To Kill a Mockingbird." In an episode that is pretty much summing up all the consequences of a fairly busy season, Lantern proves that sometimes a quieter finale is the better version. There's a heavy air of justice hanging over everyone this week as big decisions are made that have the capacity to change things forever. One fateful decision will no doubt have catastrophic repercussions, but less look at these conclusions as a whole.
Following Kim's accident last week, our hard-working lawyer has suddenly had a change of heart as she decides to put her own health before her job for once. But, of course, postponing all her meetings and arrangements means that her and Jimmy's office is in danger as they are forced to move out for the time being until they can both get back on track. Francesca has been a brilliant asset for the both of them - diligent and unperturbed by the high octane personalities of her employers. Seeing the "KW" in the final shot of the office was a great way to sign off their concurrent and now former partnership in law. Plus, the mention of To Kill a Mockingbird being Kim's favourite film was a nice touch and you can easily see the origin of her kindness. Jimmy has had a rather unsteady season, first under the spotlight after being accused of meddling by his brother, then losing his license following a bitter trial and now obligated to reveal his ministrations in getting the Sandpiper deal completed. It's quite incredible to see him simply toss away his trust with the Sandpiper residents so easily, but it redeems his character somewhat in that he attempts to rival what Chuck accused of - hurting people. Here he is now, looking after Kim and taking a clean slate. Nacho's life took a turn for the worst, but was then given hope as Don Hector fell during a confrontation with Don Eladio's compadre. I was anxious to see how long it would take for the poison to kick-in before Salamanca caused more irreparable harm to Nacho's relationship with his father, but thankfully, that possible damage has been cut short. You can start to see the pathways opening to the eventual state Hector's in during Breaking Bad. It was interesting to see Fring so easily connect Nacho to Hector's fall in that final short as the original pills are given to the paramedic for examination in hospital. The biggest development of the night, I think we can all agree, is Chuck. Here's a man who's had it worse than anyone else this season - especially in light of Jimmy's trial. Mentally wounded, he's still attempting to live within the confines of electromagnetism, but things start spiralling out of control. The first scene involving his meeting with Howard at HHM becomes far more meaningful when you look back after that final scene. The fact that Howard and all the employees of the company he helped build clap him out of the building is a powerful moments that ushers in Chuck's demise. Peter Gould uses a touch of his mastery in directing the scenes in Chuck's house, depicting its dismantling by showing us the devastation as Chuck desperately tries to find the source of the electricity still in use. All the walls and insulation that have been torn away, and all the debris scattered across the floor. The house is a living symbolic representation of Chuck's internal makeup. Here is a man peeling away from reality after bravely trying to fight his psychological condition - but unfortunately he's failed. That final scene is possibly the most powerful imagery Saul has given us yet - a good, old-fashioned flame of a lantern burning through the house. The denouement of the season may seem anti-climactic, but it's the mark of good writers that they can create these rich characters and have the audience understand every aspect of their lives to the point where we know them inside out. I've docked marks for not including Mike in the extravaganza, but this is still a masterful episode filled with shock and instability. If my predictions are right, Season 4 will be the penultimate season as Gilligan and Gould setup another five seasons that will hopefully tie in perfectly with Breaking Bad. Above all, this is an astounding series - some may criticise it for being slow - but it is the fact that it is patient with its content that makes it so aesthetically pleasing. Every moment is savoured, and every character is explored. Better Call Saul is one of the best of the year. 9/10 Season 3: 8.5/10
0 Comments
You think I'm trouble now, as your partner? Wait until I'm your enemy." Emotions are running high in the penultimate episode of Season Three. All our main characters are at an impasse in their stories as they wrestle with complicated lives and attempt to find solid ground. This is also possibly one of the cruelest episodes seeing as how many people get hurt in the crossfire. Kim, especially, is the one we'll be looking out for, seeing as she's been the hard-worker and the one doing everything for everyone else and not for personal gain.
