had chuck pick up the time machine book. Just to make it clear that missing that heart to heart with chuck was the real moment he needed to go back to
This show got me depressed. It's all so good with the little meanings, the hurt and how they can go on afterwards. I put myself deep in the shoes of the characters of everything i watch. I just can't handle what they go through.
Walt caused the death of so many people , Death is his price
Jesse suffered so much pain, freedom is what he deserved.
Saul broke the law he has sworn to uphold, imprisonment is his eternity.
It's really about consequences.
Thanks Pete for making this show even more enjoyable with your weekly reviews and discussions. You made us appreciate every moment and character of this show so much.
Thanks for all you and this community have added to my appreciation of a truly wonderful show. It's nice when the creators of something treat their audience like adults and allow slope burns and wistful endings. I love Kim's character so much and am so glad that he did do what she needed in the end.
Oh crap, I'm going cry again. Love to all of us.
After so long, this is the final analysis of an episode of Better Call Saul I will ever watch from you but not necessarily the last analysis I will see from you. It was such an amazing run and such an amazing show, thank you for your analysis of all the episodes Pete. You are the GOAT
This show was a master class. To go from Breaking Bad to this is one of those things that so few people could pull off in this way. Its truly an example of a brilliant artist refining his craft and raising his game. I know a good amount of people who bailed on this show early on bc it was "boring." To me that just means more and more people will discover how brilliant this show is over time. I am really going to miss it (as well as the breakdown videos showing me all the things that went over my head), and can't wait to see what he/they do next.
The great detail in the last frame of the BCDC jailsuit hanging on the coat rack, showing he gets sent back to New Mexico for good behavior eventually. This finale was amazing and tied up all the loose ends so well
No, you are missing this. All the suits on the rack were previous outfits he wore. The BCDC jailsuit joins the old used outfits it was from when he was held in that jail prior to his federal plea bargain hearing. He was in Montrose for 86 years, with maybe a few off for good behavior. You don't get transferred from federal prison to a county lockup.
@@nexttsar the shows flexible with reality in this area though. Montrose is based on a real max security prison that is no where near as lax as we see Jimmy's
When Kim told Jimmy he should turn himself in, Jimmy was defiant and said Kim should turn herself in first. When he found out she actually did it, he felt like he had to hold up his end.
Pete, thank you for the breakdowns all these years! Your breakdowns were almost as good as the show!!
Best ending to the series I could have asked for. I shed a tear at the end when the guard notified Jimmy his lawyer was there to see him and knew right before it would be Kim as his lawyer. When she finally showed up on screen I shed another tear. What a ride
I was crying heavily in so many occasions. Also because of different reasons, but from the point I knew Jimmy will get redemption (probably since the plane scene) I was a total mess.
I predicted the whole episode, really it was what I was hoping for, but they managed to surprise in every way while having the main beats I wanted and expected. Amazing writing and just goddamned Bob Odenkirk should get more appreciation for his acting. He manages to show what he truly feels, a lot that he might not actually is conscious at the moment, while having a mask and a show.
I am still wondering why Kim can become a lawyer again. Didn’t she give up her license?
@@weixin9270 She is not lawyer. She just used her old card without exp date to get to meet Jimmy.
@@weixin9270 Crazy how many people missed this. She stated her old card doesn’t have an expiry date so she used it to get inside and have a conversation (and cigarette) with him. No way she goes back to law after her confession in writing.
@@chipnizzle7956 makes total sense. They are still a slipping couple, but in a nice way. Conjugal visits come next!
It was pure art. Just like Breaking Bad's finale, Saul Gone gave fans everything they could wish for and more in a series that is as intricate and masterly crafted as any iconic cinematic example from the past we could think of. And, the after show tribute to the fans after the episode was not only a nod of the hat to fans, as almost silent characters in the making of the show, but it was acknowledging the importance of fans to the actors and creators and was a truly nice closing to the amazing ride that BCS was and will always be.
The BB Finale kept me on the edge of my seat, heart pounding and awestruck at the end. BCS was smooth, soft and yet managed to stick with me throughout the day. Bravo, just bravo.
