Better Call Saul - S5E8: Bagman
BETTER CALL SAUL - AMCDesperate times call for desperate measures as Better Call Saul delivers an arguably all-time high in its phenomenal antepenultimate episode. Bagman has been long-awaited by audiences and critics alike, with the episode being continuously mentioned by the series’ creative team as well as Vince Gilligan returning to navigate the ship as director. The anticipation does not disappoint; Bagman brings the series back to Breaking Bad’s roots with a perilous adventure in the hot Mexican desert.
It’s not since season three’s Chicanery that complete immersion has been achieved. It’s quite impressive to learn that Gordon Smith is responsible for writing the teleplays for both entries. Although less dialogue-driven compared to the exceptional hour in the courtroom, Bagman, in contrast, showcases Saul’s extraordinary minimalism with reflective character moments. It is, however, still fully charged with high-caliber suspense.
Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk) accepts Lalo’s (Tony Dalton) request to collect his $7,000,000 bail money across the borders of Mexico. While the pick-up seems successful at first, everything goes to hell when unknown parties arrive. They threaten to take the money and put a bullet through his head. This is obviously subverted when old man, Mike (Jonathan Banks), who has been following throughout the journey, intervenes and saves him.
There is an ongoing debate at hand here. Some fans argue that the tension in Better Call Saul is lacking as we already know the end destination. Excluding the flash-forwards on the season premieres, the viewers know Jimmy can’t possibly die whenever he finds himself in a life-or-death situation. The same thing can be said with Mike, Gus and everyone else who appear in Breaking Bad. However, tension isn’t always rooted into the uncertainty of the characters’ fate. Saul is always the most concerned when questioning the processes rather than the results, and tension is more present in the former than the latter. The undeniable fact remains: not knowing the outcome will elevate tension but it shouldn’t be the subject of skepticism. There will always be enormous stress in each character’s internal development and their external relationships between the people around them.That’s exactly what Bagman is.
In-between sporadic bursts of violence, Jimmy's character is tested. The whole ordeal is a life-changing experience, and that doesn't stop from a shootout, which is another scene expertly staged by Gilligan and his team. Mike is unable to gun down one goon, and the bullets from the gunfight render their vehicles useless, forcing the duo to walk across the desolate outskirts of Mexico while being hunted by the lone gunman. Mike is no stranger to life-threatening scenarios, but Jimmy is.
The cinematography is at its most striking and carries the episode to an extensive degree. Director of photography, Marshall Adams captures the utter hopelessness and intensity of the situation with gorgeous nature landscapes and chilling shots that isolate themselves in the perspectives of the characters.
Throughout the journey, Odenkirk's character is not only broken down by the unrelenting heat and the seemingly endlessness of the desert, but also by the things that remind him of the past. He loses his Suzuki Esteem, he uses the Davis & Main tumbler to store his urine for future use, a bullet punctures the "World's 2nd Best Lawyer" cup that he got from Kim and Mike even brings a space blanket, which resembles what Chuck had used when he was still alive. Interestingly, he uses the same material in a desperate attempt to save themselves. The result of the effort however, while jaw dropping, is futile. In previous episodes, Odenkirk has constantly vocalized his character's feelings, but with the case of Bagman, he relies on body language for expression. You can feel every ounce of pain and hopelessness in his physical performance.
Mike isn't unsympathetic to Jimmy as he tries to give him a pep talk to walk through the suffering. In a simple yet poignant monologue, brilliantly delivered by Jonathan Banks himself, the only thing that keeps him going is the fact that his family need him, and that Jimmy should do the same with Kim (Rhea Seehorn).
Meanwhile, Kim is stricken with worry when Jimmy hasn't come home after the job in Mexico. She voiced her troubles with him about it beforehand when Jimmy opened up about it and now it seems like her worst fears have happened. In a shocking turn of events, she visits Lalo and asks about Jimmy. We've never seen Kim interact with the criminal world until now, but since the couple have agreed to be honest with each other, Kim becomes involved in the business of others. Mike was right, she is in the game now and we can't help but watch her fall down into the rabbit hole.
