Better Recall Saul: "Nacho"

Bob Odenkirk

Welcome to the new TV Recap series Better Recall Saul that chronicles the adventures of Better Call Saul and a young criminal lawyer as he cuts his teeth down in ABQ, and his Breaking Bad buddies might stop by to wish him luck. Feel free to join every Tuesday as the adventures unravel and the story behind one of the funniest and sleaziest lawyers in TV history begins to take form and remind us why he is such a great character in the first place. Is this spin-off meant for greatness, or is it the worst idea that AMC has ever done? You'll have to read on to find out the truth.

“Only two things I know about Albuquerque: 
Bugs Bunny should have taken a left turn there, 
and give me a hundred tries, I’ll never be able to spell it.”

- Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk)

Plot:

After discovering that Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) was a former criminal, the story opens on him trying to figure out how to deal with the Kettlemans. When he finds Nacho's (Michael Mando) car in front of their house, he warns them of a potential attack. When the family goes missing, there's conspiracy that rises over whether the family has a ton of money or not. Nacho gets pulled into the mess and threatens to hurt Jimmy if he doesn't get him out of the jam. Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) believes Jimmy's plea and decides to help him solve the case. However, he informs Jimmy that maybe the Kettlemans were not kidnapped. Jimmy discovers that they're hanging out in the forest with a bag full of money.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

MVP:

Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk)

It is really tough to say what anything means right now. It is about this odd lawyer trying to help people and only ending up in more confusing situations. Serving as his own detective, he discovers that there's so much more going on. He may get killed by Nacho if he's not careful. He now has to consider whether or not the Kettlemans are worth helping. Based on his shady doings, he may as well help out. However, this is an episode where he continues to swerve through each problem and tries to come out looking smooth. We get more back story regarding his life pre-lawyer, which is a decent touch though it does feel like it does pile on the mythos a little much for a show that's already a prequel to another. However, a decent episode that manages to capture a charm outside of a million Breaking Bad references, which is a step up from the first two episodes.

Jonathan Banks

Best Scene

I will say up front that I find the early episodes to be a little excruciating on how it has handled the Mike and Jimmy relationship. Yes, there's an antagonistic vibe to it, but the redundant joke of Mike's stubbornness gets old fast. However, this episode finally gives him purpose and establishes the moment that gives insight into what is likely to come. As Jimmy leaves an interview at the office over whether Mike punched him or not, he is confronted. In a stairwell, Mike opens up to Jimmy about his own past and how he would go about solving the missing Kettlemans. He is wise and gives the first insight into one of  Breaking Bad's best partnerships. The moment may be simple, but it does help to launch a more complex understanding of how things are likely to go down from here on out.