This episode is as slow a burn as any of the slowest burns in this shows history. Will that disappoint those expecting an explosive breaking bad esque ending? Absolutely. But if you really expected that, maybe you haven't been really paying attention to the show you're actually watching. It's been said before but I'll say it again. This IS NOT breaking bad, folks.
This episode to me was about Sauls transition back into Jimmy. And in that context, it IS a happy ending. Regardless of the situation Jimmy ends up in, the one he puts himself in even. He confesses to the court and infront of Kim because he wants her and himself to know that Jimmy still exists inside of the twisted man he has become.
His ultimate goal was to show Kim and Jimmy that Saul Goodman has NOT killed Jimmy Mcgill, and when she comes to visit him in jail to have that oh so nostalgic cigarette, that is Kim accepting him as Jimmy once more. Like I said, in this context, this is a happier ending than it could've been. Though Jimmy is locked up for life now, he is more free than he has been in a long long time.
Another nice touch that adds to the idea of a happier ending, cutting through the grim noir atmosphere, is the fact that 'Saul Goodman' is a living legend in the eyes of the inhabitants of the prison Jimmy is in. This likely means prison life will be fairly easy for him. There is a scene here which borders on him being literally worshipped, and it helps the viewer that still cares for Jimmy's wellbeing relax a little.
In the end, we are left finally with the real Jimmy mcgill, and Saul Goodman ready at hand to protect Jimmy as he ALWAYS has. His carefully created defensive persona that he has used to guard himself, his emotions and grief, and most importantly, his guilt in life, is now his guardian angel in prison.
I rate this a 9. 5/10, the 0.5 missing because I can't help but feel like I wanted a little more. Regardless of what I said earlier in the review, this was still a fairly grim ending. I'll need a rewatch to fully develop my emotional response to this. The scene with Walter when they're about to be given new lives by hoover man was really brilliant and left on a poignant note. I'm mostly satisfied and this was a fitting end for BETTER CALL SAUL. Not for BREAKING BAD. Get that straight in your head and you may just enjoy it as much as you want to.
This episode to me was about Sauls transition back into Jimmy. And in that context, it IS a happy ending. Regardless of the situation Jimmy ends up in, the one he puts himself in even. He confesses to the court and infront of Kim because he wants her and himself to know that Jimmy still exists inside of the twisted man he has become.
His ultimate goal was to show Kim and Jimmy that Saul Goodman has NOT killed Jimmy Mcgill, and when she comes to visit him in jail to have that oh so nostalgic cigarette, that is Kim accepting him as Jimmy once more. Like I said, in this context, this is a happier ending than it could've been. Though Jimmy is locked up for life now, he is more free than he has been in a long long time.
Another nice touch that adds to the idea of a happier ending, cutting through the grim noir atmosphere, is the fact that 'Saul Goodman' is a living legend in the eyes of the inhabitants of the prison Jimmy is in. This likely means prison life will be fairly easy for him. There is a scene here which borders on him being literally worshipped, and it helps the viewer that still cares for Jimmy's wellbeing relax a little.
In the end, we are left finally with the real Jimmy mcgill, and Saul Goodman ready at hand to protect Jimmy as he ALWAYS has. His carefully created defensive persona that he has used to guard himself, his emotions and grief, and most importantly, his guilt in life, is now his guardian angel in prison.
I rate this a 9. 5/10, the 0.5 missing because I can't help but feel like I wanted a little more. Regardless of what I said earlier in the review, this was still a fairly grim ending. I'll need a rewatch to fully develop my emotional response to this. The scene with Walter when they're about to be given new lives by hoover man was really brilliant and left on a poignant note. I'm mostly satisfied and this was a fitting end for BETTER CALL SAUL. Not for BREAKING BAD. Get that straight in your head and you may just enjoy it as much as you want to.