I can't believe it's finally over There's a part of me that I invested in this series that seems slightly lost now I think it's one of my best series ever and I will watch it many times over And I really enjoyed the summaries and Opinion of the series You've done a cracking job Pete👍
What a Dynasty of story telling through the genius writing of Vince Gilligan. Forever treasured.
That’s how you end a show, somewhat predictable but also somewhat of a surprise… beautifully done. As long as it’s not like Game of Thrones
Or ozark
@@Bridgetownnosa is that one bad? I’m currently watching it
@@Yanuu - I agree with Mfourmusic. Ozark, in the second half of the last season, just felt a bit flat with the way it ended, at least for me.
Seasons 1 thru 3 were great!
Game of Thrones ending: Kim snaps and takes over Albuquerque by destroying half of it with a tank. Jimmy reluctantly kills Kim in order to stop her and is then sent to El Paso to watch over the border. As the Albuquerque legal community begins to rebuild, Bill Oakley is named Attorney General of New Mexico for some reason.
Or Dexter 😣 they missed so many opportunities
I was really sad how it ended for Howard I didn't think the vendetta against him was justifiable and that scene with his wife in their home trying to be affectionate and she just didn't care you could see how it was hurting him
Great character
But at least he got redemption and her wife got closure. Howard was vindicated in the end; deservedly so.
I think Cheryl is the biggest hypocrite there is, she kicks Howard to the pool room, is an emotionally distant c**t and then suddenly when he dies she wants to act like she cares about him. If you cared about him you wouldn’t have treated Howard like shit
Am I the only one who thought this episode sucked?
1. We don't know much about Bill Oakley but we know he was good pals with Jimmy until one day he found that he had lied and scammed the court "to get a murdering cartel psychopath back on the streets". At that point he didn't even want to acknowledge him let alone be friends with him. But then later on when Saul is known to have been an accessory to multiple murders, Bill is not only happy to represent him but continues fighting for him even when Saul has confessed to the extent of his guilt.
2. Having had a previous episode where we saw Kim humanised more than ever before with her crying on the bus, we see no emotion from Kim whatsoever in this episode. Saul apparently lies about her on the record saying she was involved in Howard Hamlin's murder just to get her to the courtroom. You'd think Kim might feel something about that, but there is no reaction shown. Also having felt so guilty about being the indirect cause of one murder, to the extent of having broken up with Jimmy, she is now just easy about hanging out with him now he is an accessory to multiple murders.
3. Above all though, it's no small thing for a man to willingly accept life imprisonment when he could have got off with 7 years. Earlier in the episode, in the conversations with Mike and Walter, it's shown just how self-interested Saul is, and that he has no regrets beyond his own self-interest. From that point he suddenly transforms into someone who cares about the truth more than his own freedom?
I felt like this episode was contrived to bring a certain kind of closure but it just violated the character development so far to the point that I no longer cared about the show or its main character.
Completely agree.
Finished the final episode - felt teary. This for me has been the best thing on television. I appreciate all aspects of the
BB/BCS series. After experiencing the cinematography in this series, I pay closer attention to cinematography in movies/tv now. The music selection is chef's kiss! Thank you to all who brought us this show, cast and crew!! We 💚 You!!!
Thought the Chuck-Jimmy scene was heartbreaking. Jimmy running the grocery errand for Chuck, saying, "you'd do the same for me," and the look on Chuck's face says maybe not. Chuck sincerely reaching out by saying let's talk about your cases, but Jimmy rebuffs him with "you'll just tell me what I'm doing wrong." Chuck getting back by asking if Jimmy stole the ice chest. Two guys trying to help each other, not knowing how, and fated to hurt each other because of that ignorance. So Jimmy becomes the corner-cutting anti-law lawyer to tear down the legal shrine Chuck has built because he so desperately needs his brother's approval.
Chuck did not accuse Jimmy of stealing the ice chest, just filling it up with ice at some motel.
@@chazm3 right but it’s disapproval of Jimmy’s actions, the sentiment still remains regardless of the actuality.
