Oh the sweet taste of revenge!! Jimmy sets up those 3 punks that robbed him in the most Saul way possible. Huell and his partner are ready for some bashing time! That was so satisfactory and Saul is on his way to fully emerging. Cell phones at the ready. Howard's life ticks away with every second as his firm is plummeting. Kim made a deal that finally benefits her and leaves Jimmy behind. Loved the Chuck flashback. Mike is running things full go with ththe laundry as we meet the german team behind the brilliant BB lab. And, some of the best dialogue of the entire series given by Giancarlo foreshadowing his torture of Hector who we all wait to awake. GREAT episode.
23 Reviews
We will whack it; we will crack it; and the goodies will fall out in dozens...
greggwager12 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Admit it: we've all been taking blind swings at the plot complexities of season four. "Piñata" finally showers us with some candy.
First off, Pixar stalwart Andrew Stanton serves as guest director, even though nothing stylistically suggests WALL-E or any of his other brilliant storytelling achievements. By the way, episode six of last season was also directed by a gifted guest director, Keith Gordon. The use of such ringers demonstrates how many in the professional world respect what Better Call Saul has been accomplishing up to now.
After all, the Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul franchise prides itself on innovative storytelling, all the way back to the first glimpse of Walter White's britches flying through the air in the middle of a desert. By the end of season five of Better Call Saul, we want to see Gene Takovic sitting on top of his lonely world, ready to render to us some great and insightful observation about crime. Hey Gene! Does it pay?
In Breaking Bad, Saul was one of the most sociopathic weirdos ever depicted on television. Who else would use the movie Old Yeller as an analogy to kill off a young colleague? A glimpse of Jimmy at the beginning of "Piñata" not only shows him more normal, but he even appreciates cinema enough to form an office pool predicting the winners of the March 1993 Oscars.
My biggest confusion so far has been Kim Wexler's professional dithering. Something about Mesa Verde has been troubling her enough to hang out at the courthouse and pick up extra public defender work. Perhaps her crisis stems from the indecision about what to do with Jimmy. Those troubled nudniks in criminal law somehow fill the void. As the ongoing symbol of Saul's new family, goldfish still appears in Kim's scenes at the apartment-as if the fish is giving her dirty looks to that eerie bubbling sound.
Saul and Kim do lunch at their old favorite place, as if she was going to break up with him. Does anyone else find those Moscow Mule drinks creepy?
Bravo to Giancarlo Esposito for Gus Fring's soliloquy (or did Don Hector hear him?) about the coati with the broken leg and his pride in conquering it. Chilling and revealing.
Mike's work with the Germans makes for procedural poetry. Is anyone else thinking that despite all the secrecy precautions to build the meth lab, Gus will still not allow any of these guys to live?
AMC's parental precautions for strong language were at their highest level when airing this episode, thanks to a strong expletive delivered by Howard. The scene explains more clearly why Saul tore up Kim's contact information for a shrink after seeing Howard on his meltdown.
But the fireworks of "Piñata" are in the piñatas themselves, which stare down with clownish grins at the three muggers hanging upside down with duct tape on their mouths-an upside down grin is actually a frown. The sweet treats scatter on the floor while the baseball bats promise to keep swinging. Saul takes care of his business without actually hurting anyone. On the other hand, Saul did not go through with his threat and did not demand the money stolen from him be returned. How will he really fare as a tough guy in the streets of Albuquerque?
First off, Pixar stalwart Andrew Stanton serves as guest director, even though nothing stylistically suggests WALL-E or any of his other brilliant storytelling achievements. By the way, episode six of last season was also directed by a gifted guest director, Keith Gordon. The use of such ringers demonstrates how many in the professional world respect what Better Call Saul has been accomplishing up to now.
After all, the Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul franchise prides itself on innovative storytelling, all the way back to the first glimpse of Walter White's britches flying through the air in the middle of a desert. By the end of season five of Better Call Saul, we want to see Gene Takovic sitting on top of his lonely world, ready to render to us some great and insightful observation about crime. Hey Gene! Does it pay?
