Something Unforgivable

Last updated
"Something Unforgivable"
Better Call Saul episode
Something Unforgivable poster.jpg
Promotional poster
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 10
Directed by Peter Gould
Written byPeter Gould
Ariel Levine
Editing by Skip Macdonald
Original air dateApril 20, 2020 (2020-04-20)
Running time60 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
 Previous
"Bad Choice Road"
Next 
"Wine and Roses"
Better Call Saul season 5
List of episodes

"Something Unforgivable" is the tenth and final episode of the fifth season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul , a spin-off series of Breaking Bad . The episode aired on April 20, 2020, on AMC in the United States and Canada. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries.

Contents

Plot

Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler watch Lalo Salamanca depart. [lower-alpha 1] Jimmy asks why Mike Ehrmantraut has been protecting him, but Mike hangs up. Jimmy tells Kim the truth about his desert trek with Mike. [lower-alpha 2] Kim and Jimmy check into a hotel to hide in case Lalo returns.

Mike tells Gus Fring that Lalo and Nacho Varga went to Lalo's Chihuahua home. Gus tells Mike he has sent assassins and suggests Nacho can help them. Lalo and Nacho arrive at Lalo's house, an expansive hacienda inside a large, walled compound, and are warmly greeted by family and friends. Nacho receives a call telling him to open Lalo's back gate at 3 a.m.

Kim ignores Jimmy's request to remain at the hotel, meets with the public defender, and accepts twenty pending felony cases pro bono. She tells Howard Hamlin she quit Schweikart & Cokely. [lower-alpha 1] Howard assumes Jimmy is behind Kim's decision and tells Kim about Jimmy's recent harassment campaign. [lower-alpha 3] Kim laughs at Howard, says she is insulted by the notion that she cannot decide for herself, and tells Howard he does not understand Jimmy. Howard angrily tells her that Chuck McGill knew Jimmy better than anyone else. [lower-alpha 4]

Lalo prepares Nacho for his first meeting with Don Eladio. At the meeting, Lalo explains that Nacho is associated with Tuco Salamanca and will manage the Salamanca drug business while Lalo is in Mexico. Eladio is impressed with Nacho's plans to expand the Salamanca territory and gives his blessing.

Jimmy goes to Mike's house and demands that Mike explain why he has been aiding Jimmy. Mike reveals that Lalo will be killed that night, and Jimmy informs Kim. Still angered by Howard's comments, Kim proposes a forced resolution of the Sandpiper case by sabotaging him, which would enable Jimmy to receive his seven-figure share of the settlement sooner. [lower-alpha 5] Jimmy counsels against it, saying she would not be okay with it, but Kim asks "Wouldn't I?" and gives Jimmy finger guns. [lower-alpha 6]

Lalo is awake at 3 a.m, so Nacho sets a kitchen fire as a distraction that enables him to open the gate. Nacho flees as assassins enter and kill most of Lalo's family and guards. Lalo kills all but one assassin, then forces the survivor to call the middleman who arranged the attack call and report that Lalo was killed. Lalo realizes Nacho is missing and angrily strides away from his house.

Production

Much of the fifth season was written to drive toward the final scene between Kim and Jimmy in which she appears ready to take vengeful action against Howard, showing that Kim has a side of her that is as conniving, if not more so than Jimmy's "Saul Goodman" persona. Bob Odenkirk, who portrays Jimmy, said, "The show, it's called Better Call Saul. But the real show is, Who the Hell is Kim?"; he identified the show had gone to lengths to show how similar Kim and Jimmy were even to their routines, and that Kim had elements of her past that suggested there was more to her than she presented. [3] Rhea Seehorn, who plays Kim, said that "It isn't as simple as saying, 'Jimmy is turning [Kim] bad.' That’s not correct. So is he reigniting something that was always there? Is he bringing it out in her?" [3]

Lalo's character was a focus of this episode. According to Tony Dalton, who plays Lalo, series co-creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould had not given much time to show the full breadth of Lalo's character outside of a few intense scenes such as when he confronts Fred, the clerk at the Travelwire store in "Winner". Within "Something Unforgivable" they gave Lalo this larger characterization, first showing him as a warm and charismatic person when introducing his family to Nacho on arrival at his home, then later as a ruthless killer when attacking the assassination team, particularly when he finds they killed his nana who may not have been a blood relative but who had taken care of Lalo. [4] Dalton said that it took a couple of days to film the final attack scene, but in contrast to the final scene with Kim and Jimmy in "Bad Choice Road", the action scene was much easier and more fun to film. [4]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, Something Unforgivable received an 100% rating with an average 8.86 out of 10 score based on 15 reviews. The critical consensus is, "Lalo lives to fight another day and Kim breaks bad in a season finale that masterfully assembles the board for Better Call Saul's doom-laden conclusion." [5]

Ratings

Something Unforgivable was watched by 1.59 million viewers on its first broadcast. [6] The episode was the second most-watched episode of the season, after the season premiere which had 1.60 million viewers. [7]

