Better Call Saul: Ep. 210 Klick
The complicated and conflicted relationship between the McGill brothers became a little clearer in Klick, the season finale of Better Call Saul. Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould left audiences wanting more as the final credits began to roll capping a smart, poignant episode that set up potential fireworks for next season. Klick‘s pre-credits scene, in its quiet simplicity, explored the different natures of the McGill brothers while revealing some of the background behind their passive aggressive feud.
While sitting next to his dying mother, Chuck’s display of emotion is a rare glimpse into the elder McGill’s guarded emotions. During the flashback, when Chuck’s mother calls out for Jimmy with her dying breath, it’s a dagger through his heart. No matter what he’s been able to accomplish, no matter how he’s followed the rules, he’s still second to Jimmy in his mother’s eyes.
Flashing forward to the present, Chuck is put through the wringer after he’s rushed to the hospital following his head injury. The notion of being bombarded with radiation to determine the extent of his injuries has him on edge and almost sends him to the breaking point. Despite the trauma Chuck’s suspicions, resentment and growing hate for Jimmy remains strong. His continued dependence on his wayward brother remains a sore spot even after he’s released from hospital.
The best thing about Better Call Saul has been its exploration of relationships and the toll they take. The baggage of someone’s past coupled with their current situation or station in life can have a direct effect on how people interact with each other. Jimmy and Chuck’s sibling rivalry is filled with deception, jealously and guilt. Whether it be for validation, maternal love or status these two have been battling for years matching wits and protecting their turf from one another. The cat and mouse game being played between the brothers is ratcheted up a few notches in a well written and acted scene before the close of the episode.
One of the more powerful scenes in Klick involved Mike’s surveillance of the Salamanca Cartel. The tension arose not only from what was going on but also the skillful use of sound. Silence, interspersed with yelling, bugs and a car horn was one of the highlights of the episode. For a show that excels at dialogue, to have a scene almost devoid of it and to have it resonate so, is just one example as to why Better Call Saul is one of the finest shows on TV. The scene’s final moments elicits some new questions, particularly this one: “Who’s watching the watcher?”
Klick was a satisfying end to a strong second season of Better Call Saul. The characters continue to evolve and the show, while still connected to Breaking Bad, has created a distinct tone and narrative all its own. As we wait to see how the events of Klick unfold next season, it is safe to say that Better Call Saul is one of the reasons television has never been better.