In Breaking Bad, Saul was one of the most sociopathic weirdos ever depicted on television. Who else would use the movie Old Yeller as an analogy to kill off a young colleague? A glimpse of Jimmy at the beginning of "Piñata" not only shows him more normal, but he even appreciates cinema enough to form an office pool predicting the winners of the March 1993 Oscars.
My biggest confusion so far has been Kim Wexler's professional dithering. Something about Mesa Verde has been troubling her enough to hang out at the courthouse and pick up extra public defender work. Perhaps her crisis stems from the indecision about what to do with Jimmy. Those troubled nudniks in criminal law somehow fill the void. As the ongoing symbol of Saul's new family, goldfish still appears in Kim's scenes at the apartment-as if the fish is giving her dirty looks to that eerie bubbling sound.
Saul and Kim do lunch at their old favorite place, as if she was going to break up with him. Does anyone else find those Moscow Mule drinks creepy?
Bravo to Giancarlo Esposito for Gus Fring's soliloquy (or did Don Hector hear him?) about the coati with the broken leg and his pride in conquering it. Chilling and revealing.
Mike's work with the Germans makes for procedural poetry. Is anyone else thinking that despite all the secrecy precautions to build the meth lab, Gus will still not allow any of these guys to live?
AMC's parental precautions for strong language were at their highest level when airing this episode, thanks to a strong expletive delivered by Howard. The scene explains more clearly why Saul tore up Kim's contact information for a shrink after seeing Howard on his meltdown.
But the fireworks of "Piñata" are in the piñatas themselves, which stare down with clownish grins at the three muggers hanging upside down with duct tape on their mouths-an upside down grin is actually a frown. The sweet treats scatter on the floor while the baseball bats promise to keep swinging. Saul takes care of his business without actually hurting anyone. On the other hand, Saul did not go through with his threat and did not demand the money stolen from him be returned. How will he really fare as a tough guy in the streets of Albuquerque?
Sweet revenge
manthanrtarafdar11 September 2018
I love you Jimmy McGill
blondelobster1711 September 2018
Ramping up bridging the storylines between Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, this season is really pulling the two worlds together. As a fan of both shows I don't want to give away anything if you haven't seen one or the other. The writing, acting, directing is all on point. It's a shame this isn't as appreciated as BB because I think it's really on par.
Maybe the best episode of the season
shaggie9611 September 2018
I absolutely loved the flashback to the early days at HHM with Chuck at his ever arrogant, patronizing best. I think many see the Kim story line as a weak point, but I think her character is extremely compelling, perhaps because I relate to her career struggle so well. Great turn of events with Schweikart and Cokely. And this episode was Jimmy at his best. Can't wait to see what's next.
Entertaining and involving
85122219 August 2019
Greetings from Lithuania.
"Piñata", a 6th episode of season 4 was involving and entertaining. It didn't movie story much further, yet all things considering the story itself is moving to the end here and the beginning of were we first saw it. And all i can say is that the road to it is really involving and entertaining.
"Piñata", a 6th episode of season 4 was involving and entertaining. It didn't movie story much further, yet all things considering the story itself is moving to the end here and the beginning of were we first saw it. And all i can say is that the road to it is really involving and entertaining.
very relaxing end scene
umutkahraman-199424 May 2020
I like it. I'm good at it.
jma-1240117 July 2020
Non-Stop
Hitchcoc18 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It's interesting that while numerous people give this a 9 or a 10, a couple people who don't like the Kim Wexler character give the entire show a 1. You keep threatening to watch something else but there you are again. I though this was really an outstanding episode. We get a flashback with Doug doing his thing. We have Mikes oversight of the huge underground project. We have Jimmy's meeting with the guys who beat him up with hilarious results. I couldn't take my eyes off it.
The dark side of Jimmy
jdjc00121 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Things are definitely heating up now! Jimmy McGill is just beginning to morph into the unscrupulous Saul Goodman and I'm more than ready for it. The piñata scene was perhaps the most shocking the show has done thus far as it highlights the outright sociopathic behaviour that lies deep in his psyche. It was also seen in his outright nasty speech towards Howard where the seldom used F-bomb was thrown at Jimmy for what I believe is the first time on this show. I am intrigued to see how his relationship with Kim will develop (and inevitably crash and burn) as well as see how he eventually succumbs to the 'dark side'. I also appreciated that chilling Gus monologue which featured excellent direction, writing and a performance that is undoubtedly Esposito's best on the show so far. It's quite interesting to compare Gus and Jimmy's morals (or lack thereof) and their somewhat similar nature was clearer than ever before in this episode.
