Better Call Saul - S5E6: Wexler v. Goodman
BETTER CALL SAUL - AMC/NETFLIXBetter Call Saul has finally lit the fuse as the titular anti-hero starts knocking everything down. Directed by Michael Morris and written by Thomas Schnauz, Wexler v. Goodman is a fantastically paced episode – one that sets off explosive surprises that previous instalments have been setting up since, with skyrocketing trepidation.
Kim (Rhea Seehorn) decides not to pursue her move against Mesa Verde. Her recent one-on-one with Schweikart is enough of a sign that she's under suspicion – a reality check that informs her she's taking things too far. Her latest stunt may not be worth the risk for an old man who's to be evicted from his own home. She relays this change of plans to Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk) but, despite him initially complying with her request, Saul just can't let his hard work go to waste.
The sequence of events that has unfolded between Jimmy and Mesa Verde is a demonstration of Saul Goodman's wicked capability. His creative showmanship and cunning intelligence are in full display; at first, he slams anyone's expectations by turning the tables on them when they thought they had settled, but the worst is yet to come. Saul aims for shock and awe, and he accomplishes. What transpires is an outrageous magic trick, one that is gleefully hilarious in its execution on the one hand but consequentially destructive towards the Mesa Verde team.
This conflict doesn't end inside the conference room as it also resides inside the comforts of the lead couple's home. Rhea Seehorn has been the MVP of the season, and perhaps the entire series. She remains a strong character in Wexler v. Goodman too as she unleashes Kim's frustration and pain from Jimmy's betrayal with brilliant delivery.
‘I did it to protect you,’ says Jimmy as he tries to defend his case by having Schweikart's suspicion disappear as a result of the earlier con. We have heard this all before in Breaking Bad when Walter White tries to justify the constant lying he has committed in order to maintain his criminal lifestyle as a meth chef, and we're seeing it again but between Kim and Jimmy. Considering that Jimmy made the last-minute decision to carry on with the scheme right after pulling another mean-spirited prank on Howard (Patrick Fabian), it clearly demonstrates that his partner's protection is not entirely the priority.
Nevertheless, instead of ties being cut off, the upsetting bond between the two troubled lawyers gets another flip when Kim's stubbornness brings herself to an unexpected route that will firmly bring more harm to both of their lives. When will she ever listen? Audiences will be frustrated and perplexed by Kim's choice as much as her mother, who furiously and drunkenly drove off the night when young, cello-carrying Kim refused to take a ride from her in the episode's cold open/flashback. The difference resides in the fact we feel sympathy and concern for Seehorn's character while the latter is of neglect.
It is not all lovers' quarrel, however, in Wexler v. Goodman as Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) is back in action. Assuming identities and indirectly passing information to proper authorities about the Travel Wire incident, he successfully causes Lalo Salamanca's (Tony Dalton) arrest. This sounds like a win for Gus's (Giancarlo Esposito) party and this might be an opportunity to exit for Nacho (Michael Mando) as he wants no more involvement in being a puppet for both men. However, this game of chess is far from over, and so is this season.