Besides being sad that Better Call Saul is over, I am going to miss not seeing anymore videos every week on the latest episode. Thank you, Pete. These videos were all good, man.
IMO, it's a 1,000 mile stretch of the imagination to swallow the people that both Kim and Jimmy became. Kim, a boring insipid wallflower? Please. Jimmy begging to have an 86 yr sentence in Montrose rather than an easy 7 years in a luxury prison? Please. Neither one of these people could possibly become the polar opposite of their characters throughout S1-5. I was very disappointed in Gene's lack of judgment in the B&E at the cancer man's home. IRL, Gene/Saul/Jimmy is smarter than that. This final episode was ridiculous, and unbelievable. Walter White's ending was very much in character to his persona. Saul's ending is so out of the blue, and character, it's like the writers took leave of their senses. The only redeeming two scenes: when the hardened convicts chanted "Better Call Saul! Better Call Saul!" on the prisoner transport bus, and in the prison bakery, the men he works with idolize him. So we know that Saul won't be shanked in the Montrose prison. He's a Rock Star.
It didn’t work for me, either. I thought the actors did a great job with the material, but the ending was contrived and unbelievable. Jimmy/Saul would have taken that seven year deal and not looked back.
Yes, I really didn’t get why Gene was so okay with scamming the cancer guy. So out of character. They made him so mean towards the end, I didn’t even like him.
@@lynseypearson I know, right? Gene really pissed me off. Yes, very out of character. I hate the writers for this weird twist. I think they did it to soften us up to Jimmy's 86 yr sentence in prison. These last 3 episodes were shit.
Thanks Pete. Great review. For me, it hit all the notes I wanted it to hit. And I think the biggest takeaway for me, was that Jimmy appeared to be thinking about his regrets all along, he just didn’t know how to deal with them. That’s why he was asking everyone the same question about the time machine and also had it there on his nightstand. This fact makes his final admission even more powerful. The final scene at the prison where they slowly pan the camera behind the block wall, cutting off the view to Jimmy was a perfect ending.
I didn't take the Saul chant on the bus as anything menacing or potentially threatening for Jimmy, but the opposite. They were basically celebrating the famous Saul as a champion of underworld characters. At least that's how I took it. Same for the scene when Jimmy is in the prison kitchen and gets called away for a lawyer visit. The fellow inmate(s) have an almost reverence for him. He's their hero.
It was hard to accept at first. His line to Oakley over the phone “where do I see this ending? With me on top, like always.” Had me thinking, Wow, how in the hell will he get away with this!? Cut to him talking the lawyers down to 7 years, and I truly thought he’d take the deal and the last scene would be him getting out and going right back to being Saul. The twist of him blowing the deal and confessing to everything truly angered me, mainly because it just seemed insane he got that deal in the first place. Him ending up on top wasn’t getting away with it, it was showing the world that he could if he wanted, but chose not to, while making amends with the one person he loved in the process. Like Felina in Breaking Bad, it seemed to lose a bit of realism, but still delivered in the message and character arc. I will miss this universe so much.
The writers were great. But in BB and in BCS they started getting away from character driven decision to plot driven. And characters begin doing things that make us feel like we didn't really know them. Jimmy putting faith in Jeff? Becoming a bugluar ? Threatening an old lady? Choosing life in a hard jail vs 7 years in a country club ? I don't recognize the guy doing that
I know I was not the only one tearing up at the end of this episode.
I’ve adored Saul for years:)
waterworks
@Captain Charisma Uh oh we got an edgy one, folks. He wants you all to know that he's very tough and edgy, he's just cool like that what can you do
@@aragog0559 Your comment was worse than his lol
@@Mattened worse? But his comment was so cool and edgy
I’m from Cicero Illinois and I loved BB so I lost my shit when I heard Jimmy McGill grew up where I did ❤️ proud of you slippin Jimmy from Cicero!
The ending is Jimmy confesses all his sins and then rots in prison, all so that Kim can forgive him. Not the satisfying ending I wanted and no where close as good as Felina. I was let down because I wanted the ending where he goes out on top like Walter White did. The overall show is really good but to me the ending is the most important part and if you don't nail the ending well then I can't really look back fondly on the show.
