Like many other BCS fans I was certain that creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould would not be able to top the season 6B premiere. It turns that I gaslit myself worse than Kim gaslit Cheryl.
And that is saying something.
No television program does character driven drama as well BCS and in this particular episode (S6 E9), all of the characters were driven by a need to heal, even if they are incapable of doing so.
Let’s start with the big reveal and bid adieu (hopefully temporarily) to Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) as it APPEARS that she has, in an attempt to heal, fled her profession, marriage, and the state of New Mexico. And although these resignations seemed obvious to the audience, they remained oblivious to Jimmy.
Let’s revisit Kim’s dialogue as she tells Jimmy that she wants a divorce, is leaving town, and has quit being an attorney.
‘You asked me if I was bad for you. You aren’t. We are bad for each other’.
In other news, water is wet.
‘I love you too, but so what’.
OUCH.
This was followed by Kim finally admitting that she was never IN LOVE with Jimmy and was only with him for funzies. Sociopathic funzies, but funzies not the less.
‘I didn’t tell you about Lalo, because I knew the fun would stop…and then we would break up.
Somebody better call Saul an ambulance.
So, how will Jimmy embrace his healing process? It appears, via an incredibly well executed four-year time jump, that his physical healing will include waking up next to prostitutes, gaining weight and sporting a comb over while his retail therapy has included purchasing a closet full of gaudy clothes, a Bluetooth, and a Cadillac.
In other words, Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad has arrived.
After 59 episodes of rooting for Jimmy, it was more than disheartening to see Breaking Bad Saul again and to be reminded of just how reprehensible that character is.
I guess we all heal in our own ways.
As for crime boss Gus Fring (Giancarlo Stanton), the audience is forced to ask themselves if Fring is capable of healing or even has a desire to do so. Shockingly, the answer to both is no.
Treated to an entire segment that highlighted a more light hearted (term to be used loosely) version of Gus, the audience was transplanted to a restaurant where Gus was engaged in conversation with a character only familiar to him; handsome and charismatic waiter/sommelier David (Reed Diamond). And by familiar, I am assuming that Gus and David are eager to get to know each other in the biblical sense, as their sexual tension was palpable through the screen.
However, at the end of Gus and David’s shared moment, Gus, after a quick smile and last sip of wine, remembers his desire to avenge former lover/business partner Max, and excuses himself without saying goodbye.
Not cool, man. Not cool.
In real life, you wouldn’t feel badly for a mass murdering drug kingpin whose need for revenge is so severe that he cannot connect to other humans on any meaningful level. But hey, this is Albuquerque and all bets are off.
Which only leaves Mike Ehrmantruat (Jonathan Banks) and his healing process. After another successful fix, Mike returns home, unpacks and has a drink. Given Mike’s propensity to picture himself as morally superior to his co-workers, his thoughts return to Mr. Varga and son Nacho. Naturally, Mike couldn’t help but be reminded of the parallels to his relationship with his own deceased son and felt compelled to let Mr. Varga know that his son would not be returning home.
As Mike breaks the news, the audience is visually reminded that one father is a law-breaking criminal and that one father isn’t.
In his dialogue with Mr. Varga, Mike seems to offer consoling words about Nacho, but in reality, is trying to heal himself by speaking of his own deceased son, Matty.
‘It was over fast, no pain. Your son made some mistakes, he fell in with bad people, but he was never like them. Not really. He had a good heart.’
Then, Mr. Varga reminds Mike, and more importantly the audience, who Mike really is a – killer and a drug dealer like everyone else in his organization.
‘What you talk of isn’t justice. What you talk of is revenge. It never ends. My boy is gone. You gangsters and your ‘justice’. You’re all the same.’
I think I need some healing after that.
Sommeliers and Waiters
- The door theme seems to be prevalent again in this episode – Gus closing the bunker door on Mike and being framed by a door as he leaves David were pertinent and most of Jimmy and Kim’s breakup scene were framed by doors
- The skill, veracity, and context in which Kim gaslights Cheryl scares even Jimmy
- Any episode where Gus is at Don Eladio’s pool is must watch television.
- Juan Bolsa, Don Eladio’s consigliere, lies for Gus, via his police chief brother, and confirms to Eladio that Lalo’s dental records match Lalo’s. This act of faith ultimately does not save Bolsa.
- Juan Bolsa translated to English mean John Sack, which makes sense if you are a fan of The Sopranos. What an ingenious and wonderful way for Gilligan to pay homage to The Sopranos creator David Chase as well as actor Vince Curatola.
- And finally, when Saul is open for business and utters Chuck’s mantra of ‘Let Justice Be Done Though The Heavens May Fall’, I almost jumped out of my seat. Incredible.
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