Summary
In “Something Beautiful”, another solid episode of Better Call Saul, Jimmy puts a plan into motion that firmly marks his path onto the other side of the law. Meanwhile, Nacho suffers from the increasing tensions within the cartels.
Another week, another solid episode of Better Call Saul in “Something Beautiful”.It should really come as no surprise by now that this show continues its winning run, but credit where credit is due. It’s a little sad that a show being consistently good is noteworthy, but this is where we find ourselves.
“Something Beautiful” sees Jimmy skating ever closer to a life of crime as he drifts further and further away from the character we first met in season one. This week sees the fruition of his plan to steal the Hummels figurine, Bavarian Boy, from the photocopy manufacturer who had the audacity to offer him a job last week. It’s still quite hard to say whether he’s properly flipped into the persona we see in Breaking Bad or whether this is just a reaction to Chuck’s death. I have a feeling it’s the former, as we’re getting quite deep into Better Call Saul now and I’m not sure there’s much scope for a redemption and another descent into criminality.
The job actually goes reasonably well, once Jimmy is able to find a willing accomplice. Jimmy’s first port of call for a wiling burglar was, of course, Mike, who flat out refuses the job. Throughout Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul Mike has often been the voice of reason, the reluctant criminal with a set of boundaries. I like to think that by turning down “free money” he was actually trying to look out for Jimmy. I could just be looking for something that isn’t really there, but I like to think there’s at least one character in the series that wants to do the right thing deep down.
Elsewhere in “Something Beautiful”, the struggle for power in the cartels seems to be heating up. It feels as though Nacho is absolutely screwed, stuck between the Salamancas and Gus Fring. It’s not an enviable position and this week it becomes even less so. In order to ensure no-one suspects his dual allegiances, Gus’ men are kind enough to stage a hijacking on Nacho and Arturo, which has the handy side effect of explaining away Arturo’s death last week. Of course, it’s imperative that everything looks “authentic” and so Nacho gets a bullet in the shoulder and the stomach for his troubles.
All of this looks like being a very smart way for Gus to take control – he’s using the “hijacking” to end the dependence on drug trafficking to a degree by alluding to using sources that are closer to home. It’s what everyone really wants from their narcotics – locally sourced, sustainable, with a low carbon overhead. This leads to Gus having a meeting with a slightly more local chemist, and Breaking Bad favourite Gale (David Costabile). Nothing has been agreed as yet but I suspect it won’t be too long until we see Gale starting to cook meth for Gus.
I’m not really sure what’s going on with Kim in “Something Beautiful”; it seems like she’s spiralling towards something, I’m just not sure what as yet. It seems as though she’s going to be kept rather busy as Mesa Verde seem keen to expand as quickly and aggressively as possible. That would definitely keep her busy (and well paid) but she just doesn’t seem happy. It feels as though she might be starting to take stock and reevaluate priorities to some extent and I can’t help but wonder if this could be the beginning of the end for her and Jimmy, especially if he carries on his path to Saul Goodman.
“Something Beautiful” was another solid episode; a few more interesting morsels of the wider plot, but I’m still left guessing as to what’s going to happen. For a series that is essentially a prequel that’s pretty good going.
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