For Mike, he's entered himself into a web of intrigue as part of the Madrigal company. It's great to see more Breaking Bad references as we head closer and closer to the endgame and the eventual transition between prequel and original show. Not much on the information front, but it's great to hear Lydia mention how much we really don't know about Gustavo Fring - he continues to be ominous character even though we know of his demise. Chuck has turned sour following a potential betrayal by his own colleague - Howard. In the wake of his major faux pas during Jimmy's trial, everything, naturally, is turning against him, including his own work and career. In a big u-turn, Chuck now threatens to sue his own company for his original financial contribution - a settlement that would inevitably destroy the company. It's interesting to see Chuck feel so slighted by everything around him that he must take his environment down with him. Despite his intelligence and wisdom, in truth, he strikes me as the smallest person on the show. Nacho is struggling to cope with living in Salamanco's shadow any longer, and it seems that the Don is starting to take his new batch of pills. However long it takes to maim him, it may not be enough to stop him from taking over Nacho's father's workplace. The conversation Nacho has with his father is emotional, seeing as how close they've always been. But, this seems to be the final straw for him as he sends his son away for betraying his trust once too many times. I'm a big fan of Kim, and her moral compass is set exactly in tune with mine. However, her association with Jimmy sometimes puts her at odds with her own opinion. But, it seems at this point, that the world is working against her. I love the symbolism of the first scene in which her car gets trapped in the sand, and after shoving it free, she almost causes it to crash into the Gatwood Oil machinery. This is a preordained warning on the car's behalf that tells Kim not to go forward with this job. However, seeing as Kim is incredibly loyal and wouldn't let anyone down if she could help, she continues regardless. Whatever happens now, after that terrible crash, she doesn't deserve it, but I can't help feeling that this might be her downfall, and she'll be regretting ever taking up that second client. On entirely another spectrum, Jimmy's days are looking brighter as he creates a storm in the heart of Sandpiper after causing a rift between a few of its residents. Again, I feel sorry for Irene as she's the pawn used in Jimmy's dastardly plan to see the lawsuit written off. It's another clever example of how Jimmy's lawyer mind works, and how even with the most elaborate of schemes, he can turn things his way. Saul Goodman appears to be on the rise, if I haven't said it already. But, this time, things could get personal as the finale looms with a lot of plot points left in the lurch. Who could be suffering the most by the end of Season Three? 8.5/10 Perhaps, the worst experience of my life." This season of Better Call Saul has had it all. Stakes are really high at this point in time, and every scene is being stretched to breaking point. Jimmy appears to be consistently showing his Saul Goodman side, and is starting to make hard money just by pinpointing his skill in the law field. Seeing him intimidate his supervisor just through threatening him with court time was a treat to watch and one of the reasons why Jimmy is such a satisfying character. This little negotiating tactic comes off the back (pardon me) of another deal made in the music shop after he implicated the owners in an injury he suffered while in the store - intentionally.
It was Nacho's scenes that I loved the most though. Rammed with tension, Michael Mando plays his character astonishingly well, I felt every moment of fear as he transferred the containers of pills whilst Don Hector obliviously sits behind him. But, the writers have outdone themselves here as they intricately plotted out his entire plan to the last detail so that Nacho was feasibly able to make the exchange as Mike had predicted. The air conditioning ploy was a clever one and allowed for a number of inevitable things to occur that ultimately allowed Nacho to complete his task. But, I have no doubt in my mind that whatever happens next will have far-reaching consequences. Indeed, with the relationship that Nacho shares with his father, I'm not looking forward to seeing Nacho get hurt in any way - I've grown to respect him as a man with strong capabilities, a sound mind, but a loving heart. The fact that he keeps his father in the dark about his illegal ministrations is his greatest characteristic. For Chuck, things are still teetering on the edge. He desperately wants to return to law practice and prove to the world of what he's capable of, but his ambition, as his doctor informs him, might be his undoing. Nevertheless, Jimmy may have involuntarily offered him some support as he now attempts to regularly fight his psychological condition. The fact that he understands that his condition is not real shows he's developing nicely, but as we continue to see as viewers, he's still affected somehow. Never have an aisle of freezers seemed so terrifying before. Once again, I commend the directors for their accomplishment in depicting his condition and showing how it causes him psychological pain. We covered all the bases in this episode, it seems, as Kim continues to uphold her relationship with Maso Verde. However, it's quite obvious that Kim is at some crossroads regarding her association with Jimmy. It seemed she was going to make sure that her only priority was her biggest client, but she quickly changes her mind after having a rather stubborn conversation with Jimmy about bills. It's hard to speculate what exactly is her mindset at this point in time, but it's clear that Jimmy's trial and the outcome has had an influence on her career. This is nicely pointed out when she attempts to clear her debt slate by repaying Howard for helping her get on the ladder in the past. At the beginning of the episode, it was great to see Marco again, and return to his relationship with Jimmy when they were first conducting their shady business before Marco's untimely death. The symbolism of the coin is of great importance as it indicates Jimmy's entire obsession with money. It links well with his final scene this week as he rests his head on a wad of seven-hundred dollars. But, the stash of coins is a clear demonstration of his destiny in life and the path we already know that he treads. 8/10 As far as I'm concerned, all we did was tear down a sick man." We're starting to see the breaking point in Jimmy. Nothing seems to be working anymore, not even his usual charm, and his life seems to be spiralling into misery. The question still remains how he gets the situation he's at in Breaking Bad, but we're starting to see the unfolding pathway. As is evident in that final scene at the malpractice insurance, his animosity towards his brother is a mainstay, and even though for many other characters, what happened at the trial is an unsavoury experience, for Jimmy it was a hit back against his self-superior brother. Bob Odenkirk continues to demonstrate his acting ability, especially in that last scene as Jimmy takes another stab at destabilising his brother's credibility. It's a well-written plot point that will undoubtedly cause have numerous implications in the near future.
