Better Call Saul 406 – Pinata
Sometimes a step backwards is the path to moving forward. At least that’s how Jimmy sees it as he entertains thoughts of reteaming with Kim for another shot at relaunching Wexler-McGill. The dead time at CC Mobile makes for a completely unfulfilling career choice and the beat down he received after the mobile phone scam also has him reconsidering things.
Speaking of unfulfilled Kim is dealing with the same sort of challenges as she plods ahead working for Mesa Verde. Like the siren call that lured ships to the shore though, she can’t escape her side hustle as a public defender. The law and its intricacies flow through Kim and give her life. It’s her passion and the roots of it are evident in a pre-credits scene featuring the welcome return of Chuck McGill. When a young Kim gushes over Chuck’s most recent victory and the obscure case law he used to win the case it was like a sports fanatic pouring over the stats of their favorite player’s career. That love of the law has waned somewhat for her and the droll work offered by Mesa Verde may be good for her bank account but not her psyche. An impromptu visit with Rich of Schweikart & Cokley opens a potential new venture for Kim that could change the course of her future.
Gus and Mike go over the details of the super lab’s construction. While the scene can be taken as a pedestrian window into the inner dealings of a criminal organization it actually demonstrates the growing symbiotic relationship between Mike and Gus. Scenes like this are a prime example of what makes Better Call Saul such great television. Like a pinata there is so much more than what you see on the outside. Another great scene involves Kim and Jimmy and her reveal that she met with Rich Schweikart. There’s no room for a Wexler-McGill 2.0 and her future plans hit Jimmy like a rampaging rhino. When he excuses himself from the table and tries to calm his nerves the constant tapping in the restaurant’s kitchen might as well be his heart pounding away at a million beats per second.
Pinata is much like the real thing. Once you break open the outer shell there are plenty of rewarding surprises inside.
