Better Call Saul: Ep. 209 Nailed
The tangled relationships that have been executed brilliantly so far on Better Call Saul continued their delicate dance in Nailed. Symmetry between the Mike Ehrmantraut and Jimmy McGill storylines became a little clearer and left both characters reflecting on the choices they’ve made so far this season. For the most part, both Jimmy and Mike have kept a lid on things, but after the events of this episode things begin to spiral out of control.
Chuck’s competency is called into question during the Mesa Verde hearing due to the documents forged by Jimmy. The error not only delays Mesa Verde’s plans to open a new branch but also causes Chuck to lose face. Enraged, he returns home with Howard looking for answers and slowly comes to the realization that the conflict in court was due to more than just a simple mistake.
Jimmy and Kim take to remodeling their new office. While doing so Kim gets a call from Paige telling her that Mesa Verde wants her back. Another call comes through informing her that Chuck is willing to hand over the Mesa Verde files. When Kim and Jimmy head over to collect the files, Chuck as though he were before a judge, artfully reveals the truth of Jimmy’s deception.
The scene is a painful one and illustrates the blinders people can have even when the truth is right in front of them. Perhaps it’s more than that. Facing the truth can be harder than living a lie. Kim’s refusal to accept Chuck’s explanation has more to do with her realization that exposing Jimmy’s deception would cause her more personal and professional harm than siding with the truth. Kim is no fool. She knows whom she’s gotten into bed with but she’s also well aware that Chuck would be a formidable opponent.
One thing that’s evident from Nailed is that Jimmy’s ability to think on his feet and fast talking charm has given him a Teflon-like quality. The fallout from his various schemes rarely stick to him. That however can only last so long. The dance between the brothers McGill has been filled with intricate moves and fancy footwork with each participant deftly shifting his feet to the ever-changing beat. At the beginning both Jimmy and Chuck were somewhat mindful of where to place their feet, mindful to avoid the other one’s toes. As the season has progressed and their dissatisfaction with each other grows, they’re becoming less mindful of where they step.
Another character who shares Jimmy’s Teflon abilities is Mike. His one-man vendetta against the Salamanca Cartel has not come back to haunt him yet but he hasn’t gone completely unnoticed. Nacho’s deduction that Mike was behind the ice cream truck robbery is evidence of the young criminal’s smarts. His subsequent change in demeanor and Mike’s reaction to it is also a stark reminder that their alliance is an uneasy one.
While Jimmy and Mike’s separate deceptions may not have come back to jaunt them immediately, the consequences of those actions weren’t far behind. No matter how smart or prepared you are it’s impossible to plan for every contingency and failure to do so can be a heavy burden.
