Better Recall Saul: "Nailed"

Jonathan Banks

Welcome to the 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.

Season 2, Episode 9: "Nailed"

“You are mistaken, and with all due 

respect, you’re muddying the waters.” 

- Chuck McGill (Michael McKean)

Plot:

Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) decides to rob a truck and tie up the driver. Word gets out to Nacho (Michael Mando), who suggests that he doesn't do that again. Meanwhile, Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) is continuing to find his voice as an independent lawyer by redesigning the office and illegally filming commercials on school grounds. When Chuck McGill (Michael McKean) discovers that Jimmy tricked him in order to get Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) a client, he comes to throes with him. Jimmy begins to attempt to cover up his tracks by bribing the man working at the copier store before Chuck comes to do interrogation. However, Chuck shows up and gets so flustered and overwhelmed that he falls and injures himself, leaving Jimmy to wonder what he should do.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Michael McKean

MVP:

Chuck McGill (Michael McKean)

It would only seem right that Chuck has some conflict with his brother starting his own firm. After all, he is doing seedy things to start off with a pretty established reputation. However, Chuck turns into police mode when he discovers that Jimmy may have been doing a little more than he's saying. If nothing else, Chuck is the lingering threat to Jimmy's future as a lawyer, and even Jimmy is aware of how damaging it could be. Not just for his career, but for his relationship with Kim. He needs to make sure everything goes right. While a tragic twist, the final injury at the end of the episode more than affirms Chuck's place as one of the best parts of this season as well as serving as the last moral fiber in Jimmy's life.

Best Scene

While the ending is sure to keep people talking, it is the scene that comes halfway through the episode that feels even more intimidating. What is Jimmy going to do now that Chuck is mad at him and Kim is suspect of Jimmy's cheating ways? The conversation is pretty tense and plays into an ongoing theme of the season in which Jimmy is hiding dishonesty thanks to a charming charisma. It's a moment reflective of great writing, and one that raises the questions as to whether Kim should stick with Jimmy or not. Little has yet to be seen, but the immediate response seems to be yes. However, there's still one episode this season to go before we know if Kim is an unfortunate pawn, or if they have another batch of episodes to ride into the sunset in.

Bob Odenkirk

Overall Thoughts

While Better Call Saul is still not entirely as effective a show as I'd like, I will admit that it has been on a decent pace over the past few weeks. I enjoy that this is now turning into a conflict between Jimmy and his past. Will Chuck even be around in two episodes? Will Kim put up with Jimmy's ways? There's a lot of top notch writing here that reflects what makes Jimmy such an interesting character. Sadly, it's also a very tragic one and there's plenty to wonder if things will end on a very sad note come this time next week. Still, I like this particular part of the show and I feel that it's starting to find its groove. The interrogation towards the middle is alone one of the more effective scenes in the series' run. I can only presume they have more to offer in the presumed third season.