OVERVIEW With the revelation of the Kettleman's and their embezzled millions, Jimmy finds himself coming to an arrangement with them. Now having a catalyst to building McGill's law firm, in a way that I didn't quite expect, as well as trying to get Nacho off his case (pardon the terrible lawyer pun).
NOTEWORTHY MOMENTS This episode took a more comedic route, with the real-time opening scene of the Kettleman's trying to justify themselves to Jimmy, comparing their situation of that to human slavery. It's a really funny scene that sets the tone for the next 45 minutes. The opening flash back scene was also a nice touch, with young Jimmy giving his first reveal of the meaning behind Saul Goodman, a nice play on words, 'S'All Good, man'.
There were some scenes that did make me really laugh, in particular the final scene when his brother Chuck wearing his 'radiation protective' jacket when attempting to go outside and retrieve a neighbour's paper, with the intense vision and music surrounding Chuck, targeting all the ways who could be affected by radiation, and in parallel his neighbour watching him run around the street with tin foil wrapped round him. It really was hilarious.
A majority of the episode revolved around Jimmy spending his new found mini-fortune. By building himself and business as an exact replica of his rival Hamlin's, with the original thought of proving a point in using his name, but with a grander publicity stunt in mind. It really does mirror the opening scene (the 'Rolex' scam) emphasizing McGill's talents as a master manipulator and con man.
However, there was a great dramatic scene between Nacho and McGill. After Jimmy is able to free Nacho with the Kettleman's pleading ignorant to the kidnapping, Nacho tries to unnerve Jimmy by telling him he knows that he warned the Kettleman's in the first place. Jimmy finally got some courage and didn't back down to the intimidation. He tells Nacho that it was his own fault for being caught by the neighbour who called the police. It was a great scene that shows McGill had some backbone, and knows that if it wasn't for him, Nacho would be in prison.
PERFORMANCES Again, changing performance wise. Bob Odenkirk and Michael Mando still holding the bar up high. However, Michael McKean as Chuck McGill really did contribute to a majority of the laughs in this episode, and with Jimmy McGill's character becoming more bogged down in the drama of each episode, it feels like he will be a central focus of the comic relief for the series.
FINAL VERDICT This was an entertaining episode, which packed more comedy variety than dark drama. I did enjoy it, but because there wasn't any dramatic or tension building scenes which kept me on edge, it felt quite slow. The balance of drama and comedy was executed a lot more efficiently in the last three episodes, and felt more engaged last episode round. There was some important plot points which is helping move the series along, like the hero publicity stunt by McGill and Nacho's threatening presence. But I find myself looking back thinking there isn't much to sink my teeth into.
With the series reaching a near half way point, I can only assume this is only a platform, but the amount of time left in this first series is wearing thin. Hopefully in the next episode, something big happens, it still feels like it needs a grand old push to get the wheels turning. I thought it was Episode Three (Nacho), but this week kind of deflated the drama slightly. Very enjoyable, but lacked the dark comedy balance and emotional impact.
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