The paths are closing for Jimmy
ste_palom11 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
It seems like with each episode, Jimmy is getting closer and closer to becoming Saul as every other possible future for him is getting away. He wants to start a new law firm with Kim, sorry not possible. He wants to peacefully sell his cellphones on the street, nope, he gets mug and he almost sent the punks that stole from him to Beliece. But he is still just Jimmy Mcguill, we could se that he legit still cares about his old clients and when he recieved that phone call, he was truly sad about hearing of the death of Ms. Strauss.
On the other hand, we see once again another epic scene from Gus Fring which was just a preview of the things that eventually Gus will do to Hector in Breaking Bad. Honestly that Gus scene was so good that it reminded me of the legendary "half measures" speech from Mike back at season 3 of Breaking Bad.
Lastly, the Mike scenes were definitly the weakest part of the episode, probably because it was just set up for things to come. That annoying german worker won't last long.
On the other hand, we see once again another epic scene from Gus Fring which was just a preview of the things that eventually Gus will do to Hector in Breaking Bad. Honestly that Gus scene was so good that it reminded me of the legendary "half measures" speech from Mike back at season 3 of Breaking Bad.
Lastly, the Mike scenes were definitly the weakest part of the episode, probably because it was just set up for things to come. That annoying german worker won't last long.
Pinata
bobcobb30125 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Jimmy getting revenge on the street punks was a good moment, but he did run for quite some time. There was a chance that plan would not come to fruition.
Kim's storylines this season are all over the place. Disappointing to see, but Breaking Bad had also struggled writing for its female characters as well.
Kim's storylines this season are all over the place. Disappointing to see, but Breaking Bad had also struggled writing for its female characters as well.
A show about nothing
perlshop7 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
What happened to the original BCS? It has become so mundane. There is no story in it at all. It's just random things happening and more stuff happens in reality tv than what is happening in this season of BCS.
It's like watching a mildly interesting documentary of an average joe. I stopped watching it after last ep, started watching it again and it's still boring as ever.
It's like watching a mildly interesting documentary of an average joe. I stopped watching it after last ep, started watching it again and it's still boring as ever.
show back on track
rajas-5040611 September 2018
Jimmy is back!
matiasbockerman12 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Happy to see this season is'nt only Gus/Nacho/Mike show, altought there has Been some great moments Jimmy as Well, but now Jimmy is going to show his full potential.
Weakest storyline is wexlers, but I think Kim's story involving slowly to getting a point where it cross over to Jimmy: Dark clouds are coming....
Absolutely enjoy watching jimmy's Dicsussion to Howard:
"**** you Jimmy"
"There you go. Use that"
Love to see good old cunning Saul when he takes his revenge!
Engrossing
Leofwine_draca2 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Another really nice and engrossing episode. Watching Mike's professionalism in his new project takes us into new and entertaining territory, while seeing Jimmy turn the tables on his oppressors is highly engaging. Plus, the scene with Patrick Fabian is just tremendous.
Boring boring and borrrrrriiiinnnggg
teetugill11 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Damn Kim Wexler maybe the most boring and annoying character ever....i don't think this show will get any slower i turned off my tv after first 15 minutes which had nothing but Jimmy and Kim talking....such a boring episode...I gave up
Kim Come Home
darbski12 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
***SPOILERS*** Yeah, well, I told you about payback, didn't I? Sure I did. Kim, I believe, is more knowledgeable about Jimmy than we may know, and this is crucial. SHE can go to the same therapist that she recommended to Jimmy, and ask about his behavior. When (if?) she does, she's gonna find out, that jimmy is ultimately self-destructive and a complete con man. First, she has to admit to herself that, for him, it's NOT a game. For him, it actually IS the life he has, and he absolutely will never be able to tell her the truth.