I'm worried for Kim, however. Here's someone who really likes Jimmy and has done countless acts of kindness, just because she's fond of him. That scene in the bar is an example of their friendship bond, something that they used to do all the time - make up stories to con rich people out of their money. But, in the wake of the trial, Kim is having second thoughts. Caring and diligent as ever, Kim feels as though she's done wrong by Chuck, her former employer. She's come to realise that whilst he may have a reproachful demeanour, his entire life has revolved around a mental illness that she and Jimmy have now blatantly shown the world. That guilt will soon define whether she's stands by her friend, or turns away to seek recompense for something she believes is wrong. Mike had a nice spotlight this week. After agreeing to help out at the school, he soon makes friends with Anita, someone who, like him, has lost a loved one and is continually reminded of that loss. Whether it has some connection to his own loss and the life lessons he's learned since that terrible day, or the fact that he doesn't want people making stupid mistakes, but Mike's decision to meet Nacho and warn him of conducting this swapping of pills to stop Hector from corralling his father into the business has vast sentiments. Nacho was originally a character who was styled as the antagonist, but he's really a hard-working man who has great love for his father, and Mike sees that very clearly. It's great to see that he still has that sharp, detective mind and works out Nacho's plan without even asking him about it. It's tremendously difficult seeing Jimmy in the dumps, almost literally, but there's always a chance he will bounce back. Financially, however, as the title of this episode refers, he's in a predicament. If he doesn't find his big break soon, it could get messy. Nonetheless, it's nice to see his film crew take pity on him. Seeing 'Make-Up Girl' (as she's known in the credits) attempt to offer her wages back was a lovely gesture. But, as well all know, Jimmy's stubborn and he won't go down easily. Considering the titles of the last three episodes (Slip, Fall & Lantern), I'm anticipating some big changes and shake-ups in the show. As this week's episode suggests, there's a lot of building up to something grander. From what front of characters it might come, we don't know yet, but be assured that it'll be tense and packed with wonderful drama. 8/10 S'all good man!" Following what was probably the best episode of Better Call Saul to date, it was difficult to prolong that energy. Despite the fact that Chuck was the biggest loser in Chicanery, Jimmy also finds consequences on his life path.The judgement stands as a one-year suspension, which means he can't practice law until that time us up - something I imagine could be very hard to keep up for a man like Jimmy.. Nevertheless, this episode shows he has tenacity enough to survive in the business world. Kim's reaction to this new venture is priceless.
An incredibly busy and populous episode - Off Brand shows how Better Call Saul can still tie-in nicely with Breaking Bad by revealing not just Crazy-8, but Lydia as well. These are notable characters in the Breaking Bad world, inexplicably connected to this drug cartel hub that eventually spirals into disarray. Their roles are merely cameos so far, but this season is clearly building up the map that will hopefully guide us to the beginning of Breaking Bad. Also, pretty much everyone appears in this episode, reminding us that even though some storylines do appear shoe-horned into the plot at times, they are present for a reason. From Chuck's perspective, he's at a turning point in his life - one where he starts to realise that he may have been fooling himself about his own mental health. And now he's starting to understand his irrational fears, he starts to fight them, even going as far as to walk into the city of lights and use a public telephone to call his doctor. The imagery of him walking through the streets, wrapped in foil, which is billowing in the wind like a dress, may seem comical, but in the moment it's actually quite sad. Now that Jimmy has pretty much hacked his brother out of his life, Chuck now has to fend for himself, whether he wants to or not. Nacho gets a decent spotlight this episode, as he we return to his parallel lives - one in which he is a facade of his true self, working for his father in a sewing factory, and another where he is Don Hector's finance collector and all-round right-hand man for his drug business. The only problem is, owing to a new suggestion from Hector, both worlds may be colliding. Unsurprisingly, Nacho doesn't want that to happen, and it begs the question of how he's going to stop it from happening. Isn't that pill on the floor a little too obvious, or is it a red herring for something else? Meanwhile, Mike is returning to normality as he spends more time with his daughter-in-law. Their relationship is lovely, and it's great to see him get some time to rest from his incredibly stressful life. But is this the quiet before the storm for all our characters? Is Vince Gilligan merely pretending that everything has died down, and is waiting to catch us out with something unbelievable. A lot of fans have already pointed out that there are a handful of characters who don't appear in Breaking Bad. The optimistic approach would be to say that they've moved away or are unimportant in that context, but the reality just might be that they suffer a so-far unknown fate. We're just waiting for the axe to fall. 8/10 In my experience, the bigger the lie, the harder it is to dig out." No drug cartel. No Mike or Fring. And no tense interactions between battle-worn criminals. This is just simple courtroom drama. And it's stunning.