Notes

  1. 1 2 As seen in "Bad Choice Road".
  2. As seen in "Bagman".
  3. As seen in "JMM".
  4. Chuck's disapproval of Jimmy is first seen in "Pimento".
  5. As seen in "Fall".
  6. This is a reversal of the roles from the final scene of the fourth season finale "Winner", when Jimmy reveals to Kim he plans to practice law under the name "Saul Goodman" and gives her the same gesture as he walks off. [1] [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saul Goodman</span> Fictional character in Breaking Bad series

James Morgan "Jimmy" McGill, better known by his business name Saul Goodman, is a fictional character created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould and portrayed by Bob Odenkirk in the television franchise Breaking Bad. He appears as a major character in Breaking Bad (2009–2013) and as the titular protagonist of its spin-off Better Call Saul (2015–2022).

<i>Better Call Saul</i> American legal crime drama television series (2015–2022)

Better Call Saul is an American legal crime drama television series created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould for AMC. Part of the Breaking Bad franchise, it is a spin-off of Gilligan's previous series, Breaking Bad (2008–2013), to which it serves primarily as a prequel, with some scenes taking place during and after the events of Breaking Bad. Better Call Saul premiered on AMC on February 8, 2015, and ended on August 15, 2022, after six seasons consisting of 63 episodes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gus Fring</span> Fictional character in the Breaking Bad franchise

Gustavo Fring is a fictional character portrayed by Giancarlo Esposito in the Breaking Bad franchise, serving as the main antagonist in the crime drama series Breaking Bad and a major character in its prequel Better Call Saul. He is a Chilean-American businessman and major narcotics distributor in the Southwestern United States who uses several legitimate businesses, including a chain of successful fast food restaurants called Los Pollos Hermanos and an industrial laundry facility called Lavandería Brillante, as fronts used to launder money for a vast drug operation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kim Wexler</span> Fictional character from Better Call Saul

Kimberly "Kim" Wexler is a fictional character in the television series Better Call Saul, a spin-off of Breaking Bad. Kim is primarily portrayed by Rhea Seehorn, and was created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. An intelligent and proficient lawyer, she is the confidant and love interest of Jimmy McGill / Saul Goodman, whom she later marries. Kim's characterization and Seehorn's performance have received critical acclaim, earning her two Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nacho Varga</span> Fictional character in the television series Better Call Saul

Ignacio "Nacho" Varga is a fictional character who appears in the AMC television series Better Call Saul, a prequel spin-off of Breaking Bad. He is portrayed by Michael Mando and was created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould.

<i>Better Call Saul</i> season 2 Second season of the AMC crime drama television series

The second season of the American television series Better Call Saul premiered on February 15, 2016, and concluded on April 18, 2016. The ten-episode season was broadcast on Monday nights in the United States on AMC. A spin-off-prequel of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul was created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, both of whom also worked on Breaking Bad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Ehrmantraut</span> Fictional character from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul

Michael Ehrmantraut is a fictional character in the television series Breaking Bad and its spinoff prequel Better Call Saul, portrayed by Jonathan Banks. Mike is a former Philadelphia police officer and United States Marine Corps veteran who works for Gus Fring—and, on occasion, Saul Goodman—as a private investigator, head of security, cleaner, and hitman. While an officer in Philadelphia, he engaged in corrupt activities that indirectly led to the death of his son Matt, leading Mike to move to Albuquerque to watch over and financially support his daughter-in-law Stacey and granddaughter Kaylee through jobs in the criminal underworld.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lalo Salamanca</span> Character from the TV series "Better Call Saul"

Eduardo "Lalo" Salamanca is a fictional character and one of the main antagonists in the AMC television series Better Call Saul, a spin-off prequel and sequel to Breaking Bad. He is portrayed by Tony Dalton, with the character being created by Peter Gould and screenwriter Gordon Smith respectively. Lalo is introduced in the show's fourth season but was originally mentioned in dialogue from the Breaking Bad episode "Better Call Saul" that introduces Saul Goodman, though Lalo does not appear in the series.

<i>Better Call Saul</i> season 5 Fifth season of the AMC crime drama television series

The fifth season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul premiered on February 23, 2020, in the United States, and concluded on April 20, 2020. The ten-episode season was broadcast on Mondays at 9:00 pm (Eastern) in the United States, except for the premiere which aired on a Sunday. Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian, Michael Mando, and Giancarlo Esposito reprise their roles from previous seasons and are joined by Tony Dalton, promoted to the main cast from his recurring role in the previous season. Better Call Saul is a spin-off prequel to Breaking Bad and was also created by Vince Gilligan; co-creator Peter Gould also worked on the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wine and Roses</span> 1st episode of the 6th season of Better Call Saul

"Wine and Roses" is the first episode of the sixth season of Better Call Saul, the spin-off television series of Breaking Bad. Michael Morris directed the episode written by Peter Gould. It aired back-to-back with "Carrot and Stick" on April 18, 2022, on AMC and AMC+. In several countries outside the United States and Canada, it premiered on Netflix the following day.