Cons can/will never, ever, ever, let anyone close to them. see, if they do, then they may find out that the one they're running from is themselves. Almost all have a form of sociopathy, whether anyone ever catches them or not. I keep saying that the one person that I don't want to get hurt is Kim, and I hope that her innate survival mechanisms will activate in time for her to get to the side of the crap whirlpool Jimmy's gonna make of things, and pull herself out. It will be hard, but necessary. He is a good-natured crook that is getting closer and closer to selling out his own life. The skanky skeeves that got turned upside down? Jimmy should separate himself from them A.S.A.P., they will be dead weight around his neck. I wonder if his new bodyguards know just how deadly he can be when cornered. after all, it is the ones who pay the game for real who win. good luck with the rest of this series.....
Cons can/will never, ever, ever, let anyone close to them. see, if they do, then they may find out that the one they're running from is themselves. Almost all have a form of sociopathy, whether anyone ever catches them or not. I keep saying that the one person that I don't want to get hurt is Kim, and I hope that her innate survival mechanisms will activate in time for her to get to the side of the crap whirlpool Jimmy's gonna make of things, and pull herself out. It will be hard, but necessary. He is a good-natured crook that is getting closer and closer to selling out his own life. The skanky skeeves that got turned upside down? Jimmy should separate himself from them A.S.A.P., they will be dead weight around his neck. I wonder if his new bodyguards know just how deadly he can be when cornered. after all, it is the ones who pay the game for real who win. good luck with the rest of this series.....
Street punks hanged among the piñatas
gedikreverdi21 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Jimmy made those street punks pay for what they did to him. Kim doesn't want to wait for jimmy and Howard's going thru a hard time. Mike got everything ready for the excavation. Gus told a story about a lucuma tree that he grew when he was a poor kid and a coati which is an animal similar to a raccoon stealing his tasty lucuma fruits. He trapped it and it escaped the snare with a broken leg and he didn't kill it. He preferred to keep him. He told this story to Salamanca in his hospital room.
Some backstory is presented
silverton-379598 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Of course, there's the backstory of Jimmy and Kim, but that's already an ingredient used in several episodes since season 2 at least. The backstory that interests me in this episode is the story that Gus tells Don Hector in the hospital room. I had already guessed that Gus came up poor, but the story he tells is deep.
This kind of writing is what has kept me watching since day one, not just backstories, but character development. Hector shows his villainous side from his first appearance. While it took awhile in BCS for Gus to show his bad side.
In BB, he was kind of a full-on bad guy with a charming facade, but here in BCS, he seems to ease into showing that he can be cruel and ruthless. His telling Hector about the animal who stole his family's fruit made me feel for him and fear him at the same time.
BCS lets us respect Gus's humanity while being aware of his evil. I have come to rate BCS higher than BB among series that I've enjoyed. The opening of the hospital scene reveals that Hector's nephews worship La Muerta, and so I can guess that Hector does as well.
This kind of detail makes a richer overall picture of the meth trade and the cartel than we got in BB. I think that BB was the proving ground for Vince Gilligan's writing skill, and BCS was the finished product that left viewers satisfied at the end of the run, with the story more complete and gave the BB/BCS universe an established place in the pantheon of great TV shows for years, and even decades to come.
This kind of writing is what has kept me watching since day one, not just backstories, but character development. Hector shows his villainous side from his first appearance. While it took awhile in BCS for Gus to show his bad side.
In BB, he was kind of a full-on bad guy with a charming facade, but here in BCS, he seems to ease into showing that he can be cruel and ruthless. His telling Hector about the animal who stole his family's fruit made me feel for him and fear him at the same time.
BCS lets us respect Gus's humanity while being aware of his evil. I have come to rate BCS higher than BB among series that I've enjoyed. The opening of the hospital scene reveals that Hector's nephews worship La Muerta, and so I can guess that Hector does as well.
This kind of detail makes a richer overall picture of the meth trade and the cartel than we got in BB. I think that BB was the proving ground for Vince Gilligan's writing skill, and BCS was the finished product that left viewers satisfied at the end of the run, with the story more complete and gave the BB/BCS universe an established place in the pantheon of great TV shows for years, and even decades to come.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