Credit to the writers here - from day one, they've weaved this tumultuous relationship between Jimmy and Chuck, they've added all the ingredients with heart, jealousy and general brotherly love. And with that comes the chance to pull up the rug and pull apart the curtain to show the true nature of their relationship to the world. It's some of the cleverest and thoughtful writing you can get from any TV show or film. Whilst we've known for a while that Chuck has been harbouring some malicious thoughts for Jimmy, never has it been so satisfying to hear it be said. Jimmy may have eaten his own words at the end of Season Two, but now it's Chuck's turn, and I'll kid you not, he will not want to admit it. The one person who he's wanted to keep out of law practice, has beaten him at his own game, and quite convincingly, I might add. The episode begins in the past as Chuck's ex-wife, Rebecca, comes back into the light. We haven't heard or seen much of her, but in the unfolding minutes we learn one of the reasons why their relationship has been on a rickety scale. With some great directing from Daniel Sackheim, we get a depiction of how Chuck feels in the presence of electromagnetism. We may know now that his fictitious disease is merely a side-effect of his divorce, but it's great to see it played out with such ferocity. Even though Chuck didn't know it, inviting Rebecca to the court was the final straw for him. In a poetic sense the chicanery was the final blow to Chuck's ministrations to oust Jimmy. All the actors in this week's episode should be commended. Michael McKean in particular was formidable. He plays Chuck with a mostly understated evil, but in the final moments of Chicanery, as the camera zooms in on his face following his major embarrassment, McKean gives his all as a desperate, twisted and devious man with only spiteful intent towards his brother. Rhea Seehorn was killing it as usual, this time playing it cool as her character gradually laid the groundworks for Jimmy's encore. Bob Odenkirk himself was incredibly engaging. His role is perhaps the most intricate, as in his lawyer's outfit he's outgoing, friendly an charming. But as the defendant, he's dejected and despondent. But, in actual fact, this is all a ploy to play into what Chuck wants to believe. It's such a convincing performance that I would be very surprised if he doesn't get at least an Emmy nomination. The same goes for McKean. Breaking Bad fans will be happy to see Huell again. He played a big part in concluding proceedings, and it'll be great to see him joining forces with Jimmy in the future. But, moving on to the symbolic side - as it was also stated by Kim during the episode, that people were going to start looking badly on Jimmy - the opening sequence this week was joined by a Better Call Saul sign, a possible reference to how Jimmy's characters is rapidly evolving into someone more rebellious and unconventional. He has always been clever, and has always been a hard-worker, but never has he transferred his talents elsewhere yet, not perhaps to the wide, criminal world. Season 3 has been a belter so far - packed with Breaking Bad easter eggs, great, striding developments in the plot and a case full of revelations. It's no over-exaggeration to say that this is one of the best things on TV right now. With its intricate plotting and far-reaching character arcs, it's hard not to appreciate the mastery that goes into its making. 9/10 Nice to fix something for a change." Better Call Saul is wearing the clothes of Breaking Bad this week. In a high-octane, tension-dominated episode, we get a taste of something that has, perhaps not been necessary in this spinoff, but missing nonetheless. Action. They turn up to eleven in what can only be described as fast-paced, the fastest Saul has ever been. It's like they flicked a switch and suddenly all the characters are starting in motion towards their respective characters in Breaking Bad, walking a pathway to their impending doom.