I'm noticing that people are already dividing into those who think Saul should have taken the 7 and a half year deal and those who think he should have done exactly what he ended up doing.
I would imagine this debate will rumble on for years - the same way that people still debate crucial points in Breaking Bad.
It's a sign of the quality of the shows concerned I think that people with differing perspectives can come up with nuanced arguments to support their opinion.
Although it was apparent throughout the series, the finale really boiled down the series with the three flashbacks as to who Saul was, and how the characters compared. Mike gave Saul a true regret, because he was always straightforward about who he was. Walt also gave Saul a real regret, but was a arrogant jerk about it. But Saul gave both of them nothing but glibness because he could never ever admit to any weakness or guilt. He bottled it all up in the character of Saul Goodman. It was actually his defining characteristic. That is why the ending confession hit anew so powerfully, because we were reminded that this might have been the first time he ever took responsibility for anything.
The final flashback with Chuck showed really where Saul started, When Chuck said you do not have to do this and Jimmy said, "you're my brother, you would do the same for me." And Chuck said nothing in that indirect way he had of hiding his true feelings, that was the crux for me. No, we know now Chuck would not have. Jimmy finally discovering what his brother thought of him really was the thing that sent Jimmy to the bad end he got.
The only thing that truly set Jimmy free was a life sentence, a genuinely perfect ending.
😂 The idea that a sociopath would do a 180 is laughable.
@@LAvision All entitled to our opinions dude, sorry you didn’t enjoy the ending 😅
@@thefossilfool9877 i really wanted to but when I saw jimmy dress like a Salamanca brother in court, it was way too predictable with what was going to happen.
@@LAvisionI don’t think that should put the whole finale down for you, but obviously if that’s the way you feel then that’s unfortunate. I think the message as a whole was that all of Jimmy’s bad traits and awful decisions came from repressed guilt (Chuck, Howard etc.) and an unwillingness to admit that he did the wrong thing and/or face up to the consequences. At this point the only meaningful thing in his life, the only person he’s ever really loved and who’s loved him back is Kim. It doesn’t really surprise me that he’d give it all up and finally become Jimmy again, in turn earning her respect and setting himself free from the persona he’s built up. I don’t think he was a true Sociopath, just someone who really did go through the ringer and then chose to make some of the worst decisions possible rather than face up to their emotions and experiences - in the end he decided to do so and go back to being Jimmy.
Like I said, I’m genuinely sorry you didn’t get what you wanted from the finale cause that must feel crappy. (I had a similar experience with JW Dominion)
I don’t feel Jimmy did a complete 180. He was very imperfect but sacrificed his freedom in order to get acceptance from his one true love.
I can’t believe this is the last video like this we’ll ever get. Thanks for everything Pete. I always look forward to yours and Kiwi’s content after each episode, and it’s weird to think this is the last of it.
I like how some people think that this is out of character. I like how this ending will be debated amongst the fan base for a long time.
I also got everything I wanted. To be fair, I only wanted Jimmy to finally accept and confront all he’s done in the past. I wasn’t expecting him and Kim to meet again out of fear of disappointment, but I’m so happy it ended with that. I love how the ending is slightly ambiguous. It’s up to us viewers to decide whether or not Kim and Jimmy’s relationship ship will continue. It’s up to us whether or not Saul comes back. It’s up to us whether or not he gets out early on good behavior. I choose to believe he gets out early and links up with Kim again shortly after.
Conjugal visits come next!
That final scene... When they announced BCS I never thought it was gonna be one of the best love stories ever told on TV but here we are. What a ride.
Bus ride chant was perhaps in homage to an iconic early 70s Alka Seltzer ad in which inmates slowly begin a rhythmic chant in a prison dining room.
I've always felt that BB was the best drama ever on TV with an amazing and complete character/story arc. Now BCS is right up there with it. I will take these two over Sopranos, Mad Men, The Americans, The Wire, etc which are also great shows. Pete, I only discovered your channel in the final season and I am so glad I did. Thank you.
