A series finale is something that always feels like a difficult break-up. It's not hard to assume that you're going into something that's going to be heartbreaking, but it will either leave you full of satisfaction or happiness or down in the gutter. This is something special. This is the end of an era that has taken 13 years to get to this conclusion. Vince Gilligan started "Breaking Bad" and it premiered in 2008, probably never imagining that it would ever come to this point. He decided to develop a spinoff and he picked Peter Gould, who had written the first episode in which Saul Goodman appeared, to be the captain of that ship. And he couldn't have picked a better guy, because Gould has been the captain of this ship for all its six seasons with precision and determination to get us to a finale that we would have never seen coming. Now, after 13 years, we're at the end of the line for this universe, saying farewell to TV that has been the main source of entertainment for a lot of people. "Breaking Bad" stands as one of the all-time great shows, but "Better Call Saul" deserves to be in the conversation. With this finale, they have finished off this show on a perfect note, putting the audience through a ringer of emotions, but ultimately taking Saul Goodman back to his roots, stripping away all the glamor and personality traits, leaving Jimmy McGill to take responsibility for his actions in a heartbreaking finale.
At the center of this episode was a strong emotional core that was meant to bring Jimmy to his worst place in order for him to be able to break free from the chains he's been in as Saul Goodman. He is who he is and that cannot be taken away by a desire to be more. Saul Goodman was a fun idea as long as he was needed, but he's not someone who was ever meant to stay. The writers knew that and found a way to get rid of that persona, ending the spiral of violence and deceit.
There's no shortage of cameos in this episode, but it's clear that Gould chose the exact right cameos to put in to fuel Jimmy's choice. Whether that's through an incredible opening scene with Mike, or a heartbreaking revisit to Chuck McGill, as well as a nice little last scene with Walter White (who is still a dick!), there's nothing in it that isn't there to give Jimmy enough motivation to go out where he does. A worse show would do it just to excite the audience; "Better Call Saul" does it to service the characters and respect for the audience.
We saw a big change in this show when it went more firmly towards the roots of "Breaking Bad." However, at its heart, this has always been a show about lawyers, and the finale brought it all back. In many ways, that may have been my favorite part of this entire episode; seeing Jimmy back in a courthouse, and getting those many references done with the camera and its placements. It was important to change it to a crime show for the story, but even more important to change it back to a lawyer show for the finale.
At the end I want to give a big shout out to Bob Odenkirk, who has brought this character from a funny comic relief character into a multi-dimensional human being with flaws. He has been on a journey with this guy and it brings me so much joy that he got to see it come to fruition after he had a heart attack last year. He will be remembered for this character, but also the grace he brought to a show that could have been a complete flop, but ended up being his magnum opus, all because of him and his dedication.
"Saul Gone" puts the lit on one of the greatest television experiences I've ever had, and finishes an era that has taken 13 years to come to this moment. It's a perfect finale for Jimmy McGill and finishes it off with one question about the show: what have we done to deserve this amazing masterpiece.
At the center of this episode was a strong emotional core that was meant to bring Jimmy to his worst place in order for him to be able to break free from the chains he's been in as Saul Goodman. He is who he is and that cannot be taken away by a desire to be more. Saul Goodman was a fun idea as long as he was needed, but he's not someone who was ever meant to stay. The writers knew that and found a way to get rid of that persona, ending the spiral of violence and deceit.
There's no shortage of cameos in this episode, but it's clear that Gould chose the exact right cameos to put in to fuel Jimmy's choice. Whether that's through an incredible opening scene with Mike, or a heartbreaking revisit to Chuck McGill, as well as a nice little last scene with Walter White (who is still a dick!), there's nothing in it that isn't there to give Jimmy enough motivation to go out where he does. A worse show would do it just to excite the audience; "Better Call Saul" does it to service the characters and respect for the audience.
We saw a big change in this show when it went more firmly towards the roots of "Breaking Bad." However, at its heart, this has always been a show about lawyers, and the finale brought it all back. In many ways, that may have been my favorite part of this entire episode; seeing Jimmy back in a courthouse, and getting those many references done with the camera and its placements. It was important to change it to a crime show for the story, but even more important to change it back to a lawyer show for the finale.
At the end I want to give a big shout out to Bob Odenkirk, who has brought this character from a funny comic relief character into a multi-dimensional human being with flaws. He has been on a journey with this guy and it brings me so much joy that he got to see it come to fruition after he had a heart attack last year. He will be remembered for this character, but also the grace he brought to a show that could have been a complete flop, but ended up being his magnum opus, all because of him and his dedication.
"Saul Gone" puts the lit on one of the greatest television experiences I've ever had, and finishes an era that has taken 13 years to come to this moment. It's a perfect finale for Jimmy McGill and finishes it off with one question about the show: what have we done to deserve this amazing masterpiece.