Mike's quote sums up the episode pretty nicely. It's an episode of fixing things. Fring fixes his career in money-laundering; Jimmy and Kim fix the trial so that they have a chance of getting back at Chuck; and Mike fixes a door. You might say, a bland summary, but it's the execution of these scenes that counts. Each one is carefully played out, and each has its own mood. The first scene is definitely black comedy. It's great to see the return of Don Eladio (Breaking Bad fans will fondly remember his dispatching in one the show's greatest episodes, Salud), and his luscious swimming pool. Whenever Fring comes on screen, you can't quite predict the mood. Sometimes he's silently terrifying, others he's talkative and pleasant. It's credit to the writers for creating such an elaborate character. We even get a slice of proper comedy, as Mike demonstrates his skill with an electric drill. The dialogue as usual is rich with nuances. I'm very fond of the hidden messages the writers emulate through the words of their characters. Jimmy's apology to Chuck for example, is a great way of demonstrating how undeniably cruel Chuck has been to his brother, going so far as to attempt to dismantle his career with petty tricks. Words exchanged between Salamanca and Ring were equally malicious, as they discuss their conflicting businesses. Since we're fully aware of where both these characters meet their downfall, the audience is bursting with anxiety for towards both of them. Both Esposito and Margolis are fantastic to watch. As usual, you can't fault the visuals. Schnauz makes good use of the opening scene, giving us every angle possible. Including one that's reminiscent of an image we've seen so many times in Breaking Bad. The shot from underwater, in a pool no less. If this isn't a love letter to the fans, I don't know what is. Bursting with easter eggs this season, there's no doubting that Saul could be on the verge of reaching its climax soon. I would like at least another season before the end though, just because I can't bare to lost these colourful characters again. Heaven knows, we may see Walter White very soon (in a cameo only of course). Fully-charged and filled with exciting storylines, Better Call Saul is better than ever this season. It's great to see Mike back with his family, if only for a brief moment, but it seems it's got the point where he's content that the life he's left behind is safe, and whatever happens to him in the future can be ignored. Hence why Fring's offer is so seemingly tempting. Truly, Fring sees something loyal in Mike, as do we all. This is addictive television, and it's done on a level so masterful, it's hard to compare. 8.5/10 ...I'm not done with Hector Salamanca." Better Call Saul has made itself a name separate from its predecessor, Breaking Bad, and it's doing so in style. In its third season, the series is just as slick, stylish and original as it has always been. The aesthetic of filmmaking that encompasses this show is sometimes breathtaking to behold, and yet it's not a fantasy show where dragons swarm the skies, or a science-fiction where spaceships battle it out in space. It's a show about a crooked lawyer and a retired cop attempting to survive in a grim world of greed and one-upmanship. It's mind-boggling how Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould have created such a masterpiece out of a simple story.
Credit where it's given, the directing is as always top notch. John Shiban penned this week's episode with a tantalising display of camera angles. The opening scene is quiet, but foreshadows what happens later on, and the way the story develops leaves a lot to the imagination. Later on, we realise that the opening scene is actually set after the episode, a symbolic gesture of how Gus Fring has taken a chip out of Hector Salamanca's business, thanks to a new employee. This partnership is definitive as it paves the way to Mike's story in Breaking Bad, before he meets Heisenberg. The acting is also commendable, with Giancarlo Esposito demonstrating the business side of his character, whereas last week we saw his false persona, one of kindness and servitude. Jonathan Banks continues to allude me to the Godfather's Don Corleone, who is both quiet, yet sinister. From the outside, he looks just like anyone else, but perhaps a little more reserved. But, deep down, Mike is a fighter with an aptitude for the crime life like no other. The fact that he works alone proves his capabilities. Jimmy McGill's storyline was less compelling this time around with it being bogged down in Chuck's latest trickery. But the end of the episode gave us a hint as two Jimmy's next step, and it's great to see Kim by his side once more, even if it might be for the worse. As usual, Chuck's plans to dismantle his brother's career have become more intricate, with only two choices given to Jimmy and both looking grim. So, he'll either have to accept his fate and irreparably damage his career, or fight his way back into the ring. Either way, I'm intrigued to see how Jimmy's transition into Saul Goodman plays into this. Will this be his undoing or the catalyst for his later change of perspective. As per usual, Better Call Saul is teeming with intricate plot lines and great character stunts, but this time around things were a bit misty. Tensions are high, but there's no clear endpoint so far. Nevertheless, I look forward to spending more time with Mike and Gus and seeing how their relationship kindles the boss and hitman we see in their later lives. And despite Jimmy's sometimes criminal ways, I will always be on his side against Chuck. 8/10 |
AuthorA very passionate Welsh nerd... Archives
October 2017
Categories
All
|