<i>Better Call Saul</i> season 6 Sixth season of the AMC crime drama television series

The sixth and final season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul premiered on April 18, 2022, in the United States, and concluded on August 15, 2022. The thirteen-episode season was broadcast on Mondays at 9:00 pm (Eastern) in the United States on AMC and its streaming service AMC+. Each episode was released on Netflix the day after in certain international markets. The season was split into two parts; the first consisting of the first seven episodes concluded on May 23, before resuming with the second half consisting of the final six episodes on July 11. Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian, Michael Mando, Tony Dalton, and Giancarlo Esposito reprise their roles from previous seasons. Better Call Saul is a spin-off, prequel and sequel of Breaking Bad created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould.

JMM (<i>Better Call Saul</i>) 7th episode of the 5th season of Better Call Saul

"JMM" is the seventh episode of the fifth season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, a spin-off series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on March 30, 2020, on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on the streaming service Netflix in several countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Guy for This</span> 3rd episode of the 5th season of Better Call Saul

"The Guy for This" is the third episode of the fifth season of the AMC television series Better Call Saul, a spin-off series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on March 2, 2020, on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on the streaming service Netflix in several countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Choice Road</span> 9th episode of the 5th season of Better Call Saul

"Bad Choice Road" is the ninth and penultimate episode of the fifth season of the AMC crime drama television series Better Call Saul, a spin-off series of Breaking Bad. The episode aired on April 13, 2020, on AMC in the United States. Outside of the United States, the episode premiered on streaming service Netflix in several countries.

Hit and Run (<i>Better Call Saul</i>) 4th episode of the 6th season of Better Call Saul

"Hit and Run" is the fourth episode of the sixth season of Better Call Saul, the spin-off television series of Breaking Bad. Actress Rhea Seehorn directed the episode written by Ann Cherkis. The episode aired on May 2, 2022, on AMC and AMC+. In several countries outside the United States and Canada, the episode premiered on Netflix the following day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Axe and Grind</span> 6th episode of the 6th season of Better Call Saul

"Axe and Grind" is the sixth episode of the sixth season of Better Call Saul, the spin-off television series of Breaking Bad. Actor Giancarlo Esposito directed the episode written by Ariel Levine. The episode aired on May 16, 2022, on AMC and AMC+. In several countries outside the United States and Canada, the episode premiered on Netflix the following day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plan and Execution</span> 7th episode of the 6th season of Better Call Saul

"Plan and Execution" is the seventh episode and mid-season finale of the sixth season of Better Call Saul, the spin-off television series of Breaking Bad. It was written and directed by Thomas Schnauz. It aired on May 23, 2022, on AMC and AMC+. In several countries outside the United States and Canada, it premiered on Netflix the following day.

Point and Shoot (<i>Better Call Saul</i>) 8th episode of the 6th season of Better Call Saul

"Point and Shoot" is the eighth episode and mid-season premiere of the sixth season of Better Call Saul, the spin-off television series of Breaking Bad. It was written by Gordon Smith and directed by series co-creator Vince Gilligan. It screened at the Tribeca Festival in New York on June 18, 2022, and aired on AMC and AMC+ in the United States and Canada on July 11, 2022, before debuting online in certain territories on Netflix the following day. In the episode, Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler react to the death of their colleague Howard Hamlin at the hands of Lalo Salamanca, who orders them to help him carry out his plan in proving Gus Fring's disloyalty to the cartel.

Fun and Games (<i>Better Call Saul</i>) 9th episode of the 6th season of Better Call Saul

"Fun and Games" is the ninth episode of the sixth season of Better Call Saul, the spin-off television series of Breaking Bad. It was directed by Michael Morris and written by Ann Cherkis. The episode aired on AMC and AMC+ on July 18, 2022, before debuting online in certain territories on Netflix the following day. In the episode, Gus Fring discusses the death of Lalo Salamanca with the cartel, Mike Ehrmantraut ties up a loose end, and Jimmy McGill and Kim Wexler deal with the aftermath of Howard Hamlin's murder.

References

  1. Sepinwall, Alan (April 20, 2020). "'Better Call Saul' Season 5 Finale Recap: Survival Skills". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  2. Snierson, Dan (April 20, 2020). "Better Call Saul finale: Bob Odenkirk and Rhea Seehorn break down Kim's shocking pitch to Jimmy". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on April 22, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Siegel, Alan (April 21, 2020). "How They Made It: The Spectacular Fifth Season of 'Better Call Saul'". The Ringer . Archived from the original on April 22, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Yap, Audrey Cleo (April 21, 2020). "Tony Dalton on Unleashing Lalo in 'Better Call Saul's' Season 5 Finale". Variety . Archived from the original on April 22, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  5. "Something Unforgivable". Rotten Tomatoes . Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  6. Metcalf, Mitch (April 21, 2020). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.20.2020". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  7. "Better Call Saul: Season Five Ratings". TV Series Finale. April 21, 2020. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.