Blesphemy. BCS cant touch Breaking bad. Better call Saul might have some people watching it again some time, but Breaking bad will be on a whole nother level, for good reasons. The best aspects of BCS were always storylines that crossed with Breaking bad or had similarities. The rest was a half assed dramedy of a lawyer and shit, we got plenty of lawyer shows.
@@maxmeier532 Your opinion. To me, BCS is right up there as well. Saul Goodman is a genius character, and the drama was brilliant. You can't compare any lawyers show to this, and you know it
A perfect, beautiful ending to a beautiful love story. Reminded me of the classic old movies Jimmy and Kim used to watch together where the honorable hero always pulls through and gets the girl 🥲💕😭📽
I thought that Mike's first date was the day he told his son to take the bribe, when he made his son lesser, not when he himself killed the murderers.
I assumed it was the date his son was killed. Not sure though
Just a chef's kiss ending to a truly incredible saga of storytelling. The character arches in both BB and BCS end in a reckoning. Each got what they deserved while also being granted redemption through atonement.
Jimmy went out on his own terms 😭 by killing Gene and Saul and confronting his issues and freeing himself while living on as Jimmy
I've seen a lot of comments about this and you're not wrong about that. My intention was more about him having to live with the decision rather than get the spectacular exit that Walt and Nacho had.
@Captain Charisma yes it's about right. Airing out his conscience and going to prison for whatever term it should naturally be is the only way Jimmy could be free. Walt died on his own terms, mind freed of all and Jessie got to start over, to finally live on his own terms, mind freed of all. Jimmy was the same.
@Captain Charisma the worst prison is your mind. Jimmy was already in a prison, had been a very very long time. Haven't you ever heard the expression "I'd rather be in jail than do time"? The writing was absolutely brilliant, it was obvious for years that's what the we're building towards and it would have been poor writing to turn away from it at the end. You'll get it when you are older.
@Captain Charisma What's your obsession with rape? Lmao
@Captain Charisma it makes sense for the character. It makes sense for the story that was told. Now do I think Walt should have gone to prison, Jimmy gone free and Jesse got his brains blown out... Yes but it's their story and it's not illogical the way it was told. Jimmy hurts everyone he knows and does this big show of remorse just to do it again. Like Chuck told him, he did it in a way that prevents him from doing it again. Necessary? No, but it makes perfect sense why he would permanently blow his life up. Dude was close to strangling an old lady he gave up so he could have some self respect. Like I said, you'll get it when you're older. Hard concepts for sure.
My favorite aspect of the episode is that Jimmy was able to end things on his own terms, contrary to the analysis here. If he was picked up by the police and sentenced, it wouldn’t be, but the fact that he made himself a sweet deal and then was willing to give it up to redeem himself. That put the decision to end things on his terms back in his court and he finally made the right choice for once in his life. It was a satisfying ended to a fantastic series.
He actually did it all for Kim, which in turn, turned him back to Jimmy. Which is sweet. Just shows how much Kim meant to him if it meant he had to spend his whole life in prison.
great breakdown.
the goodbye at the prison yard and finger guns brought a tear.
Such artful storytelling. Such well thought out craft. I will dearly miss this series, probably now my favorite TV show of all time.
I’ve been waiting on your take since last night! What a finale..
It was a fantastic finale and far exceeded my expectations. I was waiting for your insights Pete. I loved the cameos and that he essentially sacrificed his life to save Kim, out of Love. I was waiting for Kim and her showing up for the end was perfection. I cried like a baby.
Awesome review! I agree with all you said. The Christmas carol Reference was spot on.
Not only was the Exit sign a callback to Chicanery, but Kim was right in the middle of the EX part of the sign.
I don’t think that was intentional
@@Ruzz_. I like to think everything in this show is intentional
We're talking about Mr. Vince 'Bravo' Gilligan, I wouldn't put it past him 🤣
Noticed it, too, on second watch. She's completely inside the EXIT sign during that shot which is brilliant.
Also it can be Chuck's ghost looking down upon Jimmy.